How to remove lice with 9% vinegar? - briefly
Apply a 9% vinegar solution to the scalp and hair, leave it for 10‑15 minutes, rinse, and comb out lice and nits with a fine‑toothed comb. Repeat after 7‑10 days to remove any newly hatched insects.
How to remove lice with 9% vinegar? - in detail
A 9 % acetic acid solution can act as a topical agent against head‑lice infestations. The liquid’s acidity disrupts the insects’ exoskeleton and suffocates nymphs, while also loosening the glue that secures eggs to hair shafts.
Materials needed
- 9 % vinegar (commercially available or diluted from 18 % stock)
- Fine‑toothed nit comb
- Plastic cap or shower cap
- Towels
- Mild shampoo (optional)
Procedure
- Preparation – Wash the scalp with a mild shampoo, rinse thoroughly, and towel‑dry until damp but not dripping.
- Application – Saturate the hair and scalp with the vinegar solution, ensuring full coverage from root to tip. Use a spray bottle or pour slowly to avoid runoff.
- Incubation – Cover the head with a plastic cap to retain moisture. Leave the solution on for 30 minutes; this duration allows the acid to penetrate the lice’s respiratory system and soften egg cement.
- Mechanical removal – After the waiting period, remove the cap and use a nit comb on small sections, starting at the scalp and pulling toward the ends. Wipe the comb on a towel after each pass to discard dead insects and eggs.
- Rinsing – Rinse the hair with lukewarm water. A second rinse with plain water can eliminate residual vinegar odor.
- Repeat – Perform the entire process again after 7–10 days, when any surviving eggs have hatched, to eradicate newly emerged lice.
Safety considerations
- Verify that the vinegar concentration does not exceed 9 % before use; higher concentrations may irritate the scalp or skin.
- Conduct a patch test on a small area of skin 24 hours prior to full application to detect possible allergic reactions.
- Avoid use on children under 2 years, on broken skin, or on individuals with known sensitivities to acetic acid.
Environmental control
- Wash bedding, hats, and hair accessories in hot water (≥ 60 °C) or seal them in a plastic bag for two weeks.
- Vacuum carpets and upholstered furniture to remove stray nits.
When executed precisely, this regimen eliminates live lice and most viable eggs, reducing the need for chemical pediculicides.