In this article, we will share some effective home remedies to get rid of head lice. Head lice infestation is a common problem among people. These small wingless creatures live near the scalp of a person’s head. Head lice are about 1.6 mm long. They lay their eggs on the human’s scalp and require blood to survive. Head lice are generally found in children’s heads aged between 3-14 years. Once they fall down from your head they cannot survive. It is easily spread from one person to another through close contact with contaminated hair, comb, pillows, bed-covers, brushes and clothing. There are various symptoms like itchiness in scalp, feeling that something is crawling on the head, red bulges on scalp, etc. which can indicate that head lice are residing on your scalp. It is not related to personal hygiene in any way. Luckily, there are several natural home remedies available which can help you get rid of head lice.
Natural Ways to Get Rid of Head Lice:
1) Coconut Oil to Get Rid of Head Lice
Coconut oil is full of anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-microbial properties. It is good for your hair and scalp. It can effectively be used to get rid of head lice. It can suffocate the head lice to death and prevent their further infestation. For this, take three tablespoons of coconut oil and warm it up. Add a little camphor to it. Use it to massage your head. With a shower cap cover your head. Leave it overnight. Wash your head with a shampoo in the morning. Comb your hair with a nit comb. Most of the lice will come out of your head. Repeat the process for a week and it will surely help you get rid of head lice.
2) Vinegar to Remove Head Lice
Vinegar is a form of acetic acid. Due to its acidic nature, it can eliminate head lice completely from your head. Vinegar has the power to successfully kill the head lice and it can also dissolve nits. For this, you need a tablespoon of vinegar and an equal amount of mineral oil. Massage your head with this solution and leave it overnight. Cover your head with a shower cap. Wash your head next day with the shampoo. You can also mix water and vinegar to form a diluted solution. Use it to rinse your hair after shampooing. Repeat the process for a week and you will get rid of head lice.
3) Onions to Treat Head Lice
Onion is an important ingredient which is useful in many home remedies. It is rich in sulphur-content. This property can be helpful in killing head lice. For this, blend 2-3 onions and take out its juice. You can massage your head with this juice. Cover your head with a shower cap. Leave it for 2 hours. After that, you may wash your head with your regular shampoo. Comb your hair with a nit comb. Repeat the process 3-4 times a week to get rid of head lice.
4) Indian Lilac (Neem) to Kill Head Lice
Neem can be used for an effective treatment of head lice. It has all the properties of an insecticide. It is moisturising in nature so it may prevent dryness in your scalp and heal the scalp irritations as well. For this, take 10-15 leaves of neem. Make a paste using some water. Apply this paste to your scalp. Leave it to dry. Wash it off with shampoo. Repeat the process for 2 times a week for a month. You will be amazed to see the results. You can also use neem oil to massage your head. In other way, you may apply neem seeds paste on your scalp to get rid of head lice.
5) Apple Cider Vinegar to Get Rid of Head Lice
Out of its various benefits, one of them is treatment of head lice. Apple cider vinegar is anti-bacterial in nature and hence can be used to kill the head lice and loosen the nits. For this, mix equal proportions of water and apple cider vinegar. Use this solution to rinse off your hair after shampooing. Using a nit comb you can easily take out head lice from your head.
6) Tea Tree Oil to Remove Head Lice
Tea tree oil is very much beneficial to get rid of head lice. It is also a natural insecticide. It can kill head lice and can soothe your scalp from itching. For this, mix 2-3 drops of tea tree oil in your shampoo and wash your hair with it. Now, comb your hair with a nit comb. You may add 1 teaspoon of tea tree oil to 3 teaspoon of olive oil. Add 1 teaspoon of eucalyptus oil to it. Massage your hair with this mixture. After 20-30 minutes, wash your hair with shampoo. Comb your hair with a nit comb. Repeat it 2-3 times a week for two months. You will be happy to see the results.
7) Mayonnaise to Kill Head Lice
Mayonnaise can be safely used for the treatment of head lice. It can easily suffocate the head lice to death. For this, coat a thick layer of mayonnaise on your head. Cover your head with a shower cap. You may even wrap a towel over the cap. Leave it for 5-6 hours. After that, wash your hair with shampoo. Comb your hair with nit comb. Repeat the process once a week for two months.
8) Lemon Juice to Treat Head Lice
Lemon Juice is acidic in nature and hence it can help you get rid of head lice. It is very effective in preventing infestation. For this, take out 2-3 tablespoons of lemon juice. Apply this to your scalp using your fingers. Leave it for half an hour. Wash it off with shampoo using lukewarm water. To get rid of head lice, repeat this process once a week. You can try another method in which you need 2-3 tablespoon of lemon juice. Mix it with 3-4 cloves of crushed garlic. Apply this paste to your scalp and massage your head. Leave it for an hour with your head covered with a towel. Wash your head with shampoo. Repeat this process for 5-6 days to kill all the head lice.
9) Petroleum Jelly to Kill Head Lice
Petroleum jelly can help in suffocating the head lice to death by clogging their breathing holes. For this, apply a coat of petroleum jelly on your scalp. Leave it overnight. Use baby oil to remove jelly. Wash your head with shampoo. Repeat the process once a week for a month.
10) Almonds to Treat Head Lice
Almonds are very effective in the treatment of head lice. Soak some almonds in water for overnight. Grind it to make a thick paste. Mix 3 tablespoons of lemon juice to it. Apply this to your scalp. After two hours, you can wash your head with shampoo. Repeat this process once a week.