5 Ways To Get Rid Of Head Lice

Do you often find yourself scratching your head excessively? If the answer is yes, it can be due to head lice infestation.

Head lice are tiny parasites that live on the scalp and hair shafts. These parasites feed on blood. Head lice multiply rapidly, laying small oval-shaped eggs known as nits, which are visible near the base of the hair, close to the scalp.Although anyone can have head lice, the problem is especially common among children.It is important to note that lice infestation isn’t always a sign of poor personal hygiene or an unclean living environment.

Use a Louse Comb

Invest in a nit or louse comb to get rid of head lice naturally. The fine-toothed comb is easily available at any drugstore and it helps to keep the hair free of lice. However, it is not effective for nits.

- Wash your hair.
- When the hair is slightly wet, separate it into small sections.
- Sit under a good light and cover your shoulder and back with a white towel.
- Start combing small sections of the hair using a nit comb.
- Rinse out the comb and towel under running hot water after each use.
- Do it once daily until the lice infestation is treated completely.

Coat Your Hair with Mayonnaise

This ingredient contains a lot of oil, which has viscosity properties. Thus, it can help suffocate live head lice. Also, it lubricates the hair and facilitates combing the lice from the scalp.

- Coat your hair thoroughly with full-fat mayonnaise.
- Cover it tightly with plastic or a shower cap. You may also wrap a towel over the plastic.
- Leave it overnight.
- The next morning, wash your hair well with your regular shampoo.
- Dry your hair using a hairdryer as the hot air also kills any remaining living lice.
- Use a nit comb to remove the lice and nits.
- Repeat once a week for about two months.

Apply Coconut Oil to Your Scalp

Coconut oil is another effective remedy for head lice. The lubricating nature of coconut oil will stop the lice from moving around freely, thus preventing them from multiplying.

- In 2-3 tablespoons of extra virgin coconut oil, add 4-5 drops of anise essential oil.
- Completely saturate the hair and scalp with this oil mixture.
- Cover your head with a shower cap or towel and leave it on for 6 to 8 hours or overnight.
- In the morning, comb your hair with a nit comb and then shampoo as usual.
- Repeat this every day for a week to eradicate lice.

Tea Tree Oil can Help

Tea tree oil is a natural insecticide which offers a lot of health benefits. Being an effective insecticide, it plays a vital role in treatment for head lice.

- Mix together one teaspoon of tea tree oil, one ounce of natural shampoo, and 3 tablespoons of coconut or olive oil.
- Apply the solution gently throughout your hair and cover your head with a shower cap or towel. Leave your head covered for half an hour, and then rinse your hair thoroughly with warm water.
- Finally, comb your hair using a louse comb while it is still wet to remove the dead lice.

Healing Potential of Neem

Neem, also known as Indian lilac, is a good remedy to get rid of head lice. Being a natural insecticide, it can help kill the lice.

- Apply a paste made of neem leaves on your scalp and hair. Allow it to dry, and then rinse your hair. Do this at least twice a week for two months.
- Alternatively, massage some pure neem oil onto your hair and scalp. Allow it to sit for 1 hour. Wash it out with shampoo.
- Once the hair is dry, use a nit comb to remove the lice and nits. Do this remedy 2-3 times a week for 1 to 2 months.