Lice or louse are the members of the Phthiraptera family, containing more than 5000 species of wingless parasites. Phthiraptera is treated as an order, infraorder or a parvorder, as a result of developments in phylogenetic research. They belong to the Animalia kingdom and are usually found on the body, fur, and hair of other animals, especially humans.
The lice that we are talking about is a special variety of lice called Head lice. These are commonly found in humans. As the name suggests, head lice are found on the heads of humans; and in their hair. Head lice are known for causing severe scalp issues and hair problems.
1. Overview
Most of the time they originate due to poor hair and body hygiene. Sometimes they are transmitted from one person to another in close physical contact such as sitting together sleeping together or using the same comb. Most of the time they are transmitted as lice eggs from one individual to another individual. The lice eggs then grow up to become lice which later give birth to more lice and increase their population.
Many hair care products guarantee to kill lice. But most of the time they come up with several side effects, sometimes even leading to dandruff problems and heavy hair loss. Hence, instead of using such hazardous and chemical oriented hair care products, people should use gentle home remedies that have been proven really effective to kill lice.
Home remedies for killing lice not only kill adult Lice but also eliminate lice egg, some home remedies even remove dead lice from hair . But the question is where to find them, home remedies that are not only authentic but show results too.
2. Home Remedies that Will kill lice
Here are some well-known lice treatment remedies that promise real results:
2.1. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is a type of oil that is extracted from dry coconut. Coconut oil possesses a number of health benefits and medicinal properties. It is widely used as a skin and hair care ingredient. It is used in lice treatment as it moisturizes the scalp which does not restricts the occurrence of lice infestation.
Combing your hair after putting coconut oil also drives out lice from the hair. Regular use of coconut oil does not let’s lice egg to grow up as bigger lice. It eventually helps to get rid of lice forever.
2.2. Olive Oil
Olive oil is an oil usually used for cooking purposes. It is also used in healthcare, skincare, and haircare products. Regular use of olive oil in your hair sufficiently suffocates lice and does not let them come back. It is ranked as one of the best remedies for head lice. It doesn’t have any side effects so using it in your hair is hundred percent safe. In fact, it moisturizes your scalp and makes your hair glossy.
Olive oil can be used after shampoo or along with shampoo. But to get the most effective results massage your scalp with olive oil before sleep and rinse your hair thoroughly in day and then comb your hairs with a fine-toothed comb.
2.3. Petroleum Jelly
Petroleum Jelly is mostly used in moisturizers. However, it can help kill lice by suffocating them. It is a sticky and greasy kind of substance to be used in hair. The odour of petroleum jelly also helps to get rid of lice and lice eggs themselves. Petroleum jelly is a kind of product that can be easily found in ordinary grocery stores.
Petroleum jelly can be used after mixing with your regular hair conditioner and rinsing your hair thoroughly after use.
2.4. Vinegar
Vinegar belongs to the alcohol family. It is usually used in food. Though it can also serve as a cleansing agent. Acting as a cleanser for the scalp, it reduces the dirt that lures lice. It is a very unpopular remedy for lice treatment but has gotten many good results. However, it should be noted that many people are allergic to vinegar. So, it should be used cautiously.
It should be kept in mind that you should always use fruit vinegar on your scalp. Massaging your scalp with a few drops of vinegar can show effective results. You can also apply this by spraying with a spray bottle on your hair and scalp.
2.5. Aloe vera
Alovera is a plant that is famous for its medicinal value since the Vedic times. It is a household plant that can easily be found in the kitchen garden of every household. It is also used in various cosmetics and hair care products. Alovera is one of the best home remedies for fighting lice infestation. Alovera pulp can be applied to the scalp before hair washing for effective results.
2.6. Henna
Henna is an ingredient that is particularly used for dying hairs. But, it has intrinsic medicinal properties too. Its odour helps in getting rid of head lice. It also acts as a disinfectant and anti-inflammatory remedy for removing the side effects of anti-lice treatments.
There are very few ways of using henna on your hair. One of the ways is coating hair with henna and keeping it until it dries. Then rinse hair thoroughly with lukewarm water.
2.7. Neem
As we know neem is a plant that is used for curing various diseases. It is also used in various beauty and skincare products. Neem acts as an insecticide to kill various insects and so it does with lice. Regular use of neem oil or neem-based oil not only helps to get rid of lice but also stimulates healthy growth of hair.
Neem oil can easily be prepared at home by boiling neem leaves with any regular hair oil and then straining it. It can be easily stored for 2-3 weeks once prepared. Regularly massaging your hair with neem oil can show effective results.
2.8. Lice Comb
It is one of the most effective processes for getting rid of head lice instantly. A Lice Comb is a comb that is used to pull out lice from the hairs, it usually has narrow space between its teeth. Lice combs are easily available at any cosmetic store or supermarket. You can also buy lice Comb in online stores.
Regular combing of hair with a fine-toothed comb after washing your hair can help to get rid of head lice rapidly. Wet combing helps to get rid of lice because lice become weak after hair wash and come out very easily as dragged by the lice Comb. This is a method that is most effective after hair wash or oiling hair.
2.9. Almond Oil
Almond is an ingredient that has a rich protein content. Almonds are not only good for consumption but also have beauty benefits. Almond oil massage on the scalp also helps to get rid of head lice as it makes the hair surface really slippery which leads to lice coming out easily.
Though preparing almond oil at home is a bit time consuming process but you can get easily get it on any departmental store. You can also make a purchase online for almond oil.
2.10. Warm Water
Washing your hair with lukewarm water can help to get rid of head lice as it kills Adult lice the minute it pours on them. Lice are cold-blooded animals and they cannot sustain warm water. Using warm water for hair washing and then combing hair is one of the best home remedies for head lice.
2.11. Hand Picking
It is one of the most common techniques for getting rid of lice. In this method, someone picks out lice from one’s hand. It might not be the most effective remedy but can be used for instant relief.
2.12. Rubbing Alcohol
As vinegar can be used for treating head lice, it can also cured by rubbing alcohol on the scalp. Alcohol is also widely used in shampoos. However, there can be side effects of excessive alcohol on the scalp. So, a physician should be consulted before using it. People who are patients with migraine should avoid using vinegar or alcohol on their heads.
Mix a teaspoon of fruit alcohol or fruit wine in your regular hair oil and then apply it on your scalp before hair wash, this will show really effective results. You can also try mixing it in your regular shampoo for better results.
2.13. Melaleuca Oil
Melaleuca Oil is also known as tea tree oil. It is a very beneficial ingredient to remove lice. It is used in wide range of cosmetic products. Using 2-3 drops of tea tree oil with your regular shampoo or after-shampoo routine can be very helpful in getting rid of lice. It never causes any side effects or allergic reactions.
Mix melaleuca oil with a teaspoon of coconut oil and apply on your hair before hair wash, it will show really effective results. You can also do this before sleep and rising your hair thoroughly in morning.
2.14 Apple Cider Vinegar
It is one of the good home remedies to eliminate lice. But it should be kept in mind that it doesn’t kill nits. And using it on your scalp very often can lead to dryness in the scalp and give rise to dandruff. Apple cider vinegar should always be used after dilution because concentrated apple cider vinegar may cause scalp burn or hair damage.
2.15. Flax Seed
As we all know flax seeds are rich in fibre and have several health benefits. But now there scientific evidence that claims that they make good use in cosmetic and hair care products. Flax seeds are proved really good remedy for lice infestation. Home-prepared flax seed serum shows really effective results in eliminating adult lice as well as lice eggs.
2.16.1. How to Use?
Flax seed serum can easily be prepared at home by the following steps:-
- Take 100 grams of flax seeds
- Clean them with cold water, removing any kind of dirt or dust.
- Boil it for 20 minutes with one and a half cups of water
- After it takes a sticky texture put the flame off
- After getting cold strain it with the help of a big strainer or cotton cloth
- Cool it for 2 hours
- Mix any regular hair oil in it and the flax seed serum is ready
Use this serum once a week to experience the result.
2.17 Mayonnaise
Again mayonnaise is yet another household ingredient that can cure lice infestation. Mayonnaise contains oil and milk which nurture your scalp and soften your hair.
Scrubbing your hair with mayonnaise and then rising it with cold water can help getting rid of lice very effectively. Mayonnaise masks for hair can also do the same. It doesn’t neet much time to apply this home remedy and this shows really effective results.
3. Precautions for Lice Infestation
These are the following precautions that should be taken in order to prevent lice problem:-
- Wash your hair regularly
- Avoid sharing comb
- Avoid using metal hair accessories
- Avoid sharing hair accessories
- Avoid using heavy oil-based shampoos and conditioners
- Use clean hair shaft
- Always wash your hair with lukewarm water, not too hot water
- Try to maintain a distance from people who are suffering from lice problem
- Avoid tieing wet hair
- Avoid using a blow dryer
- Try using alcohol-based shampoo once a week for hygiene
- Avoid experimenting on hair with egg or curd
- Avoid using dirty hair bands
- Always use fine tooth comb
- Using Alovera hair mask
- Have a regular hair cut
4. Conclusion
Above are some of the home remedies for getting rid of lice. But lice is a problem that should not be taken lightly. As the lice are parasites they can affect body severely if not taken care of for a long period of time.
Though home remedies can be used for removing lice there are times when it won’t show results. At times, medical treatment has to be used for curing lice rather than using multiple home remedies for lice. Many home remedies do have side effects, which should always be kept in mind while using them.
If you face any kind of side effects such as inflammation on your scalp, excessive hair loss or dandruff after using any of the remedies, you should directly consult a general physician or dermatologist.
Last Updated on December 22, 2023 by soubhik92@gmail.com
