KESEHATAN
Head lice are tiny parasites that live on the scalp and hair shafts where they feed on blood. It is a common problem among children. You can get lice by coming in contact with an infected person through play, school, sports, sleepovers and other gatherings; wearing the clothing of someone who has the parasite; sharing personal care items like brushes and combs that are contaminated; and laying on bedding that an infected person was previously laying on. Two of the most common signs of lice infestation are itching on the head and red bumps on the scalp.
As they reproduce quickly, it is very difficult to eliminate lice parasites within a few days. Combing them out can get rid of them, but it is a long and tiring process. There are several home remedies that will more effectively solve this problem.
How To Get Rid of Head Lice
1. Choose a Pediculicide (Head Lice Treatment)
Using a pediculicide is the quickest way to combat a case of head lice. Some pediculicides are formulated to kill both lice and their eggs, while others only kill crawling lice. For the latter type, a second application will be necessary. To use a pediculicide, read the instructions on the bottle carefully and take these steps. Have the person being treated put on old clothes and sit in the bathroom. This makes cleanup easier. Apply the treatment to the hair and scalp according to the instructions on the bottle.
2. Comb Out The Lice With A Nit Comb
This step helps to hasten the treatment process if you're using a pediculicide, but you can also get rid of lice using a nit comb alone. Nit combs are handy tools that are specially designed to pull out nits (eggs) and dead lice as they are combed through the hair. Divide the hair into sections. Starting at the scalp, pull the comb from the roots to the end of a section of hair. Swish the comb around in a bowl of warm, soap water. This will kill the lice and their eggs; they die quickly without a source of food. Continue combing each section of hair until all the hair has been combed. Sanitize the comb by putting it in a dish of very hot water after every use. Lice and their eggs die when exposed to temperatures of 128 °F (53 °C) for 5 minutes or longer.
3. Wash the Person's Clothes And Bedding
After this initial treatment, wash all clothes, sheets, pillowcases, stuffed animals, and any other fabrics the person has come into contact with in very hot water, then run them through a hot dryer. While lice don't live very long once they jump off a person's head, it's still important to wash everything so you can be extra sure someone else in the family won't get lice.
For items that can't be soaked in hot water, like hairbrushes and hair accessories, place them in plastic bags for at least two weeks. The lice will die without air and food.
4. Monitor The Hair For Signs of Life
After the initial treatment or combing, you'll need to diligently monitor the hair every 8 hours for signs of new life. Lice hatch in cycles, and it's almost impossible to get rid of all of them in one go. Do a thorough combing every 8 hours for the first 3 days. After that, continue checking the scalp every 16 hours and combing when necessary for the next 2 weeks.
Most lice treatments require a second application after about 10 days to kill any lice that may have hatched since the initial treatment.
Home Remedies For Head Lice
1. Vinegar
A very easy and effective treatment to eliminate head lice is vinegar. The high amount of acetic acid present in vinegar can successfully kill head lice. Plus, the vinegar helps dissolve dead nits. Mix equal amounts of vinegar and mineral oil. Apply this mixture to your scalp and hair before going to bed. Cover your head and hair with a shower cap and leave it on overnight. The next morning, wash your hair with your regular shampoo.
Alternatively, dilute vinegar with an equal amount of water and use the solution to rinse your freshly shampooed hair. Leave it on for 10 minutes, and then wash your hair again with fresh water.
Use either of these treatments two or three times a week for two months. Also, comb your hair thoroughly with a nit comb after using these remedies.
2. Coconut Oil
This kitchen staple is an excellent smothering agent and also good for your hair. Coconut oil will suffocate the lice and eventually kill them. Warm up three tablespoons of coconut oil and add a little camphor to it. Apply this oil all over your head, and massage it into your scalp. Cover your head and hair with a shower cap and leave it on overnight. The next morning, wash your hair with shampoo. When dry, comb it with a nit comb. Use this treatment daily for five days to eradicate lice.
3. Olive Oil
Olive oil will effectively smother and kill head lice. Apply any type of olive oil to your hair generously before going to bed. Put a shower cap or towel on your head to keep the oil on your hair overnight. In the morning, comb out the tiny parasites and then wash your hair with some herbal shampoo containing tea tree oil.
Another option is to mix one-half cup of olive oil with one-half cup of conditioner and add some liquid soap to it. Apply this solution onto your hair and leave it on for an hour. Then, rinse out your hair and apply conditioner. Comb your hair thoroughly to remove the dead lice. Repeat this remedy again after a week to get best results.
4. Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is a natural insecticide that can effectively kill head lice and help soothe the itching. Mix together three to five drops of oil for every one ounce of shampoo. Use the mixture to shampoo your hair. When dry, use a nit comb to remove the lice. Use this mixed shampoo for at least two months.
Alternatively, mix three tablespoons of olive oil and one teaspoon of tea tree oil. You can also add one teaspoon of eucalyptus oil. Apply the solution on your hair and scalp thoroughly. Leave it on for 20 to 30 minutes, and then shampoo your hair. Use this treatment twice a week for one to two months.
Note: Be careful when using tea tree oil as it is quite strong.
Repeat this treatment daily for one or two weeks.
5. Lemon Juice
Lemon juice can also be used to remove lice and nits from the scalp due to its acidic nature. It’s also very effective at preventing an infestation if your school or daycare has told you that lice was found on other children. Apply some fresh lemon juice to the scalp. Leave it on for 30 minutes, then rinse it off with vinegar and then with lukewarm water. Use this treatment once a week to prevent a lice problem.
To eliminate lice, add one tablespoon of fresh lemon juice to a fine paste of four large garlic cloves. Apply this mixture on the head and massage thoroughly around the scalp. Wrap the hair in a thick towel and leave it on for half an hour. Then, rinse it off with water and then wash with shampoo. Repeat for five consecutive days to kill head lice.
6. Onions
Onions can be used as a natural remedy to treat head lice. Onions are high in sulfur that kills head lice. Grind four to five onions in a blender or food processor to make a paste. Put the paste on a sieve and press it with a spoon to extract the juice. Massage your scalp with the juice, and cover your head with a shower cap. Leave it on for at least two hours. Shampoo your hair thoroughly with lukewarm water. Dry your hair and use a nit comb to remove all the head lice. Repeat this treatment for daily for three consecutive days, and then do it once a week for two months to completely eliminate head lice.
7. Garlic
The strong fragrance of garlic can suffocate lice, ultimately killing them. Grind eight to 10 garlic cloves into a paste and mix in two to three teaspoons of lime juice. Apply the mixture thoroughly onto the scalp. Leave it on for a half an hour and then rinse the hair thoroughly with hot water.
Alternatively, you can make a thick paste by combining fresh garlic juice with some cooking oil, lemon extract, green tea and some shampoo and conditioner. Coat the hair thoroughly with the paste and cover your scalp with a towel or shower cap for about a half an hour. Then wash your hair with your regular shampoo. Repeat this remedy on a weekly basis for one to two months.
8. Sesame Seed Oil
High in antibacterial, antifungal and natural insecticide properties, sesame seed oil can also be used to solve the problem of head lice. Mix together one-fourth cup of sesame seed oil, one-eighth cup of neem oil, one teaspoon of tea tree oil, one-half teaspoon of eucalyptus and rosemary essential oils, and about 10 drops of lavender essential oil. Rinse your hair with apple cider vinegar and allow it to dry. Apply the oil solution to the hair and scalp, cover with a shower cap or towel and leave it on overnight. In the morning, comb your hair thoroughly to remove the dead lice. Then shampoo normally.
9. Neem
Neem, also known as Indian lilac, is a natural insecticide that can be highly effective in the treatment of lice. It can also heal the scalp irritations caused by constant scratching on the head. Plus, it has moisturizing properties so it will not dry out the scalp. Apply a paste of neem leaves on your hair and scalp. Allow it to dry, and then rinse your hair. Do this at least twice a week for two months.
Alternatively, massage some pure neem oil onto your hair and scalp. Leave it on for at least one hour. Wash it out with shampoo. When your hair is dry, use a nit comb to remove the lice and nits. Use this treatment three times a week for one to two months. You can also grind neem seeds into a fine powder. Mix one tablespoon of the powder with enough groundnut oil to make a thick paste. Apply it on your scalp and leave it on overnight. Wash it out the next morning. Do this once a week for two months.
10. Salt
Salt can also be used to eradicate head lice through desiccation. Mix one-quarter cup of salt and one-quarter cup of vinegar thoroughly. Gently spray the solution onto your hair so that it becomes slightly wet. Put on a shower cap and leave it for about two hours. Then wash and condition your hair.
Repeat this every three days to get positive results.
