How is tar soap used against lice and nits? - briefly
Tar soap is massaged into damp hair and left for 10–15 minutes to suffocate lice and loosen nits, after which the hair is rinsed and a fine‑toothed comb removes the dead insects and their eggs.
How is tar soap used against lice and nits? - in detail
Tar‑based soap is applied directly to the scalp and hair to immobilize and kill adult lice and to loosen nits. The procedure begins with thorough wetting of the hair using warm water, followed by generous spreading of the soap to cover every strand from roots to tips. The viscous nature of the product creates a coating that suffocates insects and disrupts their cuticle, leading to rapid mortality.
After the soap has been massaged into the hair, it remains in place for a prescribed interval, typically 10–15 minutes. During this time the active tar compounds penetrate the exoskeleton of the parasites, preventing respiration. Once the exposure period ends, the hair is rinsed thoroughly with lukewarm water to remove residual soap and dead insects.
A second treatment is usually scheduled 7–10 days later. This timing coincides with the hatching of any surviving eggs, ensuring that newly emerged lice are exposed to the same suffocating action. Repeating the process eliminates the entire infestation without the need for additional chemical insecticides.
Key steps for effective use:
- Wet hair completely; ensure no dry sections.
- Apply tar soap liberally, working it into the scalp and all hair shafts.
- Keep the product on for 10–15 minutes; do not rinse prematurely.
- Rinse thoroughly; dry hair as normal.
- Schedule a repeat application 7–10 days after the first treatment.
Safety considerations include avoiding contact with eyes, monitoring for skin irritation, and limiting use to individuals without known tar allergies. The method provides a non‑neurotoxic alternative for controlling head‑lice infestations while also weakening the adhesive bonds of nits, facilitating their mechanical removal during combing.