When using a head lice medication::

Apply according to instructions. If the person has long hair, a second bottle may be needed. Pay attention to instructions regarding how long the medication should be left on the hair and how it should be washed out.

Have the person put on clean clothing after treatment.

If a few live lice are found 8 to 12 hours after treatment, but are moving more slowly, don’t re-treat. The medicine may take longer to kill all the lice. Comb lice out of the hair using a fine-toothed nit comb.

If, after 8 to 12 hours of treatment, no dead lice are found and lice seem as active as before, the medicine may not be working. Don’t re-treat until speaking with your doctor.

After each treatment, check the hair and comb with a nit comb to remove nits and lice every 2 to 3 days to reduce the chance of self-reinfestation.

Retreatment is meant to kill any surviving hatched lice before they produce new eggs. Ask your doctor if you have questions about retreatment.

Source: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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