No, you cannot kill head lice using a sauna. It will not increase your skin temperature to the temperature required to kill head lice. Trying to do so is not safe. To kill head lice they must be exposed to a consistent temperature of 130°F or higher.
CAN YOU USE A SAUNA TO KILL LICE & NITS?
Do not use a sauna to try to kill head lice or nits. It is not a safe or effective method. The temperature required to kill a head lice infection is 130°F.
Sitting in a sauna will not raise your skin temperature to this heat level. Sweating will kick in to cool you down. Furthermore, if it is a shared sauna you risk passing the infection on to another person.
INFRARED SAUNA & HEAD LICE
Can you use an infrared sauna to kill head lice? No, you cannot use an infrared sauna to kill head lice.
While infrared saunas operate at a temperature between 110-130°F – you will not be raising your temperature to the level required to kill the lice. You should never try and raise your skin temperature to 130°F, it’s just not safe.
WHAT ARE HEAD LICE?
Head lice are small parasitic insects that feed on human blood. They measure just 3mm in size and can be difficult to spot because they are so small.
Lice spread from head to head contact and are most commonly found in young children. They are not a sign of dirty hair – and can live in both clean and dirty hair.
The main symptom caused by head lice is an itchy feeling on the scalp. They can also make you feel like something is moving in your hair.
WHAT DO THEY LOOK LIKE?
Head lice are tiny six-legged insects that nest in human hair. They are roughly the same size as a sesame seed and their small size makes them difficult to see.
Despite their small size, they can be seen by the human eye if you look carefully. They are white, brown, or dark gray and usually nest in the hair on the back of the head or behind the ears.
Their eggs, called nits, are oval-shaped and sit on the hair nest to the scalp. The nit eggs can be yellow, brown, or white.
CAN INFRARED SAUNA KILL HEAD LICE?
No, an infrared sauna cannot kill head lice. Do not use an infrared sauna to treat lice. The temperatures required to kill the head lice would result in injury or burning of your skin.
Don’t use an infrared sauna or any other type of sauna to try and kill head lice. Instead, seek professional medical advice on how to deal with the little critters.
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HOW DOES SAUNA KILL LICE & NITS?
A sauna does not kill head lice. Although high-level heat treatment can kill the parasite, the level of heat required cannot be safely sustained by a human. Don’t try it – you could seriously damage your health!
Even if you crank up the sauna heat to a stifling 130°F, your body will regulate the temperature of your scalp – and it will not reach the temperature needed to kill the lice.
Your natural skin cooling mechanism, sweating, will kick in to reduce and stabilize your scalp temperature.
And, if you did raise your temperature to 130°F, the lice will be the least of your concerns. You run the risk of serious injury or sickness. But don’t worry, used safely sauna is good for your skin.
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WHAT TEMPERATURE KILLS LICE?
To kill head lice they must be exposed to a temperature of 130°F or greater. This temperature will kill the lice and the nits. For our European cousins, 130°F is equal to 55° Celsius.
OTHER HEAD LICE REMEDIES – DO THEY WORK?
First up, if you or someone you know has hair lice you should seek the professional advice of a doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider. That said, let’s take a look at some of the alternative treatments proving popular online.
HAIR DRYER
Not sure it works, but it sounds like a lot of fun. Just blast the little devils with hot air. While you may not generate enough heat to kill the lice you might just blast a few of them around the room for good measure.
HOT WATER
Exposing lice to hot water is a good way to sterilize your clothes and bedclothes. Washing in hot water at a temperature of 130°F or higher for 5 minutes will kill the lice and their eggs.
SHOWER
While a shower might feel great and leave you feeling cleansed and refreshed, it’s not going to resolve your lice infection. The water is just not hot enough to kill the lice. Try adding some anti-lice shampoo for better results.
APPLE CIDER VINEGAR
While anecdotal evidence suggests apple cider vinegar is an effective treatment for head lice the results are not good. In fact, apple cider vinegar is one of the least effective home remedies.
LIQUID PARAFFIN & GASOLINE
The magical healing effects of liquid paraffin and even gasoline crop up regularly on online discussion groups. Are they great nit remedies? No, not only do they not work, they are a pretty unpleasant experience. These are definitely best avoided.
ONIONS
Seriously, does anyone really think rubbing onions in your hair is going to clear up a head lice infestation? Not only will you look silly, but you’ll also be stinking of onions and could lose some friends. Leave the onions in the kitchen.
BUTTER, MAYONNAISE, OLIVE OIL & VASELINE
The jury is out on this one. Anecdotal evidence suggests you can smother the insects by smearing them in butter, mayonnaise, olive oil, or Vaseline and depriving them of oxygen.
The CDC state there is no clear scientific evidence to determine if suffocation of head lice with home remedies is an effective form of treatment. You can add this one to the ‘maybe’ column.
Have you found your Dream Home Sauna? Check out our guides to super affordable, compact, and convenient home sauna – the best infrared sauna blankets, infrared heating mats, and portable steam saunas.
WHAT SHOULD I DO?
If you observe head lice you should avoid the sauna and begin treating right away. The best treatment methods are wet combing and the application of medicated sprays and lotions. For further information you should speak to a healthcare professional.
SHOULD PETS BE TREATED FOR LICE?
No, pets cannot get head lice so there is no need for them to be treated. Head lice only live on human heads, and feed on human blood. They do not infect pets.
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About the Author
JAKE RAOUL
• Sauna Specialist
Meet Jake, a man with a passion for sauna therapy. Jake’s background is in science and his passion is wellness and basketball. Growing up in Orlando Florida, Jake enrolled in Florida International University where he graduated with a BS in Biological Sciences.
As a young man, he worked in the spa and wellness center at the renowned Breakers Palm Beach luxury hotel. Here he developed his skills and understanding of client-centered wellness delivery. Upon graduating from Florida International University he took up a research position focusing on the application and practical effects of steam therapy.
His research has contributed to advancing the understanding of steam sauna therapy and how it can be applied in the occupational health environment. His work in this area has been officially recognized for its impact on the field.
Jake is a devoted fan of the Orlando Magic basketball team. When not working and advancing his research he enjoys attending games at the Kia Center in downtown Orlando. He also likes to remain active in his local sports community and volunteers as a basketball coach for his local youth team.
With his background in scientific research and passion for wellness, Jake is a valuable addition to the Home Sauna Heaven writer’s team where he shares his knowledge and understanding of sauna therapy, steam sauna therapy, and how they can be used for best effect.
Well, you say it won’t work. It might not kill the lice but it will make you feel better. Oh yeah baby, sauna all DAY!!
But are you saying of the sauna is hot enough it would kill the lice?
It would be a quick way of doing it.
🙂
Hi there, no – it is definitely not a way to kill head lice.
It is not possible to kill lice in a sauna as your scalp will not reach the temperature needed.
Instead we recommend you talk to your doctor.
The best course of action is to go and see your local pharmacist and ask for some special shampoo. This will clear it up in now time.
Then you can go back to the gym and sauna and relax.