How to Treat Lice With Mayo

Head lice are difficult pests to remove. Usually, over-the-counter or prescribed medications are used to kill lice and their eggs. Yet, according to the Minnesota Department of Health, lice products aren't always 100 percent effective. You can use a suffocant as an alternative method for lice removal. Suffocants such as petroleum jelly, oils or mayonnaise kill lice and nits by obstructing breathing. Using mayonnaise also creates an undesirable environment for lice when used.

Things You'll Need

• Mayonnaise
• Shower cap
• Towel
• De-greasing dish soap
• Water
• Comb
• Shampoo
• Toilet paper

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Instructions

• 1

  Apply the mayo with your hands, starting at your scalp. Work the mayo through your hair. Use enough mayo to thoroughly saturate your hair.

• 2

  Cover your head with a shower cap. Keep the shower cap in place for eight hours, as suggested by the Minnesota Department of Health. Use a towel to cover your pillow at night.

• 3

  Use a de-greasing dish soap to cleanse your hair. Regular soaps and shampoos aren't effective enough to clean suffocants from your hair.

• 4

  Use a comb to manually remove any remaining nits and lice. Separate your hair into sections and pull the comb from the top of your scalp to the ends of your hair.

• 5

  Remove nits and lice when you see them. Place nits and lice in toilet paper and flush the toilet paper down your toilet.

• 6

  Shampoo your hair to remove leftover mayonnaise. Complete another shampooing if necessary.