How can lice be removed with sunflower oil?

How can lice be removed with sunflower oil? - briefly

Apply warm sunflower oil liberally to the scalp and hair, cover with a shower cap for 30–60 minutes to suffocate the insects, then comb out dead nits and adults with a fine-toothed lice comb. Repeat the procedure after 7–10 days to eliminate any newly hatched lice.

How can lice be removed with sunflower oil? - in detail

Sunflower oil can act as a suffocating agent for head‑lice and their nits when applied correctly. The oil’s viscosity blocks the spiracles on the insects, preventing them from breathing, while its natural composition reduces irritation on the scalp.

Preparation

  • Choose a cold‑pressed, pure sunflower oil without additives.
  • Warm the oil to body temperature (approximately 37 °C). Overheating can damage hair cuticles and cause scalp burns.

Application procedure

  1. Divide the hair into sections of 2–3 cm using a fine‑tooth comb.
  2. Saturate each section with the warmed oil, ensuring the scalp and all strands are thoroughly coated.
  3. Cover the treated area with a plastic shower cap or cling film to maintain heat and prevent the oil from drying out.
  4. Leave the oil on for 30–45 minutes. The extended exposure allows the oil to penetrate the lice exoskeleton and block respiration.
  5. Remove the cap and use a fine‑tooth nit comb to mechanically extract dead insects and nits. Start at the scalp and work outward, cleaning the comb after each pass.
  6. Rinse the hair with a mild shampoo to eliminate residual oil.

Follow‑up

  • Repeat the entire process after 7–10 days, as newly hatched nits may have survived the first treatment.
  • Perform a final combing session 24 hours after the second application to confirm eradication.

Precautions

  • Conduct a patch test on a small skin area 24 hours before full application to rule out allergic reactions.
  • Avoid use on infants younger than six months, as their scalp is more sensitive.
  • Do not combine with chemical pediculicides in the same session; residual chemicals may react with the oil.

Effectiveness

Clinical observations indicate that sunflower oil, when used with thorough combing, reduces live lice counts by up to 95 % after the first treatment and achieves complete clearance after the second cycle. The method is inexpensive, readily available, and free of neurotoxic compounds commonly found in synthetic insecticides.