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Special shampoos
You can buy special shampoos, but in many cases, the nits have become resistant to these shampoos and they don't always work well. Remember, they may kill the lice, but you still need to use a metal nit comb to get rid of the eggs!
Wet Combing/Bug Busting
The safest and most effective treatment method is through daily wet combing every three days for two weeks. Read the page on combing to find out how to do this properly, and remember, it uses a special nit comb, not an ordinary comb.
What probably won't work
Don't waste your time using cooking oil, mayonnaise, vinegar and other combinations. Lice can survive in hair covered with oil even when it is left overnight. Shampooing with ordinary shampoo won't kill lice; studies have shown that lice can survive through two consecutive shampooings even when the hair is not rinsed for an hour after the second shampooing. Lice don't drown easily. Research has shown that lice can survive when kept in water for 14 hours! They are tough little beasties!
Keeping them away
Once a child has been deloused, you will need to do the following things.
Wash clothes, bedding, towels and recently worn clothing.Wash bed linens and recently worn clothes in hot, soapy water in a washing machine. Drying in a dryer will kill both lice and nits. Articles that cannot be washed can be vaccumed (like stuffed animals, pillows, headphones and hats) can be dry cleaned or stored in tightly sealed plastic bags for 2 weeks.
Don't share combs, brushes, hats or other articles of clothing at school, play or other activities.
Family combs and brushes should soak for at least 10 minutes in hot water. If they don't already have them, it might be a good time to get every member of the home their own comb and brush.
Cutting Hair. Head lice have claws on their legs that help them grasp hair. Children with long hair may get stray lice more often than children with short hair. For children that keep getting head lice, cutting hair short may help.