How to Get Rid of Head Lice Overnight

Medically reviewed by Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS

Last Updated: August 6, 2024 Approved

Transmission of head lice occurs by direct contact with hair of infested persons, and less commonly, through contact with personal belongings such as combs, brushes, and hats or other headgear of persons with head lice. Head lice are not a sign of poor hygiene and infestation is not affected by hair length or frequency of shampooing. Eliminating head lice is not a quick process. Combing and shampooing are essential. There are, however, overnight remedies that can help speed the curing process. Be sure to repeat any treatment you use in one week.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Using a Homemade Topical Remedy

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There are plant oils that can kill lice and eggs. These include tea tree oil, anise oil, ylang ylang oil. Other products work to suffocate the lice and can be used in shower cap treatments. Examples include mayonnaise, olive oil, petroleum jelly, or butter.^{[1]
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Trustworthy Source

Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source} Alternative treatments, as opposed to over-the-counter medications, may be desirable because of lower costs and non-toxicity.
2
Make a tea tree oil and eucalyptus oil concoction. Combine 1 teaspoon tea tree oil, 1 teaspoon eucalyptus oil, with 2 tablespoons hair tonic. Apply the mixture into your child’s scalp. Let it stay on overnight. In the morning, wash out the mixture. Then apply a white conditioner for lice treatment. Under good light, use a lice comb to remove dead lice and eggs from your child’s hair.
- If this or another treatment worked, the lice should be dead within in twenty minutes.
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3
Create an essential oil and olive oil nighttime treatment. Mix two ounces (4 tablespoons) olive oil with 15 to 20 drops of an essential oil. Use cotton balls to put the concoction on the person's scalp. Rub it thoroughly (but gently) into the scalp. Let the mixture stay on the patient’s head for at least twelve hours.^{[2]
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Research source} In the morning, comb out the person's hair. Then wash it.^{[3]
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Research source} Examples of essential oils that you can use include:^{[4]
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Research source}
- Tea tree oil
- Lavender oil
- Peppermint oil
- Eucalyptus oil
- Red thyme oil
- Nutmeg oil
- Clove oil

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Utilizing an Overnight Shower Cap Treatment

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You can use olive oil, mineral oil, petroleum jelly, butter, or mayonnaise to suffocate the bugs. Have enough on hand to cover the person’s entire scalp. For example, four tablespoons of petroleum jelly would be enough.
After collecting your product, choose the room in which you would like to do the treatment. Aim for a space without carpeting that you can clean thoroughly afterwards. A kitchen or bathroom or anywhere outside would be appropriate. Gather gloves, clean towels, a bucket of hot water, and a shower cap. Have the person sit on a stool with a height at which you can easily work with their hair.
3
Keep safety in mind. Put disposable gloves on your hands. Have the person cover eyes with a towel when applying any treatment. You do not want to get oils accidentally in her eyes.
- For younger children, the overnight shower cap treatment is not recommended. The cap could cause the child to suffocate. Instead, have the child wear the cap during the day.
Ensure that the product covers the person’s entire head, as close to the scalp as possible, and all their hair. Put a shower cap on the person’s hair. Make sure it is not loose — it should be as tight as comfortably possible. Keep the cap on their hair for at least eight hours.
Wash the person’s hair with shampoo. This should clean the smothering agent from the hair. For greasy substances like petroleum jelly, using kitchen soap can be effective. Comb the hair with your lice comb. Remove dead bugs and eggs. See Get Rid of Head Lice Naturally for tips on using the lice comb. Wash hair once more.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Doing Follow Up Care

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Even if you do an overnight treatment, you must comb your (or the person with lice's) hair every night for three weeks to ensure there are no new lice.^{[5]
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Research source} Use a specially designed lice comb. It should have metal teeth that are long and closely spaced to one another. Avoid using plastic combs or the free combs that come with lice shampoos.^{[6]
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Research source}
No head lice product currently available will kill all lice eggs. Treatments will kill lice that already have hatched, but eggs hatch at different times so new lice can be born after treatment. Within seven to 10 days, repeat your homemade treatment. Follow the same steps you used previously. This will help kill any newborn baby and adult lice.
Using your comb, separate the hair into smaller pieces. Check each section for eggs. Look also for live or deceased insects. If you continue to find lice after your second treatment, consider trying a different alternative treatment or using a prescription from your doctor. Do not let lice go untreated in any case.
4
See a doctor. While you should see the doctor immediately upon discovering lice, you might need a follow-up appointment. If you or your child’s lice does not improve within three weeks, visit your doctor. Also, if your child is itching her head and the skin breaks, she could get an infection. If you suspect this, seek medical treatment.^{[7]
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Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source}
- There are many topical drugs available to treat head lice. Some are available over-the-counter (OTC) while others require a prescription. Lice may be resistant to some of these treatments, so you may have to try a different one if one is not effective. Make sure you speak with your doctor before using any of these treatments.
  - Permethrin 1% cream (OTC )
  - Malathion 0.5% lotion (Prescription only)
  - Pyrethrin 0.33% shampoo (OTC)
  - Benzyl alcohol 5% lotion (Prescription only)
  - Spinosad 0.9% (Prescription only)
  - Ivermectin 0.5% topical lotion (Prescription only)
5
Clean your home and belongings. Lice cannot survive for long if they fall off a human because they cannot feed. In fact, they die within one to two days if they do not access human blood. Nevertheless, it is still good to clean your home and belongings to prevent reinfestation.^{[8]
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services

Go to source} Complete the following steps:^{[9]
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Trustworthy Source

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services

Go to source}
- Machine wash all bed sheets and the affected person's clothing worn presently or two days prior to treatment. Set your machine to a hot water (130°F or 54.4°C) setting.
- Machine dry on high heat all washed items.
- Bring any dry-clean only clothing items to the cleaner.
- Place hairbrushes and combs in 130°F (54.4°C) water for five to 10 minutes.
- Vacuum all floors and furniture pieces. Particularly focus on areas where the affected person spent time.
- Avoid using fumigant sprays. These can be dangerous to humans.

Expert Q&A

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Question

Can you use Clorox to clean the area?

Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS
Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner
Luba Lee, FNP-BC is a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and educator in Tennessee with over a decade of clinical experience. Luba has certifications in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Emergency Medicine, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Team Building, and Critical Care Nursing. She received her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from the University of Tennessee in 2006.

Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS

Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner

Expert Answer

Don’t use Clorox to clean any body parts because Clorox is corrosive and will cause serious irritation to your skin and mucous membranes.

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Question

Is there any way getting rid of lice naturally?

Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS
Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner
Luba Lee, FNP-BC is a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and educator in Tennessee with over a decade of clinical experience. Luba has certifications in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Emergency Medicine, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Team Building, and Critical Care Nursing. She received her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from the University of Tennessee in 2006.

Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS

Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner

Expert Answer

It can help to shave the head clean, which will leave no hair for lice and nits to attach to and have access to the scalp’s blood supply. Manual lice and nit removal can help as well to get rid of lice naturally. Remove nits and lice using fine comb and then soak dry hair with white vinegar. Then wrap damp towel soaked in the vinegar around head for 30 – 60 minutes. Use a fine-tooth comb to mechanically remove nits after soaking.

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Tips

Never use kerosene on your child’s hair. It is dangerous and can catch fire.

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Put tea tree oil in your shampoo to repel lice. Also put some in some hair gel or creme. Use it to style your kids hair each day. Lice don't like it!

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Change your bed sheets anytime you find a live lice. It lowers the chances of lice coming back.

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