The first thing to know is this: don’t panic.

You don’t have to cut your hair, and you definitely don’t need to try risky home remedies like kerosene, camphor, or other substances that can irritate your scalp.

Here’s what you should do instead.

If you have braids or a hairstyle that makes it difficult to treat your scalp properly, take them out first.

Then visit your nearest pharmacy and speak with the pharmacist. They may recommend medications such as ivermectin tablets and permethrin cream. The pharmacist will explain how to use them correctly.

Please don’t self-medicate. Always use these medications under the guidance of a healthcare professional or pharmacist.

One thing I learned is that lice eggs usually hatch after about seven days. That’s why ivermectin is sometimes taken a week apart. The timing helps target newly hatched lice that weren’t affected during the first treatment. Follow the instructions given by your healthcare provider.

Treatment doesn’t stop with your hair.

Wash all your bedding, pillowcases, towels, hats, hair accessories, and any clothes you wore before discovering the infestation. This helps reduce the chances of getting infested again.

The earlier you treat head lice properly, the easier it is to get rid of them.

Have you ever dealt with head lice before? What treatment worked for you?