Why Listerine Works: We are pleased to hear that the amber Listerine worked so well to treat lice. We suspect it too works by suffocating them. The herbal oils in Listerine, such as eucalyptol, thymol, menthol and methyl salicylate, may also discourage lice.
Listerine contains alcohol that kills lice. Applying a dilute vinegar solution afterward can loosen the glue that holds nits to the hair shaft and make them easier to remove.
To understand why Listerine doesn't kill lice eggs, you must know that lice eggs (nits) are encased in a special waxy coating to protect them. This waxy coating essentially waterproofs the eggs. Applying Listerine or any kind of alcohol-based product to your head won't break that waterproof seal.
We sprayed four heads every night with Listerine before bed, then combed and combed every inch with a nit comb. The lice were gone in three days, but we continued this ritual for seven more days to kill off any newly hatched eggs each day.
Permethrin lotion 1% is approved by the FDA for the treatment of head lice. Permethrin is safe and effective when used as directed. Permethrin kills live lice but not unhatched eggs. Permethrin may continue to kill newly hatched lice for several days after treatment.
Washing, soaking, or drying items at a temperature greater than 130°F can kill both head lice and nits. Dry cleaning also kills head lice and nits. Only items that have been in contact with the head of the infested person in the 48 hours before treatment should be considered for cleaning.
The fastest, most effective lice treatment is the AirAllé® medical device, which kills lice and eggs (nits) through dehydration using precision-controlled heated air. There is no evidence to support that lice can evolve resistance to dehydration by heated air (which is how AirAllé kills lice) or to manual removal.
Listerine has antifungal properties that may reduce dandruff and improve scalp health. It contains anti-dandruff agents like eucalyptol and salicylic acid. It also has thyme, an antiseptic, and menthol with antimicrobial properties. Mix some Listerine and water together to dilute it and spray it over the hair.
1. Can vinegar kill lice eggs? Vinegar is one of the classic home remedies for lice. However, if you are trying to find out how to get rid of nits using vinegar, you should know that using vinegar to kill nits or lice eggs is totally ineffective.
Listerine is believed to combat head lice due to its alcohol, eucalyptol, and thymol content. It may dislodge nits from the hair shafts and kill them, but it can also dry out your scalp.
Douse your child's head with as much Listerine as needed to completely wet their head. Once their head is completely drenched, gather their hair and put a plastic grocery bag, or shower cap, over it and leave it sit for at least an hour.
Rinsing the hair with white vinegar before washing may help dissolve the glue that holds the nits to the hair shafts.
HAND SANITIZER "STUNS" LIVE LICE FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME MAKING IT EASY TO BE REMOVED WITH NIT COMB. HAND SANITIZER WILL DISSOLVE THE "GLUE" THAT HOLDS NITS TO THE HAIR MAKING THEM EASY TO REMOVE WITH A NIT COMB. HAND SANITIZER CAN BE USED DAILY.
While there are anecdotal reports that suggest apple cider vinegar as a remedy to kill lice and stop lice infestation, there is no scientific or clinical evidence that supports this claim.
How to effectively Treat Lice: If you know your child (or yourself) has lice, soak your hair in Listerine (any kind) and cover with a shower cap for 2 HOURS. Rinse, then do the same with vinegar (yes, 2 MORE hours). *Be sure to use a clean shower cap.
Smothering agents: There are several common home products that may kill lice by depriving them of air and smothering them. These products include petroleum jelly (Vaseline), olive oil, butter, or mayonnaise. Any of these products may be applied to the scalp and hair, covered with a shower cap, and left on overnight.
Petroleum jelly (Vaseline).
Like olive oil, many moms swear by this (other options: styling gel or mayonnaise). The thick jelly supposedly suffocates lice by clogging their breathing holes. For best results, coat the hair and scalp, cover it overnight with a shower cap, and wash out the next morning.
Avoid Scope, Listerine and the other commercial mouthwashes. They're acidic, contain potentially cancer-causing chemicals, and are just plain bad for you. Simpler, gentler, homemade rinses and those from CariFree, however, can soothe your mouth and balance your pH, among other benefits.
If you are dealing with a fungal infection of the scalp, Listerine has antifungal ingredients that might help. Once upon a time, the original maker of Listerine advertised the product for “infectious dandruff.” Whatever the cause, we're delighted that you have achieved relief with an old-fashioned remedy.
Vinegar contains properties that kill and get rid of nits and lice. This mixture should be applied directly to the whole scalp. Mix 1 cup of vinegar with 1 cup of warm water. Next, distribute this mixture onto the scalp and cover your hair with a hair cap.
Olive Oil smothers and kills active head lice, making nit removal easier and moisturizing the hair and scalp.
Nix Cream Rinse® (permethrin based product) This medicine is put on hair that has been shampooed and towel dried. After 10 minutes, the medicine is rinsed off. Nix Creme Rinse® kills lice, but not the nits. It is the favored medicine because it may continue to kill newly hatched lice for a few days after treatment.
Avoid head-to-head (hair-to-hair) contact during play and other activities at home, school, and elsewhere (sports activities, playground, slumber parties, camp). Do not share clothing such as hats, scarves, coats, sports uniforms, hair ribbons, or barrettes. Do not share combs, brushes, or towels.