How can lice be eliminated at home without special products? - briefly
Comb wet hair with a fine‑toothed lice comb after soaking it in hot water, then rinse the scalp with a vinegar‑water solution or apply olive oil to loosen nits. Launder bedding in hot water, vacuum furniture, and seal non‑washable items in plastic bags for two weeks to prevent re‑infestation.
How can lice be eliminated at home without special products? - in detail
Effective removal of head‑lice using only common household items relies on three principles: mechanical extraction, suffocation, and environmental control.
Mechanical extraction begins with a fine‑toothed comb. Wet the hair with warm water and a small amount of ordinary shampoo or conditioner to reduce slip. Divide the hair into sections, comb each section from scalp to tip, wiping the comb on a white towel after each pass to spot live insects. Repeat the process every 2–3 days for at least two weeks, because newly hatched nymphs emerge after about 7 days.
Suffocation methods use items that block the insect’s breathing. Apply a thick layer of petroleum jelly, olive oil, or coconut oil to the scalp, covering the hair from roots to ends. Leave the coating on for 30–60 minutes, then rinse and repeat the combing step. The oil coats the lice, limiting their ability to move and breathe, which leads to death within hours.
Environmental control eliminates reinfestation sources. Wash all bedding, towels, and clothing that have contacted the head in hot water (≥60 °C) and dry on high heat. Items that cannot be laundered should be sealed in a plastic bag for two weeks, depriving lice of a host. Vacuum carpets, upholstered furniture, and car seats to remove stray nymphs. Clean combs and brushes by soaking them in boiling water for 10 minutes or scrubbing with diluted bleach (1 part bleach to 9 parts water) followed by thorough rinsing.
A concise protocol:
- Wet hair, apply conditioner, comb with a fine‑toothed lice comb; clean comb after each pass.
- Apply oil (petroleum jelly, olive, or coconut) to scalp, cover for 30–60 minutes, then rinse.
- Repeat combing after oil treatment and continue every 2–3 days for 14 days.
- Launder all personal textiles in hot water; dry on high heat.
- Seal non‑washable items in airtight bags for 14 days.
- Vacuum and clean household surfaces; disinfect combs/brushes.
Adhering strictly to this regimen eliminates the infestation without resorting to commercial insecticides or prescription products.