Lice Remedies With Vinegar

Head lice are tiny, parasitic insects that nest, breed and feed on the human scalp. Attaching their egg sacks --- nits --- to hairs with a glue-like substance, these highly contagious insects are hard to see and even harder to get rid of. Spreading most often between young children and their families, head lice can be removed using over-the-counter shampoos and combs or by using a few simple, homemade remedies based on common vinegar.

White Vinegar

The most commonly sold vinegar --- white vinegar is also called kitchen vinegar --- is easy to use and safe for the scalp. To treat with white vinegar, first shampoo head thoroughly to remove dirt, oils and any loose nits or lice. For best results, use lice or tea tree oil shampoo.

For the vinegar solution, mix together equal parts water and white vinegar, and wash the hair and scalp with it. Make sure that the mixture penetrates to the hair roots, and allow it to soak for about two minutes. The vinegar's acidity will break down nits and the adhesive that glues them to the hair. Rinse the solution out of the hair, and repeat twice a day until lice are gone.

Apple Cider Vinegar

This strong vinegar variety can be used in smaller doses than other types. Look for apple cider vinegar that is unfiltered to make sure its acidity is high enough to kill nits. Begin by making a solution of 1 tbsp. of apple cider vinegar mixed with one cup of water. After shampooing to clean the hair, massage the solution into the hair and scalp, and allow it to soak for a few minutes. Rinse the solution out of the hair, and repeat twice daily until head lice are completely gone. To reduce the vinegar smell, shampoo a second time after the solution is rinsed.

Wine Vinegar

Both red and white wine vinegar will work for home head lice remedies. Produced with high acidity rates, wine vinegars help break down nit fibers and may kill immature lice, or nymphs. Mix a solution of lavender oil and wine vinegar in a spray bottle in this ratio: 30 drops of lavender to one cup of vinegar. Let solution sit for one week.

While the solution is maturing, wash hair and scalp with treatment of 1 tbsp. of wine vinegar to one cup of water twice daily to help kills nits. After the lavender and vinegar solution is aged seven days, spray a bit of the mixture on the head daily after shampooing to repel adult lice and kill nits.