Combing out Lice and Nits

Although eliminating lice from your home is essential, the most time consuming, yet the most important thing a parent or caregiver must do is comb the hair after it has been treated with a lice eliminating shampoo. A special metal comb (shown on the right) must be used for many reasons:
• Specially designed bevelled edged teeth
• Regular plastic comb teeth are too wide
• Plastic combs are too flimsy and break
• You will feel a gentle "pull" with the comb against the hair when it comes into contact with a nit you may not even be able to see
• Metal combs are designed specifically to help remove the lice and nits from the hair shaft
• This special comb can be cleaned and sanitized along with your other family combs and brushes.
Combing out the hair • With the use of this comb, you can separate tiny masses of hair which is the only way to find ALL the lice and nits
•These metal combs can be purchased separately, but most of the time they are included in the box with the shampoo

The photo on the right is magnified to show the metal prongs

Nits may be removed by sliding them off the hair shaft with your fingers or cutting them out with a pair of small scissors. Place the nits in a garbage bag, seal it or tie it in a knot and throw it outside in the garbage.

Here are some more helpful hints to help remove the lice and nits: Inspect hair carefully
~It may be helpful to cover the hair with any type of salad oil or mayonnaise (the same as you would hair conditioner) - the oil may help to loosen the nit or louse from the hair shaft
~Separate a tiny mass of hair about the width of the metal lice comb. Insert the lice comb as close to the scalp as possible and gently pull through the hair strands several times. You will feel a pull on the comb when it comes into contact with a nit. The nits are so small you may not be able to see them.
~Check the hair carefully. Pin the hair in a curl flat against the head after it has been checked to keep it out of the way. You may want to section the hair off with rubber bands as the photo shows on the right.
~Section off tiny masses of hair and continue combing until all lice, nits, and debris are gone.
~After combing, wash the hair again with regular shampoo to remove all salad oil or mayo.
~When the hair is dry, check for stray nits and remove them. Check ALL your family members.

Stop by the health department and check our our helpful and informative video. You can also talk with a nurse about any questions you may have.

Tooele County Health Department Division of School and Family Health
151 North Main Street • Tooele Utah • 84074
(435) 277 - 2310 • Fax (435) 277-2304