7 Home Remedies To Get Rid Of Head Lice

Tired of an itchy scalp and the frustrating lice problem? Head lice can be very irritating, given the pain and the uncontrollable itching. This infestation spreads from one person to another quite unnoticed. Though head lice are most common among school going children, it can affect adults too. Lice can spread from one person to another by close contact which leads to transfer of eggs or the lice themselves. But the question is – how to remove lice from the hair? In this article, we give a broad perspective on head lice right from their origin to treatment with natural methods.

Head lice are tiny insects which grow out from eggs usually laid out in the base of hair shafts. The head lice are visible to naked eye and usually spotted when they are at the nape of the neck or near the sides of the ears. With an average size of 2 mm, these insects suck on the human blood, leading to irresistible itching. The eggs take about 8 to 10 days to hatch. The eggs are often mistaken to be dandruff and most of the times; the eggs are already hatched before you spot them. The head lice look like tiny black or dark brown spots and often difficult to identify in dark-coloured hair.

Regularly Clean Comb

You need to wash your hair combs and brushes often to be sure of hair cleanliness. You can dip them in soapy water and later brush them. Use hot water to dip them, as it is more effective. Wash your hair bands, clips and other hair accessories in hot water every once a while.

Wet-Combing with a Fine-Tooth Comb

Wet the hair and the entire scalp and use a fine-tooth comb to scrape out the lice gently. You would need to continuously repeat this process 4-5 times a week until there is no sign of head lice. When the hair strands are wet, they stick together revealing the scalp, and the lice can be easily fished. Also, wetting the hair makes the lice to come out of the deep roots, and thus they can be easily scraped out.

Clean Clothes

Since your clothes could be carriers of lice eggs, it is necessary to wash your clothes after being out. Make sure that you always wear clean clothes after a good laundry. Alternatively, if you suspect the possibility of the spread of head lice, vacuum your clothes before wearing it on.

Use Natural Lice Product

There are many natural formulations on how to get rid of head lice permanently. These are a ready-made product to effectively remove the head lice without any pain. Since these originate from natural sources, they can be easily used without worrying about side effects.

Use Essential Oil

Essential oils are sources of antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties which help to get rid of lice. The strong aroma of essential oils like lavender oil, lemongrass oil, rosemary oil, etc. drives away the lice and prevents them from entering back into the scalp.

Use Mayonnaise or Butter

Since butter and mayonnaise act as a layer when applied over the scalp, it prevents the air supply to the head lice. Due to this, the head lice are prone to die out of suffocation. You would have to repeat this method a couple of times to see results. Apply a thick coat of mayonnaise or butter on the scalp. Wear a shower cap or a plastic cap and leave it overnight. The next day shampoo your hair wet comb it to take out dead lice and eggs. Repeat it once again after a week or so, to again kill those that could have hatched from the remaining lice eggs.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Being acidic, it has a pungent smell that is quite irresistible by the head lice. It helps reduce the itching sensation and eventually drives out all of the head lice. It also degrades the eggs preventing them from hatching.