Dealing with lice can be a real nuisance, especially when you’re trying to tackle it naturally. But fear not! Here, we’ve rounded up some fast and effective home remedies to kick those pesky critters to the curb without harsh chemicals or treatments. From vinegar rinses to essential oil blends, we’ve got you covered.
Understanding Lice
Lice are tiny parasites that infest the scalp and hair, feeding on blood from the scalp. They reproduce quickly, making early detection crucial. But don’t panic! With the right approach, you can eliminate them naturally and effectively.
Who Gets Lice?
Head lice infest anywhere from six to 12 million children ages three to 11 every year, according to the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control. Though young children are most affected, anyone can get head lice.
Head-to-head contact is the main way head lice spreads. Close contact often happens during play at school, at home, sports activities, and slumber parties. In the age of group selfies, head lice have been known to spread among teens while huddling to take pictures or look at screens. Less common is infestation through the sharing of clothing, hats, towels, hair ribbons, combs, brushes, and pillows.
What do Lice Look Like?
Head lice are about the size of a sesame seed. They live in human hair and on the scalp and feed on small amounts of blood from the scalp. They can reproduce very quickly, which is why early detection is vital.
Their life cycle comes in three stages. The adult lice lay their eggs — called nits — on strands of hair, close to the scalp. It takes eight to nine days for nits, which look like white to yellow-brown specks, to hatch into nymphs. It takes nine to 12 days for nymphs to become adult lice. A female louse can lay up to 10 eggs per day.
Home Remedies for Lice
Step 1: Vinegar Wash
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup of warm water
Preparation: Mix vinegar with warm water, apply to scalp, and cover with a cap for 30 minutes. Then, shampoo as usual.
Step 2: Essential Oils
Ingredients:
- 50 mL coconut oil
- 2-3 drops tea-tree oil
- 2-3 drops ylang-ylang oil
- 50 mL apple cider vinegar
Preparation: Blend oils, apply to hair, leave for 20 minutes, then shampoo.
Step 3: Fine-Tooth Comb
The third step is to run a fine-tooth comb through your whole hair, going through each section carefully to make sure that every part of your hair gets thoroughly visualized and combed.
Instead of using a fine-tooth comb, you can also use an electric lice comb on dry hair, which is even more efficient in detecting and eliminating lice. This comb makes a continuous sound while it is turned on and a more intense and higher-pitched sound when it detects a louse. The electric comb emits an ultrasound frequency that is not sensed by the person but is lethal to lice.
Step 4: Hot Water Wash
Lice can be transmitted through brushes, combs, hats, pillowcases or bed sheets. Therefore, it is very important to wash these objects frequently, to avoid a new infestation or transmission of the parasite to another person.
All objects that have been in contact with affected scalps (such as bed sheets, blankets, clothes, soft toys, hair bands and ties, hats, caps, carpets, pillow cases, and sofa covers) need to be washed in hot water at a temperature over 140°F or 60°C to kill the lice.
Step 5: Repeat Treatment
Lice have a 9-day life cycle, so repeat these steps after 9 days to ensure complete elimination.
Conclusion
With these natural remedies, you can bid farewell to lice without harsh chemicals or treatments. Remember to be thorough and consistent in your approach for the best results.
FAQs
1. Can adults get lice too?
Yes, lice don’t discriminate based on age. Anyone can get them.
2. How long does it take to get rid of lice naturally?
With consistent treatment, you can eliminate lice within a few weeks.
3. Are these remedies safe for children?
Absolutely! These remedies are safe and gentle enough for children.
4. Can I prevent lice infestations?
While it’s challenging to prevent entirely, avoiding head-to-head contact and sharing personal items can help reduce the risk.
5. Do lice carry diseases?
Contrary to popular belief, lice themselves don’t carry diseases, but excessive scratching can lead to infections.