How can lice be removed at home with vegetable oil? - briefly
Apply warm vegetable oil to the scalp, cover with a shower cap for 30‑45 minutes, then remove lice and nits using a fine‑toothed comb. Repeat the process after 7‑10 days to ensure any newly hatched insects are eliminated.
How can lice be removed at home with vegetable oil? - in detail
Vegetable oil can suffocate head‑lice and make their nits easier to extract. Follow these steps for an effective home treatment.
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Choose a pure oil such as olive, coconut, or sunflower. Heat the oil slightly—warm enough to be comfortably liquid but not hot enough to burn the scalp (approximately 40 °C).
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Part the hair into sections of 2–3 cm using a fine‑tooth comb. Apply the warm oil generously to each section, ensuring the scalp and hair shafts are fully coated.
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Cover the head with a shower cap or a clean plastic wrap to retain heat. Leave the oil in place for 30–45 minutes. The prolonged exposure blocks the lice’s breathing tubes, causing them to die.
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Remove the cap and use a fine nit comb (metal or plastic) to slide through the hair from scalp to tips. After each pass, wipe the comb on a paper towel and re‑dip it in oil to prevent re‑attachment.
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Rinse the hair with warm water and a mild shampoo to eliminate excess oil. Avoid heavy conditioners for 24 hours, as they may interfere with subsequent combing.
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Repeat the entire procedure after 7–10 days. This interval targets any newly hatched lice that survived the first treatment.
Additional precautions
- Perform a patch test on a small skin area before full application to check for allergic reactions.
- Do not use oil on infants younger than six months; their skin is more sensitive.
- Wash all personal items (combs, hats, pillowcases, bedding) in hot water (≥60 °C) or discard them to prevent re‑infestation.
Consistent application of warm vegetable oil combined with meticulous combing and proper hygiene eliminates lice without prescription medication.