Lice are commonly transferred from schoolchildren or by share cockscomb , brush , and towels . you could use over - the - counterpunch ( OTC ) treatment , prescription medicine treatments , or family remedy to kill and remove head insect .

Like a insect plague , the exact estimate of how many people get promontory lice per yr is hard to pin down .

TheCenters for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC)estimates that there are about 6 to 12 million case each year in the United States among child ages 3 to 11 .

Since lice can only creep and come through outside your head for 24 time of day , most infestations come from verbatim head - to - head link . If someone you bonk has lice , it ’s probable they got it from a friend , fellowship member , or unknown with whom they had close contact . Shared items like hats or brushes can also facilitate an infestation .

uncouth billet that can lead to the transference of biting louse include :

A nationalsurveyasked mamma about removing lice and found that most did n’t have accurate fact . Almost 90 pct of moms believe they need to remove eggs ( nits , ) and half of mama think they should apply multiple treatments for head lice .

TheCDCsays that complete remotion of nits is unnecessary , though using a lice coxcomb can aid . And when it comes to treatment , you should use only one mathematical product at a time .

Read on to ascertain about the most in force ways to kill head lice and how to keep them aside .

Before you start treatment

As a first line of defense , try a few modus vivendi changes and place remedies to battle worm .

You wo n’t require to call pest ascendancy . TheCDCsays there is no need to fume your house or treat your pets for sucking louse . Having lice has nothing to do with cleanliness or environment , as they do n’t come from the outdoors or your positron emission tomography .

Which medication can you use for head lice?

allot to Sanofi Pasteur ’s 2014survey , moms who chose prescription treatment were more potential to be quenched ( 91 pct ) than moms who chose over - the - counter treatments ( 79 percent ) .

Possible side effects of prescription treatment include :

Over-the-counter treatments for head lice

If you ’re looking at over - the - counter ( OTC ) treatments for lice , keep an optic out for these ingredients :

Pyrethrins : This is a natural extract from chrysanthemums . It ’s safe for tiddler age 2 years and older . But this constituent only kill unrecorded biting louse , not nits . You ’ll require a second treatment after nine to 10 days if existing eggs have hatched . This should n’t be used by any individuals allergic to chrysanthemums or ragweed .

Permethrin lotion , 1 per centum ( Nix):This is a synthetical treatment similar to rude pyrethrins . It kills both live louse and nit . Permethrin also leaves a residual on the hair that is design to kill any new hatched lice rebel from eggs not kill in the initial app . Shampoos and conditioners may step in with the effectualness of this residue , so you may require to do a second treatment after 7 - 10 day if live lice are seen . Permethrin is safe for child age 2 month and older . Talk to your doctor if you still see lice after full handling . Your doctor can prescribe something stronger .

OTC treatments for kids

Children younger than 2 class should n’t habituate most OTC lice - removal production , so adjudicate simply usinga mulct - toothed comb or a special nit combwhen your child ’s hair is wet . Metal combs are more efficacious than plastic . Repeat this ransack every three to four days for no less than two weeks . take your pediatrician if combing should be used in coincidence with other treatments for your new shaver .

What to do after treatment

After each treatment , you should continue checking the tomentum to remove nit or lice .

Remember to:

What if the treatment doesn’t work?

Sometimes treatment does n’t puzzle out because louse are resistant . Other metre it ’s because someone did n’t conform to the instructions carefully enough . OTC mathematical product do n’t kill nit , so software is a matter of timing . It ’s also possible for someone to become invade again . Talk to your healthcare supplier if a full course of treatment does n’t operate . They ’ll be able to help prescribe a different medication and recommend prevention tips .

Do natural home remedies work?

For people interested in natural dwelling remedies , there aremany options . Most substitute treatments , like olive oil , mayonnaise , or butter , do n’t have enough evidence to designate they work to suffocate lice . Some treatments liketea tree oilshow hope , but they may ask more time and more frequent applications . you could find tea tree oil on Amazon.com . shave the head does also get free of louse , but it does n’t prevent them .

If you ’re calculate for fast and easy termination , prescription product may be a good choice . Talk to your healthcare provider to recover out which intervention is the most efficacious , safe , and easy to expend .