Head lice are a common concern, especially among school-aged children. Many explore natural remedies like coconut oil for potential treatment. This article clarifies coconut oil’s role in lice treatment and discusses recognized medical approaches.
Effectiveness of Coconut Oil for Lice
Coconut oil works against head lice by suffocating them. Its thick consistency coats lice, blocking their breathing tubes and leading to immobilization and death. Coconut oil contains lauric acid, which may also disrupt lice activity and ease their removal. Some studies suggest coconut oil can effectively kill live lice, with one Brazilian study reporting an 80% mortality rate after four hours of application.
However, coconut oil’s effectiveness is less clear for lice eggs, known as nits. Nits have a protective casing resistant to suffocation, so coconut oil typically does not kill them. While it can help loosen the glue-like substance attaching nits to hair, making them easier to comb out, it does not prevent newly hatched lice from emerging. Relying solely on coconut oil often requires repeated applications and diligent nit removal.
Applying Coconut Oil for Lice
If using coconut oil, begin with high-quality, unrefined oil, warming it if solid for easy spreading. Section the hair for comprehensive coverage, focusing on the scalp and roots, common areas for lice and nits. Massage the oil generously into the scalp and hair, ensuring every strand is coated, especially the nape of the neck and behind the ears.
After application, use a wide-toothed comb to distribute the oil and dislodge lice. Cover hair with a shower cap and leave the oil on for at least 8 hours, or overnight, to maximize its suffocating effect. The oil can be messy, so covering pillows with a towel is advisable. Meticulously comb through the hair with a fine-toothed lice comb to remove dead lice and loosened nits. This combing step is important, as coconut oil does not consistently kill nits.
Recommended Lice Treatments
Medical professionals often recommend specific treatments for head lice due to natural remedies’ limitations. Over-the-counter (OTC) options include products containing permethrin or pyrethrins. These work by targeting the nervous system of lice, causing paralysis and death. These treatments typically require a second application after 7 to 10 days to kill any newly hatched lice, as they may not kill all eggs.
If OTC treatments are ineffective or lice have developed resistance, prescription medications are available. These include lotions with active ingredients such as malathion, ivermectin, or spinosad. These target the lice’s nervous system, leading to paralysis and death, and some can kill both live lice and eggs. Prescription treatments vary in application and whether a second dose is necessary.
Preventing Lice Reinfestation
Preventing head lice reinfestation involves several key steps. Lice most commonly spread through head-to-head contact; avoiding close contact during activities like play or sports can reduce transmission. Discouraging the sharing of personal items that touch the head, such as hats, scarves, combs, brushes, and towels, is also beneficial.
While extensive household cleaning is generally not necessary, wash bedding, clothing, and other items used by an infested person in the two days prior to treatment in hot water (at least 130°F) and dry on high heat to kill lice or nits. Seal unwashable items in a plastic bag for two weeks. Regularly check all household members’ hair for lice and nits, especially for several weeks after an infestation, for early detection and to prevent reinfestation.