How to Treat Lice With Alcohol

There are many over-the-counter medications and prescriptions that will treat head lice on the scalp, hair and body. These will get rid of the unwanted pests on the body, but don't kill the lice that make their way onto items used to style and care for the hair, including plastic hair clips, brushes and combs. The lice and their eggs that are found on these items can be eliminated with the use of isopropyl alcohol.

Things You'll Need

• Unwanted bowl or plastic bucket
• Isopropyl rubbing alcohol
• Plastic bag

Instructions

1. Half-fill an unwanted bowl or plastic bucket with isopropyl alcohol, which can be purchased at grocery and drug stores.

2. Place any plastic hair care items, including combs, brushes and hair accessories, into the alcohol.

3. Allow the pieces to remain in the bath for one hour. During this time, any lice on the pieces will be suffocated by the liquid.

4. Remove the pieces from the alcohol bath and rinse them with hot water.

5. Place the pieces in a plastic bag. Seal the bag to prevent the items from becoming reinfested until the lice problem is under control.

References

• Michigan Department of Student Heath: Head Lice Manual
• Kid's Health: Head Lice