Ladibugs Lice Prevention Mint Spray 8oz Natural Ingredients Highly Effective Lice Treatment Spray Daily Use. Head Hunters Lemon Heads Spray Natural Lice Spray for Kids and Adults - Effective and Safe Lice Spray for Kids Reduces Itching, Helps Heal and Cleans Scalp - 22 Fl Oz.

Nit Free Mint Head Lice Spray Peppermint, Ounce. Lice Spray for Hair with Peppermint and Rosemary, Lice Spray for Daily Use Non Toxic and Safe for Kids and Adults, Lice Scare Away Spray for Kids. Be Head Free Lice Naturally 6 Fl. Mint Spray Head Lice Repellent Prevention Naturally Formulated with Essential Oils 8 fl Ounces Treats People.

Nit Free Head Lice Detangling Spray Peppermint - 16oz. Pack of 3. Lice Lifters Mint Lice Deterrent Natural Peppermint Repel Detangler Spray. LiceGuard Lice Spray Preventative Treatment for Lice, Eggs, and Nits Promotes Lice-Free Hair 1oz Concentrated Bottle.

Lice Clinics of America Complete Cure! Treatment kit Plus Prevent! Lice Treatment and Prevention Guaranteed to Eliminate lice and Protect Against Future Cases. buggin out Detangler Spray No More Lice No More Tangles Safe For Kids Use Daily 8oz.

Rid Home Lice, Bedbug And Dust Mite Spray - 5 Ounces Value Pack of 4. Lice Sisters Lice Treatment and Prevention Kit, Small - Nit Glue Dissolver, Repel Lice Prevention Spray and Comb for Nit and Lice Free Hair.

Tec Labs, Head Lice Treatment for Kids and Adults, Includes Lice Comb, 6 Fl Oz. Schooltime After Lice Treatment Spray- Safe, Leave in, Non Toxic, Hair Detangler and Protection for Kids- Easy Nit Combing of Thick, Curly Hair- Comb Nits Out to Maintain Head Lice Free Hair. SoCozy Boo!

Lice Scaring Spray Travel Size For Kids Hair Scare Away Lice with Tea Tree, Rosemary and Peppermint Oils 2. Rid Home Lice, Bedbug And Dust Mite Spray - 5 Ounces Value Pack of 3. Rid Home Lice, Bedbug And Dust Mite Spray - 5 Ounces Value Pack of 9.

Babo Botanicals Lice Repel Conditioning Spray with Rosemary, Tea Tree and Mint Oils, Hypoallergenic, Vegan, for Kids - 8 oz. He notes that the closer the eggs are to the scalp, the more recent the infestation.

Active lice, which are fully grown, are easier to spot on the scalp because of their larger size and the possibility of them moving around, he adds.

Nits are harder to treat than head lice, so if both active lice and nits are spotted on the scalp, then it might take a second treatment once the nits hatch.

Experts typically recommend that an individual experiencing head lice should use both a manual and chemical treatment. Tung explains that manual lice treatments entail using a comb through wet hair to remove lice and nits. She recommends that people use the comb about twice per week for three weeks to ensure that no lice or nits remain on the scalp.

Chemical treatments come in the form of either a shampoo, mousse, or gel-based solutions that will wipe out the lice and nits through a chemical reaction, Dr.

Akkurt says. Typically, you will massage these treatments onto the scalp and then leave them on for a period of time before washing them off.

Another type of treatment, Dr. Akkurt adds, entails using oil-based products, such as mineral oil, to suffocate the lice. Akkurt recommends looking for pyrethrins and permethrin in over-the-counter treatments.

Tung also recommends products with dimethicone as an active ingredient. Dimethicone works well to lubricate the hair shaft so that it is easier to remove the lice and nits embedded in the hair when combing through sections.

Nevertheless, Dr. Yan warns that dimethicone products are flammable, so individuals who use lice treatments with this ingredient should avoid hair dryers and open flames. Other beneficial ingredients recommended by experts that are prescription-grade include ivermectin, malathion, benzyl alcohol, and spinosad.

Tung mentions that individuals should find the treatment worked within 24 hours after use. However, lice treatment efficacy can depend on the treatment that you use and the ingredients included in the treatment.

Yan explains that some treatments only work on head lice and not nits, which are lice eggs. Yan notes this requires individuals to re-treat the area one week after the nits hatch to kill the rest of the remaining lice. Tung reminds us that even when you are lice-free, you can still get lice again in the future.

She recommends people who just treated lice also make sure any close contacts are also checked. Additionally, it is imperative to treat the areas around you like bedding, clothing, and furniture. Tung recommends washing anything that is washable in hot water and then drying the items in high heat.

For items that cannot be washed, store them in garbage bags sealed tight for about two to three weeks. As for furniture and carpeting, it is important to vacuum all surfaces and then spray with a preventative spray to remove any lingering lice.

Akkurt says that individuals should not use medication treatments two days in a row. Individuals should pay close attention to the instructions provided by the lice treatment, as it will indicate how often they can use the treatment.

Products created for preventative purposes instead of treatment purposes, such as preventative sprays or shampoos, depending on the instructions, can be used several days in a row because they only repel head lice. If you have tried treating head lice multiple times and still have not curbed the problem, then Dr.

Akkurt recommends seeing a healthcare provider. Danielle Zoellner is a Boston-based freelance writer with an emphasis on health and wellness writing.

She has written for The Independent, Verywell Health, DailyMail. com, and Vox Magazine, among other publications. Growing up in a household of healthcare professionals has fueled her passion for topics relating to health, fitness, wellness, and the medical industry.

Luckily for Danielle, she has escaped getting lice thus far. Her conversations with dermatologists and pediatricians assisted her as she researched and wrote this guide for lice treatments. Kalari H, Soltani A, Azizi K, Faramarzi H, Moemenbellah-Fard MD.

Comparative efficacy of three pediculicides to treat head lice infestation in primary school girls: a randomised controlled assessor blind trial in rural Iran.

BMC Dermatol. Yang YC, Lee HS, Clark JM, Ahn YJ. Insecticidal activity of plant essential oils against pediculus humanus capitis Anoplura: pediculidae. J Med Entomol. Mumcuoglu KY, Magdassi S, Miller J, Ben-Ishai F, Zentner G, Helbin V, Friger M, Kahana F, Ingber A. Repellency of citronella for head lice: double-blind randomized trial of efficacy and safety.

Isr Med Assoc J. Use limited data to select advertising. Create profiles for personalised advertising. Use profiles to select personalised advertising. Create profiles to personalise content.

Use profiles to select personalised content. Measure advertising performance. Measure content performance. Understand audiences through statistics or combinations of data from different sources. Develop and improve services. Use limited data to select content.

List of Partners vendors. By Danielle Zoellner. Medically reviewed by Susan Bard, MD. Fact checked by Rich Scherr. Our Top Picks. Best Overall:. Best Shampoo:. Best Comb:. Best Spray:. Best for Long Hair:. Best Gel:. Best for Kids:. Best for Sensitive Skin:. Best Natural:.

In This Article Expand. Our Picks. How We Selected. It kills both live lice and nits. Permethrin also leaves a residue on the hair that is designed to kill any newly hatched lice arising from eggs not killed in the initial application. Shampoos and conditioners may interfere with the effectiveness of this residue, so you may need to do a second treatment after days if live lice are seen.

Permethrin is safe for children age 2 months and older. Talk to your doctor if you still see lice after full treatment.

Your doctor can prescribe something stronger. Metal combs are more effective than plastic. Repeat this combing every three to four days for no less than two weeks.

Ask your pediatrician if combing should be used in conjunction with other treatments for your young child. For people interested in natural home remedies, there are many options. Some treatments like tea tree oil show promise, but they may require more time and more frequent applications.

You can find tea tree oil on Amazon. Talk to your healthcare provider to find out which treatment is the most effective, safe, and easy to use. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.

You may wonder where head lice originated, and why they affect human beings. Learn more about where lice come from, as well as the basics of…. Authoritarian parenting is one of three major parenting styles, but research shows it can negatively impact both parent and child. Experts suggest parents talk to their kids about sex early and often to help children feel more comfortable coming to them with questions or problems.

You may only have a few head lice. How many lice and lice eggs may depend on how long they've been there.

The color of a nit lice egg can tell you how close it is to hatching. Learn what the different colors mean. The tools and techniques you use to get rid of lice can make a big difference in the effectiveness of combing.

Here's what you need to know. Using smothering agents, essential oils, and pediculicides, you can remove lice nits from your hair without a lice comb.

A Quiz for Teens Are You a Workaholic? How Well Do You Sleep? Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. How to Kill Head Lice. Medically reviewed by Jeanne Morrison, Ph.

First steps Prescription medication OTC treatment After treatment Home remedies. How we vet brands and products Healthline only shows you brands and products that we stand behind.

Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we: Evaluate ingredients and composition: Do they have the potential to cause harm?

Fact-check all health claims: Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence? Assess the brand: Does it operate with integrity and adhere to industry best practices? We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness.

Read more about our vetting process.

Skip to main content Amazon Best Sellers Our most popular products based on sales. Updated frequently. Best Sellers in Lice Treatment Sprays. SoCozy Boo Lice Scaring Spray For Kids Hair, Clinically Proven to Repel Lice, Conditioning Spray with Keratin, No Parabens, Sulfates, Synthetic Colors or Dyes, 8 fl oz A.

Licefreee Spray! Tec Labs Head Lice Spray - Includes Professional Metal Nit and Lice Comb, 6 Fl Oz Pack of 1. Rid Home Lice Bed Bug Dust Mite Spray for Home Treatment With Permethrin Kills Lice and Lice Eggs on Mattresses Furniture Car Interiors and Other Nonwashable Items Spray Can , 5 Ounce.

Fairy Tales Rosemary Repel Daily Kids Conditioning Spray — Kids Like the Smell, Lice Do Not, 8 fl oz. Pack of 2. Tec Labs Licefreee Home Spray Head Lice Treatment for Furniture, Non-Staining, 16 Fl Oz. Eco Defense USDA Biobased Lice Spray for Furniture, Bedding, and Home - Natural Extra Strength Treatment - Helps Keep Home Free of Lice.

Nix Lice Prevention Spray for Kids, A Daily Leave-In Conditioning Spray to Repel Superlice, 6. Ladibugs Lice Prevention Mint Spray 8oz Natural Ingredients Highly Effective Lice Treatment Spray Daily Use.

Head Hunters Lemon Heads Spray Natural Lice Spray for Kids and Adults - Effective and Safe Lice Spray for Kids Reduces Itching, Helps Heal and Cleans Scalp - 22 Fl Oz. Nit Free Mint Head Lice Spray Peppermint, Ounce. Lice Spray for Hair with Peppermint and Rosemary, Lice Spray for Daily Use Non Toxic and Safe for Kids and Adults, Lice Scare Away Spray for Kids.

Be Head Free Lice Naturally 6 Fl. Mint Spray Head Lice Repellent Prevention Naturally Formulated with Essential Oils 8 fl Ounces Treats People. Nit Free Head Lice Detangling Spray Peppermint - 16oz. Pack of 3.

Lice Lifters Mint Lice Deterrent Natural Peppermint Repel Detangler Spray. LiceGuard Lice Spray Preventative Treatment for Lice, Eggs, and Nits Promotes Lice-Free Hair 1oz Concentrated Bottle.

Lice Clinics of America Complete Cure! Treatment kit Plus Prevent! Lice Treatment and Prevention Guaranteed to Eliminate lice and Protect Against Future Cases.

buggin out Detangler Spray No More Lice No More Tangles Safe For Kids Use Daily 8oz. Rid Home Lice, Bedbug And Dust Mite Spray - 5 Ounces Value Pack of 4.

Lice Sisters Lice Treatment and Prevention Kit, Small - Nit Glue Dissolver, Repel Lice Prevention Spray and Comb for Nit and Lice Free Hair.

Tec Labs, Head Lice Treatment for Kids and Adults, Includes Lice Comb, 6 Fl Oz. Schooltime After Lice Treatment Spray- Safe, Leave in, Non Toxic, Hair Detangler and Protection for Kids- Easy Nit Combing of Thick, Curly Hair- Comb Nits Out to Maintain Head Lice Free Hair.

SoCozy Boo! Lice Scaring Spray Travel Size For Kids Hair Scare Away Lice with Tea Tree, Rosemary and Peppermint Oils 2. Rid Home Lice, Bedbug And Dust Mite Spray - 5 Ounces Value Pack of 3. Rid Home Lice, Bedbug And Dust Mite Spray - 5 Ounces Value Pack of 9.

Gel-based lice treatments work well to cling to the scalp instead of falling from the area—eliminating any mess. Then, once you use the gel, the kit includes a fine-toothed comb to help remove nits and lice from the scalp. Although the gel-based formula is easy to comb into the scalp, the product might take several washes to remove.

This is because the gel-based formula has a consistency closer to hair gel than shampoo. However, the product should work for multiple treatments, which helps if you need additional treatment.

Finding a lice treatment that is effective and safe for children can be difficult, especially given that some treatments include harsher chemicals. The Fairy Tales Lice Good-Bye mousse instead prioritizes a balance of natural enzymes that target nits and lice without irritating the scalp.

For best results, it is recommended to use about 10 to 12 pumps of the product before massaging it into the scalp. Then comb through each section of the hair with the included comb. Although the provided comb works to remove some lice and nits on the scalp, it does not always remove everything. So, another fine-toothed comb could better assist in removing everything from the scalp following the mousse treatment.

Targeting head lice does not require irritating ingredients to get results. Instead, the natural ingredient of coconut oil, which is both hydrating and non-irritating, smothers head lice and nits and helps rid them from the scalp. The oil works by preventing nits or lice eggs from sticking to the hair shaft.

So, after use, you can wash out the oil solution and then use a fine-toothed comb to remove lice and nits from the surface. Because this product does not directly kill the lice, it requires additional steps to see beneficial results.

When using, first apply the product all over the hair and massage it into the scalp. Then place a plastic shower cap tightly around the hair and leave it on for 8 hours. This will help suffocate the lice and make it easier to remove them after the treatment.

Instead, it will moisturize the skin and hair follicles. After using this treatment, you will want to closely monitor for lice and nits to ensure they were removed from the scalp.

Depending on the results, you might need to apply the treatment again. The Fairy Tales Rosemary Lice Repel shampoo and conditioner duo is derived from natural ingredients that work well to target pesky bugs.

Rosemary, tea tree oil, and bark oil also are in the product and work together to both effectively kill and remove lice. The formula also includes chamomile and jojoba oil, both of which provide necessary moisture to the surface of the scalp so that the skin is not left feeling dry or irritated.

For best results, first test the product on a small patch of skin to ensure there is no irritation. Then massage the shampoo into the hair and scalp before following the product with conditioner to re-moisturize the surface.

One downside about this product is that it has a strong herbal scent given the mix of different oils, so it might smell overly strong to some. We first consulted with three dermatologists before searching the web for products that included ingredients like pyrethrins and dimethicone—both of which were recommended by our experts.

Experts we spoke to include:. To add to our understanding of beneficial ingredients, we also combed through several clinical studies looking at what ingredients best treated lice infestations. If a product included a fine-toothed comb in the kit or incorporated a mixture of non-irritating ingredients, we prioritized it over other competing products.

We also used what we knew about washing and treating scalp conditions, specifically for children, to prioritize products that would be easy to use, such as gel- or mousse-based products.

Finally, we aimed to have a variety of products on this list that worked well for different types and lengths of hair. How easy it is to spot lice will come down to the severity of the infestation. If you suspect a child has lice, Dr, Yan recommends looking for nits , which are tiny translucent white eggs that will be stuck to their hair.

He notes that the closer the eggs are to the scalp, the more recent the infestation. Active lice, which are fully grown, are easier to spot on the scalp because of their larger size and the possibility of them moving around, he adds.

Nits are harder to treat than head lice, so if both active lice and nits are spotted on the scalp, then it might take a second treatment once the nits hatch. Experts typically recommend that an individual experiencing head lice should use both a manual and chemical treatment. Tung explains that manual lice treatments entail using a comb through wet hair to remove lice and nits.

She recommends that people use the comb about twice per week for three weeks to ensure that no lice or nits remain on the scalp. Chemical treatments come in the form of either a shampoo, mousse, or gel-based solutions that will wipe out the lice and nits through a chemical reaction, Dr.

Akkurt says. Typically, you will massage these treatments onto the scalp and then leave them on for a period of time before washing them off. Another type of treatment, Dr.

Akkurt adds, entails using oil-based products, such as mineral oil, to suffocate the lice. Akkurt recommends looking for pyrethrins and permethrin in over-the-counter treatments.

Tung also recommends products with dimethicone as an active ingredient. Dimethicone works well to lubricate the hair shaft so that it is easier to remove the lice and nits embedded in the hair when combing through sections.

Nevertheless, Dr. Yan warns that dimethicone products are flammable, so individuals who use lice treatments with this ingredient should avoid hair dryers and open flames.

Other beneficial ingredients recommended by experts that are prescription-grade include ivermectin, malathion, benzyl alcohol, and spinosad. Tung mentions that individuals should find the treatment worked within 24 hours after use. However, lice treatment efficacy can depend on the treatment that you use and the ingredients included in the treatment.

Yan explains that some treatments only work on head lice and not nits, which are lice eggs. Yan notes this requires individuals to re-treat the area one week after the nits hatch to kill the rest of the remaining lice.

Tung reminds us that even when you are lice-free, you can still get lice again in the future. She recommends people who just treated lice also make sure any close contacts are also checked. Additionally, it is imperative to treat the areas around you like bedding, clothing, and furniture.

Tung recommends washing anything that is washable in hot water and then drying the items in high heat. For items that cannot be washed, store them in garbage bags sealed tight for about two to three weeks.

As for furniture and carpeting, it is important to vacuum all surfaces and then spray with a preventative spray to remove any lingering lice. Akkurt says that individuals should not use medication treatments two days in a row.

Individuals should pay close attention to the instructions provided by the lice treatment, as it will indicate how often they can use the treatment.

Products created for preventative purposes instead of treatment purposes, such as preventative sprays or shampoos, depending on the instructions, can be used several days in a row because they only repel head lice. If you have tried treating head lice multiple times and still have not curbed the problem, then Dr.

Akkurt recommends seeing a healthcare provider. Danielle Zoellner is a Boston-based freelance writer with an emphasis on health and wellness writing. She has written for The Independent, Verywell Health, DailyMail. com, and Vox Magazine, among other publications.

Growing up in a household of healthcare professionals has fueled her passion for topics relating to health, fitness, wellness, and the medical industry. Luckily for Danielle, she has escaped getting lice thus far. Her conversations with dermatologists and pediatricians assisted her as she researched and wrote this guide for lice treatments.

Kalari H, Soltani A, Azizi K, Faramarzi H, Moemenbellah-Fard MD. Comparative efficacy of three pediculicides to treat head lice infestation in primary school girls: a randomised controlled assessor blind trial in rural Iran.

BMC Dermatol. Yang YC, Lee HS, Clark JM, Ahn YJ. Insecticidal activity of plant essential oils against pediculus humanus capitis Anoplura: pediculidae. J Med Entomol. Mumcuoglu KY, Magdassi S, Miller J, Ben-Ishai F, Zentner G, Helbin V, Friger M, Kahana F, Ingber A. Repellency of citronella for head lice: double-blind randomized trial of efficacy and safety.

Isr Med Assoc J. Use limited data to select advertising. Create profiles for personalised advertising. Use profiles to select personalised advertising. Create profiles to personalise content. Use profiles to select personalised content. Measure advertising performance. Measure content performance.

Understand audiences through statistics or combinations of data from different sources. Develop and improve services. Use limited data to select content. List of Partners vendors. By Danielle Zoellner. Medically reviewed by Susan Bard, MD. Fact checked by Rich Scherr. Our Top Picks. Best Overall:.

Best Shampoo:. Best Comb:. Best Spray:. Best for Long Hair:. Best Gel:. Best for Kids:. Best for Sensitive Skin:. Best Natural:. In This Article Expand. Our Picks. How We Selected. What to Look For.