Hair lice are itchy and frustrating to deal with, especially when they keep coming back after treatment. If you’re tired of scratching your scalp or seeing your child struggle with lice every few weeks, this guide is for you.
In an earlier article, we shared shampoos that will help you get rid of dandruff. In this article, you will learn how to permanently get rid of hair lice using trusted methods available in Nigeria. Also find effective shampoos, natural home remedies, and lice prevention tips that will help you stay lice-free for good.
What are Hair Lice and Why Do They Keep Coming Back?
Hair lice are tiny, wingless insects that live on the scalp and feed on blood. They spread easily through close contact, shared combs, scarves, caps, and pillows. Many assume lice only affect children, but adults can get them too, especially in crowded households or schools.
One major reason hair lice keep returning is that many treatments only kill the lice, not the eggs (called nits). These eggs hatch within 7 to 10 days, and the cycle begins again. To get rid of hair lice permanently, you need to kill both the lice and the nits, and prevent re-infestation.
How to Know You Have Hair Lice
Before you start any hair lice treatment, it helps to confirm that you have lice. Here are the most common signs:
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Itchy scalp, especially around the neck and ears
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Feeling something crawling in your hair
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Tiny white or brownish eggs stuck to hair strands
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Red bumps or sores from scratching
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Seeing live lice when combing with a fine-tooth lice comb
If you notice any of these, these 7 steps help you get rid of them permanently.
1. Start With a Powerful Anti-Lice Shampoo
Use a proven lice treatment shampoo to kill live lice on your scalp. In Nigeria, you can find options like:
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Mediker Anti-Lice Treatment Shampoo
Made with neem, camphor, and sitaphal extracts, this herbal shampoo kills lice naturally and soothes the itchy scalp. Neem is known for its insecticidal properties, making it effective against lice. It’s gentle enough for frequent use.
Price: ₦27,045 Where To Buy: Shop Ubuy
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Nix Lice Treatment
This medicated cream contains permethrin, a powerful insecticide that paralyses and kills lice instantly. It’s one of the most trusted treatments globally. This treatment works well when followed by a second application after 7–10 days.
Price: ₦56,773.34 Where To Buy: Shop iHerb
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Lice Away Shampoo
Infused with tea tree oil and eucalyptus, this shampoo suffocates lice and helps loosen their grip on hair strands. Tea tree oil has antimicrobial effects that calm the scalp and prevent re-infestation. It is ideal for mild cases or maintenance.
Price: $4.00 Where To Buy: Shop Uncle Harry’s Natural products
Follow the instructions carefully. Most anti-lice shampoos need to sit on the scalp for 10 to 15 minutes before rinsing. Don’t stop at one use; repeat the application 7 to 10 days later to kill any newly hatched lice.
2. Comb Thoroughly Using a Fine-Tooth Lice Comb
After using shampoo, the next crucial step is combing. Use a fine-tooth nit comb on wet hair to remove dead lice and nits.
Tip: Apply coconut oil or conditioner before combing. It makes it easier to detangle and slows down the lice, making them easier to catch.
Comb every section of the hair from root to tip. Do this every day for at least a week.
3. Try Natural Remedies for Lice That Work
If you prefer natural solutions, there are several home remedies for lice that Nigerians have used successfully. These include:
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Neem oil: Contains azadirachtin, a natural insecticide that kills lice and stops their reproduction. Mix with coconut oil and leave on the scalp for 30 minutes.
Price: ₦4,500 Where To Buy: Shop Bloomera Essential oil
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Tea tree oil: Its antimicrobial and insect-repelling properties help suffocate and kill lice effectively. A few drops in carrier oil can help kill lice naturally.
Price: ₦4,700 Where To Buy: Shop Jumia
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Vinegar rinse: The acetic acid in the vinegar helps loosen nits from the hair shaft, making them easier to comb out. Mix equal parts vinegar and water, apply to the scalp, and leave for 20 minutes.
Price: ₦769 – ₦7,419 Where To Buy: Shop Pricepally
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Coconut oil and lemon juice: Coconut oil suffocates lice while lemon’s acidity weakens the glue holding nits to the hair. A soothing mix that helps loosen nits.
4. Wash All Personal Items and Bedding
5. Treat Every Member of the Household
Even if only one person shows signs of lice, treat everyone living in the same space. Hair lice spread quickly, especially among children and family members who share beds or combs.
Use the same shampoo or natural remedy across the household and clean shared items like sofas and carpets.
