Best Dog Flea Shampoo for Humans (2024)
As a dog owner, you’ve likely encountered a flea or two. Despite best efforts, sometimes things can get a little out of hand for you and your fur baby. It can be challenging to resist the urge to scratch, and it’s even more complicated when the bites keep coming.
As with any ailment, prevention is the best cure. So, let’s look today at the best flea shampoo for humans.
The Best Dog Flea Shampoo for Humans
The torment of itching might have you running to the nearest big box store to pick up flea shampoo from the pet aisle. However, you’ll need to resist the urge until you finish reading this list.
We’ve compiled a list of shampoos made for humans that will keep those pesky blood suckers away.
Nature Love Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo and Conditioner Duo
Nature Love’s Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo and conditioner offers several benefits for your hair.
The primary ingredient, apple cider vinegar, is a natural ingredient that deters fleas from jumping onto you. While it doesn’t kill them or prevent bites, fleas dislike apple cider vinegar and will do their best to avoid it.
In addition to grossing fleas out, this shampoo clarifies and revitalizes your scalp and hair. It restores pH balance and leaves your hair moisturized.
Pros:
- Deters fleas
- Moisturizes your hair
Cons:
- Does not actually kill fleas
Rusk Sensories Bright Chamomile and Lavender Brightening Shampoo
This Chamomile and Lavender Brightening Shampoo smoothens your hair and leave it bright and healthy.
Aside from those great benefits, chamomile and lavender are great ways to help take care of your skin and prevent fleas from biting you. Lavender is proven to be as effective as commercial chemicals at killing fleas. Meanwhile, chamomile will soothe your skin where the flea bit you.
Consider it a win in a bottle.
Pros:
- Smells great
- Soothes skin
- Kills fleas naturally
Cons:
- You need to pick products that match your budget
Honeyskin Organic Tea Tree Oil & Honey Shampoo
Honeyskin’s Organic Tea Tree Oil & Honey Shampoo is what would be referred to as an “all-kill” if it were a pop idol. Not only does it moisturize and cleanse your scalp, but it also repairs damaged hair and promotes growth. If that wasn’t enough to sell you on it, it’s free of parabens and sulfates, and best of all, it gets rid of fleas!
The ingredients are the real star of the show here. Tea tree oil repels fleas, while Manuka honey helps prevent infections with its antiseptic capabilities. Coconut oil helps heal your skin from any bites and keeps it moisturized and healthy.
Aloe leaf juice is one of nature’s best healers, and is often used to heal small cuts and sunburn.
Pros:
- Natural, made in the USA
- Repels fleas effectively
Cons:
- Might not actually be organic
Rocky Mountain Barber Company Tea Tree Oil, Peppermint & Eucalyptus
Rocky Mountain Barber Company made tea tree oil, peppermint, and eucalyptus shampoo for daily use. You can use it on all hair styles and types.
The cruelty-free shampoo is made in Canada in small batches to ensure freshness. It contains genuine essential oils and not artificial fragrances.
Tea tree oil and peppermint oil deter fleas from jumping on you. Peppermint oil can keep fleas away for up to 48 hours.
Pros:
- Refreshing smell
- Made in small batches
- No artificial fragrance
- No SLS or parabens
Cons:
- Container is small for the price of the shampoo
OGX Hydrating + Tea Tree Mint Shampoo
OGX’s Hydrating + Tea Tree Mint Shampoo comes from a well-established brand. Many people rely on this particular formula to help them with dry scalps.
This shampoo contains Australian tea tree and peppermint oils, which are both helpful in keeping fleas off your head . Both of these oils repel fleas. In particular, tea tree oil helps treat flea infestations in pets. It’s also believed to help reduce itching.
Pros:
- Smells great
- Easy to find in stores
- Paraben free
Cons:
- Contains silicone
Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Lavender Mint Moisturizing Shampoo
Paul Mitchell’s shampoo is a cream used on dry or unruly hair. It moisturizes and has a pleasant scent that will leave you feeling refreshed.
As mentioned previously, tea tree oil is an excellent deterrent for fleas. This shampoo also contains lavender oil, which protects against mosquitoes, ants, ticks, and spiders. It may be able to repel fleas as well due to the similarity between ticks and fleas.
Pros:
- Smells great
- Color safe
- Vegan
- Paraben and gluten free
Cons:
- Contains silicone
PURA D’OR Original Gold Label Anti-Thinning Shampoo & Conditioner
PURA D’OR’s shampoo is intended for anti-thinning and contains many valuable ingredients that will improve the appearance of your hair.
There are numerous ingredients in this shampoo that will help your flea issues. Aside from tea tree oil, it also contains aloe vera, lemon peel, and grapefruit seed.
Aloe vera is moisturizing and can help with the itchiness and swelling of flea bites.
Lemons contain limonene which could act as an insecticide against fleas. On its own, it can be pretty mild, so it may take a more extended period of exposure to kill the flea. In the meantime, the limonene will certainly repel it.
As for grapefruit seed, it’s a great preventative to help repel fleas. It also has antiseptic properties that can help protect you from infection. Additionally, it’s an antioxidant that acts as an antifungal, antibacterial, and antiparasitic.
Pros:
- Vegan and gluten free
- Cruelty free
- USDA certified biobased product
Cons:
- May cause hair loss (!)
- Expensive for the amount of shampoo you get
Can Fleas Live in Human Hair?
Yes, it is possible for fleas to live in human hair.
There are over 2,500 species of fleas around the world. Of that, there are 300 species that are found within the Untied States. The number fleas that can live on and infest humans is even smaller.
There are only three species of fleas that can infest human hair. Those species are the cat flea, the dog flea, and the human flea.
How To Kill Fleas in Human Hair?
Having fleas is more than uncomfortable. It can affect your daily life! It can be challenging to resist the urge to scratch, but the itching can make you lose sleep.
Whether you use flea shampoo for humans or other alternatives, you’ll want to handle the issue as soon as possible for peace of mind and comfort.
Remedies for killing fleas living in human hair include:
- Citric acid: Citric acid is a natural flea killer. Lemons, limes, calamansi, or any fruits with citric acid are perfect for keeping fleas away and killing them. The caveat here is that citric acid can cause burns, especially if you have sensitive skin. So, you’ll want to proceed with caution.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Apple Cider Vinegar is a miracle in a bottle. It’s good for your insides and your outsides, and fleas hate it. While it won’t kill them, it should deter them from jumping on and biting you.
- Dish Soap: Dish soap is gentle enough for human skin, but harsh on fleas. Dish soap breaks down the flea’s exoskeleton and kills them as a result.
Of course, using a shampoo for humans that contains specific ingredients to deter or kill fleas is the easiest option.
Is Washing Your Hair Enough to Kill Fleas?
The answer is no. Unfortunately, washing your hair is not enough to kill fleas.
To get rid of fleas living on your head, you’ll need to wash your hair with a product that has ingredients that either kill or repel the pests. You’ll also want to comb your hair with a fine-tooth comb, similar to the one you’d use for lice, to get them out of your hair.
To ensure the fleas don’t return, you need to exterminate them from your environment. You’ll want to clean your living area and have your pets treated for fleas.
Does Lice Shampoo Kill Fleas?
While it’s not definitive, it’s possible that lice shampoo could kill fleas. You may need to repeat the process several times until you notice the fleas are gone.
Additionally, you will want to use the comb provided with the shampoo for maximum flea removal effort.
Is It Safe to Use Pet Shampoo?
No, you should avoid using pet flea shampoo unless necessary. Flea shampoo made for cats and dogs often contains pyrethrins. Pyrethrins are a pesticide derived from chrysanthemums and are harmful to humans.
Pyrethrins can cause itching, burning, scalp sensitivity, and even psoriasis! Yes, that’s right, using pet shampoo can cause you to develop a skin condition.
Wrap Up
You have many choices for shampoos that will help you get rid of fleas. Hopefully, you’ll give these different flea shampoo for humans a try and find the one that is right for you.
You will want to do a deep clean on your home to ensure that no fleas are living on your carpet or hiding in unsuspecting areas. Your pets will also need to get checked and treated for fleas. Otherwise, the problem will continue.
With a bit of diligence, you will overcome your flea problem.
