How can you get rid of lice using water?

How can you get rid of lice using water? - briefly

Wet the scalp with water hotter than 130 °F (54 °C) and keep the hair damp while using a fine-toothed lice comb to remove insects and nits; repeat the combing every 2–3 days for two weeks to catch any newly hatched lice.

How can you get rid of lice using water? - in detail

Water can serve as an effective medium for eradicating head‑lice when applied correctly. The method relies on temperature, thorough saturation, and mechanical removal.

Begin by heating a large pot of water to a temperature that is safe for the scalp but lethal to the insects—approximately 130 °F (54 °C). Test the water on the inner wrist before use. Apply the hot water to the hair, ensuring every strand and scalp area is completely drenched. Maintain the temperature for at least five minutes; this exposure kills nymphs and adult lice that cannot survive the heat.

After the heat treatment, use a fine‑toothed nit comb on wet hair. Start at the scalp and pull the comb through to the tips, wiping each tooth on a clean tissue after every pass. Repeat the combing process until no live insects are observed. Perform this combing session twice daily for a week to capture any newly hatched lice that survived the initial exposure.

Simultaneously, decontaminate personal items:

  • Soak hats, scarves, and hair accessories in the same hot water for ten minutes, then rinse and air‑dry.
  • Place bedding, pillowcases, and towels in a washing machine on the hottest cycle the fabric tolerates; dry them on high heat.
  • Vacuum carpets, upholstery, and vehicle seats; discard the vacuum bag or clean the canister immediately.

Maintain the regimen for ten days, as lice eggs (nits) hatch within seven to ten days. Continued use of hot water washes and meticulous combing prevents re‑infestation. If live lice persist after the full cycle, repeat the entire procedure.