Treatment FAQ

when to do 2nd lice treatment

by Kelly Wilkinson Jr. Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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A second treatment is recommended 9 to 10 days after the first treatment to kill any newly hatched lice before they can produce new eggs. Pyrethrins generally should not be used by persons who are allergic to chrysanthemums or ragweed. Pyrethrin is approved for use on children 2 years of age and older.

Medication

No. The two treatments 9 days apart are designed to eliminate all live lice, and any lice that may hatch from eggs that were laid after the first treatment. Many nits are more than ¼ inch from the scalp.

Therapy

Before applying treatment, it may be helpful to remove clothing that can become wet or stained during treatment. Apply lice medicine, also called pediculicide, according to the instructions contained in the box or printed on the label.

Self-care

A second treatment is recommended if live lice still are present 7–9 days after treatment. Malathion is intended for use on persons 6 years of age and older. Malathion can be irritating to the skin.

Do the two treatments 9 days apart get rid of lice?

Best For Kids: Nix Ultra 2-in-1 Lice Treatment. Children are the most susceptible to a lice outbreak, and Nix is a first-line lice treatment that stops nits, lice, and super lice (lice that have mutated and become resistant to over-the-counter treatments) with ease.

What should I do before applying lice treatment?

When is a second treatment of malathion indicated for lice?

What is the best 2 in 1 lice treatment for kids?

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Is second lice treatment necessary?

Is it necessary to remove all the nits? No. The two treatments 9 days apart are designed to eliminate all live lice, and any lice that may hatch from eggs that were laid after the first treatment.

How soon can you repeat Nix treatment?

It can also be that the shampoo wasn't left on for 10 minutes. It may also mean that hair conditioner was used. Also, make sure the Nix is repeated in 9 days. If you don't, the lice may come back.

Why am I still finding lice after treatment?

If you don't reapply the product within the correct number of days, lice eggs can lurk behind and hatch later. To be most effective, follow up prescription or over-the-counter treatment by combing through the hair for two weeks to rid the head completely of lice.

What happens if you use too much lice treatment?

Use medications that treat lice only as directed. Applying too much can cause red, irritated skin.

Can I use Nix 2 days in a row?

Do not use more than one head lice medicine at a time without asking your doctor. Do not rewash hair for 1 to 2 days after the lice treatment. It may reduce the effectiveness of the lice medicine. Continue to check hair and use the nit comb to remove nits and lice every 2 to 3 days for 2 to 3 weeks.

How do I know lice is gone?

Comb dead and any remaining live lice out of the hair using a fine–toothed nit comb. If, after 8–12 hours of treatment, no dead lice are found and lice seem as active as before, the medicine may not be working.

How long can lice live on a hairbrush?

How long can lice live on a hairbrush? Adult head lice can live up to 48 hours off the head after which they need a blood meal – ideally, they like to feed every 4 hours, so 48 hours really is the limit. If you are clearing a head lice infestation you want to keep the hairbrush clean as well.

Can lice come back after a month?

How long can an infestation go on for? A head lice infestation can keep renewing itself indefinitely. New eggs are being laid daily – up to 10 a day from one adult female louse. That daily batch of eggs takes 7 to 11 days to hatch.

Can you have lice but no nits?

One of the first signs of head lice is an itchy scalp. But it is possible to have head lice without any symptoms. If you think your child has head lice, check his hair for nits right away, then again after 1 week and after 2 weeks.

How do you get rid of nits once and for all?

Lice and nits can be removed by wet combing....Wet combingwash hair with ordinary shampoo.apply lots of conditioner (any conditioner will do)comb the whole head of hair, from the roots to the ends.

Does wet combing get rid of head lice?

Wet combing with cheap conditioner and a fine-tooth head lice (nit) comb is an effective way to find and remove head lice, if done properly.

How often can I use Nix?

Since Nix Lice Control is usually needed only once, you are not likely to be on a dosing schedule. Wait at least 7 days before using a second application.

How soon after removing permethin can you get rid of lice?

Sometimes reshampooing the hair too soon (less than 2 days) after correctly applying and removing permethin can reduce or eliminate any residual (continued) killing effect on the lice. Back To Top.

How to kill lice and nits?

Washing, soaking, or drying items at a temperature greater than 130°F can kill both head lice and nits. Dry cleaning also kills head lice and nits. Only items that have been in contact with the head of the infested person in the 48 hours before treatment should be considered for cleaning.

Why do you remove nits after a pediculicide?

Removal of all nits after successful treatment with a pediculicide is not necessary to prevent further spread of head lice. Removal of nits after treatment with a pediculicide may be done for aesthetic reasons, or to reduce diagnostic confusion and the chance of unnecessary retreatment.

How long do head lice live?

Head lice survive less than one or two days if they fall off the scalp and cannot feed. Head lice eggs (nits) cannot hatch and usually die within a week if they do not remain under ideal conditions of heat and humidity similar to those found close to the human scalp.

How far away are nits from scalp?

Many nits are more than ¼ inch from the scalp. Such nits are usually not viable and very unlikely to hatch to become crawling lice, or may in fact be empty shells, also known as casings. Nits are cemented to hair shafts and are very unlikely to be transferred successfully to other people.

Can head lice be resistant to treatment?

Resistance of the head lice to the treatment used. The head lice may have become resistant to the treatment. If the treatment used does not kill the head lice, your health care provider and pharmacist can help you be sure the treatment was used correctly and may recommend a completely different product if they think the head lice are resistant ...

Can head lice be treated with conditioner?

The symptoms are not caused by an active head lice infestation. Applying the treatment to hair that has been washed with conditioning shampoo or rinsed with hair conditioner. Conditioners can act as a barrier that keeps the head lice medicine from adhering to the hair shafts; this can reduce the effectiveness of the treatment.

What is the best treatment for lice?

Seek Professional Help. Some parents turn to home remedies for head lice, such as tea tree oil, mayonnaise, neem oil, vinegar, saline spray and many others. These treatments are messy, time consuming and not supported by scientific evidence.

How to get rid of lice in kids?

Step 2: Contain the Problem 1 Avoid hugging or other close contact. 2 Check other kids and adults in your household for head lice. 3 Often, by the time you get a call from a school nurse, your child has had head lice for a while. Your whole family may need to be treated to prevent reinfestation.

What is the name of the flower that is allergic to lice?

Pyrethrins naturally occur in flowers of the Compositae (Asteraceae) family like chrysanthemums, also known as mums or chrysanths. If your child is allergic to these flowers, he or she may also be allergic to the head lice treatment that uses pyrethrins.

How to prevent lice from spreading to other family members?

Once your child comes home with a confirmed case of head lice, take steps to prevent lice from spreading to other family members. Avoid hugging or other close contact. Check other kids and adults in your household for head lice. Often, by the time you get a call from a school nurse, your child has had head lice for a while.

What does a head lice egg look like?

Head lice eggs ( nits) are firmly attached to the base of the hair. They may look like dandruff, but if you examine them with a magnifying glass, you can see that nits are oval-shaped and not flat. The egg produces a nymph, which has a greyish-white color and goes through three stages before becoming an adult.

Why doesn't over the counter lice work?

As Dr. Cohen points out, one of the reasons over-the-counter head lice treatments don’t work is because they are not used as directed. Parents may split one dose into several applications or otherwise deviate from the directions.

How long can lice live on your head?

Head lice need to have a blood meal every 12 to 24 hours, so they can’t survive away from a human head for longer than a day.

What is the best treatment for lice?

Alternative medicine. A number of home or natural remedies, such as mayonnaise or olive oil , are used to treat head lice infestations, but there's little to no evidence of their effectiveness. A special machine that uses hot air to dehydrate head lice and their eggs is another alternative treatment method.

What to do if you think you have lice?

If you think or know you have lice, avoid sharing personal items, bedding, towels or clothing. Bathe and follow self-care measures, including washing contaminated items in hot water. If you think or know you have a pubic lice infestation, also avoid sexual activity until you've been treated. By Mayo Clinic Staff.

How long does it take for a scalp to heal from lice?

You apply the medication to dry hair and the scalp for 10 minutes and then rinse with water. Repeat the treatment after seven days only if live lice are still present. Possible side effects include redness or irritation of the eyes and skin. This medication isn't recommended for children younger than age 4.

How long does it take for lice to go away after first application?

You may need to repeat treatment with the lotion or shampoo in about nine to 10 days after the first application. These lotions and shampoos typically aren't recommended for children under age 2. Comb wet hair. Use a fine-toothed or nit comb to physically remove the lice from wet hair.

How far away from scalp can you see lice?

A diagnosis of head lice can be made after a live young or adult louse in the hair or on the scalp is found, or after one or more nits are seen on hair shafts located within 1/4 inch (6.4 millimeters) of the scalp. If you don't see any live lice or you see nits that are more than 1/4 inch away from the scalp, the infestation is probably no longer ...

How to get rid of lice in the morning?

Body lice. If you have body lice, you must bathe with soap and water. After bathing, apply permethrin (Nix) to the affected areas before bedtime and then shower in the morning. You will need to repeat this treatment nine days after the first application.

What light do you use to check for lice?

During an examination, your doctor may use a magnifying lens to look for lice. Your doctor may also use a special light, called a Wood's light, to check for nits. This special light makes the nits easier to spot by making them look pale blue.

How many days apart should I take lice treatment?

Because of the life cycle of lice, over-the-counter and prescription treatments may require two treatments, 7-9 days apart. If you don’t reapply the product within the correct number of days, lice eggs can lurk behind and hatch later.

What to do if lice keeps coming back?

If lice keep coming back in your home, ask a doctor about the best treatment options for your family. You’ll also want to find the exact source of the mites. But don’t blame your pet. Your furry friends don’t spread head lice.

How many eggs do lice lay?

Second, female adult lice lay up to eight eggs a day .

How to get rid of lice on stuffed toys?

But follow these simple steps to help prevent another lice attack: Wash and dry bedding, clothing, and stuffed toys using hot water (130 F) and high heat. If the items can’t be washed, seal them in a plastic bag for 3 weeks. Dry cleaning also kills lice. Vacuum upholstered furniture and rugs.

Does dry cleaning kill lice?

Dry cleaning also kills lice. Vacuum upholstered furniture and rugs. Lice room sprays or fumigants are toxic if inhaled or absorbed through the skin. The FDA says that if you or someone in your family has head lice, you don’t need these products.

How to stop lice cycle?

To stop the cycle of lice you must stop the egg laying first, then remove the nits. Timing is everything and you must complete the 3 well-timed treatments to ensure you are lice-free. The follow-up treatments will eliminate the nymphs (baby lice) before they mature and lay eggs, therefore ending the cycle of lice.

How to get rid of lice before hatching?

Perform regular head lice checks. The head lice check is your best defense against a lice invasion. Perform them weekly and you’ll find the nits before they hatch. You should never really have any issue with lice that a quick treatment can’t knock out those pesky nits.

How to get rid of lice in kids?

A. Be smart. Be proactive. Use weekly head checks to minimize outbreaks. Use up hairdos to keep your kids hair to themselves, and use KaPOW!™ Lice Defense Spray to deter lice.o.

How to stop lice from laying eggs?

A. To stop the cycle of lice and the risk of re-infestation, you must stop the egg laying lice first, then remove the actual eggs (nits). The KaPOW!™ Lice Attack Solution destroys the bugs. If done properly, the first treatment will defeat all live lice, including the mommies or egg-laying lice. Then you need to comb out ALL the nits (the lice eggs). If you miss any nits and they hatch, the 2nd or 3rd treatments will take care of the young ouse before it has a chance to mature and lay lmore nits. Our 3 step treatment plan is timed to beat the cycle of a louse’s life (and we guarantee it will.)

Can you remove nits in one comb out?

A. Nits are hard to remove. They are cemented to the hair shaft pretty securely. It’s near impossible to remove all the nits in one comb-out. In an effort to not spend an exorbitant amount of time combing one person out in one sitting, remove all you can in the first comb-out.

Can lice travel to another head?

What makes someone contagious with head lice is having a mature, egg-laying adult female louse on your head that could travel to another head. After the first treatment, when the egg-laying lice are eliminated, you are no longer contagious.

Can you see nits?

A. It is OK to see nits, whether viable or not, as long as you are completing the 3 full treatments. We know it is unsettling to see nits but they are harmless for now. If you see just a few nits and your school does not have a “No Nit Policy” then you are fine. Just make sure to do your scheduled follow up treatments with KaPOW!™ Lice Attack Solution and a nit comb-out. If you find 10 or more nits we recommend doing a quick comb-out in between treatments to remove remaining nits.

What is the best way to treat lice?

Many natural lice treatment plans will recommend using food items like mayonnaise and butter to smother lice. These can work. But, I recommend using something a little less messy and a lot less offensive to your sense of smell. I’m talking about multi-purpose oils like almond, coconut and olive.

How do I get rid of lice in my hair?

So take all of the combs and brushes and wash them using very hot (130 degrees F at the lowest) water and soap. You can also so ak the brushes and combs in rubbing alcohol for at least one hour. You can even do both the washing and the soaking if it makes you feel better. And to be on the safe side, include all the hair-styling tools in the household. Also include any and all objects that go into hair like barrettes, hair ties, headbands, etc.

What are the different types of lice?

There are a few different kinds of lice: ( 3) 1 Head lice ( Pediculus humanus capitis ): This type of lice develops on the scalp and neck. The lice actually attach their eggs to the base of the hair shafts. So head lice always equates to lice in hair. Head lice is typically most obvious or visible at the nape of the neck and over the ears. An infestation with head lice is also called pediculosis. 2 Body lice : These lice live in clothing and on bedding and move onto your skin to feed. Body lice most often affect people who aren’t able to bathe or launder clothing regularly, such as homeless or transient individuals. 3 Pubic lice : Also called crabs, this variety of lice infestation occurs on the hair and skin of the pubic area. Less often it can occur on coarse body hair like that of the chest, eyebrows or eyelashes.

What is the name of the lice that attach to the hair shaft?

There are a few different kinds of lice: ( 3) Head lice ( Pediculus humanus capitis ): This type of lice develops on the scalp and neck. The lice actually attach their eggs to the base of the hair shafts. So head lice always equates to lice in hair.

What essential oils kill lice?

According to Mayo Clinic, clinical studies have demonstrated that some specific essential oils can have a toxic effect on lice and lice eggs. Some of top choices for anti-lice essential oils include tea tree essential oil, anise essential oil and ylang ylang essential oil.

How long does it take for lice to hatch?

These eggs can be difficult to see. They typically take about eight to nine days to hatch. The eggs that are most likely to hatch tend to be a quarter inch or less from where your hair comes out of the scalp.

How many head lice cases are there in the US?

The CDC estimates that somewhere between six to 12 million head lice infestations happen every year among kids aged three to 11 years of age. In the United States, you’ll find the majority of head lice cases occurring in preschool and elementary school children and the people they live with.

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Diagnosis

Lifestyle and Home Remedies

Alternative Medicine

Preparing For Your Appointment

Medically reviewed by
Dr. Karthikeya T M
Your provider will work with you to develop a care plan that may include one or more of these treatment options.
Treatment aims at complete removal of the parasite from the hair and the surroundings.
Medication

Topical drugs: Applied on the hair to kill the lice.

Ivermectin . Malathion . Permethrin . Lindane

Therapy

Washing and combing:Washing the head with shampoo. Combing helps in both diagnosis and treatment.

Self-care

Always talk to your provider before starting anything.

  • Wash clothes and beddings in hot water (60 degrees Celsius) and dry them on high heat in the dryer
  • Dry-clean the clothes and beddings
  • Vacuuming of upholstered furniture and floors
  • Seal clothes and beddings for a period of two weeks
  • Soak hair brushes, combs, barrettes, and other hair accessories in hot water (60 degrees Celsius) for 5 to 10 minutes

Specialist to consult

Primary care physician
Specializes in the acute and chronic illnesses and provides preventive care and health.

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