Natural and Efficient Treatments for Lice

A head lice outbreak at school is definitely every parent’s nightmare. Such news can be embarrassing for the parent, but also distressing for the child.

So if you see your child restlessly scratching his/her head, you should take a magnifying glass and have a close look. There are many commercial lice treatments on the market. Unfortunately, they all contain pesticides (piperonyl butoxide and pyrethrum) which get into the bloodstream, leading to behavioral problems.

So why not choose from the variety of home remedies that you can prepare from natural and affordable ingredients?

Home Remedies for Head Lice

• Lavender and tea tree oil

Mix five drops of lavender oil, 15 drops of tea tree oil and 60 ml of coconut or jojoba oil. Apply to the hair and scalp, wrap the hair in a plastic bag or shower cap and then in a towel. Leave for an hour, then comb with the nit comb and wash the hair to remove the oils. Repeat three times a week.

• Nit comb

A nit comb is a very fine comb which removes nits from the hair. A study showed that this comb is more effective than some over the counter lice treatments. Use a metal comb with finely spaced thin teeth.

Before combing your hair, you can wash it with tea tree shampoo, which is efficient in killing lice. Mix 10 drops of tea tree oil with 30 ml of your shampoo.

• Neem oil

Add 8-10 drops of neem oil to 30 ml of shampoo. Cover your hair with this shampoo and leave for 20 minutes. Rinse and then use the nit comb through all the hair.

• Tea tree oil and apple cider vinegar

Mix a few drops of tea tree oil with two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar and pour into a spray bottle. Spray your hair until it is wet and then massage it into the hair and scalp. Leave for about an hour. Wash your hair with the tea tree shampoo you have made and use the nit comb to remove lice and nits.

• Garlic

The strong garlic fragrance can suffocate lice and kill them. Grind 8-10 garlic cloves into a fine paste and add 2-3 teaspoons of lime juice. Apply all over the hair and leave it on for 30 minutes. Rinse the hair with hot water.

You can also make a thick paste from lemon extract, fresh garlic juice, coconut oil, green tea, shampoo, and conditioner. Cover the hair with the paste and tuck it under a shower cap. Leave it for 20-30 minutes, then wash with your regular shampoo. Repeat once a week for two months.

How to Prevent Lice

Preventing is better than treating. Educate your child not to share hats, combs, brushes or hairpins with his/her colleagues. You can also wash their hair with tea tree shampoo, which is great not only for treating but also for preventing.