If you've just finished using a treatment to treat head lice, you're not done yet. Nits are known to withstand the effects of many head lice treatments, and some head lice are sneaky enough to stay out of harms way. So, most products require that you comb out the nits and any remaining head lice. Follow the steps below to ensure you comb effectively.

1. Gather Supplies

• Lice comb: A lice comb is very different from a common comb you may have around the house. A quality lice comb will have stiff metal teeth (known as tines) and narrow slots between them.
• Detangler spray: Some hair types are manageable enough to not require detangling. But lice combs are strong, so be sure the hair is detangled and prepared for comfortable combing.
• Hair clips: You'll use hair clips to divide the hair into sections.
• Bucket of water: You can rinse off the comb with water as it gathers nits and head lice.
• Tissue or paper towels: You can keep wandering head lice away from sections of hair you've already cleaned by wrapping them in tissue or paper towels.
• Blow dryer: You'll need to dry the hair later in the process. Using a blow dryer is a good way to dry the hair without contaminating towels.

2. Get Comfortable

Be sure that both you and the person you're treating are comfortable. Combing for nits and head lice is a long and careful process. If you're treating a child, consider giving them something to keep them occupied as you work.

3. Comb for Head Lice and Detangle the Hair

• Carefully remove as many head lice as you can that remain after treatment with the lice comb. Comb from the scalp to the end of the hair. Do not stop in the middle of the hair, because head lice can crawl off the comb and back onto the hair. As you gather head lice on the comb, rinse it off in the bucket of water.

• Gently detangle the hair with the lice comb. Detangling will ensure that the nit-combing process is comfortable for the person you're treating. This will also allow you to easily to divide the hair into sections in the next step. Use detangler spray if necessary.

4. Divide the Hair into Sections

Once you're sure you've removed many of the remaining head lice, divide the hair into sections and secure each one with a hair clip. Don't worry if some head lice remain. You can continue to comb them out in the next step.

5. Comb for Nits

Start with a small section of hair (light should pass through) and carefully comb from the scalp to the end of the hair. Again, do not stop in the middle of the hair. You may find remaining head lice, which can crawl off of the comb and back onto the hair or scalp. As you gather nits and head lice on the comb, rinse it off in the bucket of water. Continue cleaining row of hair until you've completed a section.

6. Wrap the Clean Sections of Hair

Once you're sure you've cleaned an entire section of hair of all nits and head lice, wrap it in a tissue or paper towel, and secure it with a hair clip. This will ensure that the hair section is not re-contaminated by any head lice remaining on the scalp.

7. Rinse and Dry the Hair

When you're finished cleaning each hair section, remove the hair clips and paper towels. Rinse the hair with water, and dry the hair with the blow dryer.

8. Re-comb for Remaining Nits

Just like in step four, you'll want to divide the hair into sections before re-combing for remaining nits. Use the lice comb to pull down thin sections of hair and examine closely for nits. Don't be afraid to use your fingers to feel for them. They'll feel like small bumps between your fingers, and you can even use your fingernails to pull them out. Remember: Take your time and be nitpicky! Leaving even a few nits behind can start a whole new generation of head lice!

9. Apply Second Treatment and Comb (Approximately one week later)

Many head lice treatments require a second treatment about one week after the initial treatment. You will need to follow the same combing process you followed for the initial treatment.

If a head lice infestation continues, consult a health professional for assistance.

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