Quick question – have you ever suffered from a head lice infestation? If you have, you know exactly how annoying it can be! The consistent itching and discomfort – not to mention the embarrassment! Head lice is an inconvenience not only for the person affected but also for the people around him/her. Besides, lice aren’t limited to the head – there are also body lice and pubic lice. While pubic and body lice are a result of poor hygiene and lack of personal care, hair lice can happen to anyone. While there are many over the counter solutions for it, we’ve been on the lookout for some natural home remedies to get rid of head lice.

How does head lice spread?

Lice are insects that affix themselves onto your hair, feed on your blood, and it’s very easy for them to spread. You can get infected with head lice lice simply by being in contact with a person carrying these parasites. It could while playing sports, having a sleepover or just hanging out. Sharing personal care objects like brushes or clothing with an infected person can also make you prone to infestation. As expected, school children are the most prone to getting head lice, but if left untreated, the whole family will soon be scratching their heads!You will know that your head has been infested by lice when your scalp is itchy with red bumps. One way to get rid of them is to comb them out. However, that is a long and tiring process and would need several trials to get them all out completely. So let’s take a look at some simple but effective home remedies that can solve this problem.

5 Home Remedies To Get Rid Of Head Lice

1. Olive Oil

Olive oil is an effective solution when it comes to killing those nasty head lice. Apply olive oil generously all over your scalp before going to bed and leave it on overnight. You can use a towel or shower cap to prevent staining and ensure that the lice are smothered and killed. Comb out the parasites the next morning and make sure to follow up by washing your hair with a mild herbal shampoo. Another option is to mix it with your conditioner and add some liquid soap to it. Apply this mixture to your hair and leave it on for an hour or so. Rinse it out and reapply some conditioner. Again, comb your hair out to remove the dead lice. Repeat the procedure after a week for as many times as required.

2. Coconut Oil

Dealing with head lice is a painful experience, and hence, using mild ingredients will avoid making your scalp feel rough and bumpy. Coconut oil helps get rid of lice and also soothes the scalp. All you need to do is warm up the oil and apply it generously on the scalp. Massage it well for a while and cover your head with a shower cap. Leave it on for a couple of hours and later comb thoroughly with a good nit comb to remove dead lice and even the eggs. After that, shampoo and condition as usual. Once your hair is dry again, repeat the process. Go for another round of warm coconut oil over your scalp and cover it again, but this time, leave it on overnight, then comb and rinse off again next morning.

3. Garlic

Strong scents can suffocate and kill lice immediately. And garlic is one of the strongest smelling ingredients. Grind about 7-8 garlic cloves into a paste and mix along with a couple of teaspoons of lime juice. Apply the solution thoroughly onto your scalp. Leave it on for less than an hour and rinse your hair with hot water. You can also create a thick paste with garlic juice, some lemon extract, and green tea along with shampoo and conditioner. This pungent smelling mixture is one of the best remedies to kill those nasty lice. Apply this solution on your scalp and cover it for a while. Wash it off with a mild shampoo. Repeat the remedy until you see good results.

4. Vinegar

Another trusted ingredient that can help in getting rid of head lice is plain vinegar. The acetic acid content in vinegar helps to separate the bond of the lice with the hair. It is quite simple to use – just mix vinegar with water and apply over the infested scalp. Wrap your head in a towel or shower cap and leave it on for over 30 minutes. All you have to do next is comb your hair to get rid of the dead lice. Follow up by rinsing your hair thoroughly using a herbal shampoo. Another ingredient that gives you similar results is apple cider vinegar. Repeat the procedure weekly for as long as required as it also improves the hair texture.

5. Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil has insecticidal properties, with studies showing that a 1% solution of tea tree oil can wipe out 100% head lice in just half an hour. You can use this oil after ensuring that it won’t cause allergies by doing a patch test. Apply a few drops on your scalp and let it sit overnight. You can also mix the essential oil with a carrier oil like coconut oil. Leave the oil in overnight and comb through the next morning with a lice comb. Repeat this a few times a week.

Nothing is more painfully annoying than lice infesting your scalp. Always look out for symptoms so that you can tackle them quickly – the earlier you act, the more effective the treatment. These home remedies to get rid of head lice are quick and easy to use. However, they may take more time than chemical solutions to show results, so patience is key! Even if you have to carry out the procedure for weeks and repeat it continuously, just keep at it until you can enjoy complete freedom from these nasty pests!

Author:

Nisha has a great passion for writing and loves the idea of sharing. She has written many articles on yoga, fitness, wellness, remedies and beauty. She keeps reading articles on different blogs that gives a kick to her passion and provides her with different ideas. She believes in growing a little every day and gaining mastery in writing appealing articles. She is a regular contributor to StyleCraze.com other popular websites.