This document provides information on hair care, including definitions, purposes of hair care, and measures for hair care such as brushing, combing, and shampooing. It describes the proper preparation of patients, articles needed, and step-by-step procedures for combing hair, treating infestations like lice, and giving shampoos. The goal is to keep hair clean and healthy while preventing hair loss, infections, and issues like dandruff or excess oil. Close attention is paid to patient comfort and proper disinfection.

1. HAIR CARE
BY:- Mrs. Neelofur I. Ali

2. Definition – The general health of a person
affects the growth of hair. However, physical
changes, emotional and physical stress, aging,
infection and certain diseases or drugs can
affect the characteristics of the hair. The loss
of hair (alopecia) can result from improper
practices of hair.

3. • Purpose –
• To keep the hair clean and healthy.
• To have a sense of wellbeing.
• To prevent hair loss and promote growth.
• To prevent accumulation of dust, dandruff and
oil.
• To stimulate circulation of blood.
• To observe the scalp.
• To prevent and treat pediculi.
• To prevent itching and infection.

4. • Measures for hair care –
• Brushing and combing – hair needs to be brushed daily in
order to keep them clean and to distribute oil evenly
along hair shafts. Patients who are able to perform self-
care should be encouraged to maintain hair care daily.
Patients who are unable to take self-care should be
assisted by the nurse.
• Long hair requires little extra care after a patient is
confined to bed even for a short period. When lacerations
or incisions involve the scalp, blood and topical
medications can also cause tangling. Frequent brushing
and combing keeps long hair neatly groomed. Braids can
help to avoid repeated tangles but braids should not be
too tight.

5. Preparation of article
Clean tray containing
Articles
• Bath towel -2
• A clean comb
• ]
• A kidney tray with carbolic lotion
1: 20 or dettol 1:40.
• Oil in a container.
• A paper bag
• One apron
• Rationale
• One to protect the shoulders
and garments and the other to
protect bed clothes.
• To comb the hair of the
patient.
• To disinfect the comb.
• To remove the tangles.
• To collect the loose hair.
• To protect the nurses uniform.

6. Preparation of the patient -
• Give proper explanation to the patient.
• If possible, let the patient sit on a chair/stool.
• Place one towel over the patient’s shoulders
or give fowler’s position on the bed.
• Place one towel over the bed linen and pillow;
and the other over the shoulders of the
patient to protect the bottom sheet as well as
the patient’s clothes respectively.

7. Steps of the procedure –
• To brush/comb properly, part the hair into two sections and then separate
each section into two more sections. Parting of hair allows for easy
brushing of smaller section of hair.
• Brushing/combing is done from the scalp towards the hair ends.
• If tangles are present, the nurse uses the fingers to separate a small lock of
hair, grasps it firmly near the scalp and combs the loose end of the lock.
This prevents painful pulling of the scalp during combing.
• Application of oil or moistening the hair with water or alcohol often frees
tangles for easier combing.
• Tangles may be cut off only with the written consent of the patient.
• To comb curly hair, start fro the neckline and slowly lift and fluff the hair
outwards until the forehead is reached.
• The nurse combs one side of the head at a time and then repeats on the
other side.
• After combing the hair thoroughly, braid the hair into two-one on each side
of the head behind the ear to make the patient more comfortable.
• Discard the loose hair into the paper bag and lice into the lotion, if any.

8. After care of the patient and articles-
• Remove the towels and kidney tray.
• Make the patient comfortable in the bed.
• Dismantle the articles.
• Wash hand.
• Record the observations regarding the
condition of the scalp and hair on the nurses’
record with date and time.

9. Shampooing (head bath) –
A person’s daily routine usually decides the frequency of
shampooing. Patients staying in bed perspire in excess or
any treatment that leaves blood or solution in the hair may
require shampooing more frequently.
• How the shampoo has to be given depends on the capability
of the patient to follow instructions and his/her ability to
maintain a particular position without feeling discomfort.
• Patients who are allowed to sit in a chair can usually be
shampooed in front of a sink. If the patient is not able to sit,
allow the head to hang slightly over the edge of the bed by
keeping a small pillow or a towel under the head and the
neck.

10. Articles required
Articles
• A pair of gloves
• Bath towel-2
• Wash clothes and face towel
• Bath blanket-1
• Mackintosh-2
• Cotton balls and gauze pieces in a bowl.
• oil
• Shampoo or liquid soap
• Hair comb
• A kidney tray and a paper bag.
•
• Bucket-1
• Basin-1, mug-1
• Jugs-2
• Newspepar-1
RATIONALE
• To prevent cross- infection.
• One to protect the pillow and one to dry hair.
• To protect the eyes.
• To cover the patient.
• One to make a trough and the other to protect
the pillow and bed clothes.
• To plug the ears and to cover the eyes.
• To apply on the hair.
• To put for shampooing.
• To comb the hair.
• To collect loose hair and the cotton plug.
• To collect the dirty water.
• To take water.
• One foe hot water and one for cold water to
maintain the temperature of the water.
• To make the trough.

11. Preparation of the patient –
• Explain the procedure to the patient.
• Collect and arrange articles conveniently at bedside.
• Provide privacy.
• Close windows, put off fans to prevent draught.
• Remove the top linen after covering the patient with a blanket.
• Keep the patient diagonally and place a pillow under the
shoulders to tilt the head.
• Cover the pillow with mackintosh and towel.
• Make an improvised trough with mackintosh and newspaper
and place it under the head of the patient, to facilitate drainage
of water into a bucket.
• Plug ears with cotton balls and cover the eyes with a sponge
cloth.

12. Procedures -
• Wash hand with soap and water.
• Brush and comb hair.
• Maintain water at about (43-44° C) 110° F.
(Temperature can differ as per the patient’s tolerance).
• With mug, pour water slowly over hair until it is
completely wet. Apply a small amount of shampoo.
• Work upward with both hands. Start at hairline and
work towards the back of the neck. Lift head slightly
with one hand to wash the back side of the head.
Massage scalp by applying pressure with fingertips.
• Rinse hair with water and make sure that hair is free of
shampoo.
• Wrap the head in a bath towel. Dry face with a piece of
cloth used to protect the eyes. Dry off moisture along
the neck or shoulders.
• Dry hair and scalp. Use the second towel, if required.
• Remove the trough and place it in the basin. Discard
the cotton plugs in the ears into the paper bag.
• It reduces the transmission of micro-
organism.
• Removing tangles result in more thorough
cleansing.
• Prevents burns to scalp.
• Water aids in uniform distribution of
shampoo over all parts of hair; facilitates a
cleansing effect. Shampoo reduces surface
tension and removes dirt.
• To ensure thorough cleansing.
• -massage increase scalp circulation.
• Left-over shampoo gives a dull finish to
hair and after drying may cause scalp
irritation.
• Retained moisture may cause cooling and
chills.
• -to make the unit and patient tidy.
• -to improve the sense of wellbeing in the
patient.

13. After care –
• Steps
• Spread the hair over the towel placed on
the pillow and allow it to dry.
• Assist the patient in attaining a
comfortable position.
• Change the linen, if wet.
• Inspect the condition of hair.
• Return all the articles to their proper
place after washing and wash hands.
• Record the procedure in the nurses’
record and also findings related to the
condition of hair or scalp.
• Return to the bed side. When the hair is
dry, comb and arrange the hair. Remove
the towel spread on the pillow and make
the patient comfortable.
• Rationale
• Spreading of hair aids in fast drying.
• This gives the patient a sense of well-
being.
• It prevents skin irritation and
bedsores.
• To note any abnormalities, if any.
• Maintains cleanliness of the
equipment and controls transmission
of infections.
• These recording can be used to give
any further treatment, if necessary.
• It gives the patient a sense of well-
being.

14. PEDICULOSIS
Treatment for infestation – Due to lack of
proper hygiene, parasites can infest hair. The
most common infestations is pediculosis or
lice. They are tiny, greyish white parasite
insects that infest mammals.

15. Types –
• Pediculosis capitis(head lice)
• Pediculosis corporis(body lice)
• Pediculosis pubis(crab lice)
• Lice can be transferred from person to person through direct or
indirect contact.
Effects of pediculosis –
• Discomfort, nervousness, restlessness
• Itching, scratching, infection, abscess.
• Anaemia, lymph node enlargement.
• Spreads typhus fever, relapsing fever, trench fever.
• Spreads on linen, blanket, bedding, towels, combs, brushes and
other articles quickly.
•

16. Treatment of pediculosis capitis
• Purpose-
• To destroy pediculosis and nits.
• To prevents its transmission to others.

17. Articles required –
• Articles
• Bath towel-2
• Mackintosh-1
• Sponge clothes-1
• A triangular bandage
• A kidney tray with disinfectant
carbolic 1:40
• A paper bag
• A hair comb
• Cotton swabs
• Vaseline
• A gown, a mask and gloves.
• A bucket with carbolic 1:40
• Rationale
• One to protect he pillow and the other
to [protect shoulders and garments.
• To protect the pillow and bed clothes.
• To protect the eyes.
• To cover the head after procedure.
• To destroy the lice and to disinfect the
comb.
• To collect loose hair.
• To remove tangles.
• to apply Vaseline.
• To apply at the hair line to prevent
irritation by parasiticide.
• To protect the nurse.
• To disinfect the growth and towels after
treatment.

18. Parasiticides used –
• Explain the procedure to the patient
• Provide privacy
• Assemble the equipment and arrange at the bedside
• Remove top linen and cover the patient with a bath blanket
• Put the patient diagonally or flat with one pillow under the
head
• Protect the pillow and bed with mackintosh and towel. One
towel is put on the shoulders to protect the garments.
• Protect the patient’s eyes with damp sponge cloth.
• Put off the fan to prevent spilling of parasiticide.
• Loosen the hair and remove the tangles.

19. Procedure—
Steps
• Wash hands. Put on gown
and mask.
• After parting the hair. Apply
parasiticide (DDT powder) by
gently rubbing, in order to
apply to the whole length of
the hair and also on scalp.
• Roll up the hair on top of the
head and apply a triangular
bandage.
Rationale
• To prevent spread of infection.
• Washing technique prevents
the growth of micro-organism.
• Mask prevents inhalation of
parasiticide.
•
• To apply thoroughly all over the
scalp and hair.
• To prevent spread of lice to
other areas.

20. After care-
• Remove all articles, wash, disinfect and replace.
• Wash hands.
• Record the procedure with date and time, and
observation made.
• Wash the hair the following morning and apply warm
diluted vinegar (1:1) to loosen the nits.
• Comb the hair with a fine comb.
• Keep the comb and all the articles that have come in
contact with the hair in a discomfectant for about 30
minutes to one hour for disinfection.
• Repeat the procedure after a week, if required.