“Mom, stop nitpicking!” 

What busy parent hasn’t heard this complaint from their child? But, when your kid ends up with a case of head lice, the term “nit-picking” takes on a whole new meaning. 

Getting rid of head lice involves a number of challenging steps, including — you guessed it — picking away ‘nits’, or lice eggs. And, as most parents know, one of the most essential parts of eradicating head lice is the use of head lice shampoo.

Over-the-counter and prescription head lice shampoos contain pediculicides, a lice-killing compound. This is an extremely effective part of lice treatment, but these medicated shampoos often contain strong chemicals. When applying the shampoo on your little one, it is important to carefully follow the instructions on the label. 

Below is a ‘how-to’ guide, full of tips and tricks on how to effectively use lice shampoo while keeping your kid safe. 

Step One — Preparation  

• Make sure your child is wearing clothing that you don’t mind getting wet or stained.
• Use a washcloth or towel to cover and protect your child’s eyes from treatment. 
• Avoid water — your child’s hair should be dry when applying treatment.
• Read instructions on the shampoo on use and care.

Step Two — Applying the Lice Shampoo

• Apply treatment thoroughly to dry hair.
• Apply the shampoo behind the ears and at the back of the neck. Starting at the roots and working your way towards the end of the hair strand helps keep any lice from escaping.
• The amount of treatment used should be proportionate to the length of hair. Sometimes, children with longer hair will need more product. Refer to your treatment’s usage guidelines for specific measurements. 

Step Three — Wait and Wash 

• Allow the product to remain on the hair. Most lice shampoos require a 10 minute wait, but set a timer and let the product sit until the time allotted on the treatment.
• Thoroughly rinse out the shampoo with warm water. You can follow up the rinse with a lather of regular shampoo.
• Conditioner or any extra hair care products are not recommended, as they could interfere with the medicine. 

Step Four — Comb Through and Review

• Once hair is rinsed clean, you’ll want to comb through and remove any existing lice or eggs. 
• Most lice treatment shampoos remain effective for several days after initial application. Always speak to a healthcare provider or confirm your product’s re-treatment instructions before repeating treatment. 

There’s one more step you can take towards healthy, lice-free hair care. It happens long before coming in contact with any pests, so let’s call it Step Zero.

Step Zero — Lice Prevention Shampoo 

• Lice prevention shampoos and sprays use essential oils and scents as natural lice repellents to help keep lice at bay, every day. 
• Many lice ‘scaring’ products, like SoCozy Boo! Lice Scaring Spray, are designed specifically for kids. This means  that they are all-natural, chemical-free hair care products that are safe for your kid’s daily use.
• SoCozy Boo! Lice Scaring Shampoo, made with peppermint and tea tree oil, simply needs to be massaged into wet hair and rinsed. SoCozy’s non-sticky spray is made to be used in tandem with the shampoo, and can be sprayed directly onto wet or dry hair. 

Using lice prevention shampoo ensures your child’s hair is clean and healthy, and will provide you with precious peace of mind! A combination of lice-scaring hair care, avoidance of head-to-head-contact, and limiting the clothes you’re child shares makes for an excellent lice prevention plan. Still, if those pesky little bugs decide to make an inconvenient appearance, you can equip yourself with head lice shampoo to help fight the lice, and the proper application techniques to help keep your kid safe.