Step two: repeat. A second treatment about 7–9 days later catches any newly hatched lice that survived the first round. Meanwhile, tackle the home environment: pillowcases, hats, and hair ties used in the last 48 hours should be washed in hot water and dried on high heat. Items that can’t be laundered? Seal them in a plastic bag for two weeks to ensure any lingering lice perish.
Prevention is just as crucial as treatment. Teach kids not to share hats, hair accessories, headphones, or helmets. Regular “peek checks” behind the ears and at the nape of the neck, especially during school outbreaks, catch infestations early before they spread. Maintaining calm and routine during detection turns what feels like a crisis into a manageable process.
With diligence, patience, and the right tools, head lice are not a disaster—they’re just a temporary, fixable nuisance.