Once you have treated the child’s hair, the next most important thing is to avoid infestation a second time. Cleaning thoroughly will help reduce the risk of getting head lice a second time. Clothes and personal belongings of the child should be washed in hot water and dried in a dryer for at least 30 minutes. Bedclothes should be washed and dried in hot water and on hot cycle in the dryer.
Clothes or items that cannot be washed should be dry cleaned or can be treated with the suffocation method. Don’t forget plush toys, dolls, and other soft toys or pillows. Place items in a plastic bag and leave tightly sealed for ten days. The bugs cannot live off the head host for more than 48 hours and leaving the items in the plastic bag will make sure the nits are killed once they hatch.
Vacuum your house well! Especially concentrate on beds, couches, under these items and don’t forget the car seats. The head lice cannot live off the head host for long, but they can still be found on furniture, car seats, and other items. Don’t skip this step. My hairdresser friend says this is one of the most important steps in getting rid of head lice. After you have finished vacuuming, replace the sweeper bag and place the used bag in sealed plastic before throwing it away.
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