Food-grade oil and similar products, such as petroleum jelly, are alternative treatments for head lice for those who are wary of conventional medical treatment, says the Harvard School of Public Health. The use of oil to treat head lice has not been studied formally, and lacking scientific evidence, the efficacy of this treatment is unknown. Conventional treatment recommended by the Mayo Clinic, Centers for Disease Control, American Academy of Family Physicians and American Academy of Dermatology includes use of topical nonprescription applications that may contain ingredients such as pyrethrin or permethrin, which have insecticidal properties. Oil has traditionally been used as a suffocating agent, says the Minnesota Department of Health, but it is not recommended as a first-line treatment.
Oil Treatment
Step 1
Apply enough vegetable, olive or mineral oil to thoroughly coat the scalp and hair. If using petroleum jelly, the Minnesota Department of Health notes, 2 ounces should be sufficient.
Step 2
Cover the head with a shower cap for eight hours. Do not let the person being treated fall asleep, as the shower cap can pose a suffocation hazard.
Step 3
Shampoo hair thoroughly. A degreasing dishwashing detergent may prove beneficial to remove oil. Rinse hair well.
Wet Comb
Step 1
Place the person being treated under a bright overhead light source. Separate long hair into manageable sections and secure each section with a hair clip.
Step 2
Wet comb hair in segments that are no more than 1 inch in width. Place the comb as close to the scalp as possible and draw it through the hair.
Step 3
Wipe the comb on a tissue or dip it in a bowl of rubbing alcohol when nits have accumulated on the teeth.
Step 4
After wet combing the entire head, rinse the hair once again to make sure oily residue does not remain.
Step 5
Repeat the above steps (in both sections) a week to 10 days after the first treatment to make sure newly hatched lice don't cause a reinfestation, advises the Minnesota Department of Health.
Tips and Warnings
- Live lice and nits can also be removed using your fingernails during the wet combing process. Nits cling tightly to the hair shaft; the Minnesota Department of Health notes that soaking the hair in one part water and one part vinegar for 30 minutes to an hour may make nit removal easier. However,using an oil treatment generally gives the hair enough lubrication to make wet combing easier.
- The Mayo Clinic recommends using wet combing alone when treating head lice in children under age 2. Never use machine or motor oil to treat head lice. The Harvard School of Public Health cautions that oil may cause a slip-and-fall hazard if you get it on the floor. Also, detergent shampoos used to remove it from the hair can cause scalp irritation. These instructions are not a substitute for seeing a doctor and should not be considered medical advice.
Things You'll Need
- Olive, mineral or vegetable oil
- Petroleum jelly or mayonnaise (alternative options)
- Shower cap
- Degreasing liquid soap or shampoo
- Metal nit or flea comb
- Stack of tissues
- Small bowl of rubbing alcohol (optional)
