Natural remedies to get rid of Head Lice

Head lice are a common occurrence especially in school going children and NOT an indication of poor hygiene.

Head lice are wingless insects, just 1.6 millimeters long that live close to the scalp, laying their eggs (called nits). Head lice need blood from the human scalp to survive, which is why they do not survive for long after they fall off a person’s head.

Though head lice infestation can occur in anyone irrespective of age or gender, it is most common among children ages three to 14.

It spreads easily from one person to another through contact with contaminated hair, brushes, combs, clothing or bedding. Common symptoms of head lice are a feeling that something is crawling on the head, an itchy scalp and sometimes red bumps on the scalp.

If you or someone in your family develops head lice, you must take care of the problem immediately. Nit picking and combing your hair with a nit comb can help a lot.

But these methods can take a long time and are most effective when the problem is caught early. Fortunately, there are many natural home treatments to get rid of head lice.

Here are the various natural ways to get rid of head lice. 

1. Neem Leaves

Collect a handful of Neem leaves and boil it well in a litre of water in a vessel. Allow it to cool down until it is luke warm. Wash your head and then pour the neem water on to your head a little by little. Then directly dry your hairs.

This is also a remedy for dandruff and also very good for the scalp and hairs as it has antibacterial properties. Repeat the process once a week, it also kills the nits along with the lice.

Comb hair after shower using a nit comb. Within four times of usage, the scalp will be clean and free from lice and nits as well

2. Vinegar

A very easy and effective treatment to eliminate head lice is vinegar. The high amount of acetic acid present in vinegar can successfully kill head lice. Plus, the vinegar helps dissolve dead nits.

• Mix equal amounts of vinegar and mineral oil. Apply this mixture to your scalp and hair before going to bed. Cover your head and hair with a shower cap and leave it on overnight. The next morning, wash your hair with your regular shampoo.
• Alternatively, dilute vinegar with an equal amount of water and use the solution to rinse your freshly shampooed hair. Leave it on for 10 minutes, and then wash your hair again with fresh water.

Use either of these treatments two or three times a week for two months. Also, comb your hair thoroughly with a nit comb after using these remedies.

3. Mayonnaise

Another popular home treatment for head lice is mayonnaise. Mayonnaise can successfully suffocate the little monsters and eventually kill them. The Minnesota Department of Health even lists mayonnaise as an acceptable method for treating head lice.

1. Coat your hair thoroughly with mayonnaise.
2. Cover it tightly with plastic or a shower cap. You can even wrap a towel over the plastic.
3. Leave it on for a minimum of five to six hours.
4. Wash your hair well with your regular shampoo.
5. Dry your hair using a hair dryer as the hot air ensures the lice are dead.
6. Use a nit comb to remove the lice and nits.
7. Repeat once a week for about two months.

4. Coconut Oil

This kitchen staple is an excellent smothering agent and also good for your hair. Coconut oil will suffocate the lice and eventually kill them.

1. Warm up three tablespoons of coconut oil and add a little camphor to it.
2. Apply this oil all over your head, and massage it into your scalp.
3. Cover your head and hair with a shower cap and leave it on overnight.
4. The next morning, wash your hair with shampoo. When dry, comb it with a nit comb.
5. Use this treatment daily for five days to eradicate lice.

5. Onions

Onions can be used as a natural remedy to treat head lice. Onions are high in sulfur that kills head lice.

1. Grind four to five onions in a blender or food processor to make a paste.
2. Put the paste on a sieve and press it with a spoon to extract the juice.
3. Massage your scalp with the juice, and cover your head with a shower cap.
4. Leave it on for at least two hours.
5. Shampoo your hair thoroughly with lukewarm water.
6. Dry your hair and use a nit comb to remove all the head lice.
7. Repeat this treatment for daily for three consecutive days, and then do it once a week for two months to completely eliminate head lice.

6. Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is a natural insecticide that can effectively kill head lice and help soothe the itching.

• Mix together three to five drops of oil for every one ounce of shampoo. Use the mixture to shampoo your hair. When dry, use a nit comb to remove the lice. Use this mixed shampoo for at least two months.
• Alternatively, mix three tablespoons of olive oil and one teaspoon of tea tree oil. You can also add one teaspoon of eucalyptus oil. Apply the solution on your hair and scalp thoroughly. Leave it on for 20 to 30 minutes, and then shampoo your hair. Use this treatment twice a week for one to two months.

Note: Be careful when using tea tree oil as it is quite strong.

7. Lemon Juice

Lemon juice can also be used to remove lice and nits from the scalp due to its acidic nature. It’s also very effective at preventing an infestation if your school or daycare has told you that lice was found on other children.

• Apply somefresh lemon juice to the scalp. Leave it on for 30 minutes, then rinse it off with vinegar and then with lukewarm water. Use this treatment once a week to prevent a lice problem.
• To eliminate lice, add one tablespoon of fresh lemon juice to a fine paste of four large garlic cloves. Apply this mixture on the head and massage thoroughly around the scalp. Wrap the hair in a thick towel and leave it on for half an hour. Then, rinse it off with water and then wash with shampoo.
• Repeat for five consecutive days to kill head lice.