Does Vinegar Kill Head Lice?

One of the first things you should do if you suspect your child has head lice is to wash his or her hair. The use of distilled vinegar on the scalp is effective, but it does not kill adult lice. It simply helps to loosen the nits from the hair shaft. It can be applied to the hair as a rinse, or left on overnight under a shower cap. Alternatively, you can apply olive oil to the affected area to help loosen the nits.

Another effective home remedy is a mixture of vinegar and water. The combination will kill lice and their nits. Mix one part vinegar with one part warm water and use a shower cap to apply it to the scalp. Then, leave it on for at least 30 minutes, and then wash it out with your regular shampoo.

A mixture of olive oil and coconut oil can also be applied to the scalp to kill the lice. The mixture will restore the natural pH level of the scalp and will relieve itching caused by dry skin. Similarly, white vinegar will dissolve the glue that binds nits to the hair shafts.

Another home remedy that kills lice is tea tree oil. Using this in place of shampoo can help kill the lice as well as their nits. It has antiseptic properties, which is one reason why it is a popular home remedy.