Head lice are tiny organisms that infest and feed on blood from the scalp.
Infestation of head lice is called pediculosis capitis and is a commonly occurring problem among school-going children. Head lice get transferred from the hair of one child to another and it is quite annoying for a child to keep scratching the head. Continuous scratching of the head can also cause bruises, wounds on the scalp. It is also a sign of poor personal hygiene and unkempt hair.
Moreover, even amidst the nationwide lockdowns and closure of schools, colleges, offices in India for the past year, the scorching heat in the summer season or intense humidity in monsoons tend to induce heavy sweating. As a result, it prompts head lice, itching and irritation in the scalp among children and adults alike.
However, worry not. There are several simple and effective natural solutions that can be done right at home, to clear head lice and prevent them forever.
5 Splendid Home Remedies To Get Rid Of Head Lice:
1. Neem Oil
Neem oil tops the list of home remedies to get rid of lice. Get pure quality neem oil and use it regularly to bid goodbye to this annoying problem.
Ingredients:
2 tsp of pure neem oil
Shampoo
Method:
Warm neem oil and apply it to the scalp.
Leave it for 1 hour and comb each section of hair thoroughly with the help of a nit comb, to remove all dead lice and nits.
Wash with a herbal shampoo.
How It Works:
The strong, pungent smell of neem oil suffocates lice, nits by blocking air passages. Do it regularly to avoid the problem of lice.
2. Baby Oil
Baby oil is another wonderful ingredient that helps in removing lice.
Ingredients:
2 tsp of baby oil
Nit comb
Neem or tea-tree oil-based shampoo
Method:
Apply baby oil thoroughly and leave it overnight.
In the morning, remove all those dead lice and nits with a comb.
Shampoo with a neem or tea-tree oil-based shampoo.
How It Works:
Baby oil not only makes suffocates the lice but also makes the hair slippery making it difficult for the eggs to remain attached to the hair.
3. Baking Soda
Baking soda has a coarse texture that helps to trap the lice and nits, besides pacifying the incessant urge to scratch the head.Ingredients:
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp conditioner
Method:
Mix baking soda with conditioner.
Apply the mixture all over the scalp and hair. Leave it for 30 minutes.
Comb through each section of the hair and you can see dead lice, nits and baby lice.
How It Works:
Baking soda relieves itchiness caused due to lice, while conditioner causes suffocation to lice. Repeat it at least once a week to get rid of the problem.
4. Tea Tree Oil
Touted for its excellent antimicrobial traits, tea tree oil is a proven natural solution to thwart lice from the scalp.
Ingredients:
5 drops tea tree oil
3 tbsp coconut oil
Method:
Mix tea tree oil with coconut oil in a clean bowl.
Spread it evenly on all areas of the scalp and let it stay for 1 hour.
Brush the mane from root to tip with a nit comb to eliminate all the dead lice and wash hair with a nourishing shampoo.
How It Works:
Tea tree oil possesses a treasure trove of bioactive compounds such as terpineol, myrcene, cineole, linalool and pinene, which supply powerful antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory qualities to combat head lice infestation and reduce swelling, redness in the scalp. Coconut oil is packed with essential fatty acids and vitamin E, that soothe itching, dryness and moisturise the scalp.
5. Garlic
A staple ingredient in Indian kitchens and cooking, garlic contains vast reserves of medicinal constituents as well, to wipe out head lice.
Ingredients:
9 garlic cloves
5 tbsp lemon juice
Method:
Blend the garlic cloves thoroughly with lemon juice in a mixer.
Smear the paste all over the scalp and leave it on for 30 minutes.
Scrub the scalp using a fine-toothed comb to remove the dead lice and rinse hair with a revitalising shampoo and conditioner.
How It Works:
The strong odour of garlic stifles and terminates lice, while its potent antimicrobial properties owing to allicin and sulphur compounds helps dispel nits i.e. lice eggs and baby lice. Being intrinsically acidic, lemon juice cleanses follicles, prevents excess oil, sebum accumulation in the scalp and helps maintain optimal pH levels in hair strands, for long, strong and silky tresses.
Additional Oils To Fight Nasty Lice
Anise oil
Essential oils are found to be effective in the elimination of head lice.They have been one has been a grandmother’s little secret to get rid of lice since ages. When compared to other home remedies, oils may be less effective in destroying lice and stopping their eggs from hatching, but they are super good on hair. One of the effective natural remedies, anise oil has proven helpful to permanently eliminated lice. It helps suffocate lice and preventing them from coming back. The infestation is almost nil when lice ridden hair is treated with anise oil
Eucalyptus Oil
Eucalyptus oil has also been effective in eliminating head lice and its eggs. It may cause mild itching upon application in a few people, but this oil was found to be more effective in combating lice problem. A few drops of eucalyptus oil can also be mixed with other oils like olive oil and used it safely.
Lavender Oil
Another fabulous essential oil, lavender oil, when mixed with tea tree oil has proven very effective in killing ugly lice. This oil along with tea tree oil mixture has found to have more than ninety percent efficiency in the termination of head lice. Mix the two oils and apply the blend into the roots. You can keep it overnight or wash it off in a few hours.
