How do you use oil for lice?

How do you use oil for lice? - briefly

Apply warm vegetable oil (e.g., olive or coconut) to the scalp and hair, saturating from roots to tips, and let it sit for 30–60 minutes. Then, comb out nits with a fine-toothed lice comb and wash the hair with shampoo.

How do you use oil for lice? - in detail

Oil treatments work by suffocating and immobilizing lice, making them easier to remove. The process begins with selecting an appropriate oil. Common choices include olive, coconut, mineral, and tea‑tree oil; each has a low viscosity that spreads evenly through the hair and scalp.

1. Preparation

   • Wash hair with a mild shampoo to eliminate excess sebum and debris.
   • Rinse thoroughly and towel‑dry until damp but not wet.

2. Application

   • Warm the oil slightly (to body temperature) to improve flow.
   • Pour a generous amount into the palm, then massage into the scalp, covering the entire head from roots to tips.
   • Ensure the oil reaches the base of each strand, where lice cling.

3. Covering

   • Place a plastic shower cap or cling film over the head to create an airtight environment.
   • Leave the oil in place for 30–60 minutes; longer periods (up to 2 hours) increase effectiveness but may cause discomfort for some users.

4. Removal of insects

   • After the exposure time, remove the cap and use a fine‑toothed lice comb on wet hair.
   • Comb in sections, starting at the scalp and moving toward the ends, wiping the comb after each pass.
   • Discard or rinse the comb to avoid re‑infestation.

5. Cleaning

   • Shampoo the hair to eliminate residual oil; a second wash may be necessary for heavily oiled hair.
   • Rinse with cool water to close cuticles, reducing the chance of oil re‑absorption.

6. Follow‑up

   • Repeat the entire procedure after 7–10 days, as newly hatched nymphs may emerge from eggs that survived the first treatment.
   • Perform daily comb checks for at least two weeks to confirm eradication.

Precautions

• Conduct a patch test on a small skin area before full application to detect potential allergic reactions.
• Avoid using oil on infants younger than six months; their skin is more sensitive.
• Do not combine oil with chemical lice products unless directed by a healthcare professional, as interactions may reduce efficacy or cause irritation.

By following these steps, oil serves as a non‑chemical, cost‑effective method to eliminate head lice and prevent re‑infestation.