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Q: 

How can you get rid of lice?

By August 1, 2014 - 12:29pm
 
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My niece just got lice and I think she picked it up from a classmate at school. She's staying out of school for the next few days till it's gone. How do you treat lice? What are the best ways to get rid of lice?

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Guide

Hello Lauren,

Lice is a common problem among children. It is not dangerous and is treatable. Treat quickly because these little buggers spread from person to person quickly.

The head louse a tiny, wingless parasitic insect that lives among human hairs and feeds on tiny amounts of blood drawn from the scalp.

Shampoo with an over the counter medicated product labeled specifically to treat lice. Medicated lice treatments usually kill the lice and nits (lice eggs), but it may take a few days for the itching to stop. Follow the directions exactly because these products are insecticides.

Use a fine-tooth comb (usually a small comb with fine teeth on each side- found among baby products)to comb out the nits.

It may be necessary to repeat this treatment in seven to 10 days to kill any newly hatched nits.

To prevent reinfection:

Wash all bed linens and clothing that's been recently worn by anyone in your home who's infested in very hot water (130° F [54.4° C]), then put them in the hot cycle of the dryer for at least 20 minutes.
Dry-clean anything that can't be washed (like stuffed animals). Or put them in airtight bags for at least 3 days.
Vacuum carpets and any upholstered furniture (in your home or car), then throw away the vacuum cleaner bag.
Soak hair-care items like combs, barrettes, hair ties or bands, headbands, and brushes in rubbing alcohol or medicated shampoo for 1 hour. You also can wash them in hot water or just throw them away.

Hope these suggestion get rid of the lice,
Maryann

August 3, 2014 - 6:46am
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