Quick question – have you ever suffered from a head lice infestation? If you have, you know exactly how annoying it can be! The consistent itching and discomfort – not to mention the embarrassment! Head lice is an inconvenience not only for the person affected but also for the people around him/her. Besides, lice aren’t limited to the head – there are also body lice and pubic lice. While pubic and body lice are a result of poor hygiene and lack of personal care, hair lice can happen to anyone. While there are many over the counter solutions for it, we’ve been on the lookout for some natural home remedies to get rid of head lice.
How does head lice spread?
How Does Head Lice Spread?
Lice are insects that affix themselves onto your hair, feed on your blood, and it’s very easy for them to spread. You can get infected with head lice simply by being in contact with a person carrying these parasites. It could be while playing sports, having a sleepover, or just hanging out. Sharing personal care objects like brushes or clothing with an infected person can also make you prone to infestation. As expected, school children are the most prone to getting head lice, but if left untreated, the whole family will soon be scratching their heads!
How to Kill Lice: Identifying an Infestation
You will know that your head has been infested by lice when your scalp is itchy with red bumps. One way to get rid of them is to comb them out. However, that is a long and tiring process and would need several trials to get them all out completely.
5 Home Remedies to Get Rid of Head Lice: How to Kill Lice Naturally
1. Olive Oil
Olive oil is an effective and natural solution for getting rid of head lice. To use olive oil as a treatment, generously apply it all over your scalp before going to bed. Ensure your hair is fully coated, paying extra attention to the scalp area where lice tend to reside. Cover your head with a towel or shower cap overnight to suffocate and kill the lice.
The next morning, comb out the parasites using a fine-toothed lice comb and remove the dead lice and nits. You can also mix olive oil with your regular conditioner, adding a small amount of liquid soap, and apply this blend to your hair for about an hour. Afterward, rinse it out, comb your hair again, and reapply some conditioner.
Repeat the olive oil treatment and combing process as needed to ensure complete eradication. This natural remedy is gentle on the scalp and can be used for both children and adults, making it an effective alternative to over-the-counter treatments.
Alongside these remedies, maintaining proper hygiene, regularly washing bedding and clothing, and avoiding the sharing of personal items can help prevent reinfestation and the spread of lice among family members or classmates. By incorporating olive oil into your lice treatment regimen and following good hygiene practices, you can effectively combat head lice infestations and find relief from the annoyance and discomfort they cause.
2. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is a gentle and soothing treatment for head lice. Warm the oil, apply it generously on the scalp, and massage it in. Cover with a shower cap and leave it on for a couple of hours. Then, comb thoroughly to remove dead lice and eggs. Shampoo and condition as usual. For an intensive treatment, leave the coconut oil on overnight and rinse it off the next morning. Coconut oil not only helps eliminate lice but also soothes the scalp for a more comfortable experience.
3. Garlic
Garlic is a powerful remedy to kill lice instantly due to its strong scent. Crush 7-8 garlic cloves and mix with 2 teaspoons of lime juice to form a paste. Apply it thoroughly to your scalp, leave it on for less than an hour, and rinse with hot water. Another effective option is to create a paste with garlic juice, lemon extract, green tea, shampoo, and conditioner. Apply the mixture to your scalp, cover it for a while, and wash it off with a mild shampoo. Repeat the remedy until you see positive results. The pungent-smelling garlic is one of the best natural ways to get rid of those nasty lice.
4. Vinegar
Vinegar is a trusted lice treatment with its acetic acid content that helps separate lice from hair. Dilute vinegar with water, apply to the scalp, and leave on for 30 minutes. Comb out dead lice and nits, then rinse with herbal shampoo. Apple cider vinegar works similarly. Repeat weekly for best results, improving hair texture. A safe and natural remedy, vinegar is an effective addition to your lice treatment routine.
5. Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil has insecticidal properties, with studies showing that a 1% solution of tea tree oil can wipe out 100% head lice in just half an hour. You can use this oil after ensuring that it won’t cause allergies by doing a patch test. Apply a few drops on your scalp and let it sit overnight. You can also mix the essential oil with a carrier oil like coconut oil. Leave the oil in overnight and comb through the next morning with a lice comb. Repeat this a few times a week.
Nothing is more painfully annoying than lice infesting your scalp. Always look out for symptoms so that you can tackle them quickly – the earlier you act, the more effective the treatment. These home remedies to get rid of head lice are quick and easy to use. However, they may take more time than chemical solutions to show results, so patience is key! Even if you have to carry out the procedure for weeks and repeat it continuously, just keep at it until you can enjoy complete freedom from these nasty pests!
Author:
Nisha has a great passion for writing and loves the idea of sharing. She has written many articles on yoga, fitness, wellness, remedies and beauty. She keeps reading articles on different blogs that gives a kick to her passion and provides her with different ideas. She believes in growing a little every day and gaining mastery in writing appealing articles. She is a regular contributor to StyleCraze.com other popular websites.
Best remedy is to boil hair oil with custard apple seeds powder n apply on hair in the night…
Hi Srilakshmi,
Thanks for the add up dear 🙂