By treating the person infested with head lice, other infested family members, and by cleaning the house.

1. Before applying treatment, remove all clothing.

2. Apply lice medicine, also called pediculicide (peh-DICK-you-luh-side), according to label instructions. If your child has extra long hair, you may need to use a second bottle.

WARNING: Do not use a creme rinse or combination shampoo/conditioner before using lice medicine. Do not re-wash hair for 1-2 days after treatment.

3. Have the infested person put on clean clothing after treatment.

4. If a few live lice are still found 8-12 hours after treatment, but are moving more slowly than before, do not retreat. Comb dead and remaining live lice out of the hair. The medicine may take longer to kill lice.

5. 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. See your health care provider for a different medication; follow treatment directions.

6. Nit (head lice eggs) combs, often found in lice medicine packages, should be used to comb nits and lice from the hair shaft. Many flea combs made for cats and dogs are also effective.

7. After treatment, check hair and comb with a nit comb to remove nits and lice every 2-3 days. Continue to check for 2-3 weeks until you are sure all lice and nits are gone.

8. If using OTC pediculicides, retreat in 7-10 days. If using malathion, retreat in 7-10 days only if crawling bugs are found.

Treat the household: Head lice do not survive long if they fall off a person. You do not need to spend a lot of time or money on house cleaning activities.

Follow these steps to help avoid re-infestation by lice that have recently fallen off the hair or crawled onto clothing or furniture.

1. To kill lice and nits, machine wash all washable clothing and bed linens that the infested person touched during the 2 days before treatment. Use the hot water (130^o F) cycle. Dry laundry using high heat for at least 20 minutes

2. Dry clean clothing that is not washable, (coats, hats, scarves, etc.) OR

3. Store all clothing, stuffed animals, comforters, etc., that cannot be washed or dry cleaned into a plastic bag; seal for 2 weeks.

4. Soak combs and brushes for 1 hour in rubbing alcohol, Lysol^*, or wash with soap and hot (130^o F) water.

5. Vacuum the floor and furniture. Do not use fumigant sprays; they can be toxic if inhaled or absorbed through the skin.

Prevent Reinfestation: Lice are most commonly spread directly by head-to-head contact and indirectly though contaminated clothing or belongings. Teach your child to avoid playtime and other activities that are likely to spread lice.

• Avoid head-to-head contact common during play at school and at home (slumber parties, sports activities, at camp, on a playground).
• Do not share clothing, such as hats, scarves, coats, sports uniforms, or hair ribbons.
• Do not share infested combs, brushes, or towels.
• Do not lie on beds, couches, pillows, carpets, or stuffed animals that have recently been in contact with an infested person.

No, although anyone living with an infested person can get head lice. Check household contacts for lice and nits every 2-3 days. Treat only if crawling lice or nits (eggs) within a 1/4 inch of the scalp are found.

No. Head lice do not live on pets.

For children under 2 years old, remove crawling bugs and nits by hand. If this does not work, ask your childs health care provider for treatment recommendations. The safety of head lice medications has not been tested in children 2 years of age and under.

Many head lice medications are available at your local drug store. Each OTC product contains one of the following active ingredients.

1. Pyrethrins (pie-WREATH-rins): often combined with piperonyl butoxide (pie-PER-a-nil beu-TOX-side):

Brand name products include A-200*, Pronto*, R&C*, Rid*, Triple X*.

Pyrethrins are natural extracts from the chrysanthemum flower. Though safe and effective, pyrethrins only kill crawling lice, not unhatched nits. A second treatment is recommended in 7-10 days to kill any newly hatched lice. Treatment failures are common.

2. Permethrin (per-meth-rin):

Brand name product: Nix*.

Permethrins are similar to natural pyrethrins. Permethrins are safe and effective and may continue to kill newly hatched eggs for several days after treatment. A second treatment may be necessary in 7-10 days to kill any newly hatched lice. Treatment failures are common.

Malathion (Ovide*): Malathion has just been reapproved for the treatment of head lice infestations. Malathion treats both lice and head lice eggs. When used as directed, malathion is very effective in treating lice. Few side-effects have been reported. Open sores from scratching may cause malathion to sting the scalp. Click here for instructions on how to use malathion to >Should household sprays be used to kill adult lice?

No. Spraying the house is NOT recommended. Fumigants and room sprays can be toxic if inhaled or absorbed through the skin.