Download Article
Download Article
Lice can be super itchy and annoying, but they’re not uncommon, especially if you have any school-aged children in your home. You may have heard all sorts of home remedies for lice such as mayonnaise and olive oil, but many of these haven’t been shown to be effective. Fortunately, there are things you can do to get rid of lice and keep them from coming back.
Here are 12 proven ways to get rid of lice for good.
Steps
Video
Expert Q&A
Search
-
QuestionWhat are the most effective home remedies to get rid of head lice?Dr. Scotten is a board certified Pediatrician in Arizona. She received her MD from the University of Kansas in 1993 and completed her Pediatric residency at Kosair Children’s Hospital. Dr. Scotten was the director of the Pediatric Cystic Fibrosis clinic at the University of Kansas, was voted as a Kansas City Star “Top Doc” for 5 years, and has been selected to the National Board of Medical Examiners.There are not any studies comparing one treatment to another so it is difficult to know which home remedies are best. Home remedy treatments are divided into three main categories: substances that suffocate the lice such as olive, baby and coconut oil; natural oils that kill lice like tea tree oil, and substances that directly kill the lice such as vinegar and salt.
-
QuestionDoes mayonnaise really work?Dr. Scotten is a board certified Pediatrician in Arizona. She received her MD from the University of Kansas in 1993 and completed her Pediatric residency at Kosair Children’s Hospital. Dr. Scotten was the director of the Pediatric Cystic Fibrosis clinic at the University of Kansas, was voted as a Kansas City Star “Top Doc” for 5 years, and has been selected to the National Board of Medical Examiners.Yes. Mayonnaise contains large amounts of oil that can suffocate the lice and possibly stop them from moving around. One downside is that mayonnaise may be "messier" than other oils such as baby oil and olive oil and may be harder to completely rinse out of your hair.
-
QuestionCan lice become immune to lice shampoo?Dr. Scotten is a board certified Pediatrician in Arizona. She received her MD from the University of Kansas in 1993 and completed her Pediatric residency at Kosair Children’s Hospital. Dr. Scotten was the director of the Pediatric Cystic Fibrosis clinic at the University of Kansas, was voted as a Kansas City Star “Top Doc” for 5 years, and has been selected to the National Board of Medical Examiners.Yes. The medicines that are sold over the counter use the substance permethrin to kill the lice. A large percentage of lice now carry a gene that makes them resistant to this medicine. This is why is it important to talk with a physician about all the treatment options that are available for lice. Since the growing resistance was first noted, there have been a lot of new prescription treatments created for getting rid of lice.
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
Advertisement
Reader Videos
Submit a Video Tip!
Share a quick video tip and help bring articles to life with your friendly advice. Your insights could make a real difference and help millions of people!
Submit a Video
Coming Soon!
Tips
Submit a Tip
All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
Name
Please provide your name and last initial
Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
Warnings
- Never take prescription medication for lice unless it was prescribed by your doctor.Thanks
Advertisement
References
- ↑ https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/no-panic-guide-to-head-lice-treatment
- ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/lice/head/treatment.html
- ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/lice/head/treatment.html
- ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9439284/
- ↑ https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/headlice.shtml
- ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/lice/head/treatment.html
- ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/lice/head/treatment.html
- ↑ https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/no-panic-guide-to-head-lice-treatment
- ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/lice/head/treatment.html
- ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/lice/head/treatment.html
- ↑ https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/headlice.shtml
- ↑ https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/no-panic-guide-to-head-lice-treatment
- ↑ https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/no-panic-guide-to-head-lice-treatment
About This Article
Article Summary
X
To get rid of lice fast, divide your hair into sections and pull a nit comb from the roots to the end. Swish the comb in a bowl of warm, soapy water to kill the lice after every brush. To loosen lice even more, mix white or apple cider vinegar with water in a 1:1 ratio and pour it over the person’s head before combing. For an even faster method, buy an over-the-counter pediculicide product and apply according to the package instructions. To get rid of body lice, throw out infested clothing and bathe regularly. To learn more precautions you should take, such as cleaning bedding and clothes, keep reading!
Did this summary help you?
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 3,544,905 times.
Reader Success Stories
- "I didn't realize that there was several different "natural remedies" to kill lice and their nits. Vinegar works really well to loosen the nits. Tea tree oil works well, too, but doesn't smell too good. Now I keep shampoo and conditioner treated with a few drops of tea tree oil in my house year round. So far the lice have not returned, fingers crossed." ..." more
Advertisement
"I didn't realize that there was several different "natural remedies" to kill lice and their nits. Vinegar works really well to loosen the nits. Tea tree oil works well, too, but doesn't smell too good. Now I keep shampoo and conditioner treated with a few drops of tea tree oil in my house year round. So far the lice have not returned, fingers crossed."
..."
more
"This article helped me greatly by giving me knowledge and understanding of lice, how they live, and what they do in your hair. I also learned how to get rid of them, and extra tips to keep them from reproducing and and preventing further damage."
..."
more
"It's nice to find natural ways to get rid of them, because I have tried store-bought lice kits and they are very expensive and have not worked. I plan on trying the vinegar. I already use tea tree oil, I don't mind the smell. Thank you."
..."
more
"The white vinegar and water mixed was a new one to read for myself. I'll definitely give it a try! Also, your explanation is great and I have used the site several times which I will also continue to in future if/when needed. Thank you!"
..."
more
"Thank you for all the tips. I am just dealing with these disgusting lodgers. I will try vinegar and an oil, one then the other. I treated my hair yesterday and found nits at the nape in the past hour. Maybe I'll shave my head."
..."
more
