Also, getting rid of lice can be irritating as there is an information explosion about the topic. This article explores how you can use apple cider vinegar as an alternative medicine to remove lice, its effectiveness, and other best ways to remove this parasite. Continue reading to know more.
Does Apple Cider Vinegar Kill Lice?
Unfortunately, the truth remains that while there are various anecdotal reports that suggest an apple cider vinegar rinse kills head lice, there is no clinical or scientific evidence that supports this claim. Anecdotal reports claim that the acid in apple cider vinegar breaks down the glue that binds the nits to your hair strands. However, these are just untested claims. Interestingly, a 2004 study compared six popular home remedies vinegar, isopropyl alcohol, olive oil, mayonnaise, melted butter, and petroleum jelly to treat head lice infestations. The researchers found that none of these methods were a viable treatment for head lice (1). Data indicates that in the United States, head lice infestations are most prevalent among preschool and elementary school-age children and their household members and caretakers. There are estimated to be between 6 million and 12 million infestations annually among children aged 3 to 11 years. The studies also suggest that girls tend to experience head lice infestations more frequently than boys, likely due to their higher likelihood of engaging in head-to-head contact. If you would still like to try using apple cider vinegar to get rid of head lice, check out the next section to find out what you need to do.
How To Get Rid Of Lice With Apple Cider Vinegar
As mentioned earlier, there is no scientific evidence that proves apple cider vinegar is an effective way to get rid of lice. But, if you would still like to try your hand at it, here is what you need to do:
Other Ways To Get Rid Of Head Lice
As we have mentioned already apple cider vinegar is not effective for lice treatment. Here are other effective ways to get rid of lice: Debs, a blogger, shares how she dealt with a lice infestation that affected her two sons, daughter, and herself. She writes, “The kids were at their ‘once a week school’, so I went to pick them up. When we got home I was searching through Williams’s hair and a bug fell on the ground and Gracie had nits (i).” Her husband shaved their sons’ heads while she and her daughter tried out an apple cider vinegar treatment. She continues, “After that Gracie and I got doused with apple cider vinegar and combed through it which got rid of a lot.” How long should you leave apple cider vinegar in your hair for lice? You can leave apple cider vinegar in your hair for 15-20 minutes. Try not to exceed this time limit as it can disturb the pH balance of your scalp and dry out your hair. Is coconut oil mixed with apple cider vinegar an effective lice treatment? Though anecdotal evidence suggests that ACV mixed with coconut oil is a good way to get rid of lice, there is no scientific evidence to prove the same. How good is white vinegar for head lice? According to anecdotal evidence, white vinegar is the least effective compared to other home remedies. You may instead use medicated shampoos and oils to deal with lice. Does vinegar kill lice? You cannot kill adult lice using normal white vinegar, but it breaks down the substance that attaches the nit or lice eggs with the hair shaft; hence, it helps to remove the nit easily but does not kill it.
Illustration: Is Apple Cider Vinegar A Good Remedy For Head Lice?
Don’t miss out on this invaluable video that provides a hassle-free solution for removing lice and nits from your hair using apple cider vinegar! Check it out!
