NIX FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- Treatment of Lice FAQ's
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Treatment of Lice FAQ
- How does Nix work?
- Is shaking Nix necessary?
- Should you use the entire bottle of Nix?
- When do you start timing Nix?
- How long does Nix remain on the hair?
- Can Nix be used on people without Head Lice?
- Are Head Lice resistant to treatment?
- How many treatments of Nix are necessary?
- Is it difficult to comb Nits out of hair?
- Will Nits Hatch?
- Can Nix be used on pubic (crab) Lice?
- What should be done if new Nits are discovered?
- Can vinegar be used with Nix to remove Lice eggs?
BEFORE YOU START TREATMENT
If you or a member of your household has head lice, please take a few moments to become familiar with the following information and directions before using Nix Crème Rinse.
How does Nix work?
Lice treatments kill by acting on the central nervous system of the louse. Permethrin, the active ingredient in Nix, is toxic to the nerves of head lice, causing paralysis and death of head lice. Don't panic if you see live lice, it may take up to several hours for lice to die. Remember to physically remove all nits with the provided nit comb as Nix will not remove these.
Is shaking Nix necessary?
Shaking is necessary. Nix is an emulsion, which means that it consists of two phases which separate when left standing. The product should be blended to form a consistent peach color prior to usage. If you do not perceive the product to be working, check with your health care professional to determine whether to retreat immediately or after seven days.
Should you use the entire bottle of Nix?
The success of Nix is based on using enough of the product to saturate the hair. You will want to wet the scalp from the roots to the end of the hair with Nix. Hair length and thickness will determine the amount of Nix needed.
When do you start timing Nix?
You will want to start timing with a watch or timer as soon as the hair is saturated with the product and the consumer has finished applying Nix. Leave Nix on the hair for a full 10 minutes, but no longer.
How long does Nix remain on the hair?
Some residual activity of Nix remains on the hair for up to two weeks, even with regular shampooing. Only a small amount of residual Permethrin is removed each time the hair is shampooed.
Can Nix be used on people without Head Lice?
We cannot recommend for you to use Nix on people without head lice but since lice are transferable you should inspect every member of the house and if lice or nits are found you should treat that individual. Remember to thoroughly clean the house to prevent infestation. If you have further questions about using Nix in this way we would recommend that you go back to see the health care professional who originally advised treatment about this matter. The product is meant to be used in certain circumstances such as when there is a head lice epidemic which is identified by a health care professional who knows your specific medical history and is licensed to prescribe preventative use.
Are Head Lice resistant to treatment?
There has been recent coverage in the media that head lice are becoming resistant to all pediculicides. We are consulting with experts in the industry for guidance in studying the issue. In the meantime, the best way to eliminate lice from your household is to follow the instructions for Nix and thoroughly clean head lice infested are as/objects in your home. We recommend that you seek the advice of your physician if after two Nix treatments you feel the product is not working.
How many treatments of Nix are necessary?
We recommend that you seek a physician's advice if you are having difficulty eliminating lice after repeated applications per label directions. Nix should not be used more than once every 7 days; if the 14 day Nix regimen is not working for you consult your doctor. (Our clinical tests indicate there is minimal skin absorption of Nix under labeled directions.)
Is it difficult to comb Nits out of hair?
Unfortunately combing a child's hair can be a painful, long process. It may help to comb tangles from your child's hair with a regular comb first. Then try dividing the hair into sections prior to combing. It this still doesn't work you may want to consider purchasing a metal nit comb which may be more durable at your local drug store.
Will Nits Hatch?
No product on the market will kill 100% of the eggs; however, with the residual left in the hair, any nits that are left will probably die shortly after hatching. We always recommend removing all of the nits to most effectively eliminate lice.
Can Nix be used on pubic (crab) Lice?
Nix cannot be used to treat pubic (crab) lice. There are other OTC products on the market are labeled for this indication.
What should be done if new Nits are discovered?
As you have probably seen it is very difficult to distinguish if nits are alive or dead but regardless you will want to remove them and do not retreat unless it is 7 days or more after the initial treatment. (It is very important to re-clean the environment if new nits are discovered on a person's head.)