Lice Shampoos And Other Hair Treatments

Home

Guides

Tool Kit

Links

Bookstore

About us

ADVERTISE ON 'BUGS


Lice Shampoo & Other Hair Treatments - Medicated hair treatments for lice -	Summary: Medicated lice shampoos and creme rinses still effectively kill lice when used properly. Lice eggs (nits) should be removed with regular combing (nit-picking) aided by egg loosening products. Jack DeAngelis, PhD OSU Ext. Entomologist (ret.)

What are the best treatments for lice?

The best lice treatments control both adult, biting lice, and their eggs or nits. Head lice and pubic lice glue their eggs to hairs (right) while body lice lay eggs in clothing. Body lice eggs are generally eliminated by washing of clothes which is why body lice are relatively rare in populations that have access to clean clothes.

The only sure way to kill head and pubic lice eggs is by nit-picking or nit-combing. Adult lice can be killed with a number of medicated shampoos and other hair treatments.

See the main head lice page for additional life history and pictures of lice and nits.

Louse nit (egg) glued to a hair shaft. This is actually a pubic louse nit but head lice nits are very similar. Body lice nits are found in clothing, not attached to hair.

Nit-picking aids

There are a number hair care products (below, right) that will help loosen nits and allow them to be more easily combed out. The products work by softening the glue that holds the nits to the hair. Since nit-combing is so important, anything that helps is worth a look.

Choose a good nit comb

Good nit-combing begins with a proper comb. Ordinary combs won't work because the tines, or teeth, are too far apart and too flexible. Good lice combs have stiff metal tines with narrow spaces between tines. These combs effectively remove or crush nits as the comb passes through the hair. Select a comb with long tines for long hair and short tines for short hair.

Pyrethrum-based shampoo

Lice shampoos like RID contain pyrethrum and piperonyl butoxide (PBO) that kill adult lice. Pyrethrum is a natural product made from extracts of the chrysanthemum plant. Follow package instructions carefully.

Permethrin-based creme rinse

An alternative to lice shampoo is a permethrin-based creme rinse like Nix. Like lice shampoo, creme rinses are used to treat adult lice but are applied after regular shampooing. Permethrin is a pyrethroid-type insecticide. There has been some insecticide resistance to permethrin found in some populations of head lice. However, this active ingredient is still very effective in most situations. Follow package instructions carefully.

Some things to avoid

Don't bother treating household furnishings with lice sprays. Lice don't live for long off their hosts so it is a waste of time and money to treat anything other than hair. Also, there is no need to treat individuals who are not infested. Never use products that contain lindane. Never apply products for longer than package instructions say and never wrap treated hair.

What about olive oil, and similar oils?

Oils help condition the hair and make nit combing easier so may be beneficial. Any hair conditioner will likely work in a similar way.

The Pest Management Store

Identification guides, reference and gardening books, etc.

[Head Lice]

Mission: To provide accurate, up-to-date and unbiased information for solving common insect and mite problems around your home, business and landscape using least-toxic methods.

Jack DeAngelis, Ph.D.

Please see the Disclaimer statements as well (sorry, but these are necessary).