How to Get Rid of Head Lice Naturally

The CDC estimates that between 6 and 12 million U.S. children aged 3 to 11 get head lice each year. While these pesky bugs may not spread illnesses, they can be itchy, annoying, and inconvenient. 

Head lice are insects that live in your hair and lay eggs, or “nits,” so they can grow quickly in population size. Medications are the most effective way to treat lice. But there are some natural options that can also help get rid of head lice. Here’s what the research shows about what works — and what doesn’t — to get rid of lice. 

What are head lice?

Lice are small bugs that live among the hair follicles on your head, and sometimes on your eyelashes and eyebrows. They feed on blood, so they need to stay close to your scalp where you have blood vessels. They can’t fly or jump. So, if they want to move, they have to crawl.

The easiest way to get head lice is by directly touching the head of somebody who already has them. The lice can crawl from them to you. You can also get head lice if you use or wear an item that can have lice on it, like a scarf, hat, or comb. 

But head lice have nothing to do with hygiene. You can get lice no matter how often you wash your hair.

How do you get rid of head lice?

Over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medications are available to treat lice. Medications that treat lice contain chemicals that kill the lice, usually by acting on their nervous system. Commonly used lice treatments include:

• Permethrin 1% (Nix)

• Pyrethrins / piperonyl butoxide (RID)

• Ivermectin 0.5% (Sklice)

• Malathion 0.5%

• Spinosad 0.9% (Natroba)

These treatments are safe and effective. But some people may prefer natural treatment options instead. 

Natural treatments for head lice

Both the lice and the nits have to be removed to get rid of lice completely. Some natural treatments can get rid of both. 

There are two main issues to consider when choosing natural lice treatments. First, natural treatments require more time investment than OTC and prescription treatments.

Second, many natural treatments don’t work. You want to avoid treatments like putting mayonnaise on your scalp, which won’t help you get rid of lice. You also don’t want to use dangerous options like kerosene.

But studies show that these three natural remedies can get rid of lice and nits.

1. Wet combing 

Wet combing — also known as “bug busting” — is an easy, simple solution. Using a special comb, you remove live lice and nits. You can get a nit comb at your local pharmacy or online. The comb has teeth that are very close together, which lets them catch the tiny eggs.

Here’s how to wet comb:

1. Wash your hair with shampoo. Apply conditioner, any kind will do, but don’t rinse it off. You can squeeze out extra water from wet hair, but don’t towel dry. You want your hair to be wet for combing. 

2. Comb through your hair slowly with the nit comb. Make sure to rinse the comb and your fingers after each pass through the hair. You need to cover the whole head. Be sure to check behind the ears and bottom of the neck, as lice will often live there. 

3. Rinse your hair out and leave it wet. Then repeat step 2 with the nit comb. 

4. Check your hair in 8 to 12 hours. You should see noticeably less movement and fewer lice eggs. If it looks about the same as before the treatment, this may not be the right method for you.

5. Repeat the process every 3 to 4 days for 2 weeks. 

Wet combing is time consuming. And it can be difficult to do if you have long or thick hair. Most experts recommend using wet combing along with a medicated lice shampoo like Rid or Nix. But wet combing will work on its own if done correctly. 

2. Dimethicone 4% liquid gel

Dimethicone is a silicone-based product found in many skincare products because it provides a protective barrier when applied to skin. Dimethicone liquid gel can kill head lice.

Research from the U.K. and New Zealand shows dimethicone 4% liquid gel is almost four times more effective at killing head lice permethrin. Only dimethicone 4% liquid gel has been shown to be effective in killing lice. Lower concentrations have not been shown to work. 

 Here’s how to use it:

• Apply liquid gel to dry hair. Cover hair from roots to tips. 

• Comb your hair with a regular comb to make sure the gel is evenly distributed all over the scalp and hair

• Wait at least 8 hours, and then wash hair with a normal shampoo. You don’t need to cover your hair while you wait. 

• Repeat application in 7 days.

Dimethicone 4% gel can be hard to find in the U.S. Also, the FDA does not require manufacturers to list the strength of dimethicone on the label. So, if you buy the gel, you won’t know you have the right concentration unless the manufacturer included it on the label. You can contact the manufacturer and ask for details, which can help you choose a brand. 

3. Heat therapy

Custom-built machines can effectively remove head lice by pumping hot air onto your hair. AirAlle is an FDA-cleared device that uses heated air to kill live lice and unhatched lice inside eggs. A 30-minute treatment of AirAlle has been shown to kill almost all lice and eggs. 

Lice treatment clinics and some doctor’s offices offer heat therapy treatments with AirAlle and similar devices. 

When should you see a healthcare professional about lice?

Most people see an improvement right away after trying heat therapy. If you still have live lice 48 hours after your treatment, contact your lice treatment center. 

You should see your primary care provider if you still have lice after 2 weeks of wet combing. See your primary care provider if you still have live lice 48 hours after your second application dimethicone. 

Your provider can work with you to find a treatment, including OTC or prescription options. They can also go over your technique and see if there are ways to improve your approach so you can give natural treatments another try. 

Children under 2 years old and people who are pregnant or breastfeeding should always talk with their primary care provider before using any lice treatments, including natural remedies. 

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Dean Shaban, MFA

Dean Shaban is a writer, editor, professor, and photographer based in Washington, D.C. After a year at WebMD, Dean joined GoodRx as a Health Editor in January 2024. He has a combined 7 years of experience in editorial and teaching.

Edited by:

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH, is a medical editor at GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified pediatrician with more than a decade of experience in academic medicine.

Our editorial standards

Meet our experts