How to Treat Head Lice With Vegetable Oil

Head lice are parasites that most commonly infest the hair and clothing of children, but they can affect adults as well. Lice are tiny white insects that live on the scalp and eat dead skin cells. They cause itching and spread readily from one person to another. Although there are a variety of medications and shampoos for head lice, you can use some home remedies as well. One remedy is to use vegetable oil to smother the adult lice.

Things You'll Need

• Lice comb
• Vegetable oil
• Shower cap
• Shampoo or body wash

Instructions

1. Comb the infected hair out thoroughly from scalp to end using a special lice comb. These combs have closely spaced teeth designed to pull the lice and eggs out.

2. Pour 2 to 3 tbsp. of vegetable oil onto the scalp and work it downward through the hair. Add more oil if needed so that all of the scalp and hair are saturated in oil.

3. Put on a plastic shower cap to prevent the oil from getting on your clothing and bedding. Leave the shower cap and oil on overnight.

4. Remove the shower cap and recomb the hair to remove additional lice and their eggs.

5. Wash your hair thoroughly with shampoo to remove all of the vegetable oil. If normal shampoo leaves a greasy feel, switch to a stronger body wash to shampoo with.

6. Repeat the application of vegetable oil daily until no more lice or eggs are seen on the head.

References

• University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Insects, Spiders, Mice & More
• University of Minnesota Extension Service: Head Lice