Does Blow Drying Kill Lice? Facts and Better Alternatives (2024)

While it’s true that heat kills lice and their eggs (nits), blow-drying your or your kids’ hair to remove lice could be ineffective and even dangerous.

Head lice are parasitic insects people can find in hair, eyebrows, or eyelashes. Although they don’t spread disease, they feed on your blood, and people can quickly pass them on to each other.

There are numerous effective ways to get rid of lice and many ways that may be ineffective and cause more harm than good.

Let’s look at whether blow-drying hair kills lice, effective treatments for lice, and when to contact a doctor.

There’s currently little research on whether heat from a blow-dryer can kill lice. For example, a 2006 study showed promise. It found that hot air tested from various sources had different effectiveness levels at killing lice.

Scientists agree that hot air at temperatures greater than 130°F (54°C) kills lice and their eggs. Air must flow at that temperature for 5 minutes or longer. But that level of heat close to the scalp can cause discomfort, pain, and burns when close to the scalp for more than a few seconds.

Additionally, malathion lotion, a medication used to treat lice, reacts dangerously to heat. While using the lotion, do not mix treatment methods, smoke, or let anyone in the room smoke. Keep it away from heat sources like fire or stoves, and unplug appliances like curling irons, hair dryers, and space heaters.

Eggs, called nits, die under high temperatures. That’s why experts advise washing and drying the clothing, towels, and bedding used by the person with lice in hot water and hot air dryer cycles.

Blow-drying might kill nits. But the heat required to kill them — above 130°F (54°C) for more than 5 minutes — might burn the scalp.

High heat can kill lice when applied to the affected area for more than 5 minutes. The temperature required for effective treatment must be greater than 130°F (54°C). This is why experts recommend washing clothes and bedding that may have lice on high heat cycles.

There are effective over-the-counter (OTC) treatments, prescription remedies, and other lice removal methods.

OTC treatments

OTC treatments for lice, such as pyrethrin (Rid) and permethrin (Nix), are organic compounds. Essentially, these are neurotoxins that cause lice death and paralysis.

People allergic to ragweed may have allergic reactions to these treatments, but the risk is low. Nonetheless, since they’re neurotoxins, use these treatments carefully to avoid adverse effects.

Prescription medications

A doctor may have several medication options to prescribe if home care doesn’t help you get rid of lice. These include:

  • Malathion 0.5% lotion (Ovide): Compared with treatments like Nix, it has a higher effectiveness rate. But it’s highly flammable.
  • Spinosad 0.9% suspension (Natroba): Spinosad is proven effective and approved by the FDA to kill several types of insects, including many species of lice. Experts don’t recommend this treatment for children under 6 months old.
  • Lindane lotion: This is proven effective and FDA-approved for use on adults, but the American Academy of Pediatrics doesn’t recommend this treatment for children.
  • Ivermectin 3-milligram tablet: Ivermectin, an anthelmintic, causes paralysis and death of lice. Experts only recommend it if other available treatments don’t clear up head lice effectively. Concerns exist that oral ivermectin may cross the blood-brain barrier and that children may have an adverse reaction.

Wet-combing

Combing through wet hair is still one of the most effective ways to remove lice and nits. Follow the steps below to try wet-combing:

  1. Spray down the hair with water or rinse out the medicated shampoo.
  2. Separate small sections of hair and comb through them with a fine-toothed lice or nit comb. Metal combs may work best. Spraying white vinegar on the hair while you comb may loosen the nits from the hair shaft.
  3. Pull nits from the hair shaft with or without gloves.
  4. Place nits and lice on a tissue and flush it down the toilet.
  5. Wash hands and scrub under fingernails.

Smothering lice

Smothering lice may be another effective way to remove them. You can try the steps below to smother lice:

  1. Part the hair and apply olive oil to the scalp at the root of the hair.
  2. Work the oil into the roots of the hair, then apply a shower cap or another impermeable head covering. The olive oil cuts off oxygen to the lice, and you may feel them start to move. It takes 6 to 8 hours for them to die.
  3. Leave the oil on the hair while combing out the lice and nits. Use a fine-toothed metal lice or nit comb and work through small sections.
  4. When you finish combing, wash the oil with a clarifying shampoo or dishwashing liquid. It may take more than one wash.
  5. Examine dry hair under bright light for any missed nits.
  6. Place all nits on a tissue and throw it away or flush it.

Contact a doctor if the home treatment’s ineffective or becomes too overwhelming. There’s medical help for lice treatment, and a doctor can recommend options.

Head lice are parasitic insects that attach to hair follicles and reproduce, laying eggs called nits. They suck on your blood and can cause itching and discomfort, but they don’t carry disease.

There are many ways to eliminate lice, one of which is heat. Heat must be above 130°F (54°C) for more than 5 minutes to kill lice. But at that length of time, the heat from a blow-dryer could burn the scalp.

Medications and topical shampoos are available over the counter and with a prescription to eliminate lice. Contact a doctor if home treatment doesn’t work for you or becomes overwhelming.

Does Blow Drying Kill Lice? Facts and Better Alternatives (2024)

FAQs

Does Blow Drying Kill Lice? Facts and Better Alternatives? ›

Heat must be above 130°F (54°C) for more than 5 minutes to kill lice. But at that length of time, the heat from a blow-dryer could burn the scalp. Medications and topical shampoos are available over the counter and with a prescription to eliminate lice.

Does blow drying kill lice? ›

A quick blow dry will not suffice to rid your hair of a lice infestation. The truth is that lice can withstand heat from a blow dryer and hot water, which is why you may have washed and dried your child's hair a few times before realizing that a head lice infestation has even occurred.

Is the dryer enough to kill lice? ›

The incidence of live lice on pillowcases was 4.2% per night and the proportion of the head louse population on the pillowcases was 0.11%. Heat (hot wash and hot clothes dryer) killed head lice experimentally placed in pillowcases. Cold wash and hanging pillowcases out to dry did not kill head lice.

Can you comb out lice with dry hair? ›

Treating head lice. With the hair wet and full of conditioner, it is difficult to see whether any lice or nits have been removed. However, dry combing, which is easier to do, allows success of louse removal to be seen and has been successful in ten out of ten separate infestations.

Does dying hair kill lice? ›

Hair dye may kill lice as it contains chemicals such as ammonia and hydrogen peroxide, which lice may be sensitive to. However, it is not likely that hair dye can kill nits, which will return as lice once hatched.

Does flat ironing your hair kill head lice? ›

Since straighteners can only heat a small portion of your hair at a time, they often miss a lot of lice. Lice can crawl away from the heat as the straightener moves. Nits that are close to the scalp may not be able to be reached with a straightener. This means they will soon hatch and cause another infestation.

Can you kill lice with dry shampoo? ›

Natural dry shampoo can be used to fight off lice in the hair. However, one should follow proper dry shampoo usage to eliminate lice. The application of the dry shampoo not more than twice a week should be followed. It prevents lice and scalp build-up, leaving a healthy hair condition.

Can a hot shower kill lice? ›

Laundry water should be at least 130 degrees Fahrenheit to kill the lice. CAUTION: Do not bathe or shampoo in water this hot! This temperature is for laundry only! 6.

Does heat kill lice nits? ›

Several studies have shown that body lice and eggs are desiccated in as little as five minutes after exposure to air that is 122° to 131° F (50° to 55° C).

How long can dead nits stay in hair? ›

How long can dead nits stay in hair? Nits stick to the hair shaft. Hatched casings and dead nits can stay on the hair shaft for months, even after curing the lice infestation, unless you remove them manually. Because of this, finding nits alone doesn't always mean there's an active lice infestation.

What kills lice and eggs instantly? ›

Ivermectin (Sklice). This lotion kills most head lice, even newly hatched ones, with just one use. You don't need to comb out lice eggs (nits). Children aged 6 months and older can use this product.

Does wet hair help lice? ›

Wet or dry hair? You can check for lice in either wet or dry hair, but we recommend wetting the hair and preferably adding conditioner. The lice do not move as much and they attach more easily to the lice comb (10, 13).

Why are nits not coming out with combs? ›

Make sure you have the right kind of nit comb.

Nit combs should be metal (not plastic) and have long teeth that are very close together. The narrow spacing between the teeth allows for small lice and nits that are stuck to the hair to be removed while combing.

Can a hair dryer kill lice? ›

There are many ways to eliminate lice, one of which is heat. Heat must be above 130°F (54°C) for more than 5 minutes to kill lice. But at that length of time, the heat from a blow-dryer could burn the scalp. Medications and topical shampoos are available over the counter and with a prescription to eliminate lice.

Does hydrogen peroxide kill lice in hair? ›

Remember, the ingredients needed to kill most head lice are ammonia and peroxide. Applying these harsh chemicals to sores and scratched skin on the surface of your scalp will most likely cause a very uncomfortable experience. Professional, chemical-free lice removal should be your top priority.

Does mayonnaise kill lice? ›

The theory behind mayonnaise is that it will help “suffocate” the lice so that they die off. However, there's no solid proof that this method works. If anything, you might see reduced activity in your scalp temporarily, but the lice will likely come back.

How long can lice live on a hairbrush? ›

The CDC also advises against sharing hairbrushes. Adult head lice can survive for 2 days and nits for around 1 week on a hairbrush. Soaking combs or hairbrushes in hot water of at least 130°F (54.4°C) for 5–10 minutes will kill any lice and nits.

How do you kill lice in your head? ›

Spinosad (Natroba).

Spinosad is approved for adults and children age 6 months and older. It can be applied to dry hair and rinsed with warm water after 10 minutes. It kills lice and nits and usually doesn't need repeated treatment.

How long do lice live on a mattress? ›

Without a host, lice can survive on your mattress for up to 48 hours, but during this time, they can continue to lay eggs and multiply, which can lead to a more severe infestation. It's essential to take action to get rid of lice and prevent their multiplication.

Will the dryer kill lice on stuffed animals? ›

Any stuffed animals on the bed can be put in the dryer for about 20 minutes on high heat to kill any lice and eggs. It is also important to wash any brushes or other hair accessories that may have been used by the person with lice. The CDC recommends washing in hot water (at least 130 degrees).

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