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Often, when a family deals with their first head lice infestation, there are many common questions that come up. After getting rid of head lice, families want to be careful to ensure that they do not do anything that would cause a reinfestation, so they ask many questions regarding head lice removal. Prevention is very important, so whether the child's head has very long hair, or if the child's hair is relatively short, there are practical ways to keep from potentially getting lice in the future from an infested person your family members may have close contact with.
How Long After Lice Treatment Can You Wash Your Child's Hair?
When can I wash my hair after lice treatment? After head lice treatment can you wash your hair? Our technicians report often fielding these questions. With our protocol, yes, you can shampoo. After other chemical treatments “Can I wash hair after head lice treatment?” isn't so straightforward. While we do not advise you to apply over-the-counter or prescription lice medicine or shampoo because lice are resistant to the chemicals that they contain, if you choose to go that route, follow the instructions on the lice medication printout from the pharmacy or creme rinse lice medicine box.
Other Tips on How to Prevent Lice After Treatment
We receive many questions regarding lice prevention after an appointment, like “Can you use coconut oil after head lice treatment?” or “Should I cut my hair after lice treatment?” Here are a few of our recommendations:
- Continue with whatever follow-up is recommended by your technician, doctor, or instructions on the lice remedy you have chosen. Skipping this important step can result in a head lice infestation starting all over again, especially if all of the head lice and lice eggs (including live lice) are not removed from the hair shaft.
- Keep the hair tied up in a bun or braid with hair accessories, if long enough, to minimize the contact area for rogue head lice bugs.
- Apply a repellent product like LiceDoctors Mint Repellent Spray to repel head lice.
- Keep the hair artificially dirty with mousse, hair spray, or gel to make it more difficult for head lice to get a grip on dry strands. Remember the bugs want to get to the human scalp as they can enjoy a blood meal several times a day.
- Other essential oils that repel live lice are tea tree oil and rosemary oil - these can be used as effective repellent. Be sure to contact a doctor in case of an allergic reaction.
- Use a special nit comb (metal lice comb) to regularly check for lice and nits. The earlier an infestation is detected, the easier it is to treat.
- It may be prudent to contact your child's school or school nurses to advise them of an infestation in your home. If the case of head lice came from your child's chool, the school nurse will likely check the classroom so other cases of lice can be detected and eradicated.
- Head lice live on the head, not in the home. It's not necessary to machine wash bed linens, including pillow cases, in warm water or hot water, and fumigant sprays can be harmful. Focus on the human head where the head lice feed! Also, you do not need to upset your child by removing stuffed animals if you use our protocols.
Conclusion
We will get rid of this case of head lice with one treatment and follow-up protocol that will remove nits and kills lice, all the head lice! A second treatment is not necessary. You'll be provided with instructions on how to kill newly hatched lice that will end the life cycle of the bugs. In addition, you'll be provided with tips on how to prevent head lice going forward. LiceDoctors lice removal will not stop you from completing your daily hair care routine or any other activities, as you have read above. If you have any other questions, call us at 800-224-2537 to speak with a dispatcher who can schedule your appointment with a local lice professional today!
