Head lice are tiny insects that live on the human scalp and suck their blood. Fleas can crawl but cannot fly, so these animals are transmitted from person to person through very close contact. This is why children are most often attacked by head lice because they tend to be close together when playing. In fact, in the US it is estimated that between 6 and 12 million school children get head lice every year. Vinegar is a classic home remedy that works to fight head lice infestations by inhibiting the attachment of their eggs to the hair. Other treatments, both natural and medicinal, can target and kill head lice directly. Using a combination of treatments is the best approach to dealing with head lice.
Step
Part 1 of 2: Using Vinegar
Step 1. Understand the benefits and limitations of using vinegar
Vinegar is a common home remedy used to treat head lice. However, some people mistakenly think that vinegar can kill adult lice and their eggs. In fact, vinegar can't kill head lice directly because it doesn't poison them. Vinegar is only able to get rid of the nits that are stuck to the hair, thereby preventing the hatching of young lice that will attack your head. More specifically, the acetic acid in the vinegar will dissolve the protective shell of the nits and make them no longer able to stick to the hair.
- After using the vinegar, the nits will be released from the hair, making them easier to remove with a fine-toothed comb.
- While it can't kill adult fleas, vinegar can kill newly hatched fleas or nymphs. However, further research is still needed to understand more clearly the effect of vinegar or acetic acid on head lice.
Step 2. Try using an over-the-counter medicated shampoo first
Since vinegar can't kill both lice and their eggs, it's best to treat head lice first with a special shampoo. Special shampoos to treat lice are also known as pediculicides. After using a pediculicide, you can use vinegar to help remove nits from your hair.
Using a medicated shampoo beforehand will help make sure the adult lice are dead, thereby reducing the chances of the lice spreading
Step 3. Choose the type of vinegar
All types of vinegar contain acetic acid, but some types and brands of vinegar are more concentrated than others. In general, choose vinegar that contains about 5% acetic acid as it is sufficient to dissolve the protective layer of nits, but not strong enough to irritate the skin of most people. White vinegar is acetic acid diluted in water and is usually the least expensive. Red wine vinegar is more expensive and often contains between 5-7% acetic acid. Apple cider vinegar can also be used, but be sure to choose unfiltered and pasteurized apple cider vinegar as it tends to be the most concentrated (about 5% acetic acid).
- Much higher levels of acetic acid (more than 7%) can irritate the scalp, but lower levels may not be able to break the bonds between nits and hair. So, use vinegar that contains between 5-7% acetic acid.
- The itching caused by head lice is caused by an allergic reaction to the lice's saliva. Not everyone experiences this allergic reaction and feels itchy.
Step 4. Stand in the tub or shower and pour the vinegar
After determining the type and level of vinegar, take off your clothes and stand in the tub or bathroom. Moisturize your hair first with a little water (but not dripping) then pour a few cups of vinegar directly onto your scalp. Massage the vinegar into your scalp and try your best to distribute the vinegar throughout your hair. This may be difficult to do if you have long hair, so work slowly. Then, let the vinegar soak in your hair for 5-10 minutes (should be enough to dissolve the exoskeleton layer of the nits).
- Be sure to close your eyes while pouring the vinegar. Diluted acetic acid won't do any damage to your eyes, but it can still sting for a few minutes.
- Don't let vinegar get on your clothes as it can stain, especially red wine and apple cider vinegar.
Step 5. Comb the hair with a fine toothed comb
After the vinegar has been allowed to soak in your hair for at least 5 minutes, use a fine-toothed comb to comb it through. Lice eggs that have been released along with several adult lice can be removed by combing the hair repeatedly. For best results, consider purchasing a special "lice comb" (a very tight plastic or metal comb) at a pharmacy or online store. After combing your hair for a few minutes, rinse any excess vinegar from your hair and then dry it. Make sure not to share towels with other people while you have head lice.
- Vinegar can remove nits from your hair, but it won't kill adult lice on your scalp. That way, don't be surprised to see that there are still lice after this treatment.
- Vinegar treatment can be done every day until there are no more nits attached to the hair. The acetic acid will also remove the oil from your hair, so your hair may look dry or frizzy afterwards.
- Lice eggs hatch within 7-9 days. So, if you only use vinegar to fight head lice, it may take up to 1 month for this attack to completely resolve.
Part 2 of 2: Using Other Lice Remedies
Step 1. Ask your doctor for a flea-free shampoo
First of all, make an appointment with your doctor or dermatologist and seek the right diagnosis. Then ask your doctor about the most effective over-the-counter shampoo or ointment available at most pharmacies for treating head lice. Your doctor will likely recommend an over-the-counter medication that contains pyrethrins (a compound from chrysanthemums that is toxic to lice). Well-known product brands include Nix (synthetic pyrethrin) and Rid (a mixture of pyrethrins with compounds that are toxic to other ticks).
- These pyrethrin-based shampoos are effective at killing adult lice, but are usually not effective against nits. So, consider combining a vinegar and pyrethrin treatment for lice and eggs.
- Side effects of pyrethrin-based shampoos include irritation, redness, and itching of the scalp, especially in children who are allergic to chrysanthemum or ragweed.
- Head lice do not transmit disease (both bacterial and viral), but itching on the scalp can trigger excessive scratching which can lead to infection in open wounds in some people.
- Do not use your regular shampoo and/or conditioner after lice shampoo as this can reduce their effectiveness.
Step 2. Consult the use of prescription drugs with your doctor
If the infestation of head lice cannot be controlled with vinegar and/or over-the-counter shampoo, you should consult a doctor for stronger medication. In some areas, head lice are resistant to over-the-counter shampoos, so only prescription medications can treat them. The most commonly recommended prescription drugs for treating head lice are benzyl alcohol (Ulesfia), malathion (Ovide), and Lindane. A class of drugs that kill head lice are called pediculicides, and should be used with caution, especially in children.
- Benzyl alcohol can kill head lice by inhibiting their oxygen intake. This drug is effective, but possible side effects include skin irritation, allergic reactions, and seizures, so it is not recommended for children younger than 6 months of age.
- Malation shampoo is only permitted for use in children 6 years of age or older because of the potential for serious side effects. Be careful not to expose this shampoo to a hot hair dryer or place it near a fire because of its high alcohol content.
- Lindane shampoo is the last resort for treating head lice because of the high risk of causing serious side effects (including seizures). So, this shampoo is not recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics for use in pregnant women and children of all ages.
Step 3. Consider using natural herbal remedies
Some studies show that certain plant oils are toxic to head lice and their eggs. The most promising plant oils for treating head lice include tea tree oil, aniseed, ylang ylang, and nerolidol (a compound found in many plants). Even if the use of this plant oil to treat head lice isn't approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), in general, it's safe and worth a try if you can afford it.
- Plant oils like tea tree oil are often found in natural medicated shampoos marketed to treat dandruff and psoriasis, but they can also fight head lice.
- In general, this plant oil is safe for both children and adults, and there have been no reports of serious side effects.
- Some other natural remedies that can kill head lice by "choking" them (blocking their oxygen intake) include olive oil and butter. Apply one to the scalp for 5-10 minutes before washing it off with a medicated shampoo for best results.
- Head lice can neither jump nor fly, so these animals are transmitted from person to person usually through head-to-head contact. Even so, indirect transmission is still possible through the shared use of hats, brushes or hair combs, towels, pillows, scarves, hair accessories, or hearing aids.
Tips
- You may not notice a lice infestation, although common symptoms include: itching of the scalp and ears, numerous gray (sesame seed-sized) spots on the scalp that resemble dandruff, and dark spots on the hair shaft.
- Head lice infestation (also known as Pediculus humanus capitis) is not a sign of poor personal hygiene or environmental conditions, but is more related to direct contact with people who have head lice.
- If one member of the family has head lice, the rest of the family should be carefully examined.
- Check for lice or eggs by parting a section of hair under a bright light and a magnifying glass to see.
- Lice eggs may look like dandruff, but they stick tightly to the hair shaft and don't peel off like dandruff.
- After using a comb or hairbrush, soak it in hot water (approximately 55°C) for about 5 minutes to kill head lice.
- Do not apply insecticide spray on your head or on children. This insecticide is toxic if inhaled or absorbed through the scalp.
- Teach children to avoid head-to-head contact while at school or on the playground to reduce their risk of developing head lice.
- Keep in mind that you can't catch fleas from pets (dogs or cats) because fleas only feed on human blood and prefer to stay in warm temperatures and protect your scalp.
