This article discusses how mayonnaise works to kill head lice and how you can use it right. We also talk about the precautions you need to take while using mayonnaise. Continue reading. Mayonnaise, popularly known as mayo, combines vegetable oils, vinegar, and egg yolk and is a perfect accompaniment to nachos, fries, burgers, and sandwiches. However, full-fat mayonnaise is often used to kill head lice. One possible reason is that mayonnaise works as a suffocating agent when applied liberally and left for over 12 hours. However, it cannot eliminate the nits that may stay in the hair for six months and cause re-infestation (1). Mayonnaise is not a proven way to deal with head lice. It is best to consult a doctor and use medicated shampoos and topical lotions for treating head lice. However, if you want to try mayonnaise for lice management, here are a few ways.

How To Use Mayonnaise For Managing Lice Infestation

1. Mayonnaise With Coconut Oil

Mayonnaise and coconut oil may suffocate the lice and help kill them. What You Need

Full-fat mayonnaise (adjust the quantity as per the hair length) A few drops of coconut oil A shower cap

Directions

2. Mayonnaise With Vinegar And Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil can effectively kill head lice. However, it may not work on the nits (3). Vinegar can help prevent the nits from sticking to the hair. What You Need

Full-fat mayonnaise 5-10 drops of tea tree oil 1/8 teaspoon of vinegar

Directions Here are a few tips you should remember when using mayonnaise for head lice.

Tips And Precautions

Use a tight-fitting shower cap. Never use plastic wraps or bags. Mayonnaise cannot remove the nits. Post mayonnaise treatment, use lice comb to remove nits from the hair. Clean the comb after using it. The overnight treatment must not be used on children as they may pull strands out of the shower cap and chew on them. Mayonnaise turns rancid after a few hours and is not safe to be ingested. Low-fat mayonnaise will not have enough oils to suffocate adult lice. Hence, always use full-fat mayonnaise.

Mayonnaise is not meant for topical application and may cause adverse reactions. Take a look at a few risks in the next section.

Risks Associated With Mayonnaise Application

It may trigger allergic reactions in people who are allergic to eggs.

Mayonnaise turns rancid in a few hours and may emit an unpleasant smell.

Rancid mayonnaise may make its way into the mouth and upset the stomach or cause food poisoning.

If you have oily skin, mayonnaise may cause breakouts around the hairline, face, and neck as it contains fat and oils.

Do you put mayo on wet or dry hair? Ideally, mayo is applied on dry hair so it can sit on your scalp and suffocate the lice better.

Sources

Prevention and treatment of head lice in children,https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10937452/ Parasite Homes > Lice > Head Lice > Treatments,https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/lice/head/treatment.html Activity of tea tree oil and nerolidol alone or in combination against Pediculus capitis (head lice) and its eggs,https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3480584/