11 best remedies for head lice

Review of the best according to the editorial board. On the selection criteria. This material is subjective and does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

Lice are ectoparasites (living outside, unlike helminths), and have existed with the human race for tens of thousands of years. Only in the last hundred years, in connection with the intensive development of medicine, a general increase in the level of well-being, has it become possible to attribute lice to a clear sign of social ill-being, poverty and unsanitary conditions. But this was not always the case. For many centuries, especially in the Middle Ages, lice were considered completely normal human companions, just like fleas and rats. They were even welcomed, since they were a clear evidence of the mortification of the flesh, and, therefore, helped to surround the ascetic with an areola of holiness.

During these millennia of existence of lice, nothing important has happened in their biology. Three types of lice are parasitic on humans, just like many centuries ago. This is a head louse that settles on the head; pubic louse, which parasitizes the armpits and genitals. A little off to the side is a body louse that lives in clothes and is temporarily separated from its 'breadwinner', for example, at night. It is the youngest and therefore the most advanced lice species that are capable of relative autonomy.

These types of lice cannot change their location, since an adult louse of any kind on its paws has a special mechanism for fixing it on the substrate – hair or tissue – a kind of claw to grip it. As you know, hair on the head and pubic hair have different thicknesses, and the louse simply cannot stay in another place of the human body, since the claw fits the hair type, like a key to a lock.

Lice are dioecious, and they lay their eggs, which they adhere firmly to the hair. These eggs are called nits, and these nits-covered hairs can be easily distinguished by swiping your fingers. One gets the impression that small beads that sit firmly on it are strung along the entire length of the hair. Nits, unlike adults, are much less sensitive to remedies for head lice (this is the second, scientific name for lice).

Therefore, among the preparations for the destruction of lice and nits, mechanical means, or special combs with very narrowly spaced teeth, are still considered extremely effective means.

Therefore, at the end of our ranking, we will look at chemicals designed to kill adult lice and their eggs (shampoos, sprays, lotions and emulsions, creams and gels) that relate to insecticides and acaricides, and then we will look at combs, which must used as part of a comprehensive treatment for this unpleasant parasitosis.

Rating of the best remedies for lice

Nomination	a place	Name of product	price
The best shampoos for head lice (lice)	1	Paranit	331 r
	2	Parasidosis	RUB 250
	3	Pedikulen Ultra	RUB 145
The best aerosols and sprays for lice	1	Nuda spray	RUB 485
	2	Full Marks	341 r
	3	Lavinal	RUB 1,250
The best liquid preparations for head lice (lice)	1	Medifox (permethrin)	126 RUB
	2	Avicin	RUB 1,400
	3	Medilis is super	RUB 250
The best combs against lice	1	Anti V	1 200 RUB
	2	Nit free	990 RUB
Conclusion or basic principles of lice control

The best shampoos for head lice (lice)

At the beginning of the 20th century, shaving the head was a radical means of eliminating head lice. Now, due to the advances in pharmaceutical chemistry, this measure is redundant. Even if a person has lush and thick hair, it is not at all necessary to eliminate them. A variety of shampoos for lice are produced, with the help of which it is possible to achieve with proper diligence and following the instructions for the complete destruction of not only lice, but also in some cases and more resistant nits, although the latter, when used only with shampoo, are destroyed with great difficulty.

This arises from the fact that lice shampoos are often designed for use in children, and therefore insecticides of a relatively low concentration are present in their composition. More effective are emulsions, concentrates and lotions. Consider the most popular shampoos for the treatment of lice.

Paranit

Rating: 4.9

Paranit is a highly effective remedy not only for lice, but also for nits. It is a colorless liquid with a viscous consistency and a specific, but rather pleasant smell. Paranit does not contain an insecticide, and therefore can be used not only by adults, but also by children, even from the first year of life. The active ingredient in paronite is a special substance called clearol. It belongs to the class of oils of organic origin. Clearol acts on lice mechanically, clogging the airways on the surface of the body of adult insects, which leads to oxygen starvation and subsequent suffocation, because it is known that insects do not have lungs, but breathes through special openings – the trachea. On nits, which are protected by a hard shell, Clearol acts in the same way, because the eggs need gas exchange to form the embryo. In addition to the occurrence of oxygen starvation in insect embryos, Clearol prevents the exchange of fluid between the egg tissues and the surrounding air, which leads to toxicosis, or drying out, and the death of nits.

In accordance with the instructions, you can wash Paranit only on hair affected by insects, and do not use it on open skin. To achieve the desired effect, the shampoo must be left on for at least 10 minutes. Then a small amount of water is added, foam forms and is washed off with water. After that, a special comb is taken, and the hair, divided into strands, is carefully combed, and after combing, the comb is cleaned on a white napkin or cloth to control the comb quality.

Usually, paranit can be applied once with slight lice, but if desired, the washing procedure can be repeated after a week. This shampoo is produced by the Belgian company Medgenix Benilux, and you can buy 200 ml of shampoo along with a comb for 780 rubles.

Advantages and disadvantages

The biggest advantage of Paranita is the absence of toxicity, which makes it possible to use this remedy, starting from early childhood in the presence of lice. Also, Paranit can be produced not only in the form of a shampoo, but also in the form of a spray for application to the hair, lotion and even in the form of a conditioner shampoo, the effect of which is stronger and longer-lasting. It is very important that the drug acts within 10 minutes, causing insect suffocation and death of eggs. Manufacturers are confident in the effectiveness of this tool, claiming that repeated procedures with a guarantee will destroy all lice. This tool is quite economical. If you fully use one bottle, then it can be enough for up to 6-8 procedures, depending on the state of lice, thickness and length of hair. Thus, one treatment can cost less than 100 rubles, and given the fact that it can completely cure head lice, this drug can be put on a leading position in the ranking of lice remedies.

Parasidosis

Rating: 4.8

This agent, unlike the previous one, is a real insecticide containing phenotrin, a derivative of the pyrethroid group. It acts neurotoxic, disrupting the metabolism in neurons of adults, as well as larvae, and leads to their death. Shampoo is applied twice, every other day. Apply shampoo to wet hair, rub in thoroughly, then soak the shampoo on wet hair for 5 minutes, rinse and comb out thoroughly with a special comb. In addition to its insecticidal effect, the shampoo facilitates the mechanical removal of nits by dissolving the biological glue with which the lice attach their eggs to the hair. One pack of 100 ml shampoo will cost 380 rubles. Parasidosis is produced by the French company 'Laboratory Gilbert'.

Advantages and disadvantages

The biggest disadvantage of this remedy is the effect of the insecticide only on adult forms, and on their larval stages. Parasidosis does not affect nits, it only facilitates their removal. Therefore, in the event that there are too many nits, then a different shampoo must be used. There are contraindications to the application of Parasidosis. These are increased skin sensitivity, individual intolerance, scratches and abrasions on the scalp. This shampoo is contraindicated in children under the age of 2.5 months. Shampooing for pregnant and lactating women is not recommended. Parasidosis is also available in the form of lotion and spray. The lotion can be used in pregnant women in combination with combing out.

Pedikulen Ultra

Rating: 4.7

Pedikulen Ultra is a human-friendly shampoo, as it does not contain insecticides. The active ingredient is vaseline oil in combination with a fragrance and a perfume composition. The effect of the shampoo is reduced to an enveloping effect on adult lice, the cessation of oxygen access to their body. At the same time, it affects the nits, which, although they do not die, but the mechanical ones are easily separated from the hair during subsequent combing.

This shampoo can be used in children from the age of three. Pedikulen Ultra is applied, unlike previous shampoos, on dry hair, while the product must be rubbed especially carefully into the roots. In the event that the hair is too long, then it is necessary to process them in separate strands. The exposure time of the shampoo is quite long – 3 hours. Then you need to perform a thorough combing procedure, and then wash your hair with warm water. The procedure can be repeated in a week. Shampoo Pedikulen Ultra is produced by the domestic company Dina LLC, and the cost of 200 ml of shampoo is from 430 rubles.

Advantages and disadvantages

The main disadvantage of Pedikulen is exactly the same as that of Parasitosis. Chemically, it does not destroy nits in any way, and therefore will require reapplying the shampoo to the hair. In rare cases, itching and irritation of the scalp may occur. Contraindications include children under 3 years of age, and damage to the scalp. On the other hand, this agent has a clinically proven efficacy against adult forms of lice, and therefore, in the presence of a large number of adult insects, we can safely recommend treating the head with this shampoo.

The best aerosols and sprays for lice

Products that are sprayed onto the hair are much easier to use, do not require a person to be in the bathroom for a long exposure, do not require hair wetting, and rarely cause side effects. But substances sprayed in aerosol form are effective only with minor infection, or with suspicion of lice, for example, when visiting places with unfavorable sanitary conditions and in close contact with sick people. It is known that lice cannot, like fleas, jump from one person to another. In order to become infected, you need really close body contact, or the use of the same bedding.

Nuda spray

Rating: 4.9

Spray Nyuda is one of the most well-known effective spray preparations with anti-lice action. This spray contains dimethicone. This compound in itself is not a harmful insecticidal preparation, its action is based on physical factors, and dimethicone itself is a silicon-containing lubricant. When applied to the hair, hitting the surface of the body of insects, it sticks to them and, like the previous preparations, leads to their death from suffocation. It is shown for use for the destruction of adult lice, their larvae, and nits, and can be used from the age of three in children.

It is necessary to spray Nyuda on dry hair that has been previously combed and divided into locks. This is necessary so that the product can be applied to almost every hair, scalp, and roots until they are completely hydrated. The kit also includes a special plastic comb, which is used not for combing out, but for applying and distributing the drug. After the spray has been applied, leave it on for 45 minutes, during which time you can go about your normal business. After that, you should carefully, using a special comb, comb your hair with an inspection, and then wash your hair with any ordinary shampoo. This drug is consumed quite intensively; one treatment requires about half of the balloon. One 50 ml balloon can be purchased at a pharmacy, starting from 528 rubles. The Nyuda spray is produced by the German company G. Pohl-Boskamp GmbH.

Advantages and disadvantages

The big advantage of this spray is the ease of application, no need to wet the hair, the disastrous effect of the drug on lice eggs. However, it is contraindicated for use in children under three years of age, in pregnant women and during lactation. Contraindications exist not because children and pregnant women may experience special reactions, but due to the fact that large-scale and expensive clinical trials have simply not been carried out. Avoid applying the drug near an open flame, since some of the constituents of this spray are easily flammable. But in the event that all the conditions of the instructions are carefully followed, then this spray really effectively destroys all possible forms of lice, and rightfully takes its rightful place in the ranking of anti-lice drugs.

Full Marks

Rating: 4.8

Full Marks is also a highly effective drug that destroys lice and nits; it is available both as a 150 ml spray and as a solution. Just like the previous Nyuda drug, Full Marks is a derivative of organosilicon compounds, it contains cyclomethicone. This agent not only helps to block the respiratory holes in insects and their larvae, but also prevents water molecules from entering the lice tissues. As a result, Full Marks is a dual-acting, choking and dehydrating agent.

Spray is applied to dry hair, while previously separated, if necessary, with a comb into strands. The product should be applied as thoroughly as possible over the entire length, including the roots, exposure time is 10 minutes. If everything is done correctly, and the subsequent combing was carried out painstakingly and carefully, then a second treatment may not be necessary. To remove cyclomethicone from hair after the end of the procedure, sometimes you have to rinse your head twice with any shampoo.

Advantages and disadvantages

The big advantage of this remedy is the lack of development of addiction to it in insects, and the impossibility of changing the genetic code by mutations, since no chemicals are used. It is not possible to change the respiration mechanism with the help of mutations and acquire the ability to exist completely without water. In some cases, individual intolerance may occur with the development of an allergic reaction, which consists in itching and redness of the scalp. But usually, after the end of the procedure and thorough washing with baby shampoo, all unpleasant sensations disappear. This drug can be used in all people over 5 years old, including pregnant and lactating women. The manufacturer emphasizes that persons suffering from various forms of bronchial asthma can use this drug without any restrictions.

Lavinal

Rating: 4.7

This lice and nits spray is based on physical principles and consists of natural lavender and ylang ylang oils. These oils have an ovicidal and pediculicidal effect, that is, they act on both eggs and adults. In addition, application allows you to loosen and dissolve the glue that fixes the nits to the hair, making it easier to comb out later.

The spray is indicated for adults and children from 2 years old, and each pack also includes a special comb for subsequent combing, and a special cap. After shaking the spray, Lavinal is applied to dry hair, also wetting it to the roots, after that you need to wait half an hour in a special protective cap (attached, just like the comb), and rinse your hair with warm water. Then the head is washed with shampoo, and after washing it off, the wet hair is thoroughly combed out with a comb.

The manufacturer of the product recommends that all items that the infected patient have come into contact with must be processed. These include things, toys, hairbrushes and hats, bedding, and collars. Of course, it is theoretically possible that adult insects, and even more so, individual nits can be on these objects, but nevertheless, in this one can see the interest of manufacturers in an increased consumption of the drug, which will lead to increased sales. Lavinal is produced by the Ukrainian company of the same name, and you can purchase it at a price of 260 rubles.

Advantages and disadvantages

Essential oils of lavender and ylang-ylang have an antiseptic and additionally anti-inflammatory effect, have a beneficial effect on the scalp. Therefore, even with a single use of this drug, the symptoms of irritation are weakened, the pain that develops after prolonged scratching of the bites, and allergic rashes associated with the body's reaction to the saliva of lice are reduced.

Lavinal is indicated for use in pregnant and lactating women, it can be used by patients with chronic liver and kidney diseases, there are no contraindications for using Lavinal in these conditions. Also, lavender essential oil in folk medicine is used to repel lice, and therefore Lavinal can be used for prophylaxis if a person is suspected to be in the center of infection, for example, in an unfavorable situation at school or kindergarten. The spray bottle is quite economical, and allows from 4 to 8 treatments.

The best liquid preparations for head lice (lice)

As a rule, this group includes fairly concentrated solutions, emulsions and various concentrates that belong to the class of insecticides that act not on physical, but on chemical principles, paralyzing insects and causing their death. These funds, as a rule, have more contraindications and more restrictions on their use, since they are insecticides.

Medifox (permethrin)

Rating: 4.9

Medifox contains permethrin, which is a pyrethroid insecticide. It is produced in the form of a concentrate from which an emulsion is prepared. In addition to the active ingredient, the concentrate contains ethyl alcohol, castor oil and butyl acetate. This remedy is also used to destroy pubic lice, as well as for skin lesions with itch mites. This drug is used after dilution. For this, 8 ml of concentrate is taken, which is diluted in a glass of warm boiled water, the volume of a glass is 200 ml. The resulting emulsion is thoroughly mixed, and then applied to wet hair, while the application should be abundant, and the medicine should be rubbed, for example, with a foam or cotton swab. The exposure time is 20 minutes, and then Medifox must be washed off the hair. With the classic and not neglected form of head lice, one application may be enough to completely get rid of lice. The domestic company Fox and K produces the product in a 24 ml bottle, and the cost of the product is low: from 90 rubles. per bottle.

Advantages and disadvantages

The obvious advantages of Medifox include the ability to treat pediculosis of other localization, to use it for scabies, since permethrin is a broad-spectrum insecticide. Medifox is usually well tolerated, and only occasionally a slight burning sensation is possible at the site of application of the drug. If it is used in the recommended doses and according to the instructions, then for a person this drug is still slightly toxic, is not absorbed through the skin, does not cause local symptoms of irritation. Medifox is indicated for use in children over one year old. In pregnant women and during breastfeeding, increased caution is advised.

Avicin

Rating: 4.8

Avicin is a domestic version that contains the same permethrin, and, in addition to destroying lice, both head lice and body and pubic lice, it is used to eliminate bedbugs, ants, fleas and other insects. Avicin is available as a 0.15% aqueous emulsion, and a working solution must be prepared first. One volume of the drug is mixed with one hundred volumes of water, or, more precisely, with 99 volumes. Then, with the resulting solution, it is necessary to abundantly moisten the previously combed hair, apply a scarf, a hat, or cling film to prevent the solution from dripping from the head. The exposure time is 15 minutes, and then the hair is washed with any shampoo. The manufacturer recommends rinsing your hair with a mild 5% vinegar after washing, and then combing it with a thick comb. The recommended frequency of processing is once every two weeks. The cost of one liter of the product is 1400 rubles.

Advantages and disadvantages

The disadvantage of Avicin is its production in large volumes, starting from one liter, and the associated high price. But on the other hand, this is also an advantage for those buyers who suffer from garden or house ants, from bed bugs and cockroaches. The advantages include only a single action, the ability to use for pubic lice and for processing linen. The disadvantages of Avicin include recommendations to use it, starting only from the age of 5, the inadmissibility of treating pediculosis in pregnant and lactating women, as well as the inconvenience associated with the independent preparation of the working solution. In the event of a mistake, an incorrect, much stronger concentration can be obtained, which can lead to scalp burns and a severe allergic reaction.

Medilis is super

Rating: 4.7

This tool is an insectoacaricidal preparation, which is produced by Medilis Russia Laboratory LLC. The active ingredient is 24% phentoin concentrate. He quickly and mercilessly deals with all kinds of lice, with other insects, with bees and wasps, with flies, their larvae and mosquitoes. The drug is highly active against scabies mites.

For the treatment of head and pubic lice, you need to take 1 ml of the concentrate, and dilute it with 83 ml of water. Then the resulting emulsion should be thoroughly applied with a tampon to wet hair and kept for 20 minutes. Then the hair is washed with any shampoo, rinsed with 5% vinegar solution, and combed with a fine comb. In order to destroy the lice that are on clothes and linen, 8.5 ml of the concentrate is taken and diluted with 990 ml of water. Things are soaked in the resulting solution, or they are irrigated by spraying. It is not cheap: 500 ml of the drug will cost 1200 rubles.

Advantages and disadvantages

It would seem that the price is the main drawback. But, given the fact that this product is enough for 55 treatments of clothes, or for 1000 hair washing procedures, this price can be considered ridiculous. Since the product is produced in such a large volume, it can be used by organizations for the treatment of premises, with outbreaks of head lice and scabies. Since phentoin is a highly active drug, it is not recommended to use it in children and adolescents, and you can start using it only from the age of 16. The disadvantages of this remedy include the impossibility of treating pregnant and lactating women, and the need to prepare ready-made aqueous solutions, and immediately before use.

The best combs against lice

Readers who have carefully studied all the information, for sure, have noticed that the word 'carefully' sounded most often in the ranking, in relation to rubbing drugs into the hair, and in relation to subsequent combing. Almost all, without exception, means, like shampoos, sprays, or concentrated emulsions, in any case required physical removal of lice by combing with special combs. The use of special combs is a necessary step for getting rid of lice quickly and completely. Using them, you can remove not only dead insects, but also comb out from the surface of the hair and not completely destroyed lice embryos that are in the eggs.

After all, it is known that two or three nits that remained in the hair after treatment will turn into larvae in a few days, and then adult lice will reappear, which will drink blood. In order to avoid this, it is necessary after treatment to comb the hair with special combs, the best of which are made of medical steel.

Anti V

Rating: 4.9

One of the best combs specifically designed to combat head lice is the Anti V comb, available from pharmacies and online stores. It is produced by ASISTANCE SRL, and its effectiveness is ensured not only by the presence of very narrow gaps between the individual teeth, but also by the treatment of steel with laser radiation. The result is a design that freely passes human hair through the cracks, but any, even the smallest growth on it, or a single nit, gets stuck between the teeth. Such a highly effective comb allows you to cope with head lice the first time in some cases, even without the use of any special preparations.

Nit free

Rating: 4.8

An analogue of this comb, but a little cheaper, is the special Nit Free comb, which is produced in Argentina. Laser barbs, which are applied in abundance to each tooth, when hair with the presence of nits passes through them, simply mechanically destroy them, and kill future lice. This comb costs 500 rubles. less, about 1000 rubles, and it can be purchased in pharmacies, but even more likely in online stores.

Finally, in the event that you cannot purchase a comb separately, then almost every high-quality product in the form of a shampoo or a spray for lice that is included in the rating may have a comb in its kit, the price of which is included in the price of the kit, which is why all these products with sufficient efficiency are not cheap. The comb can be used separately for prophylaxis and treatment monitoring.

Conclusion or basic principles of lice control

In conclusion, it is necessary to recall the basic principles of fighting lice, non-compliance with which will not lead to the desired result, and disappointment even in high-quality drugs will be endless and unfair:

1. first of all, any product should be applied as thoroughly as possible, in excess, on the scalp and on all hair, without saving. Remember that most modern drugs allow you to destroy lice by a single use, so you should not save the product;
2. the drug should be applied evenly, and the exposure time should be kept according to the instructions;
3. an obligatory element is the subsequent combing, using special medical combs, which allow you to remove both dead lice and not completely destroyed eggs or nits. Those products that are based on physical destruction principles, and do not contain poisonous substances, can be applied once a week, and combing out – almost daily;
4. it is necessary to comb out the lice slowly and carefully, in a circle, observing the sequence, and dividing the hair into strands so as not to miss a single hair, along the entire length;
5. after each pass from the beginning of the hair to the end (and in no case in the opposite direction), you need to wipe the comb on a napkin on both sides, examining after each pass.

It should not be forgotten that when lice appear in the family, it is necessary to conduct mutual and self-examination (using a comb) of all persons living together, and there is no need to be ashamed of this. If at least one single lice or nits are found, it is necessary immediately, on the same day, to carry out the treatment for everyone, and if lice are found in a child, be sure to inform the school or kindergarten medical worker about it.

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Attention! This rating is subjective and does not constitute an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.