The Best Lice Treatment

Pest Strategies

Lice live on your scalp, potentially damaging your skin and carrying diseases. To safely and quickly get rid of these pests, Pest Strategies researched the best lice treatment products on Amazon. Here are our top picks.

1 Best complete removal kit
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073C2685B

Lice Clinics of America Lice Treatment Kit

What We Like: The nontoxic formula of the included gel is tough on head lice but safe for skin. The gel bottle fits inside of the applicator, coming out of the top and being applied with the wide- or fine-tooth side of the head. The liquid gel also has a pleasant pear blossom scent.

2 Best basic removal kit
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01BU6E7G0

Nix Lice Treatment Kit

What We Like: Free from harsh chemicals, this powerful one-time treatment is designed to target stubborn lice. The kit also comes with instructions in English and Spanish that tell you how to apply the gel with the applicator head and remove the lice with the metal comb.

3 Best shampoo
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003GTUXTU

Lice Shield Shampoo and Conditioner

What We Like: This shampoo and conditioner hybrid uses citronella, rosemary, lemongrass, cedar, and geraniol oils as its active ingredients. It can be used after being exposed to lice, during a lice infestation, or after the lice are gone. Though this shampoo won’t directly kill lice, it works well as an additional deterrent or preventative with other lice products.

4 Best spray
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000GCSWD4

Nix Lice Killing Spray

What We Like: This small bottle contains a ready-to-apply spray that uses powerful insecticides to target and kill lice. It’s effective for up to four weeks after one application, and it won’t stain water-safe fabrics and surfaces.

5 Best prevention
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00J8PFUCQ

Fairy Tales Lice Treatment Kit

What We Like: This lice treatment option features a no-drip mousse, an easy-grip comb, and a rosemary-based conditioning spray. The mousse is applied to hair, working with the comb to target and remove lice. The spray is used at the end of the treatment process, preventing future lice infestations.

Buying Guide

From combs to shampoos, there are several tools and products that can treat lice. Read our buying guide below to make an informed lice treatment purchase.

Ingredients: Some lice treatment sprays and other products use powerful chemicals to eliminate lice. These chemicals are usually milder forms of popular insecticides, such as pyrethrins and permethrins, which can be toxic if they’re ingested. For natural ingredients, mint and rosemary are two scalp-friendly options. Though they’re not as strong as traditional insecticides, they’re less damaging to your skin.

Infestation Severity: Common lice infestation symptoms include scratching and skin irritation. Consider how long you’ve experienced these symptoms to determine the severity of your infestation. If you’ve been having long-standing issues, you may require a more direct lice treatment tool, such as a comb.

Prevention: Some lice treatment products also act as a preventative, repelling lice to keep future infestations at bay. Shampoo, mousse, and conditioner typically have this property.

Kit: While you can purchase sprays, gels, combs, and other treatments separately, most products are sold in a pack. This allows you to more effectively treat an infestation.

FAQs

How can I tell the difference between lice and dandruff?

While lice and dandruff look like small, white specks and cause your scalp to itch, dandruff can easily be washed out of your hair. Additionally, a bleeding scalp is a symptom of lice bites, while a scaly scalp is caused by dandruff.

Do lice pose a threat to my health if they’re left untreated?

Lice won’t cause severe health consequences if they’re left untreated, but they’re a nuisance. They can spread to others and degrade the health of your scalp and hair. They can also cause you to lose sleep at night from all of the itching and leave you more vulnerable to infections because of the bite wounds.

Where do lice come from, and how can I avoid an infestation?

Contrary to popular belief, lice are not a result of uncleanliness. Lice often spread in public places, such as schools, offices, stores, and bus stations. Direct contact, such as hugging and playing, is the most common way that lice are spread. Though experiencing a lice infestation is statistically inevitable, it can be prevented by:

Using a daily lice-repelling shampoo
Keeping your hair away from others
Regularly washing your clothes and sheets
Staying away from friends or family members who have lice

Pest Strategies provides reviews of select products that are top-selling on Amazon and/or popular in consumer searches. Our team evaluates the products based on industry research, consumer reviews, pricing data, and other objective criteria. Unless otherwise noted, these product reviews are intended to help inform buying decisions for non-professionals. Because pest control products can be dangerous to your family if mishandled, we always recommend consulting with an exterminator, even if just to ask for advice on how to apply pest control products yourself.