Head lice is a parasite that lives on human hair and feeds on blood. Two of the most common signs of lice infestation are itching on the head and red bumps on the scalp. Although lice infestations can occur in anyone, children in the age group of three to 14 are more susceptible. It is very common among school going children and is very contagious. Combing them out can get rid of them, but it is a long and tiring process. Here are some home remedies for head lice that will assist you in keeping your head lice free.
Tea tree oil:
Tea tree oil is a natural insecticide, making it an effective treatment for head lice. Do not apply it raw as it may damage your hair. Mix together one teaspoon of tea tree oil, one ounce of natural shampoo and three tablespoons of coconut or olive oil. Apply this oil on the hair of the person who has been infested with head lice and keep it for half an hour, and then rinse thoroughly with hot water. Finally, comb thoroughly to remove dead lice. Note: Before you use tea tree oil, put a small drop on the back of your hand. If you are allergic to tea tree oil, move on to the next oil on this list.
Coconut Oil:
This is another best head lice home remedy that helps you to get rid of head lice. For the coconut oil method, make sure to use top-quality coconut oil. This oil has lubricating nature that to stop the lice to move freely, preventing it from multiplying. Moreover, coconut oil is good for your hair and it is totally safe. Take a little amount of coconut oil and massage it on your scalp and hair. After that cover your head with a shower cap or towel and leave it on for six to eight hours or overnight. Comb your hair thoroughly to remove the remaining lice and then shampoo as usual.
Garlic:
Juice of raw garlic forms an excellent remedy for treating head lice and helps eliminate not only the infectious micro-organisms but also their eggs. The strong fragrance of garlic can suffocate lice, ultimately killing them. You should grind eight to 10 garlic cloves into a paste and add some lemon juice in this paste. Apply the mixture thoroughly onto the scalp. Leave it on your hair for about 30 minutes and then rinse the hair thoroughly with hot water.
Petroleum Jelly:
Petroleum Jelly might be an alternative if you are a pregnant or breast feeding woman or if you have to treat kids for head lice. It is made of petroleum, thus it is safe to use for people with plant allergy. It does not kill head lice by its chemical composition, but it rather kills by suffocating them. Apply a thick layer of petroleum jelly to the scalp, then cover with a shower cap. Let it stay on overnight. After you wake up, apply baby oil to get rid of the petroleum jelly. The side effect of this process is that you will have to shampoo the hairs quite many times to get rid of all the jelly.
Mayonnaise:
Another popular treatment for head lice is application of mayonnaise to your hair. Although it might sound like quite a disgusting option, spreading mayonnaise all over your hair can be one of the fastest ways to eliminate head lice. Like the petroleum jelly, mayonnaise contains a lot of oil, which has viscosity properties that will suffocate live head lice. Cover the head completely in mayonnaise. Do not miss any spots. Wear a shower cap over the mayonnaise and leave it on for about eight hours or overnight. Shampoo and then comb any remaining lice out of your hair. Unluckily, you can’t smother the louse eggs. To kill the eggs, you’ll need to apply a vinegar lice treatment.
Tips:
Consult your doctor if the problem is severe and with his advise, use specially medicated shampoo meant for getting rid of head lice.
Others also find that a dilution of tea tree oil spray on the hair daily acts as a deterrent to lice.
Be careful using plastic bags around small children as they can cause suffocation.
