We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What are the Best Tips for Killing Head Lice?

By Bethney Foster
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 5,851
Share

The best tips for killing head lice refer to how the parasites are removed from the hair. Removing the nits and lice from hair is the first step in effectively killing head lice. Among the best tips for killing head lice is to use a nit comb to methodically go through sections of hair. While working through the hair, work under the best possible lighting situations so that no lice or nits are missed. Natural light is usually the most effective.

Head lice are tiny parasites that infect human hair and lay their eggs, often referred to as nits, on the hair or scalp. Children are most commonly infected because head lice spread from person-to-person contact and through contact with infected personal items, such as combs, blankets, and coats. An infection of head lice is not a medical emergency, and it doesn’t mean the infected person has poor hygiene.

The first step in killing head lice is to decide what type of product to use to kill the parasites. There are many different shampoos available that are designed for killing head lice. Most of these contain permethrin. Permethrin is a pesticide, so it’s important to follow dosing directions and other instructions exactly. Too little of the product will be ineffective, and too much could be dangerous.

While the shampoo will take care of adult lice, in order to effectively end the head lice infestation, the nits must be removed. Some medical professionals recommend rubbing olive oil into the hair before using a metal nit comb to loosen the nits from the hair shaft. Others recommend running the comb through beeswax before starting because the wax will make the nits more likely to adhere to the comb’s teeth.

Killing head lice also involves treating the environment. Clothing, bedding, and other potentially contaminated materials should be washed in hot water and dried in an electric clothes dryer. Any headgear, such as caps, barrettes, or hats, should be thrown out or thoroughly cleaned to avoid re-infestation. Combs, brushes, and curling irons should also be thrown out or thoroughly cleaned. Frequent vacuuming of carpet, upholstered furniture, and vehicles is also effective in ending a head lice infestation.

For infestations that do not respond to other treatment, Malathion is approved for killing head lice. It is applied to the hair and allowed to remain for 12 hours. Treatment with Malathion can cause side effects in children, elderly people, and others.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-are-the-best-tips-for-killing-head-lice.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.