Getting rid of lice in the home

	If you do not see our video content, you need to install an updated Flash Player. The latest Flash Player 9,0,115,0 is available for download @ adobe.com.

Head lice can be a real problem. I heard a really creative tip for dealing with this I want to share with you. I'm Dr. Alan Greene. The tip came from Dr. Donnica Moore, a colleague of mine in Ob/Gyn. It turns out that head lice can only live for 55 hours without human blood. So one of the best ways to get rid of them in the home without having to deal with all of the loads of laundry, and cleaning of carpets, and back of sofas, and bedding, and all of that, is to close the house and take off for 55 hours. Go spend 3 days someplace else. Treat the one child that's got it. And when you come home, you've got a lice-free home.

Reviewed last on: 3/5/2009
Alan Greene, MD, FAAP, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Lucile Packard Children's Hospital; Chief of Future Health, A.D.A.M., Inc. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

Connect with UMMC

© 2011 University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC). All rights reserved.
UMMC is a member of the University of Maryland Medical System,
22 S. Greene Street, Baltimore, MD 21201. TDD: 1-800-735-2258 or 1.800.492.5538