Everything You Need To Know About Preventing & Treating Head Lice

Head lice might be one of the most stomach-turning phrases a parent can hear, but Dr. Mary Alice Mina wants everyone to take a breath before reaching for the clippers. In this episode of The Skin Real, she breaks down what head lice actually are, why they have nothing to do with hygiene, and how they really spread through close head-to-head contact rather than jumping from scalp to scalp. She walks through exactly how to check for lice and nits at home, the step-by-step protocol for using permethrin and pyrethrin shampoos correctly, including the treatment mistake most people make, what to do when over-the-counter options do not work, and how to properly clean bedding, brushes, and stuffed animals so lice do not come back. By the end, parents have a clear, judgment-free game plan for spotting, treating, and preventing head lice for good.

In this episode: 0:00 – Don't Panic: What To Do If You Find Lice0:29 – Welcome to The Skin Real1:12 – Quick Disclaimer1:39 – Today's Topic: Head Lice2:32 – A Very Relatable Lice Story3:15 – What Exactly Are Head Lice?3:55 – Lice vs. Nits vs. Dandruff: How To Tell The Difference4:46 – Do Lice Carry Diseases?5:22 – How Lice Actually Spread (It's Not About Hygiene)6:10 – Who Gets Head Lice Most Often6:52 – How To Check For Lice At Home8:27 – First-Line Treatment: OTC Shampoos9:03 – Permethrin 1% Shampoo Protocol10:45 – Pyrethrin + Piperonyl Butoxide Protocol11:43 – When First-Line Treatment Fails12:16 – Manual Nit Removal Method12:50 – Cleaning Your House, Bedding & Toys14:22 – Do You Need To Treat Everyone In The House?14:40 – How To Prevent Lice From Spreading15:02 – When To Call Your Dermatologist15:26 – You're Not Dirty: The Truth About Lice16:43 – Final Thoughts

Want a deeper look? Watch the full episode on YouTube for a more visual experience of today’s discussion. This episode is best enjoyed on video—don’t miss out!

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Dr. Mina is a board-certified dermatologist on a mission to cut through the noise and help women feel amazing in their skin again. After decades in clinic, she has taken her expertise online to offer trusted, no-fluff education and skin strategies that actually work. No filters. No fear tactics. Just science, simplicity, and a little fun!

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