Initial Treatment Options for Lice
Therapy | Instructions | Comments |
|---|---|---|
Lice, head | ||
Apply to dry hair and scalp, wash and rinse in 8–12 hours, shampoo scalp, and remove nits May repeat in 7–9 days if live nits (nits closer than a 1/4 inch away from the scalp) are seen | Highly effective but not 1st-line treatment because of flammability and unpleasant odor | |
Wash hair and apply to wet hair, behind ears and on nape; wash off in 10 minutes May repeat in 7 days if live nits (closer than a 1/4 inch away from the scalp) are seen | Contraindicated in patients sensitive to the chrysanthemum family of plants | |
Apply to dry scalp and rub in until scalp is moistened, then apply to dry hair, completely covering the scalp and hair; leave on for 10 minutes then thoroughly rinse off with warm water If live lice are seen after 7 days, a second treatment should be done | For use in patients ≥ 4 years of age May cause eyelid redness and swelling; avoid contact with eyes | |
Apply lotion to dry hair to coat the hair and scalp. Rinse after 10 minutes with water Single-use application | For use in patients > 6 months of age | |
Wet combing with a metal nit comb | Should be combined with all of the therapies | — |
Lice, body | ||
— | Treatment of pruritus and secondary infection | Topical measures not used because body lice are found in clothing Wash clothes and linens and dry them at 65° C (149° F) Dry cleaning or ironing clothes |
Lice, pubic | ||
Same as for head lice Must repeat in 10 days | — | |
Pyrethrins* with piperonyl butoxide (60 mL) shampoo | Apply to dry hair and skin, leave on for 10 minutes, rinse, and repeat in 7–10 days | Cannot be applied more than twice in 24 hours |
Lice, eyelashes | ||
Applied to the eyelids | Provides immediate pediculicidal effect | |
Petrolatum ointment | Apply 3–4 times a day for 8–10 days | — |