Head lice are a very common problem among children and also in some adults. They are tiny parasites feeding on the blood in the scalp and hair shafts.
Lice spreads from one person to another by coming in contact with the infected person through play sleeping together or wearing the same clothes, cap or sharing combs and brushes.
The most common symptoms of having lice in the scalp is itching and developing of red bumps on the scalp. Lice multiply very fast in the scalp and so it is difficult to get rid of them in a few days.
Home remedies to get rid of lice
Garlic
The strong smell of lice can suffocate the lice and kill them. Make a paste of 10-12 garlic pods and 2-3 spoons of lime juice. Apply it on the scalp and rinse it with hot water after an hour.
Another method is to combine garlic juice with some cooking oil, lemon extract, green tea and some shampoo. Coat the hair with the mixture and cover with a towel or shower cap for about 30 minutes. Then shampoo the hair.
Baby oil
This treatment for lice requires baby oil, laundry detergent and white vinegar. Baby oil has the properties to suffocate lice. Apply baby oil and comb in a way that the lice start falling down. Then wash hair with hot water and laundry detergent.
Apply some vinegar at night and leave it covered with a towel overnight. Wash in the morning with normal shampoo. Repeat this process for 3-4 days to gain maximum results.
Olive oil
It will smother and kill lice. Apply olive oil at night and wrap the head with a towel or wear a shower cap. Comb out the tiny parasites and wash hair with herbal based shampoo which contains Tree oil.
Another method is to mix one cup of olive oil with one cup of liquid soap. Apply this on the scalp and then rinse it with a conditioner after one hour. Comb out the dead lice.
Salt
This eradicates lice through desiccation. Make a mixture of salt and vinegar. Spray it over the head. Cover with a shower cap and leave it for about two hours. Then shampoo and condition the hair.
Petroleum jelly
It has a stifling effect on roaming lice. Apply a thick layer of petroleum jelly at night and cover it with a towel. Remove the petroleum jelly with baby oil in the morning. Comb the lice out. Repeat the process daily for some time.
Tree tea oil
It is a natural insecticide that is effective in getting rid of lice. Make a mixture of tree tea oil, natural shampoo and coconut or olive oil. Apply on the scalp and rinse it with hot water after 30 minutes. Comb wet habit to remove dead lice.
Coconut oil
It stops the movement of the line on the scalp which prevents them from multiplying. Apply apple cider vinegar and let it dry.
Saturate the head with oil, wrap it in a towel and leave it overnight. Shampoo and comb wet hair in the morning. Lice can be fully eradicated by continuing this process daily.
White vinegar
This contains acetic acid, which can destroy lice. Saturate the scalp with a diluted solution of vinegar and water. Wrap a towel around the hair and leave it for two hours. Dip the comb in vinegar and comb the hair in parts.
Sesame seed oil
Its high in antibacterial, antifungal and natural insecticide properties. It is also helpful in getting rid of lice.
Prepare a mixture by mixing together one-fourth cup of sesame seed oil, one-eighth cup of need oil, one teaspoon of tea tree oil, one-half teaspoon of eucalyptus and rosemary essential oils, and about 10 drops of lavender essential oil.
Firstly rinse the head with apple cider vinegar. Dry the hair and then apply the solution and leave it overnight covered in a towel. Comb the dead lice out and then shampoo normally.
Mayonnaise
The viscosity properties in mayonnaise can suffocate live lice. Apply a thick layer of full-fat mayonnaise on the scalp and keep it wrapped in a towel for 8-10 hours. Then shampoo and remove the remaining lice. Repeat the process daily for a week for positive results.
Conclusion
Home remedies for removal of lice are mild, slow and permanent. They do not contain any harsh chemicals that would harm the scalp. They are for kids and young children.
