How should you use tar soap for lice and nits? - briefly
Apply a thin layer of warm tar soap to clean, dry hair, focusing on the scalp and behind the ears, and let it act for 10–15 minutes. Afterwards, rinse thoroughly with warm water and comb the hair with a fine‑toothed nit comb to remove lice and nits.
How should you use tar soap for lice and nits? - in detail
Tar soap is a thick, oily preparation designed to suffocate head‑lice and their eggs. Effective use requires a systematic approach.
First, prepare the hair. Wash with a mild shampoo, rinse thoroughly, and towel‑dry until damp but not wet. Apply a generous layer of tar soap, spreading from the scalp to the tips of each strand. Use a fine‑tooth comb to distribute the product evenly, ensuring coverage of the hair shaft and the skin behind the ears and at the nape.
Second, allow the soap to act. Leave the preparation on for a minimum of 30 minutes; longer exposure (up to 2 hours) increases efficacy, especially for mature nits. During this period, cover the head with a plastic cap to prevent drying and to maintain a sealed environment.
Third, remove the product. Rinse the hair with warm water, then use a nit‑comb (metal, spaced 0.2 mm) to comb out dead lice and eggs. Start at the scalp and work outward, cleaning the comb after each pass. Repeat the combing process several times to ensure complete removal.
Fourth, repeat treatment. Perform a second application 7–10 days after the first, following the same steps. This interval targets any newly hatched lice that survived the initial exposure.
Additional considerations:
- Do not apply tar soap to broken or irritated scalp skin.
- Avoid contact with eyes; if accidental exposure occurs, rinse immediately with water.
- Store the soap in a cool, dry place, tightly sealed, to prevent oxidation.
- For children under 2 years of age, consult a healthcare professional before use.
Adhering to this protocol maximizes the likelihood of eliminating both lice and their eggs.