How can I remove lice from the head with vinegar? - briefly
Apply undiluted apple cider vinegar to the scalp, cover for 10–15 minutes, then remove lice and nits with a fine-toothed comb. Repeat the process after 24 hours to eliminate any newly hatched insects.
How can I remove lice from the head with vinegar? - in detail
Vinegar, particularly white distilled or apple‑cider, can be used as a chemical aid in a lice‑removal routine. Its acidity loosens the protective glue that nits use to attach to hair shafts, making them easier to comb out.
Materials
- 1 cup of vinegar (4–5 % acetic acid)
- Fine‑toothed nit comb
- Plastic shower cap or plastic wrap
- Towels
- Mild shampoo (optional)
Procedure
- Mix equal parts vinegar and warm water in a bowl.
- Saturate the scalp and hair with the solution, ensuring complete coverage from roots to tips.
- Cover the hair with a plastic cap for 10–15 minutes; the heat inside the cap enhances the solvent effect.
- Remove the cap, rinse with lukewarm water, and lightly shampoo if desired to eliminate residual odor.
- While hair is still damp, run the nit comb through small sections, starting at the scalp and moving outward. Wipe the comb blade with a paper towel after each pass to prevent re‑depositing eggs.
- Repeat the combing process for the entire head, working slowly to capture all visible nits.
- Rinse hair again and dry.
Follow‑up
- Perform the combing session every 2–3 days for two weeks, covering the period in which newly hatched lice emerge.
- Wash bedding, hats, scarves, and personal items in hot water (≥ 130 °F) or seal them in plastic bags for at least 48 hours.
- Avoid using additional chemical lice treatments concurrently, as the acidic environment may reduce their efficacy.
Vinegar does not kill adult lice directly; its role is to detach eggs, allowing mechanical removal. Consistent combing combined with proper environmental hygiene eliminates the infestation without resorting to neurotoxic insecticides.