How to Treat a Mattress for Lice Infestation

Understanding Lice Infestations

Lice are small parasitic insects that live on the skin and feed on blood. There are three main types of lice that infest humans:

Head Lice

Head lice are found on the scalp and hair. They are highly contagious and spread through close personal contact or by sharing combs, brushes, hats, helmets, hair ties, etc.

Pubic Lice

Pubic lice, also known as crabs, infest the pubic hair and other coarse hair on the body. They are usually spread through sexual contact.

Body Lice

Body lice live on clothing and bedding and come to feed on skin several times a day. They can spread diseases like trench fever, relapsing fever, and epidemic typhus to humans. Getting an infestation of body lice is often associated with poor hygiene and sanitation.

Signs of Lice in Your Mattress

If you suspect your mattress has been infested with lice, there are some key signs to look out for:

Itchiness During Sleep

Lice bites can cause red, itchy bumps on the skin. You may notice increased itchiness during the night or when getting in and out of bed as the body lice have opportunity to feed.

Black Dots on Mattress

Look closely at the seams, tufts, and edges of your mattress for black dots about the size of a period. These are likely lice eggs (nits) or lice excrement.

Blood Stains

If you wake up with mysterious small blood stains on your sheets, it may be from crushed body lice that were feeding on you at night.

Treating a Mattress for Lice

If you confirm lice in your mattress, you'll need to take action to kill them. Here are the steps to take:

Strip the Mattress

Remove all bedding including sheets, pillowcases, blankets and mattress covers. Wash them separately in hot, soapy water and dry on the highest setting to kill any lice or nits.

Vacuum Thoroughly

Use the brush attachment of your vacuum cleaner to remove any remaining nits, larvae or lice from the mattress surface and crevices.

Use a Lice Treatment Spray

Spray an over-the-counter lice treatment, sometimes called a pediculicide, all over the mattress. This will kill any remaining insects. Let it sit for 10 minutes before wiping dry with a cloth.

Steam Clean the Mattress

Use a handheld steamer to penetrate deep into the mattress tufts and seams that may harbor lice. The heat will instantly destroy them.

Encase the Mattress

Cover your mattress with an allergen-proof and lice-impermeable encasement. This will prevent any surviving or new lice from getting in or out.

Prevent Re-Infestation

After treating your mattress, be diligent to prevent another lice outbreak:

Hot Wash All Fabrics

Wash all clothing, towels and bedding on hottest setting water can stand. This will kill any stray nits or lice.

Thoroughly Clean Upholstered Furniture

Vacuum and steam clean any upholstered furniture in bedrooms. This will remove any parasites that may have spread from the mattress.

Treat Other Household Members

Check everyone in the household for signs of body lice, including itchy bites and nits on body hair. Treat them prophylactically with medicated shampoo.

Practice Good Hygiene

Bathe regularly, change clothes daily, avoid sharing hats or combs, and follow general lice prevention guidelines to avoid reinfestation.

Dealing with lice is frustrating, but taking appropriate measures to kill and remove lice from your mattress, clothing and environment will get rid of an infestation. Be vigilant afterwards to prevent the lice from returning and biting once again!

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.