Head lice are a very common affliction. Each year, over six to twelve million children in the US alone are affected by head lice. On the upside, head lice are not infectious, so having head lice does not indicate poor hygiene. On the downside, they are fast-growing and hence tedious to remove. Fortunately, remedies to get rid of head lice are easy to come by.
In this article, we shall focus on how to get rid of head lice. Head lice are wingless insects that feed on the blood from the human scalp. The average head louse (singular) is about 1.6mm long, or the size of a sesame seed, and tan to grayish-white in color. These creatures live close to the scalp, laying their eggs on hair shafts. These eggs are called “nits”, and are the size of a small flake of dandruff.
Causes for Head Lice:
- Having direct head-to-head contact with an infected person’s head
- Sharing personal items, like combs
- Using fabric items previously used by an infected person, like blankets, bed sheets, pillowcases
- Sharing items like headbands, hats, barrettes, etc.
Symptoms of Head Lice:
- Itchiness of scalp
- Tickling feeling of something crawling through the hair
- Sores and small red bumps on scalp
- Irritability
- The appearance of small white objects (lice eggs) in hair.
Remedies to Get Rid of Head Lice:
Treating head lice infestations is a time-heavy commitment, and the treatments need to be followed meticulously. Using a specialized comb, called a “nit comb”, is the simplest method to get rid of head lice. Nit combs are available in any pharmacy or drug store. Other effective remedies to get rid of head lice are:
1.) Almonds to Cure Head Lice
Noted to be one of the most effective home treatments for head lice infestations, almonds are an inexpensive and easily available remedy. Crushed almonds release almond oil, which has the double benefits of nourishing hair as well as suffocating the lice. You can add lemon juice to the crushed almonds for better results. The lemon juice will kill the eggs there with the citric acid present.
- Soak 10-15 almonds overnight in water.
- Peel the soaked almonds and grind into a thick, fine paste.
- To this paste, add 3 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice.
- Apply this mixture thoroughly to the scalp, and leave it in for 2-4 hours.
- Rinse out with cold water.
- Repeat this treatment once every week for 2 months.
2.) Vinegar to Get Rid of Head Lice
The high acetic acid content in vinegar is useful in killing head lice. In addition, it helps dissolve dead nits. Vinegar is a good, inexpensive and easily accessible cure for head lice.
- Prepare a mixture of equal amounts vinegar and mineral oil
- Apply to scalp and hair, and cover with a shower cap to leave on overnight
- Wash off with your regular shampoo the next day
Alternatively,
- Dilute vinegar with equal amounts of water.
- Rinse your freshly shampooed hair with the solution and leave for 10 minutes.
- Wash your hair again with fresh water.
3.) Lemon Juice to Get Rid of Head Lice
Thanks to its acidic nature, lemon juice can be used to treat head lice infestations. It is also a useful prevention method against possible head lice infestations.
- Prepare a mixture of 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice and a fine paste of four large garlic cloves.
- Apply this mixture on the head and massage very well into scalp.
- Cover hair with a thick towel and let it sit for about 30-40 minutes.
- Rinse it thoroughly with shampoo and use a nit comb to get rid of head lice remnants.
- Repeat this process for five consecutive days.
- Alternatively, if the smell of garlic is too strong and unpleasant you can replace it with crushed almonds for similar results.
4.) Olive Oil to Fight Head Lice Infestation
A kitchen staple, olive oil is an easily available method to get rid of any head lice from the hair and scalp. Olive oil works as a smothering agent, blocking the breathing holes of the lice. Almond oil is also a good alternative.
- Apply a generous layer of the oil to the hair.
- Cover your head with a shower cap or another non-porous material like cling wrap, and let it sit overnight or for 7-9 hours.
- Before rinsing out with your regular shampoo, comb out the head lice from the scalp with a nit comb. The oil will also loosen the hold of the nits (eggs) from the hair shaft making it easier to comb them out as well.
- Wash your hair with your regular shampoo.
- Repeat this process in 7-10 days.
5.) Mayonnaise Treatment for Head Lice
Much like the oil method, mayonnaise works to suffocate the head lice and, eventually, kill them.
- Generously coat your hair with mayonnaise.
- Cover this tightly with a plastic wrap or a shower cap and leave it in for 7-8 hours, or overnight.
- At the end of the time period, wash your hair out thoroughly with your regular shampoo.
- Use a hair dryer to dry the hair as hot air ensures elimination of the head lice.
- Once dry, use the nit comb to remove the remaining lice and nits.
- Repeat this method in 7 days to eradicate any lice that may hatch out from leftover nits.
6.) Tea Tree Oil to Cure Head Lice Infestation
Essential oil treatments have a good chance of working to treat and eliminate any head lice infestations. Tea Tree Oil has been found to be the most effective. As a natural insecticide, Tea Tree Oil very effectively kills the head lice. Additionally, tea tree oil contains soothing agents that will alleviate itching sensations. Please note that some people may have allergic reactions to tea tree oil, so remember to test it out first.
- Prepare a mixture of Tea Tree oil and shampoo, by adding 5 drops of the oil to each ounce of your regular shampoo.
- Use this mixture to shampoo and wash your hair.
- Dry your hair with the heated air from a hair dryer and use a nit comb to remove any lice.
- Repeat this process every day for 2 months.
Alternatively,
- Mix together 3 tablespoons of olive oil with 1 teaspoon of tea tree oil. You can add one teaspoon of eucalyptus oil as well (optional)
- Apply this mixture to the hair and massage gently into scalp.
- Leave it to sit for 30 minutes, and wash your hair with your regular shampoo.
- Repeat this treatment twice a week for one month.
7.) Onions as a Remedy for Head Lice Infestation
Onions can be used to get rid of head lice. The high sulfur content present in the juice of onions effectively kills any head lice. Pick up this inexpensive natural remedy in any grocery store. Try to stick to organic onions.
- First grind the onions in a food processor, or blender, to make a paste.
- Sieve this paste to extract the juice from the onions.
- Apply this concentrate on your hair and massage into scalp.
- Cover your head with a shower cap and leave on for at least 2 hours.
- Shampoo the juice out thoroughly with your regular shampoo using lukewarm water.
- After thoroughly drying your hair with a hair dryer, use a nit comb to remove any head lice.
- Repeat this treatment daily for 3 consecutive days, and then bring it down to once every week for 2 months to completely get rid of head lice.
8.) Coconut Oil to Get Rid of Head Lice
Coconut Oil is widely known for its health benefits. Much like olive oil or mayonnaise, coconut oil is used as a smothering agent to get rid of head lice infestations. Also, the Lauric acid present in coconut oil has anti-bacterial properties and thus helps protect the area from secondary infections. The lubrication provided from the oil helps in loosening the hold of the nits making it easier to comb them out. Coconut oil has the added benefit of moisturizing and repairing your hair in the process.
- Prepare the solution by warming up 3 tablespoons of coconut oil and adding to it a dash of camphor.
- Apply this mixture all over your hair and massage it gently into your scalp.
- Cover your head with a shower cap or plastic wrap and leave it to sit overnight.
- Wash your hair out with your regular shampoo and comb it out with a nit comb to remove the lice.
- Follow this treatment for 5 consecutive days to eliminate head lice infestations.
9.) Fenugreek for Head Lice Treatment
Fenugreek seeds are another excellent natural remedy to cure head lice infestation. These seeds contain very potent pesticide, antifungal, and antibacterial properties. Using this along with the coconut oil treatment ensures a fast cure to head lice.
- Soak one handful of fenugreek seeds in fresh water overnight.
- Grind the soaked seeds into a paste. (You can mix it with warmed coconut oil and camphor mixture at this stage if desired)
- Apply to hair and scalp, and let it sit for 30 minutes.
- Wash the paste off. Optionally, rinse hair with camphor water afterward.
10.) Other Essential Oils to Cure Head Lice Infestations
In lieu of Tea Tree oil, there are many other essential oils you can use as a treatment for head lice infestations. Below is a list of essential oils, from most to least effective;
- Lavender Oil
- Indica (Neem) Oil
- Clove Oil
- Eucalyptus Oil
- Cinnamon Leaf Oil, and
- Peppermint Oil
Any of these essential oils are easily available in natural health stores or even in groceries. To use these as treatment for head lice infestations, try the following methods,
- Prepare a solution by mixing 15-20 drops of the chosen essential oil into 2 ounces of Olive Oil.
- Apply this mixture to the scalp using cotton balls.
- Leave this on the scalp and hair for 12 hours or overnight.
- Wash out with shampoo and use a nit comb to remove the lice.
Alternatively,
- Into 4 ounces of rubbing alcohol, mix 15-20 drops of your chosen essential oil.
- Transfer this solution to a spray bottle and saturate hair with it.
- Leave in overnight or for 12 hours and then wash out with your regular shampoo.
- Using a nit comb, remove the head lice.
Head lice are hardy creatures and even with treatment, you may be prone to becoming re-infected. Following the proper treatment meticulously ensures the elimination of the current infestation of head lice. But to reduce the risk of re-infection, clean out the house properly and sterilize any fabric items that the infected may have come into contact with the infected person(s). Further reduce this risk by not sharing any personal hygiene items like combs, brushes, or hair clips, etc.
