What can you wash your head with at home to get rid of lice? - briefly
Apply an over‑the‑counter pediculicide shampoo (e.g., 1 % permethrin) or a vinegar‑water rinse, then rinse thoroughly with hot water and comb out nits using a fine‑toothed lice comb. Repeat the treatment in 7–10 days to eliminate any newly hatched lice.
What can you wash your head with at home to get rid of lice? - in detail
Various home‑based washing agents can eradicate head lice when applied correctly.
Over‑the‑counter medicated shampoos – contain pyrethrin or permethrin (1 %). Follow label instructions: apply to wet hair, massage scalp for 10 minutes, leave for the recommended time (usually 10 minutes), then rinse. Repeat after 7–10 days to eliminate newly hatched nymphs.
Prescription‑strength lotions – such as benzyl alcohol 5 % or ivermectin 0.5 % creams. Use as directed by a healthcare professional; typically a single application is sufficient, with a second dose after one week.
Oil‑based treatments – mineral oil, olive oil, or coconut oil can suffocate lice. Saturate hair and scalp, cover with a shower cap for 8–12 hours, then comb out nits with a fine‑toothed lice comb. Rinse thoroughly and repeat after one week.
Vinegar solution – mix equal parts white vinegar and water, apply to hair, let sit for 15 minutes, then comb out nits. Vinegar loosens the glue that attaches eggs to hair shafts, improving combing efficiency.
Alcohol‑based spray – 70 % isopropyl alcohol applied to the scalp for 30 seconds can kill adult lice on contact. Use cautiously to avoid scalp irritation; follow with a gentle shampoo.
Essential‑oil blends – tea‑tree oil (0.5 %–1 % concentration) or neem oil combined with a carrier oil may have insecticidal properties. Apply to hair, leave for 30 minutes, then wash. Evidence is limited; use as adjunct to proven treatments.
Procedural steps common to all methods
- Wash hair with the chosen agent according to the product’s timing guidelines.
- Rinse thoroughly with warm water.
- Immediately use a fine‑toothed lice comb on damp hair, starting at the scalp and moving toward the ends.
- Divide hair into sections; comb each section several times, cleaning the comb after each pass.
- Dispose of combed lice and nits in a sealed bag or flush down the toilet.
- Launder bedding, towels, and clothing in hot water (≥ 60 °C) or seal them in a plastic bag for two weeks.
- Repeat the entire washing and combing process after 7–10 days to target any eggs that survived the first treatment.
Consistent application of these washing agents, combined with thorough nit removal and environmental decontamination, provides an effective home solution for eliminating head lice.