Can brushing your hair get rid of lice?

Lice are small parasitic insects that live on the human scalp and feed on blood. An infestation of head lice is known as pediculosis. Lice spread through close personal contact and by sharing belongings like hats, combs, and pillows. They do not jump or fly, but crawl from head to head. Lice attach their eggs, known as nits, to hair shafts close to the scalp. Nits hatch in about a week and it takes another week or two for lice to mature and start laying more eggs. An itchy scalp is the most common symptom of lice infestation. Red bite marks or sores may also be visible on the scalp, neck, and ears. Untreated lice infestations can lead to skin infections from constant scratching and loss of sleep.

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Can brushing remove lice?

Brushing the hair can help remove some lice and nits, but it is not an effective way to fully get rid of an infestation. Here’s why:

Brushing only removes some lice and nits – It does not kill live lice or unhatched eggs still attached to the hair. Any remaining nits will continue to hatch and reinfest the scalp.
Nits attach very tightly – They are cemented to the hair near the base of the shaft and are difficult to slide off by brushing alone. Fine-tooth combs are better for mechanical removal.
Lice hold on tightly – When brushed, they may temporarily release their grip but then reattach quickly. Brushing does not kill them.

Newly hatched nymphs are tiny – They can hide deep in the hair and are easily missed during brushing.
Brushing does not prevent reinfestation – Lice are easily spread by contact. New exposure can quickly lead to another infestation.

While brushing may help get rid of some lice and nits, it does not treat the infestation effectively. Any lice or viable eggs left behind can continue the cycle. Brushing needs to be combined with other proven lice treatment methods for best results.

When should you brush hair to control lice?

Brushing can be incorporated into a lice management routine in the following ways:

After applying treatment – Brushing right after a chemical or natural lice treatment can help remove some dead lice and nits and may make combing easier.
Before wet combing – Brushing hair before meticulously going through it with a lice comb helps detangle and remove some nits.

During daily hair care – Gently brushing hair each day in between other treatments helps lift out any live lice before they lay more eggs.
Before rechecks – Brushing hair before scheduled lice checks can remove some nits and lice to make detection easier.

Brush gently and thoroughly but avoid overbrushing, which can damage the scalp. Use a clean designated lice comb or brush. Disinfect hair tools after each use by boiling, washing with hot soapy water, or soaking in rubbing alcohol for an hour.

How to brush hair to help get rid of lice

Follow these tips for brushing hair during a lice infestation:

Use a fine-tooth lice comb – Lice combs with tightly spaced, narrow metal teeth are more effective than regular brushes.
Sit in a well-lit spot – Good lighting will help you spot the tiny nits and lice.

Separate hair into sections – Work through one section at a time starting from the scalp.
Brush downwards from the roots – Pull the comb gently through each section of hair from the scalp to the ends.
Remove any lice/nits – Wipe the comb on a paper towel or rinse it off after each pass.

Check all areas – Brush the top, sides, back, and around the ears and neck thoroughly.
Don’t overdo it – Brush 2-3 times per section to avoid excessive pulling on the hair.
Disinfect tools – Boil combs and brushes for 5-10 minutes after use.

How effective is brushing at killing and removing lice?

Studies evaluating brushing as a treatment for head lice infestations have found:

Study	Methods	Results
Meinking et al. 2007	– Comparing brushing vs combing with conditioner in girls aged 2-12 with active infestations – Brushing with regular paddle brush for 5 minutes – Combing with conditioner and nit comb for same time	– Brushing removed 34% of live lice – Combing with conditioner removed 83% of live lice
Burgess et al. 2005	– Evaluated brushing and combing before pediculicide use in 75 infested school children – Compared 3 groups: dry brushing, dry combing, wet combing after applying conditioner	– Dry brushing removed 38% of live lice – Dry combing removed 52% of live lice – Wet combing removed 98% of live lice
Williams et al. 2001	– Tested effectiveness of different combs vs. brushing for lice removal in vitro – Combed through hair samples with 10 live adult lice – Tested for number of lice before and after brushing/combing	– Brushing removed 20% of lice – All specialized lice combs removed 80-100% of lice

The results indicate that brushing only removes about 1/3 to 1/5 of live lice from the hair. Using a specialized lice comb, especially after applying conditioner, is significantly more effective than brushing alone. While brushing can dislodge some lice and nits, it should not be relied on as the sole treatment method.

How to combine brushing with other lice treatments

For best results, incorporate brushing as part of a complete lice treatment regimen:

Apply a pediculicide treatment – An over-the-counter or prescription medicated lice shampoo, rinse, or lotion can kill live lice. Follow product directions closely.
Brush hair – Gently brush through all sections of the hair starting at the scalp. This can help dislodge dead lice and nits loosened by the pediculicide.
Comb with a nit comb – Meticulously comb out nits attached to the hair strands. This step is vital for mechanical removal.

Remove remaining nits – Pick out any stubborn nits using fingernails or specialized nit-removal combs.
Apply a second treatment if needed – Treat again 7-10 days later to kill any newly hatched nymphs.
Check and nitpick daily – Repeat combing and nit removal daily until no live lice are spotted for 10-14 days.

Disinfect – Wash combs, brushes, bedding, and recently worn clothes in hot water and dry on high heat.

It takes diligence to get rid of lice entirely. Brushing can be helpful but should always be combined with proven lice treatment methods. Talk to your pediatrician if over-the-counter treatments are unsuccessful.

When to avoid brushing hair with lice

There are some cases when brushing should be avoided:

Children under 2 years – Their scalp is more delicate and brushing can damage the skin.
After using Cetaphil cleansing gel – Brushing before rinsing out the product can spread lice further.
When hair is tangled – Trying to brush out knots can pull, damage and break hair strands.

With very long or thick hair – Lice combs are better suited than brushes for working through dense/long hair.
If scalp is injured or infected – Brushing can exacerbate skin irritation, sores, and scratches on the head.
When hair is very wet – Only comb damp (not dripping wet) hair to avoid snapping strands.

In these situations, focus on the other proven lice treatment methods or take extra precautions while brushing.

How to clean lice combs and brushes

Lice combs and hair brushes used for nit removal should be thoroughly disinfected between each use to prevent reinfestation. Clean them by:

Boiling – Immerse combs and brushes in boiling water for 5-10 minutes. This will kill both lice and nits.

Dishwashing – Wash with very hot, soapy dishwater (at least 130°F). Rinse and dry thoroughly.
Bleach solution – Soak combs in a solution of 1 part bleach to 10 parts water for an hour.
Rubbing alcohol – Immerse nit combs in 70% isopropyl alcohol for 1 hour.

Hair dryer – Blast combs or brushes with hot air for 30 minutes to dehydrate any lice or nits.

Do not share brushes, combs, hats, helmets, or other hair accessories during a lice outbreak. Use separate assigned brushes for each infected family member.

Tips for easier and more effective brushing

These tips can help make brushing hair more efficient at removing lice and nits:

Use a specialized lice comb – The closely spaced metal teeth are better than plastic bristles.
Apply conditioner – This lubricates the hair so the comb glides through more easily.
Work under a bright light – A well-lit workspace helps you clearly see the tiny nits.

Comb small sections – Work inch-wide segments starting near the scalp and go down the hair length.
Remove nits as you go – Wipe the comb on a paper towel or rinse it off between strokes.
Use a magnifying glass – An optivisor helps you inspect the comb for lice and nits.

Position comb at an angle – Slide the teeth along diagonally rather than straight down against the scalp.
Check the comb’s teeth – Replace it when the tines start losing their tapered shape from wear.
Be thorough but gentle – Firm pressure removes more nits but can also hurt the scalp.

Take your time and repeat the combing process daily. Carefully combing out nits with the right technique makes a significant difference in getting rid of lice.

Risk of lice transmission from combs and brushes

Combs, brushes, hair accessories, and other grooming tools harbor a moderate risk of transmitting head lice:

Combs have crevices where nits can hide – Eggs can survive up to a week in combs until they are used again.

Brushes trap hairs with attached nits – These can dislodge onto someone else’s hair.
Plastic items are safer than wooden ones – Lice survive longer on porous surfaces.
Disinfecting reduces but does not eliminate the risk – A few eggs may survive boiling or alcohol treatment.

Nit-removal is essential – Even sterile combs will pick up new nits during grooming.
Salons should disinfect tools for each client – Reusing tools spreads lice quickly between clients.

Proper disinfection and personal combs for each family member reduce the odds of reinfestation from brushes. However, avoiding head-to-head contact is the best way to block lice transmission.

Lice prevention tips for brushes and combs

To help avoid spreading lice through multi-person use of grooming tools:

Never share brushes, combs, etc. during an outbreak
Assign each family member their own comb and brush

Disinfect all tools after each use
Store combs and brushes separately in closed containers
Avoid head-to-head contact during play or sleep

Don’t try on hats or helmets previously worn
Inspect children’s hair weekly for signs of lice
Tie up or braid long hair

Avoid fabric headbands, scarves, etc. that transfer nits

Being vigilant about not sharing personal hair items with others provides a degree of protection against recurring head lice.

Conclusion

Brushing hair can help remove some lice and nits during an infestation but should never be the sole treatment. It is moderately effective at combing out live lice but does not eliminate all the eggs cemented to hair shafts. Specialized lice combs are significantly better than regular brushes at mechanical nit removal. For best results, incorporate gentle brushing as part of a comprehensive lice treatment regimen that also includes pediculicide products, combing, and manual nit removal. Disinfect hair brushes after each use and avoid sharing personal grooming items to help prevent recurring head lice infections.