How do you wash your head with tar soap to get rid of lice and nits? - briefly
Wet the hair, apply tar soap liberally, lather thoroughly, let it act for 5–10 minutes, then rinse while running a fine‑tooth nit comb through the scalp. Repeat the treatment after 7–10 days to remove any surviving nits.
How do you wash your head with tar soap to get rid of lice and nits? - in detail
Tar soap, a dense, oily cleanser derived from coal tar, penetrates the hair shaft and adheres to the exoskeleton of lice and the cement that holds nits to strands. Proper application removes both insects and their eggs in a single treatment.
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Preparation
- Gather tar soap, a wide‑tooth comb, old towels, and a plastic cap (optional).
- Cut hair to a manageable length if it is longer than 4 cm; short hair improves contact.
- Wet the scalp with warm water; temperature should be comfortable, not scalding.
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Application of soap
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Rinsing
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Combing
- While the hair is still damp, use a fine‑tooth nit comb.
- Start at the scalp, pulling the comb through a 1‑inch section toward the tip.
- After each pass, wipe the comb on a paper towel and re‑apply a small amount of tar soap to the teeth to reduce slippage.
- Continue until the entire head has been combed at least twice.
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Post‑treatment care
- Dry hair with a clean towel; avoid heat styling for 24 hours to prevent re‑adhesion of any remaining eggs.
- Wash bedding, hats, and brushes in hot water (≥ 60 °C) or seal them in a plastic bag for 48 hours.
- Perform a second combing session 7–10 days later, targeting any newly hatched nymphs that may have escaped the initial soak.
The combination of tar soap’s adhesive properties and meticulous combing eliminates active lice and disrupts the glue that secures nits, providing a comprehensive solution without the need for chemical insecticides.