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A 36-year-old member asked:

What could cause a child to get head lice a few months after getting rid of it?

2 doctor answers16 doctors weighed in
Dr. Noel Alonso
Pediatrics 25 years experience
Re-exposure...: Of course, some of the commercial and even prescription pediculocides (lice medicines) require 2 separate applications given about a week apart. Just make sure to follow your doctor's directions or the directions on the bottle, and remind your little one to not share caps/hats/bandanas or combs/brushes with other children.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Dr. Mark Diamond
Pediatrics 48 years experience
Reinfection: If truly gone the 1st time, only reinfection causes reoccurance. Remember there is no immunity built up to lice.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.

Similar questions

A 37-year-old member asked:

How long does it take to get rid of head lice in a child?

3 doctor answers7 doctors weighed in
Dr. Kenneth Cheng
Family Medicine 33 years experience
One treatment: Generally, one treatment (shampoo, nit comb, hair accessory/brush cleaning and linen/bedding change) should be sufficient to rid one of lice. However, reoccurrence is common due to re-infection from improper cleaning of accessories, brushes or linens.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 40-year-old member asked:

How long does it take a child to get rid of head lice?

1 doctor answer2 doctors weighed in
Dr. Ellen Turner
Dermatology 22 years experience
Less than a week.: Now many head lice are resistant to our traditional therapies. Cheap method which works is to apply gold listerine to the scalp x 1 hour and cover with shower cap. Then apply househould vinegar and comb through the entire head using sections of 10-20 hairs to remove all nits or eggs.. Leave the vinegar x 1 hour then wash. Repeat in 1 wk. New study showed oral Ivermectin works well. Need an rx!
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 40-year-old member asked:

How do you get rid of head lice in a large classroom?

1 doctor answer1 doctor weighed in
Dr. Nela Cordero
Pediatrics 56 years experience
Head Lice: When the whole classroom has head lice, they should be treated at the same time so that there will be no transfer to each other again.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 43-year-old member asked:

Can there be any other way to get rid of lice than shaving you head?

1 doctor answer2 doctors weighed in
Dr. Heidi Fowler
Psychiatry 27 years experience
Yes: Tx of lice requires accurate identification of nits & / or lice. A pediculicide is usually used- otc like nix (permethrin) or rid or prescription meds like lindane or malathion. Work carefully through hair & remove individual nits. Purchase a special lice nit comb to aid you. Check for nits & remove as seen over the next 7 to 10 days. If there are nits after 7 to 10 days – a 2nd pediculicide tx may be needed.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.

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Last updated Sep 28, 2016
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