How to Remove Head Lice Eggs

Learn how to identify lice. If you want to remove lice eggs ("nits") through wet combing, you'll need to learn how to identify lice. Spend some time familiarizing yourself with what head lice and lice eggs look like before wet combing.

• Adult or baby lice are between 1/10 and 1/8 inch long. They're usually gray or tan in color. They cannot fly or jump, but do crawl quickly.^[10]
• Lice eggs, or nits, are small and coffee-colored. They can be difficult to remove as they're glued securely to the hair shaft. Empty nits are usually white or clear-colored.^[11]
• Use a magnifying glass to help you find lice eggs.^[12]

Prepare the hair. Before you wet comb your hair, you'll need to prepare your hair for the process. Brush it with a regular brush or comb to remove any tangles. Cover your hair with conditioner to keep your hair wet.^[13]

Comb your hair. Use a fine-toothed comb specifically designed for removing lice for the process (sometimes called a "nit comb"). Separate masses of hair into sections the same width as the comb. This allows you to see and remove lice more easily.^[14]

• Comb through one section of hair at a time. Start at the scalp and pull the comb flat against the head. Go slowly, and watch for lice and nits as you comb.
• If you notice any lice and debris build up on the comb, dip it in a bowl of soapy water to remove it.

Clean up. Once you're done, flush the water you used to clean the comb down the toilet. Soak the comb in ammonia water, which is made by mixing one teaspoon of ammonia into two cups of hot water. Check the hair once again for any stray lice or nits. If you see any hairs with lice or eggs, remove them individually using a pair of scissors.^[15]

• Continue to wet comb once a week for three weeks, checking for lice. Contact your doctor if you see live lice after three weeks.

Try tea tree oil. While there is no scientific consensus, some research indicates tea tree oil and other natural oils may kill head lice. You can buy tea tree oil at a local health shop or order it online. See if it works at treating head lice.

• Some people are allergic to tea tree oil, so talk to your doctor or test a small amount on your skin for several days before using it. Be especially careful if you're treating a child.
• Before bed, sprinkle a few drops of tea tree oil on your scalp. Put a towel on your pillow and go to sleep, leaving the oil in overnight.
• In the morning, comb your hair to remove any dead lice or eggs. Then, wash and condition your hair—ideally, with products containing at least 2% tea tree oil.^[16]
• Repeat as necessary. The process may take a few tries before it works.

Use other essential oils. Some research indicates some natural plant oils may be toxic to head lice. However, scientific research is limited and not conclusive. Lavender oil, anise oil, ylang ylang oil, and nerolidol all may work at removing head lice. You can order these oils online or can find them in some drug or health food stores. Use with caution, however, as essential oils are not required to meet FDA safety regulations.^[17] Keep in mind many essential oils need to be diluted in a carrier oil, like olive oil, before use. Read the label of any oils you purchase for instructions on safe use. As with tea tree oil, use these oils with caution, especially with children. Talk to your doctor before using essential oils to treat head lice.

Try smothering agents. Many household products can supposedly kill head lice by depriving lice and eggs from air. This can smother lice and eggs but there is little clinical evidence of the effectiveness of these treatments.

• For instance, you might apply olive oil, mayonnaise, petroleum jelly, or butter to your hair. Cover your head with a shower cap overnight, then wash your hair in the morning.

Familiarize yourself with the reasons treatments fail. If you do not use treatments correctly, they may not effectively remove lice eggs. Make sure you avoid common pitfalls when treating head lice.

• Using conditioner with medicated shampoo can prevent treatment from working successfully. Conditioner can act as a barrier, preventing head lice medication from reaching the scalp.^[18]
• Read the instructions carefully. Otherwise, the treatment might be ineffective.
• Make sure you apply a second treatment and wait the appropriate time. If you retreat too soon after the first treatment, you may not remove all the lice.^[19]
• Reinfestation is also common. Make sure you avoid people who are currently infested with head lice and treat your home to remove any lice that have wandered from your scalp.^[20]

Wash all fabrics in your home. Lice usually don't live long after being separated from the scalp. However, as a precaution you should wash any items the infested person used. Wash fabrics, bedding, stuffed animals, and clothing in hot water and then dry at high heat. If you have any items that can't be washed, seal them in a plastic bag for two weeks.^[21]

Vacuum carpeting and upholstered furniture. In rare cases, lice can get on carpeting or furniture. To be safe, vacuum upholstered furniture and carpeted floors regularly until the infestation has passed.^[22]