Common removal techniques are to manually remove the nits and lice with a fine-toothed lice comb and/or the use of a substance to kill the lice and the combing technique to remove the nits.
Many doctors recommend an over the counter pediculicide such as the brand Nix® or Rid®.
Nit Removal can be difficult and tedious. Fine toothed "nit-combs" are available to make the process easier.
Caregivers have also been known to use a wide range of unregulated and unapproved products acting as smothering agents, desiccants, solvents, and lubricants to kill lice. These products include a wide range of botanical extracts, petrolatum, alcohols, vegetable oils, organic acids, and mayonnaise applied to the hair and scalp.
Eggs (nits or ova) are tightly attached to the hair and cannot be washed off. Since eggs can be left behind that may later hatch, re-infestation can occur if the combing (removal of the viable eggs) is not done properly. The procedure is extremely time consuming. Often the technique has to be done multiple times.
If an infestation continues doctors may prescribe a stronger medication to kill the lice. These compounds must be used exactly as directed and have the potential for significant side effects. Two of the most common prescription medications currently available are Lindane and Malathion (Ovide®).
New businesses are being developed to help meet the need for a good way to control head lice infestation. Hair Fairies is an organization based in Manhattan and Los Angeles where workers will comb a patient’s hair for a fee to remove the lice. The process requires 3 - 4 treatments each 1 - 1.5 hours in length within a 10-day period to remove the lice and the nits.
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