Ways to Prevent & Kill Lice

A number of insecticidal shampoos kill head lice, but adverse effects, such as environmental pollution and resistance, are problems that come with their use.



Alternative and natural treatments are availble that don't contribute to lice resistance and are less harmful to both humans and the environment. Certain oil-based shampoos, mayonnaise, Vaseline and white vinegar, and blow-drying are among these natural remedies.

Conventional Treatments

• The University of California's Integrated Pest Management Program (UC IPM) explains that the insecticide shampoo containing lindane is now available only through prescription because of negative health reactions in some people and its pollution of the water supply. Pyrethin and permethin are insecticides still available over the counter in lice shampoos, but they don't kill all lice eggs (nits). If the lice have developed resistance, these won't work on the lice adults and nymphs, either. Malathion is another ingredient of prescription lice shampoo that kills lice, but pediatrician Alan Greene believes this is dangerous to people and the environment.

Other Shampoos

• Rosemary and other essential oils act as natural insecticides.

  UC IPM advises trying shampoos that contain coconut or olive oils to kill head lice. Four shampoos spaced three days apart can kill adult lice and nymphs. These shampoos aren't effective against lice eggs, so daily nit combing is still necessary.

  UC IPM reports that the Packard Children's Health Services Pediatric Hotline recommends adding 3 tablespoons of olive oil, 1 teaspoon of tea tree oil and 1 teaspoon of rosemary or eucalyptus oil to regular shampoo to kill lice. After lathering, leave the shampoo on for 30 minutes under a shower cap, then wash your hair with regular shampoo two or three times to remove the oils. Dr. Greene also recommends tea tree oil shampoo as a natural treatment to kill and prevent lice.

Mayonnaise, Vaseline and White Vinegar

• Mayonnaise is thought to smother head lice.

  Other natural treatments for head lice include mayonnaise or Vaseline. These products are thought to smother the lice, reports Dr. Greene. Apply and cover with a shower cap and leave on overnight. Vaseline is much harder to remove than mayonnaise, although dishwashing liquid may help. Dr. Greene stresses that daily combing of nits is still necessary because these treatments may cause lice to go into a dormant state rather than kill them. White vinegar is useful to help loosen nits from the hair shaft before combing.

Indian Lilac

• Indian lilac can kill head lice.

  An Argentinian study published in the 2007 Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology has found that extract and oils from the fruit of the Indian lilac tree can kill adult lice, and some of the nits, reports Dr. Greene. Indian lilac is also known as chinaberry tree, white cedar and the paraiso.

Blow Drying

• Don't combine blow-drying with chemical treatments.

  Using a hot blow-dryer for 15 minutes twice a day can help kill lice. This is used in conjunction with combing. Don't use this method if you're using chemical treatments, warn Dr. Greene and Kids Health. The heat can deactivate the lice treatments, and some of the ingredients are flammable.

Tried and True: Combing

• Conditioner makes combing easier and immobilizes lice temporarily.

  The most labor-intensive and but proven treatment for removing lice is to comb the nits and adults out with a specially designed tool. Metal nit combs slide more easily through the hair than plastic ones, according to Dr. Greene.

  Use a leave-in conditioner to remove snarls, always wet the hair and use a good lamp to comb out head lice. Comb each section of hair from as close to the scalp as you can get and use tissues to clean the comb. Place lice debris in a plastic bag that can be sealed. Pin combed sections up and away. After combing, rinse the hair.

  Soak the nit comb in ammonia and soapy water for 15 minutes or boil metal combs for 15 minutes. You can use dental floss or an old toothbrush to remove stuck-in debris from the comb.

  Comb at least every three to four days for up to two weeks after the last live lice have been seen.

Prevention

• Kids shouldn't share helmets, hats or hair accessories.

  To prevent head lice, tell kids to avoid head-to-head contact and don't let them share brushes, hats, helmets, scarves or towels. They shouldn't share barrettes, hair-bands or ribbons. Children shouldn't lie on carpet, bedding or pillows of someone who has recently been plagued with head lice.

  Lice don't survive very long once they've fallen off people, according to Kids Health, so extensive house-cleaning or insecticide-spraying isn't necessary. Wash bedding and clothing in hot water and put them in a hot dryer. Dry-clean clothing and stuffed animals that aren't washable, or put them in airtight bags for 2 weeks. Vacuum your carpets and car. Soak hair-care products in rubbing alcohol for one hour. You can also put headgear such as earphones or helmets in plastic bags and then the freezer to kill lice and eggs.