Although head lice don’t carry a disease, they can easily spread around the house or to other people. These small parasites commonly affect young children, but caretakers and household members can easily catch the lice through head-to-head contact. The good news is that there are many natural and home remedies for treating head lice.
While the effects of natural remedies for head lice are still debatable, doctors agree that nonmedical measures can help reduce the spread of lice and prevent them from returning. Sometimes all you need to do is use lice comb to remove nits, nymphs, and adult lice in your child’s hair. Here are some home remedies for treating head lice.
Natural Treatment for Head Lice
Most home remedies are geared toward suffocating the lice. It is safer than putting harsh chemicals on your child’s hair. Here are some home remedies for removing lice.
1. Wet Combing
Using a wet comb is one of the common ways of removing lice from the hair. Generally, wet combing makes the lice more visible, so you can easily differentiate them from dandruff. In addition, this method keeps the lice from moving while clinging to hair follicles. Wet combing should be done every 2-3 days or 9-14 days.
In wet combing, spray conditioner on wet strands of hair using a fine-toothed comb. There are instances when a magnifying glass is also used to check hair strands and remove individual lice. Due to lices people have to face many health issues. While it can be effective, wet combining can be time-consuming and require patience. If you want to try it out, give yourself ample time and consider some entertainment options for your child.
2. Wash Your Hair With Vinegar
With this head lice treatment at home, you wash your hair with a mixture of vinegar and warm water. Vinegar contains acetic acid, which can break down the shells, and a natural adhesive that glues nits to hair shafts. While it does not suffocate the lice, vinegar prevents the nits from latching on the hair strands.
To use vinegar for hair lice treatment, apply a mixture of vinegar and warm water directly to the scalp. This method can be combined with wet combing, an excellent but affordable method for removing nits.
3. Use Essential Oils
Essential oils have also been proven effective in eliminating head lice. They are never ingested, and some of them are toxic. Essential oils like coconut oil, olive oil, and tea tree oil, to name a few, are known to suffocate lice effectively.
But before using them, make sure to always dilute them with carrier oil and pour a small drop of the diluted mixture on the back of your child’s hand. If there is no resulting reaction, the essential oil is safe to use.
Some kids have allergic reactions to certain essential oils, so choose the one that will be more effective for your child. Combining the essential oils with combing will be more effective in removing the lice and their eggs and may be essential for physical health.
4. Wash Clothes and Objects in Hot Water
Lice can be transmitted through clothes and objects like brushes, combs, pillowcases, bed sheets, etc. It is very important to wash frequently on these objects to avoid getting a new round of transmission. Soak these objects in hot water for 5-10 minutes. The recommended temperature should be at least 130°F.
Lice and their eggs cannot survive in temperatures that are more than 128°F for more than five minutes. You cannot do this method on your scalp and hair because such temperatures are too hot for these body parts. It is only effective for clothes and other objects.
5. Use Mayonnaise
Whether or not mayonnaise is effective for killing lice is debatable. For some, mayonnaise can make the lice easier to comb from the hair. In addition, they also ease the itchiness and irritation in the scalp, which is one of the causes of lice.
Using mayonnaise for lice removal can be harmless. However, it can be messy and inconvenient. Additionally, there is no proof that mayonnaise can indeed kill or treat lice,
Go Natural for Lice Removal
Lice on your hair or scalp can be frustrating and uncomfortable. Using natural remedies for treating hair lice is more affordable and safer than buying those creams that may cause you a few bucks. Always consult your doctor before trying out these natural treatments.
References:
https://www.tuasaude.com/en/home-remedies-to-get-rid-of-head-lice/
https://khealth.com/learn/head-lice/home-remedies/
https://www.healthline.com/health/lice-home-remedies#what-to-avoid
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325844#do-home-remedies-work