Home Remedies For Head Lice

This is a comprehensive list of home remedies for head lice, some of which have been popular for decades. I have not personally tried any of these remedies. [Important: Read the lice treatment warnings page and consult your doctor before beginning any treatment.]

REMEDY METHOD
Olive Oil Saturate scalp and hair; cover 2 hours to smother lice.
Cetaphil Saturate scalp; comb out excess lotion; blow-dry hair completely; leave in 8 hours; repeat twice more weekly. Source
Mayonnaise Saturate scalp and hair; cover 8 hours to smother lice.
Denorex Extra Strength shampoo Saturate scalp and hair; cover 30 minutes to kill lice.
Vaseline Saturate scalp and hair; cover 8 hours.
3% hydrogen peroxide Saturate scalp; cover 15 minutes.
Garlic (not odorless) Take one capsule orally every evening.
Vitamin B complex Take orally according to product directions.
Mix baby oil (or any other mineral oil) with an equal amount of vinegar. Apply to hair; cover 1 hour.
Mix ½ cup olive oil and ½ cup white vinegar with 2 teaspoons of tea tree oil. Saturate scalp and hair; cover 2 hours.
Mix 5 tbsp neem oil with 10 tbsp olive or sesame oil Saturate scalp and hair; cover 1 hour. Source
Mix 20 drops eucalyptus oil, 20 drops tea tree oil, 10 drops aniseed oil, 10 drops lemon oil and 1/3 cup olive oil. Apply to hair and cover 1 hour.
½ cup olive or coconut oil mixed w/2-3 tbsp tea tree oil. Rub into scalp; cover 30 minutes.
Mix 5 teaspoons olive oil (or coconut oil) w/5 drops tea tree oil, 5 drops rosemary oil, 5 drops lavender oil, 5 drops peppermint oil, 5 drops eucalyptus oil and a small amount of regular shampoo. Saturate hair; cover 1 hour. Source
Antiseptic Mouthwash - 27% ALCOHOL; NOT ON KIDS Spray on scalp and hair; cover 2 hours to kill lice.
Rubbing alcohol - ALCOHOL; NOT ON KIDS Spray hair; cover 1 hour to kill lice and eggs.
Recipes for head lice remedies available commercially ………………….
More Sections In This Mega-List:
Head Lice Treatments … Lice Combs … Preventing Head Lice


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WHAT TO DO

Read "How To Treat" and "Removing Nits" before combing, to get it right the first time.
But here's a jump-start:

Either hire professionals, or
get the stuff the pros use:
I had mine shipped overnight. But nowadays you can probably find the Terminator comb at your local drugstore.

And if you're in a major city, you might be able to find enzyme shampoo as well. Check the "What To Do" page for info on where to find enzyme shampoo in retail stores.

Don't worry! Getting rid of lice is not hard, just painstaking. Do it right the first time.

Once you've ordered your stuff (or sent your husband out to buy it :-)), start by reading this page on how to treat head lice.

Before you start combing, read how to remove nits, completely.