What to use to get lice out with home remedies? - briefly
Apply a fine‑toothed lice comb after treating the hair with a warm vinegar or oil solution (olive, coconut, or tea‑tree oil) and repeat the process every 2–3 days until no nits remain.
What to use to get lice out with home remedies? - in detail
Effective removal of head‑lice infestations can be achieved with several readily available household items. The approach combines a physical agent that suffocates or detaches the parasites and a systematic combing process to eliminate both live insects and eggs.
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Olive oil or mineral oil – applied to the scalp in a generous layer, the oil blocks the insects’ breathing pores and loosens the glue that holds nits to hair shafts. After a 30‑minute soak, excess oil is rinsed and the hair is combed with a fine‑toothed nit comb. Repeat the treatment daily for at least one week.
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Petroleum jelly (Vaseline) – thick enough to seal the scalp, it creates an airtight environment. Apply a thick coat, cover with a shower cap, and leave for 8‑12 hours. Follow with thorough combing. Reapply nightly for 5‑7 days.
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White vinegar – a 1:1 mixture of distilled vinegar and water softens the cement that secures nits. Spray the solution onto damp hair, let it sit for 10 minutes, then comb. The acidic environment also deters lice from re‑infesting.
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Baking soda – mixed with a small amount of water to form a paste, it dries the insects and disrupts the nits’ attachment. Apply to the scalp, allow to dry, then brush out with a nit comb. Use once daily for three consecutive days.
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Tea tree oil (5 % solution) – possesses insecticidal properties. Dilute 10 drops of oil in 2 cups of carrier oil (e.g., coconut oil) and apply to the hair. After 30 minutes, rinse and comb. Perform the procedure every 48 hours for a total of three applications.
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Alcohol‑based hair spray – a 70 % isopropyl alcohol spray can kill lice on contact. Spray lightly onto dry hair, avoid scalp irritation, then comb. Use once, followed by a second application after 24 hours.
The combing step is critical. Use a fine‑toothed metal nit comb, working from the scalp outward in small sections. After each pass, wipe the comb on a white towel to inspect for remaining insects. Clean the comb with hot, soapy water between sections.
For optimal results, combine one suffocating agent (oil, petroleum jelly, or vinegar) with disciplined combing, and repeat the cycle for at least ten days to cover the lice life cycle. Monitor for reinfestation and repeat the regimen if any live insects reappear.