Can a head lice treatment kill Coronavirus?
A head lice treatment that isn’t that effective against head lice may be a cure for Covid-19, according to Monash University.
Feb 21, 2026 · 4 min read
TL;DR
Ivermectin is a drug used for some parasitic infections; it was studied for Covid-19 but is not approved for that use. Don't use ivermectin for head lice — use silicone- or oil-based products or wet combing.
Promise and caution
Early in the pandemic, some lab studies suggested ivermectin might affect the virus. Clinical trials did not support its use for Covid-19. Health authorities do not recommend it for that purpose.
What is ivermectin?
Ivermectin is used for certain parasitic infections. It's not a standard head lice treatment. For head lice, use proven methods: silicone- or oil-based products or wet combing. Not sure? Check first. For hands-on help, find a clinic near you.