How to remove lice eggs from hair

To treat head lice, you must not only destroy the adult lice, but also remove their eggs. Proper removal of nits helps the person with lice relieve itching and discomfort, and limits the spread of lice to other family members, friends or household objects. Learn how to remove nits from your hair so you can do it right the first time.

Table of Contents

Kill adult lice

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/2/2d/Remove-Nits-from-Hair-Step-1-Version-4.jpg/v4-728px-Remove-Nits- from-Hair-Step-1-Version-4.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/2/2d/Remove-Nits-from-Hair-Step-1- Version-4.jpg/v4-728px-Remove-Nits-from-Hair-Step-1-Version-4.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight” :546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Eradicate all adult lice. Removing the nits will not help if the adult lice are still alive and able to reproduce in the hair. As long as they are alive, new batches of eggs will continue to appear in the hair. The eggs then hatch into lice, the lice grow to lay eggs, and the cycle continues. This endless circle will not be broken if all the adult lice have not been destroyed. ^{[1] X Trusted Source Centers for Disease Contrp and Prevention Go to source}

Soaking your hair in water for a long time also won’t suffocate the lice. Research shows that head lice attach themselves to the hair and scalp when submerged in water and can survive for hours. The chlorine chemicals in pool water are also not strong enough to kill lice. ^{[2] X Trusted Source Centers for Disease Contrp and Prevention Go to source}
To get rid of lice you must wash your hair with a lice shampoo. In severe cases, you must use a shampoo to treat head lice as prescribed by your doctor.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/d/d2/Remove-Nits-from-Hair-Step-2-Version-4.jpg/v4-728px-Remove-Nits- from-Hair-Step-2-Version-4.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/d/d2/Remove-Nits-from-Hair-Step-2- Version-4.jpg/v4-728px-Remove-Nits-from-Hair-Step-2-Version-4.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight” :546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Use shampoo as directed. You can use Pyrethrum which is a product made from chrysanthemum flowers, which contains the compound pyrethrin which is a natural insecticide. Pyrethrin attacks the nervous system of lice, although lice are now somewhat resistant to this compound. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

Apply shampoo to dry hair. Wait ten minutes then add water, rub hair into foam and rinse. Then you try to remove the nits, repeat this process 7-10 times to kill the remaining lice.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/6/6e/Remove-Nits-from-Hair-Step-3-Version-5.jpg/v4-728px-Remove-Nits- from-Hair-Step-3-Version-5.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/6/6e/Remove-Nits-from-Hair-Step-3- Version-5.jpg/v4-728px-Remove-Nits-from-Hair-Step-3-Version-5.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight” :546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Another way is to suffocate the lice. There is little clinical research on the effectiveness of this method, however some believe that you can suffocate head lice. They argue that some products can clog the airways of lice. Lice can live for hours afterwards, but eventually they die. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

Use pure petroleum-based waxes such as Vaseline. Apply a thick layer of wax to your hair and scalp. Then keep the wax in place for 8 hours to suffocate the lice, you should wear a shower cap to limit exposure to the air. Remember, Vaseline is almost impossible to remove nits. ^{[5] X Research Sources}
Some advocate using regular olive oil. They also believe that olive oil clogs the lice’s airways and causes them to suffocate. Like Vaseline, you must apply the oil to your hair and scalp, put on a shower cap, and wait about eight hours before washing it off. Another benefit is that the olive oil helps the eggs fall out of the hair and make them easier to wash off. ^{[6] X Research Sources}
Mayonnaise can also be effective. Mayonnaise contains a large amount of oil so it also seems to be able to suffocate head lice. Apply mayonnaise to your hair and scalp like Vaseline and olive oil. There is evidence that regular mayonnaise with a high fat content is most effective. ^{[7] X Research Sources}

Remove lice eggs with vinegar

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/a/a4/Remove-Nits-from-Hair-Step-5-Version-6.jpg/v4-728px-Remove-Nits- from-Hair-Step-5-Version-6.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/a/a4/Remove-Nits-from-Hair-Step-5- Version-6.jpg/v4-728px-Remove-Nits-from-Hair-Step-5-Version-6.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight” :546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Wash your hair with water and vinegar. Head lice eggs are encased in a sticky substance that helps attach to the hairline. It was discovered that vinegar contains chemicals that can dissolve the sticky layer, making it impossible for eggs to stick to the hair. ^{[9] X Research Source}

Kneel in front of the basin and put your head under the faucet. Turn on warm water and wet hair completely. Then turn off the water, still in a kneeling position, and pour a generous amount of vinegar into your hair. Make sure all clumps of hair are soaked with vinegar. Then wash your hair with warm water.
Another way is to mix water and vinegar in a pot with a ratio of 1:1. Dip your hair completely in the pot by tilting your head down or tilting it back.
Brush your hair with dry conditioner to get rid of tangles. Try to brush your hair very smoothly so that it will be easier to comb the nits with a comb.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/2/25/Remove-Nits-from-Hair-Step-6-Version-6.jpg/v4-728px-Remove-Nits- from-Hair-Step-6-Version-6.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/2/25/Remove-Nits-from-Hair-Step-6- Version-6.jpg/v4-728px-Remove-Nits-from-Hair-Step-6-Version-6.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight” :546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Start brushing your hair. If you are infected with lice, ask someone else for help. You need a metal lice comb, with tight, hard teeth will be better than a plastic comb. In the United States, combs can be purchased for less than $10 at drugstores. It is better to have a magnifying glass as the small eggs are easier to spot.

A large amount of eggs were washed away when you used vinegar. However, there will be other eggs clinging to the wet hair. You should only treat a small clump of hair at a time – about the width of a lice comb – and then slowly comb through the entire head.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/0/03/Remove-Nits-from-Hair-Step-7-Version-6.jpg/v4-728px-Remove-Nits- from-Hair-Step-7-Version-6.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/0/03/Remove-Nits-from-Hair-Step-7- Version-6.jpg/v4-728px-Remove-Nits-from-Hair-Step-7-Version-6.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight” :546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Rinse the comb after combing each strand of hair. After combing a bunch of hair, you must rinse the comb in a bowl of water mixed with dishwashing liquid. Then dry the comb with a paper towel, and make sure to remove all lice and eggs from the comb teeth.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/f/f9/Remove-Nits-from-Hair-Step-8-Version-6.jpg/v4-728px-Remove-Nits- from-Hair-Step-8-Version-6.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/f/f9/Remove-Nits-from-Hair-Step-8- Version-6.jpg/v4-728px-Remove-Nits-from-Hair-Step-8-Version-6.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight” :546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Repeat this process until you have combed the entire head. After combing each strand of hair, you must clip it close to one side of the head to prevent lice or eggs from getting into it.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/0/0e/Remove-Nits-from-Hair-Step-9-Version-6.jpg/v4-728px-Remove-Nits- from-Hair-Step-9-Version-6.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/0/0e/Remove-Nits-from-Hair-Step-9- Version-6.jpg/v4-728px-Remove-Nits-from-Hair-Step-9-Version-6.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight” :546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Head washing. You should wash your hair again after finishing the combing. By this time all nits and lice have been removed but you should also wash them again to feel cleaner. Consider washing again with an anti-lice shampoo to be sure all lice and nits are eliminated.

After the hair is dry, check again for signs of lice or nits. If lice are still present, you must repeat the process from the beginning.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/d/db/Remove-Nits-from-Hair-Step-10-Version-6.jpg/v4-728px-Remove-Nits- from-Hair-Step-10-Version-6.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/d/db/Remove-Nits-from-Hair-Step-10- Version-6.jpg/v4-728px-Remove-Nits-from-Hair-Step-10-Version-6.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight” :546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Sanitize items. Rinse the bowl used to wash the comb or soak the bowl in boiling water for about 10 minutes. You should also soak a regular hairbrush, hairpin, etc. in a pot of boiling water, along with a lice comb, but remember to clean the hair and eggs first.

Temperatures above 54°C can kill lice and eggs in 5-10 minutes.
Another way is to mix two cups of boiling water with one cup of ammonia. Dip a lice comb in ammonia water for 15 minutes, then clean it with an old toothbrush.
Each family member should have their own comb.

Remove lice eggs with Listerine

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/a/a3/Remove-Nits-from-Hair-Step-11-Version-4.jpg/v4-728px-Remove-Nits- from-Hair-Step-11-Version-4.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/a/a3/Remove-Nits-from-Hair-Step-11- Version-4.jpg/v4-728px-Remove-Nits-from-Hair-Step-11-Version-4.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight” :546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Wet hair completely with Listerine. Listerine or similar mouthwashes that contain high levels of alcohol can kill lice and dissolve the binding of eggs and hair follicles. Although some websites specializing in “nature therapy” recommend this method, it should be remembered that medical sites do the opposite. ^{[10] X Research Source} It is important to note that the alcohol content of Listerine can burn the eyes and cause pain if it comes in contact with an open wound. Small children can swallow Listerine.

If you’re using Listerine, you’ll need to wet your hair completely and wear a shower cap for 30 minutes or so to kill the lice. Repeat if necessary.
You can also apply Listerine to your hair and cover your pillow with a towel (prevent it from getting wet) before going to bed, doing the rest the next morning.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/0/03/Remove-Nits-from-Hair-Step-12-Version-4.jpg/v4-728px-Remove-Nits- from-Hair-Step-12-Version-4.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/0/03/Remove-Nits-from-Hair-Step-12- Version-4.jpg/v4-728px-Remove-Nits-from-Hair-Step-12-Version-4.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight” :546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Wash your hair with warm water and vinegar. After wetting your hair, thoroughly rinse Listerine with warm water and apply plenty of vinegar to your hair to loosen the eggs. ^{[11] X Research Source}

Follow the steps above, apply a dry conditioner or conditioner, comb your hair, and comb through the clumps with a lice comb to remove the eggs.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/c/c8/Remove-Nits-from-Hair-Step-13-Version-4.jpg/v4-728px-Remove-Nits- from-Hair-Step-13-Version-4.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/c/c8/Remove-Nits-from-Hair-Step-13- Version-4.jpg/v4-728px-Remove-Nits-from-Hair-Step-13-Version-4.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight” :546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Clean work area and equipment. Clean the lice comb in a bowl of soapy water or let it dry in the dishwasher. Pour Listerine into a spray bottle and spray nearby items. Here’s how to get rid of lice to prevent a re-occurrence.

You can wash your clothes, towels, or bedding in hot water. Remember that maintaining high temperatures can kill lice and eggs.

Preventing a recurrence

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/7/72/Remove-Nits-from-Hair-Step-14-Version-4.jpg/v4-728px-Remove-Nits- from-Hair-Step-14-Version-4.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/7/72/Remove-Nits-from-Hair-Step-14- Version-4.jpg/v4-728px-Remove-Nits-from-Hair-Step-14-Version-4.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight” :546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Avoid head-to-head contact. Fortunately, the mobility of lice is not high, they cannot jump and do not survive long after leaving the human head. The most common way of spreading is through direct head-to-head contact. ^{[12] X Trusted Source Centers for Disease Contrp and Prevention Go to the source} So for children, head lice are often spread at school, while playing sports, or staying at your home. For adults, head lice can be spread when you come into contact with a lover who has lice.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/1/15/Remove-Nits-from-Hair-Step-15-Version-3.jpg/v4-728px-Remove-Nits- from-Hair-Step-15-Version-3.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/1/15/Remove-Nits-from-Hair-Step-15- Version-3.jpg/v4-728px-Remove-Nits-from-Hair-Step-15-Version-3.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight” :546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Avoid contact with lice clothing accessories, personal hygiene products, and bedding. Head lice do not find food when they leave the head and will starve to death in 1-2 days. But you should also be cautious. Avoid contact with items where lice or eggs are likely to hide. ^{[13] X Research Source}

These items include hats, hair bows, hair clips, scarves, coats, and uniforms. Do not share these items, whether combs, brushes or towels.
Dip all combs, brushes and towels in hot water above 54°C for 10 minutes to remove lice.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/e/ef/Remove-Nits-from-Hair-Step-16-Version-3.jpg/v4-728px-Remove-Nits- from-Hair-Step-16-Version-3.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/e/ef/Remove-Nits-from-Hair-Step-16- Version-3.jpg/v4-728px-Remove-Nits-from-Hair-Step-16-Version-3.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight” :546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Wash all clothes, towels, and fabrics in hot water. Used bedding, pillows, and stuffed animals can be washed in hot water and tumble dried on high heat to get rid of lice. Again, the washing water must be hotter than 54°C. If the garment cannot be washed or dried on high heat, dry clean it or place it in a sealed plastic bag for two weeks.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/e/eb/Remove-Nits-from-Hair-Step-17-Version-3.jpg/v4-728px-Remove-Nits- from-Hair-Step-17-Version-3.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/e/eb/Remove-Nits-from-Hair-Step-17- Version-3.jpg/v4-728px-Remove-Nits-from-Hair-Step-17-Version-3.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight” :546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Vacuum floors and surfaces. Lice or eggs often fall from an infected person’s hair onto the floor, couch, or carpet. So, if possible, you should vacuum with a HEPA filter bag to ensure that lice eggs are retained during the vacuuming process.

Head lice and eggs on surfaces will not live long, so they usually do not spread. However, you should still be cautious by cleaning as soon as possible.

{“smallUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images_en/thumb/0/08/Remove-Nits-from-Hair-Step-18-Version-3.jpg/v4-728px-Remove-Nits- from-Hair-Step-18-Version-3.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/0/08/Remove-Nits-from-Hair-Step-18- Version-3.jpg/v4-728px-Remove-Nits-from-Hair-Step-18-Version-3.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight” :546,”licensing”:”<div class=”mw-parser-output”></div>”}

Be careful with strong chemicals. It is not necessary to use fumigants and other harsh chemicals to get rid of fleas and nits. The dangers of inhaling or coming into contact with these chemicals are more harmful than good. ^{[14] X Trusted Source University of California Integrated Pest Management Program Go to source}

Even if you have access to chemical methods, keep in mind that their effectiveness has been greatly reduced by abuse over the years. In many cases, insects have developed immunity to chemicals. ^{[15] X Research Source}

Warning

When you have severe head lice, you may need to use prescription drugs to treat them. If you have tried the steps above many times but still have nits, consider seeing a doctor.
Avoid frequent head-to-head contact with people suspected of having head lice to avoid spreading.

Things you need

Head lice shampoo
Warm water
Vinegar, mayonnaise or Listerine
Lice comb
Towel
Conditioner

Steps