What can I put in my shampoo to keep lice away?

Author: Darrin Koch  |  Last update: Wednesday, December 3, 2025

Lice Shampoo Essential: Tea Tree Oil Studies have shown that tea tree oil is the botanical substance most effective at deterring lice. It is believed the slipperiness of the oil, and not the oil's scent, is what prevents lice from gaining ground on hair treated with tea tree oil.

What oil do you put in shampoo to prevent lice?

What repels head lice? Coconut, tea tree oil, lavender, eucalyptus, rosemary, lemon grass, and peppermint are scents popularly believed to repel lice. Using any coconut scented shampoo and conditioner is an easy way to increase your defense. At 1% concentration, tea tree oil killed 100% of head lice after 30 minutes.

What can I put in my shampoo for lice?

Lice shampoo typically works by using active ingredients, such as piperonyl butoxide and pyrethrum, to kill lice on the scalp. It's important to note that lice shampoo may not kill the eggs (nits), and the shampoo treatment may need to be used more than once in combination with combing to remove eggs from the scalp.

What can I put in my hair to prevent head lice?

Unfortunately, there is no proven head lice deterrent that will prevent your child from getting head lice again. The best you can do is stay alert for suspicious head scratching. Itching is an allergic reaction to chemicals in a head louse's saliva.

What shampoo do head lice hate?

Lice Shield Shampoo and Conditioner contains botanical plant oils such as rosemary to help naturally deter lice. It also contains additional essential oils that have been shown to repel lice.

Head Lice: Best Home Remedy

What can I spray in my hair to keep lice away?

From the #1 Pediatrician & Pharmacist recommended brand comes Nix® Lice Prevention Daily Leave-In Spray! Use year round, during lice outbreaks or to protect the whole family when a member has lice.

What is the natural enemy of lice?

In some hosts, lice have their own predators, such as fungi or bacteria.

How to make your own lice repellent?

Toddler-Friendly Lice Deterrent Detangler Spray
  1. 3 oz distilled water.
  2. 0.5 oz witch hazel.
  3. 1/2 T. fractionated coconut oil.
  4. 12 drops lavender essential oil.
  5. 6 drops tea tree essential oil.

What kills 100% of lice?

Tea Tree Oil. Though many people are sensitive to tea tree oil, it has been shown to be effective at killing lice. One study showed a 100% mortality rate after 30 minutes of treatment. A tea tree oil-scented spray or shampoo may be useful in preventing reinfestation.

How do you prevent lice from wearing your hair?

Tying hair, pinning into a ponytail, bun or a braid, makes it difficult for parasites to spread and limits the risk of head lice infestations. Find out the best hairstyles to prevent lice infestation by using Nitolic® prevent hair bands.

Is Dawn dish soap good for head lice?

If you've tried over the counter lice treatments recently and feel it's not effective, try alternative methods such as: Apply mineral or olive oil to hair, leave on 30 minutes, wash out with Dawn dish soap. Apply white vinegar, leave on 30 minutes, rinse out. Continue to pull or combs nits out.

How to prevent head lice naturally?

Prevention
  1. Using machines to wash and dry bedding, clothing, and other fabrics that a person with lice has used in the 2 days before treatment. ...
  2. Soaking combs, brushes, and other hair care items in hot water for 5–10 minutes.
  3. Vacuuming the furniture, floor, and other surfaces that may contain lice or their eggs.

How many drops of tea tree oil in shampoo to prevent lice?

Take an eye dropper and use it to add 2 drops of tea tree oil per ounce of shampoo by opening the shampoo bottle lid. Shampoo should be dye and fragrance free. 2. Replace the bottle lid and mix it well by shaking it 3.

How do you make anti lice shampoo?

ingredients
  1. 20 drops essential lavender oil.
  2. 20 drops essential geranium oil.
  3. 20 drops essential rosemary oil.
  4. 20 drops essential tea tree oil.
  5. 6 tablespoons coconut oil.
  6. 1 tablespoon jojoba oil.

How to prevent lice after exposure?

Worried you may have been around someone with lice? Lice die when exposed to temperatures greater than 128.3°F for 5 or more minutes. Prevent a lice outbreak by tossing your clothing, hat, jacket, scarf, gloves, and any other items into the washer. Use hot water (130° F or higher), and then dry on high heat.

Can you put olive oil on your hair to prevent lice?

Olive Oil smothers and kills active head lice, making nit removal easier and moisturizing the hair and scalp. Part hair and apply the oil directly onto the scalp. Massage into the entire scalp making sure to saturate the hair. Apply a shower cap.

What does head lice hate the most?

Lice dislike the smell of many things, but the thing they hate most is peppermint. So, before you send your kid off to hang out with other kids, spray them with a peppermint spray. It's the same concept as using a mosquito or bug spray in the summer months, except the scent is less offensive.

What kills super lice instantly?

Use heat. Wash any items used or worn by the person in hot water, and dry them on high heat. Lice and nits die when exposed to temperatures higher than 130 F for more than 5 minutes.

How long do lice live on a mattress?

Lice require human blood to survive and are unable to live for an extended period away from a human host. While lice may temporarily crawl onto bedding, they typically do not survive on the bed for more than 24 to 48 hours. Without a human host to feed on, lice will eventually perish.

What shampoo deters lice?

PROTECT YOUR WHOLE FAMILY WITH LICE SHIELD: Lice Shield Shampoo & Conditioner in 1 is a lice repellent 2in1 shampoo that is proven to repel head lice and persistent super lice in laboratory tests, and that gently cleanses and conditions hair.

What can I spray on bed and couch for lice?

  • Nix lice treatment killing spray for the home has no odor, is non-staining and leaves no sticky residue when it is sprayed.
  • Kills lice and bedbugs on furniture and bedding and is effective for up to 4 weeks.
  • Easy to use — simply spray affected bedbug and lice areas; not for use on humans.

What repels body lice?

You can help prevent body lice by bathing and showering regularly. Bathing can also reduce itching and the chances of bacterial or fungal infections caused by scratching. Clothing and bedding should be removed and washed frequently (at least once per week) on a high heat setting.

What keeps lice away from your head?

Teach children not to share clothing and supplies, such as hats, scarves, helmets, sports uniforms, towels, combs, brushes, bandanas, hair ties, and headphones. Disinfect combs and brushes used by a person with head lice by soaking them in hot water (at least 130°F) for 5 to 10 minutes.

What is the enemy of lice?

Pediculicides are the pesticides used to eliminate head lice. Familiar over-the- counter brand names include: Rid, Nix, Pronto and Clear. These products contain insecticides (pyrethrin or permethrin) and should always be used with caution.

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