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Do lice like bleach?


Do lice like bleach? The short answer is no. Lice do not like or want bleach. However, bleach can be an effective way to kill lice and nits during an infestation.

Lice are tiny insects that live on the human scalp and feed on blood. An infestation of head lice is common, especially among school-aged children. Lice spread through close personal contact and by sharing belongings like hats, helmets, hair accessories, combs, and brushes. They do not jump or fly, only crawl.

If you or your child gets head lice, it can be frustrating, stressful, and uncomfortable. But lice are not a sign of poor hygiene and they do not transmit disease. The best way to deal with lice is through mechanical removal of the live bugs and nits (lice eggs), usually by combing through the hair with a nit comb. Pesticide shampoos and devices that use heat or air pressure can also help eliminate lice.

Using bleach to treat head lice is somewhat controversial. While bleach is effective at killing lice and nits, it can also irritate the scalp. Many public health authorities caution against using bleach except under the guidance of a healthcare provider. There are less harsh treatment options that can clear up a lice infestation.

Do Lice Actually Like Bleach?

No, lice do not purposely seek out or like bleach. As living organisms, lice naturally avoid environments that could harm or kill them. Bleach and other pesticide chemicals are toxic to lice.

Lice have evolved to live successfully on the human head. They are well adapted to survive in human hair and feed on human blood. They do not derive any benefit from or have any desire to be exposed to harsh chemicals like bleach.

Bleach and other pesticides create an inhospitable environment for lice. When lice detect the presence of these chemicals, they try to avoid them by moving away or detaching themselves from the hair shaft. Lice have a strong drive for self-preservation, just like most living organisms.

So while bleach can be used to actively kill lice during treatment, lice themselves do not purposely move toward or seek out bleach. They may inadvertently come into contact with bleach during the treatment process. But they do not have any innate desire or tendency to be attracted to it. The chemical properties that make bleach toxic to lice are precisely why lice avoid it.

How Does Bleach Kill Lice and Nits?

Bleach contains sodium hypochlorite, a compound that can kill bacteria, viruses, and fungi. When applied to the hair and scalp, it also acts as a pesticide that is toxic to lice and their eggs (nits).

Here’s how bleach eliminates head lice:

– Oxidative damage – Bleach damages the outer protective layer of lice and nits, leading to dehydration and oxidative stress. This disrupts their cellular processes.

– Asphyxiation – Submerging lice in bleach can coat their breathing holes and asphyxiate them.

– Protein degradation – Bleach degrades the proteins in lice and nits, breaking down their structures.

– DNA damage – Bleach oxidizes the DNA and proteins inside lice and nits, making them unable to function or develop properly.

The strong oxidative chemicals in bleach are very effective at penetrating the hard outer shell of nits and killing the developing lice inside. This gives bleach pediculicidal (lice killing) and ovicidal (egg killing) action.

Bleach Treatment Process for Lice

Here are the basic steps to using bleach as a DIY treatment for head lice at home:

Supplies Needed:

– Bleach (5-6% sodium hypochlorite)
– Wide-tooth comb
– Towels
– Timer

1. Mix a dilute bleach solution of 1 part bleach to 10 parts cool water.

2. Apply petroleum jelly to skin around the hairline to protect from irritation.

3. Saturate the hair and scalp thoroughly with the bleach mixture. Focus on the roots and back of the neck.

4. Let the bleach solution sit for 5-10 minutes. Do not exceed 10 minutes.

5. Rinse out all of the bleach mixture with lukewarm water.

6. Towel dry the hair. Do not shampoo or condition.

7. Comb through the hair in sections with a nit comb to remove lice and nits.

8. Repeat the bleach treatment 7-10 days later to kill any newly hatched lice.

This full bleach treatment process should be closely monitored and only performed occasionally, not regularly. It is not safe for all hair types and scalps. Any irritation, burning, or redness means the bleach should be rinsed out immediately.

Is Bleach an Effective Lice Treatment?

Used properly in a dilute solution as described above, bleach can be highly effective at killing head lice and their eggs. Here are some of the advantages of using bleach:

– Kills live lice and nits quickly – Full immersion in bleach solution can kill lice in 5-10 minutes.

– Inexpensive and accessible – Bleach is affordable and easy to find in stores as a household cleaning product.

– No resistance buildup – Lice cannot develop resistance to the physical oxidative damage of bleach like they can with some pediculicides.

– Removes dead nits – The bleach solution helps loosen the glue holding nits to make removal easier.

However, there are also some disadvantages and risks with using bleach:

– Skin irritation – Bleach can irritate sensitive scalps, cause burning, redness, dryness.

– Hair damage – Bleach is drying and damaging to hair over time, causing breakage.

– Eye safety – Care must be taken to avoid bleach contacting the eyes.

– Ingestion hazard – Swallowing bleach can be toxic. Children cannot be left unsupervised during treatment.

– No residual action – Bleach does not continue killing lice after it is rinsed off. Repeat treatments are necessary.

– Does not kill all nits – Some nit casings may remain sealed and impervious to bleach.

– Reinfestation – Bleach does not prevent new lice from infesting the head.

Safer and More Effective Lice Treatment Options

While bleach is potent against lice, health agencies actually recommend against home remedies like bleach as a first line treatment. This is due to the potential hazards and other more proven lice treatment methods available.

Here are some safer, gentler, and more effective options for getting rid of lice:

– Prescription topical pediculicides like Sklice (ivermectin) and Ulesfia (benzyl alcohol)

– Over-the-counter pediculicides like Rid, Nix, or store brand permethrin

– Non-toxic suffocation-based pediculicides like Cetaphil cleanser or oils

– Fine-tooth lice combs to mechanically remove lice and nits

– Heat treatment via a specialized device such as the LouseBuster or AirAlle

– Topical numbing agents like lidocaine to reduce itching during combing sessions

– Oral lice medications like ivermectin tablets (off-label use)

– Electronic “zappers” that use low voltage to immobilize lice

Using a combination of chemical and combing methods is often most effective to fully eliminate a lice infestation. Checking and combing out close contacts is also important to avoid reinfestation. With persistence and proper technique, non-bleach treatments can successfully get rid of lice.

Who Should Avoid Using Bleach for Lice?

While bleach can technically kill lice, health agencies specifically warn against using it for some individuals due to safety concerns:

– Children under 5 years old

– Children with sensory processing disorders who cannot indicate burning or irritation

– Individuals with skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, open wounds, etc.

– Individuals with hairline discoloration or use of hair dyes

– Individuals with blond, grey, white, or chemically processed hair

– Pregnant or breastfeeding women

For these higher risk groups, bleach lice treatments should be avoided. Medical guidance should be sought for safer options to avoid injury.

Overuse of bleach for lice can lead to severe irritation of the scalp that paradoxically makes it harder to comb out the lice. The itching and picking can even spread the infestation further. Using a pediculicide specifically tested for lice is a smarter first choice than household bleach.

Can Swimming Pools or Chlorine Kill Lice?

Many people wonder if swimming in a chlorinated pool can help get rid of lice. While the chlorine in pools is also a type of bleach, it is not present in high enough concentrations to have a significant effect on lice.

Regular swimming pool chlorine levels of 1-3 parts per million are not adequate to kill all live lice or nits during the short time spent swimming. Much higher concentrations of bleach are needed for sustained contact based on published studies.

Some sources suggest that very hot tubs or spas with elevated chlorine levels may have a slight effect against lice. But this would not be a reliable treatment approach. Lice treatments require full saturation of the hair and a 10+ minute contact time to work effectively.

A dip in the swimming pool can feel refreshing after dealing with lice, but it will not get rid of or prevent reinfestation. Diligent combing out and using an approved lice treatment product remains the safest and most effective do-it-yourself strategy. Avoid relying on swimming as an easy fix for lice.

Home Disinfection After Lice Treatment

Alongside treating the head, it’s also important to clean the home environment after a lice infestation. Taking some basic steps can help destroy stray lice and prevent the spread to other family members.

Here are tips for disinfecting the home after lice with bleach or other cleaning products:

– Machine wash all bedding, towels, clothes in hot water then run through a hot dryer cycle to kill lice and nits.

– Combs and brushes should be soaked for an hour in rubbing alcohol or a bleach solution.

– Couches, pillows, and carpets can be vacuumed and spot treated with pediculicides.

– For solid surfaces, wipe down with antimicrobial cleaners or a dilute bleach solution.

– Stuffed animals and items that cannot be washed can be bagged up for 2 weeks until lice die off.

– Be sure to clean and disinfect hair accessories like barrettes, headbands, sports helmets.

Thoroughly cleaning the home environment helps remove traces of lice and prevents reinfestation from stray nits. Bleach can be used judiciously on hard surfaces but should not be applied directly to upholstery or fabrics.

Head Lice Prevention Tips

While lice are difficult to prevent completely, here are some useful tips for lowering risk:

– Avoid head-to-head contact during play at school. Don’t share hats, helmets, pillows, or hairbrushes.

– Check children’s hair routinely for signs of lice, especially if there is an outbreak at school. Look behind the ears and at the nape of the neck.

– Keep long hair pulled back or braided at school.

– Use an ointment like tea tree oil or thick conditioner to make hair slippery and discourage lice from attaching.

– Be aware of signs like extreme itching, red bumps, small dark eggs near scalp. Check for crawling lice near ears and neck.

– If one family member has lice, check the whole household and treat simultaneously if needed.

– Clean combs and brushes in hot water after each use.

Staying vigilant and practicing head lice prevention habits can reduce the risk of infestation. But periodic cases of head lice are still very common. Using safe and effective treatments quickly can minimize frustration and get things back to normal.

Conclusion

Head lice infestations can happen despite our best efforts to prevent them. While the idea of using common household bleach to kill lice may seem appealing, it is generally not recommended. There are safer and gentler treatment alternatives than bleach that can clear up lice without harming the scalp. Diligent combing, prescription shampoos, and hair dryers are far less risky approaches. Bleach does kill lice, but it’s vital to exercise caution and not overuse it. With smart treatment and prevention habits, lice can be managed safely and successfully.