How to get rid of lice without a pharmacy? - briefly
Apply a mixture of equal parts water and white vinegar to wet hair, then comb through with a fine‑tooth lice comb, repeating every 2–3 days for two weeks. Wash all clothing, bedding, and personal items in hot water (≥130 °F) and dry on high heat.
How to get rid of lice without a pharmacy? - in detail
Lice infestations develop quickly because female insects lay eggs (nits) close to the scalp, attaching them to hair shafts. Effective eradication requires eliminating both live insects and their eggs.
Manual removal
- Comb hair with a fine-toothed nit comb on wet, conditioned strands.
- Start at the scalp, pulling the comb through each section from root to tip.
- Rinse the comb after each pass to prevent re‑contamination.
- Repeat the process daily for at least ten days, covering the entire head each time.
Home‑based solutions
- Apply a mixture of equal parts olive oil and coconut oil to the scalp. The oily coating immobilizes insects and loosens nits.
- Cover the head with a shower cap for 30 minutes, then comb as described above.
- Use a 10 % vinegar rinse (diluted white vinegar) after oil treatment; the acidity helps detach eggs from the hair shaft. Rinse thoroughly and comb again.
Heat treatment
- Use a hair dryer on a low‑heat setting, keeping it at least six inches from the scalp. Direct warm air across sections for 5 minutes, then comb immediately. Heat kills insects but does not affect nits, so follow with combing.
Environmental control
- Wash bedding, hats, scarves, and hair accessories in hot water (≥ 60 °C) and dry on high heat.
- Seal non‑washable items in a sealed plastic bag for two weeks; lice cannot survive without a host beyond this period.
- Vacuum carpets, upholstered furniture, and car seats to remove stray insects.
Preventive practices
- Avoid sharing combs, brushes, hats, or headphones.
- Keep hair tied back and regularly inspected, especially after close contact with others.
- Maintain a clean environment by laundering personal items weekly.
Combining these steps—oil immobilization, vinegar rinses, diligent combing, heat exposure, and thorough cleaning of surroundings—provides a complete, pharmacy‑free strategy for eliminating lice and preventing reinfestation. Consistency over the full life cycle (approximately 10 days) is essential for success.