Lice Treatment: Effective Options and What Actually Works

When it comes to lice treatment, a targeted approach to eliminate head lice and their eggs (nits) using approved medications or physical methods. Also known as pediculosis treatment, it’s not just about killing bugs—it’s about breaking the cycle before they spread to kids, family members, or classmates. Lice don’t care if your home is clean or your child showers daily. They’re not a sign of poor hygiene. They’re just good at hitching rides on hair, hats, and pillows. And if one person in the house has them, chances are others will too.

Most lice shampoos, over-the-counter or prescription topical treatments designed to kill live lice work by targeting the nervous system of the insect. But resistance is real. Products with pyrethroids, like permethrin, used to be the gold standard—but in many places, up to 90% of lice are now resistant. That’s why alternatives like spinosad, ivermectin, or even malathion are becoming more common. And yes, some people turn to nit removal, the manual process of combing out lice eggs using fine-toothed combs after treatment—because no chemical kills 100% of the eggs. You still have to go through every inch of hair, section by section, day after day. It’s tedious, but it’s the only way to be sure.

There are home remedies too—coconut oil, tea tree oil, mayonnaise, vinegar. Some work for some people. None are FDA-approved. They might smother lice or loosen nits, but they don’t reliably kill them all. And if you skip the comb-out? The eggs hatch. The cycle starts again. The real secret? It’s not the product. It’s the follow-through. Check everyone in the house. Wash bedding and hats in hot water. Vacuum carpets and car seats. Don’t panic. Don’t over-treat. And don’t send a kid back to school until you’ve seen no live lice for at least two days.

What you’ll find below are real, practical guides that cut through the noise. From comparing the most effective lice shampoos to step-by-step nit removal routines, from how to tell if treatment worked to what to do when nothing seems to help—you’ll see exactly what works, what doesn’t, and why. No fluff. No marketing. Just what you need to get through this without stress, shame, or wasted money.