Hair problems can be frustrating to deal with, especially when they are as stubborn as head lice! While lice infestation in the head does not cause any infection or diseases, it is a nuisance that is horribly difficult to deal with because of how quickly it can spread. Oh and the itching, that can drive you crazy, especially when you’re in public and cannot scratch your head. So, if you’re troubled by this hair problem, we are here to show you how to remove lice from hair permanently.
Hair Lice Basics
Head lice are contagious and spread from one person to another by crawling, so you might get head lice even if you are hygienic and take care of your hair. But before we get into how to remove lice from hair permanently, let’s take a look at the basics like symptoms and the difficulties in treating it effectively.
- What Are The Symptoms of Lice
- Who Can Get Head Lice
- How To Remove Lice Eggs From Hair
- FAQs about Lice Removal Battle
What Are The Symptoms of Lice

Head lice are very tiny, because of which they are not easily visible. But here are the symptoms more or less:
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A mild feeling of lice crawling on your head
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Itchy scalp
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You see white nits on the hair shafts, different from dandruff flakes
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Finding lice in your comb, tops or on your pillow
Common Issues with Lice Infestations
Head lice are wingless parasites that can crawl from one person’s head to another making it highly contagious. Sharing towels, combs, bed sheets, pillows and hair accessories with an infected person might also cause lice infestation in your head. Wet hair or an oily and greasy scalp can also be a hotbed for lice.
Who Can Get Head Lice

It is usually young kids who play around. But age is not just a factor, people with long thick hair can also get lice since they thrive in dark places.
Importance of Permanent Solutions
Lice and treating lice can be a little annoying, yes, we agree. But nothing is worse than going through all that jazz and waking up the next morning to see lice on your pillow…again! The most important thing is to clean all infested objects and remove the nits aka lice eggs. Feeling a little confident? Let’s take a look at how to remove lice from hair permanently at home.
How To Remove Lice Eggs From Hair

Getting rid of lice and nits is difficult, but not impossible. First things first, you have your anti-lice medical shampoos. But these are not always 100% effective in getting rid of nits which is why you should know how to remove lice from hair permanently at home.

1. Neem Oil
Armed with a pungent smell and antibacterial properties, neem oil is one of the most effective home remedies on how to remove lice from hair permanently.
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Apply neem oil to your hair and let it sit for 20-30 minutes.
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Use a nit comb to remove lice and then rinse hair thoroughly.

2. Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is a popular home remedy on how to remove lice from hair permanently in one day thanks to its antimicrobial properties. Its intense aroma also helps kill lice. But as always do a patch test before using it.
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Add a few drops to a little carrier oil like coconut or almond oil.
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Apply the oil concoction on your scalp from the roots to the tips and massage your scalp for a few minutes.
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Cover your hair with a shower cap and leave it on for an hour.
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Comb your hair to remove the lice, and then wash your hair as you usually do.

3. Garlic
This is one unusual home remedy on how to remove lice from hair permanently in one day. We all know that garlic has quite a strong smell, but along with it, it also has antibacterial properties. So, garlic basically suffocates and kills lice.
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Grind 10 cloves of garlic and add lime juice to prepare a paste.
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Apply this on your head and leave it on for 30 minutes.
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Use a nit comb to remove the lice, and then wash off your hair with warm water.

4. Onion Juice
Everyone knows that onions are great for hair growth! However, did you know that the antibacterial and antifungal properties of onion are helpful to remove lice eggs from hair as well?
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Make some onion juice at home by blending chopped onions in a mixer.
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Apply the juice on your scalp evenly and leave it for an hour.
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Using a nit comb, remove the dead lice and nits and rinse the hair thoroughly with shampoo.
FAQs about Lice Removal Battle

Q1. How to prevent head lice?
There is no actual way to prevent lice if you come in contact with someone who already has it. So, the one thing you can do is avoid head-to-head contact. Braid your hair or cover it when travelling on public transport.
Q2. Is it bad to have head lice?
Now we all know the adage of avoiding people who have head lice. But since it is pretty contagious, it is like a common cold, it doesn’t equate to bad hygiene or poor health. Head lice has been around for millions of years and can easily spread. It is also quietly easy to get rid of so there is nothing to worry about.
Q3. What kills lice on contaminated objects?
If you get lice or come in contact with an infested person, it can most likely get on your shirts, caps or scarves. They don’t last more than 48 hours without a host so no need to fret. Just take the items instantly contaminated and wash them in hot water or keep them out to dry under the direct sun. If you are in a hurry and don’t have access, a hairdryer on the hottest setting or an iron can also do the trick.
Written by Lopa K on 16th Feb 2024