A few weeks ago my life went into “panic mode” when I got a text from my sister telling me that my niece had lice.
I was freaked out because I had been around her right before this incident and I hadn’t been too careful about protecting my locs in those days.
In that moment of stress, I literally researched everything I could think of with respect to lice. I did everything I could to make my environment unfriendly to lice and luckily, no uninvited guests showed up on my head!
After several days of turmoil, I’m now informed enough to pass on some helpful information to you.
In this article, I’ll discuss some prevention tips, how to check for lice, and the best way to remove them from your dreads.
Also, I asked a very long list of questions and I’m sharing what I learned with you below.
How to prevent getting lice when you have locs
Lice infestations are common in schools and childcare settings, and they can happen to anyone. No one is immune, especially not people like me whose hair is locked.
Lice removal in someone with loose hair is a pain in the butt at worst, but it’s much more difficult for someone with dreads. In a situation like this, prevention is better than the cure!
If someone in your household has lice or you’ve been around someone with lice, I recommend taking the following steps to ensure you don’t get them yourself.
1. Avoid head-to-head contact. Lice are primarily transmitted through direct head-to-head contact with an infected person. Avoid hugging or close contact with any person who has lice. A little social distancing is gonna go a long way here!
2. Do not share personal items. Lice can spread through shared items like combs, brushes, hats, hair accessories, and headphones. Make sure each person in your household has their own personal items.
Tip: I saw a YouTube video of a girl who tried on some hats at a thrift store and she ended up with lice, so don’t do that either.
If you want to take it a step further, don’t share coats, sports uniforms, scarves, helmets, or any items that are typically in close contact with your hair.
3. Tie your hair. Keeping your locs tied up in a bun or ponytail can make it less accessible to lice, especially if you have long hair. Lice live in the hair shaft close to the scalp, so this is an area you need to protect as well, whether it be by wrapping your head in a scarf, bandana, or beanie.
4. Deter them with oils. Lice do not like the smell of tea tree oil, eucalyptus oil, lavender oil, neem oil, lemongrass oil, peppermint oil, and rosemary oil. They also do not like coconut oil.
Since all of those oils are amazing for scalp and dreadlock health regardless, I lathered my head in them for three consecutive nights. I used coconut oil as my base carrier oil. Remember, most essential oils are too strong to be used on their own, so you need to dilute them.
I mixed the coconut oil with a variety of the essential oils I just mentioned. I didn’t measure the amount of essential oils, in fact, I probably used way more than I needed to, but I was determined to deter them no matter what.
For those three nights, I wore a plastic shower cap (if you don’t have one, you can use a plastic bag instead). I figured this would insulate the scents, suffocate any potential bugs, and prevent my bed sheets from getting oily.
Over the plastic shower cap, I put my silk nightcap on. I looked like a hot mess indeed, but it worked!
Another thing you can do is make an essential oil moisturizer and spray it liberally throughout your hair and scalp– I would even recommend you use it as a daily lice repellent for yourself and your kids. Check out my top 6 DIY moisturizer recipes here!
5. Wash your bedding. Lice can’t survive temperatures above 130°F (54°C). Washing infested clothing, bedding, and personal items in hot water and drying them on high heat can help kill lice and their eggs.
Since my niece had spent the night at my house, I washed all the bedding that she had slept on, including the sheets, comforter, throw blankets, and pillowcases. If your kids have lice and they sleep with stuffed animals, you’ll want to wash those as well.
6. Vacuum your house. Vacuum all upholstered furniture and carpets where a lice-infected person has been. This is effective in removing lice from the couches, sofas, bean bags, carpeted rooms, and rugs.
Throw the vacuum bag out after each use. If the infected person lives in the house with you, you’ll need to continue vacuuming the areas they use for at least 2 weeks after their lice is gone. (I know this sounds like a drastic step, but your dreads are well worth the effort, I promise).
7. Avoid lice-prone environments. If there’s a lice outbreak going around in your community or child’s school, avoid those environments until the infestation is under control.
8. Check for lice regularly. While lice can survive away from the scalp for a short period, they rely on the human scalp for their sustenance and are most commonly found there.
Perform a head check from time to time, especially if there has been an outbreak near you. Look for live lice or their eggs (nits) attached to hair strands and near the scalp.
Early detection can definitely help prevent a larger infestation.
How do you check for lice in locs?
These are the steps I took to check lice on my family, and the ones they took to check mine.
You’ll need someone to check your head because it’s really difficult to inspect your own head.
1. Use bright lighting. First things first, you’ll need to be in a room with good lighting. Nits and lice can be difficult to see because they’re so tiny and they can sometimes camouflage with the hair.
2. Separate the hair. Using a comb, part the hair into small sections.
3. Look for nits and live bugs.
- Nits: Nits, also known as lice eggs, look like a grain of sand and are between 0.5 mm to 4 mm long. They are usually yellow, tan, or brown and are typically found on the hair shafts within 1/4 inch (6.35 mm) of the scalp.
It takes them between 8 and 10 days to hatch. You can distinguish nits from dandruff or other debris because they are firmly attached and can’t be flicked away easily.
- Head louse: Adult louse are grayish-white or brownish and are about the size of a sesame seed. Since they feed on blood, you’ll generally find them attached to the hair shaft around the ears and the nape of the neck.
There are a couple of ways to distinguish live lice from dead lice. Live lice move very quickly, whereas dead ones obviously won’t. Dead lice will also appear flatter and more translucent because they’ve lost moisture. Adult lice can lay 6 to 10 eggs a day.
Are lice easier to see in wet or dry hair?
Lice can be seen in both dry and wet hair. It’s easier for them to move around when the hair is dry, so if you find any, you’ll have an easier time grabbing and killing them when the hair is wet.
Remember to do a head inspection daily for a minimum of 10 days after there is no longer any evidence of lice or nits.
How to remove lice from dreads
For a confirmed lice infestation, it’s advisable to consult with a healthcare professional or use medically approved lice treatment products for the most effective and safe results.
In any case, these are some treatment options you can try.
The most important thing is that you take action quickly because they reproduce so fast. The longer it takes you to resolve the problem, the harder it’ll be to save your locs.
1. Use a head lice treatment. Traditional lice shampoo has harsh chemicals that are effective in killing lice, but definitely not the best option for dreadlocks. I’m not telling you what to use or not to use, but the good news is that there are some natural alternatives too, like Lice Lifters.
I’m not sure which product will work best for you, so look at the ingredients and use your best judgment when picking one. These products typically require several follow-up uses to ensure all nits and lice are killed.
2. Remove them when your hair is wet. As I mentioned earlier, lice have a harder time moving around in wet hair. Since the goal is to grab and kill them, you should attempt to remove them when the roots of your locs are wet.
3. Unravel the roots of your locs. Nits are generally found within 1/4 inch down the hair shaft, but with dreadlocks, they might dig themselves deeper into the inner parts of the loc. I recommend unraveling your roots 1/2 inch to 1 inch down.
To do this, you’ll have to brush them with a nit comb (aka lice comb) in an inward direction– that is, starting from the loc and brushing out to the root. Nit combs are thin enough to catch nits and lice in the process of brushing.
Fine-tooth combs work so long that the teeth are less than 2 mm apart. Metal combs work better than plastic ones.
3. Crush any lice and nits. To ensure the lice and nits are really dead, crush them in between two fingernails. They’ll make a popping sound.
4. Remove dead nits and lice. Nits have a glue-like substance that helps them to become attached to your hair. There’s conflicting information on this, but some sources claim that soaking your hair in apple cider vinegar will dissolve the sticky substance.
Once your hair is dry, you should be able to pick them out with your hand or shake your locs (upside down) to encourage them to fall off.
5. Follow the steps mentioned under the “prevention” section. This will ensure that they don’t continue to spread.
In this article, I go over a few more tips that can be helpful if you’re struggling to get rid of them.
Here’s the long list of the questions I asked Dr.Google in my moment of panic. You can thank my OCD for that…
If you have a question that isn’t answered below, leave it in the comments!
Frequently asked questions about lice
Are lice attracted to certain hair types?
Lice can infest anyone’s hair, regardless of their hair type. They are not specifically attracted to certain hair types based on factors like texture, color, or thickness.
They are primarily attracted to the human scalp, which provides them with the blood they need to survive. It’s important to note that some hair types may make it easier for lice to move from hair strand to hair strand.
For example, lice may find it slightly easier to move on straight hair compared to very curly or coarse hair. Nevertheless, lice can infest any hair type, and they are more attracted to the warmth and blood supply of the human scalp rather than the hair itself.
Can lice survive in dreadlocks?
Yes, lice survive on anyone who has hair.
What is the best hairstyle to prevent lice?
There is no specific hairstyle to guarantee the prevention of lice infestations. However, some hairstyles may make it more difficult for lice to move from hair strand to hair strand, reducing the risk of infestation. These include short hair, tightly braided or twisted hair, and keeping your hair tied in a ponytail or bun.
What oil do head lice hate?
Lice do not like the smell of coconut oil, tea tree oil, eucalyptus oil, lavender oil, neem oil, lemongrass oil, peppermint oil, and rosemary oil. Some people may be sensitive or allergic to certain essential oils, so it’s important to perform a patch test before applying them to the entire scalp.
Can I sleep in my bed if I have lice?
There shouldn’t be a problem for you to sleep on your own bed when you have lice, but to ensure effective treatment and stop the continuation of the spread, you should:
– Wash and dry your bedding, including pillowcases and sheets, on high heat
– Isolate or clean personal items such as hats, combs, and hair accessories that may have come into contact with your hair. Discontinue using them until you no longer have lice.
– Follow the necessary treatment protocols for lice.
Is it safe to sleep in the same bed as someone with lice?
No. Sleeping in the same bed as someone with lice poses a risk of lice transmission. Lice are highly contagious and can easily move from one person to another, especially when there’s close head-to-head contact or shared bedding.
Where do lice hide in your hair?
Lice feed on the scalp’s blood supply, which is why they primarily stay on the hair shaft close to the scalp. They are typically found behind the ears, around the hairline near the forehead and temples, and at the nape of the neck.
In dreads, they can burrow themselves into the inner parts of your locs, which is why it’s crucial to treat the problem as soon as possible.
How far down are lice eggs?
Lice eggs, known as nits, are typically found very close to the scalp, within about 1/4 inch (6.35 mm) from the scalp.
How long do lice nits usually take to hatch?
Nits typically take about 6 to 10 days to hatch. The exact time can vary depending on factors like temperature and humidity. Warmer and more humid conditions can speed up the hatching process, while cooler or drier conditions may slow it down.
Once the nits hatch, the young lice, called nymphs, emerge and mature into adult lice in about 9 to 12 days.
Can lice produce eggs on their own?
No, lice cannot produce eggs on their own. Lice, like many other insects, reproduce sexually. They require a male and a female louse to mate in order to produce eggs.
After mating, the female louse lays the first egg within 1 to 2 days. Over the following 16 days, she can lay an average of 3 to 8 eggs daily. The louse can live up to 35 days.
Can baby nits lay eggs?
Baby nits, or newly laid nits, are not capable of laying eggs themselves until they grow into adult female lice.
How high and far can lice jump?
Lice are not capable of jumping or flying. They rely on direct contact and movement through hair strands to move from one location to another.
They typically spread through close head-to-head contact, the sharing of personal items like combs or hats, or by coming into contact with infested bedding or clothing.
How long after exposure do lice appear?
Lice can appear within a couple of weeks after exposure. Typically, it takes about 6 to 10 days for lice eggs to hatch, and another 7 to 10 days for the newly hatched lice to mature into adults.
If you’ve been exposed to lice, you may start noticing the presence of lice or their eggs on your scalp or in your hair within this 2-week timeframe.
Can lice go through fabric?
Lice cannot go through fabrics like clothing, bedding, or hats. It’s possible, however, for them to be present on clothing, bedding, or other items that have come into contact with an infested person’s hair.
Do lice stick to fabric?
Lice do not stick to fabric in the same way they attach themselves to hair shafts. They have specialized claws that allow them to grip onto hair, but it’s challenging for them to move around on other surfaces like fabric.
Can lice stay on couches?
While it’s possible for lice to temporarily transfer to a couch or other surface if an infested person with lice sits or lies on it, they do not establish a permanent infestation on inanimate objects.
Can lice eggs hatch on a couch?
Nits are unlikely to hatch on a couch or any other inanimate surface. Nits require a specific environment and temperature to hatch, which is typically found on the human scalp. They need the warmth and humidity provided by the scalp to successfully develop into nymphs (young lice).
How do I disinfect my couch from lice?
To disinfect your couch from lice and prevent the potential spread of lice, you should vacuum it thoroughly and use a lint roller, if necessary. If your couch has removable fabric covers or cushions, remove them and wash them in hot water (130°F or higher) and dry them in high heat.
Does vacuuming get rid of lice on furniture?
Vacuuming can help remove lice and their eggs from furniture, but it may not necessarily eliminate them entirely. After vacuuming, empty the vacuum bag or clean the vacuum canister in a way that prevents lice and nits from escaping. Seal the contents in a plastic bag and dispose of it properly.
Can lice survive a washing machine?
Lice cannot survive a typical washing machine cycle. Washing infested clothing, bedding, or personal items in a washing machine with hot water (130°F / 54°C or higher) and using a hot drying cycle will effectively kill lice and their eggs.
Can lice be killed with a hair dryer?
No. Using a hair dryer alone is not an effective method for killing lice and their eggs. While heat can be used to kill them, it needs to be applied at a specific temperature and for a sustained period to be effective.
The heat from a typical hair dryer is unlikely to reach the necessary temperature or be evenly distributed to kill lice and nits.
What kills head lice instantly?
There isn’t any confirmed treatment that will kill lice instantly. Most treatments require a minimum time of 10 to 15 minutes to completely suffocate them.
What will dissolve lice eggs?
While no single substance can instantly dissolve lice eggs, there are methods that can help loosen their grip on the hair shaft, making it easier to remove them. These include vinegar and some lice shampoos. If they do not come off once they’ve dried, you can manually remove them.
Does rubbing alcohol kill lice?
Rubbing alcohol can kill lice and their eggs because of its desiccating effect, meaning it can dehydrate and kill them. Be cautious if you’re planning on using rubbing alcohol, especially on children, as it can cause skin and scalp irritation. It’s not recommended to use it undiluted.
