How to Kill Nits Naturally

Chemical lice and nit treatments are known to contain pesticides. These products can cause problems since most lice infestations occur in children. If your child has lice, there are ways to get rid of these contagious and annoying tiny insects using natural products. They are cheaper and safer alternatives. For a more effective treatment, you must first get rid of the lice, then work on eliminating the nits afterward.

Things You'll Need

• Mayonnaise, olive oil or Vaseline
• Shower cap
• Shampoo
• Vinegar
• Wide-toothed comb
• Nit comb

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Instructions

• 1

  Coat your child's hair with an oil-based substance such as mayonnaise, olive oil or Vaseline. Apply some of the substance in the areas below your child's neck and behind the ears.

• 2

  Cover your child's head with a shower cap. Make sure the elastic edge of the shower cap fits tightly around your child's head to prevent oil from running down into her eyes.

• 3

  Leave your child's hair covered with the shower cap for two hours if you used mayonnaise; longer, even overnight, if you used olive oil.

• 4

  Shampoo your child's hair thoroughly. Wash and rinse several times as the oils can be difficult to remove.

• 5

  Coat your child's hair with vinegar, then immediately rinse with warm water. This is to treat the nits. Vinegar loosens the nit eggs, making it easier to pull them out later.

• 6

  Untangle your child's hair with a wide-toothed comb.

• 7

  Separate your child's hair into sections. Using the nit comb, start as close to the scalp as possible and work your way down the length of the hair. Rinse the comb in soapy water after every stroke to release the nits.

• 8

  Dry your child's hair and inspect the scalp for nits. If you find remaining nits, use the nit comb to pull them out.