Head Lice infestation, although common and relatively harmless, can cause significant discomfort among children Even though there are so many over-the-counter types of remedies and a list of procedures offered by professional estheticians, they can be too aggressive or expensive at times. 

In this article, we will cover some of the effective solutions that are harmless and can be used at home just as well. However, knowledge of these methods and correct application can be helpful in reducing the disturbance caused by head lice as well as providing relief promptly.

What causes head lice?

Head lice infestations are caused by the Pediculus humanus capitis insect. These insects are very small and they feed on the blood of humans, while laying their eggs called nits at the base of the scalp. The fallacy behind the phenomenon is associating a head lice infection with personal cleanliness.

Direct head to head contact is the primary mode of lice transmission; therefore, children and nearby family members are at greatest risk. Transmission can also occur during the sharing of personal items such as combs, hats or pillows which were used by someone infected with lice. 

But it should be remembered that lice cannot jump or fly; they crawl, and so the difference between people with head lice clearly is not far apart from each other. The head lice infestations mostly affect the children of school age due to their living together in schools.

Home remedies that work in treating lice on heads

Vinegar

Vinegar has a quick benefit that it can be used as a non-toxic disinfectant. It has acetic acid in it, which can kill lice and also help to lose its hold on the hair follicles that make them easier to eliminate. For vinegar treatment of lice, mix equal parts with water and apply the mixture to hair and scalp. Let it sit for one hour and thereafter wash it away completely. You should brush the hair using a fine-toothed comb for removal of dead lice and eggs. Do this every second or third day until all lice are destroyed.

Olive Oil

Head lice can be suffocated and killed with olive oil. It also helps in moisturizing the head, preventing its itchiness and irritability. In order to apply olive oil for lice, it should be warmed and a small amount is applied all over the scalp as well on hair in such a way that it reaches an area packed. Leave this on overnight, rinse within the morning using regular shampoo. Follow this process for one week to ensure that all lice and eggs are dead.

Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is a strong herbal insect repellent and germicide. It has the ability to kill head lice and it can also calm nerves in the scalp. However, considering its strength, it should never be directly applied to the skin. As an alternative, blend several drops of tea tree oil with a carrier oil like olive or coconut and put on the combination to scalp as well hair. Allow it to stay on for one hour, and you can remove the mixture by rinsing them away at combed with a louse comb. Repeat this exercise on an everyday basis until completely treated from lice.

Garlic

Garlic contains strong antimicrobial agents which can eliminate the lice. To treat lice, crush eight to ten cloves of garlic and mix them with three tablespoons of lime juice. Then, apply the mix to the scalp and keep it for one hour before washing with warm water. Do this twice every week until the lice disappear.

Neem Oil

Neem oil can be used against lice to stop the itching. It also adds to no ability of lice laying eggs and thus assists in alleviating the spreading. For lice treatment with needed oil, formulate it in the carrier oil and apply it on the scalp and hair. Keep it for one hour and rinse the comb carefully. Do this treatment every day until after some time lice are all gone and it should take about five to ten days.

Mayonnaise

Mayonnaise or oil as a mixture will suffocate lice, and the greasiness of mayonnaise makes it hard for them to hold onto hair. To use mayonnaise as a head lice treatment, start by covering your scalp and hair with it in thick layers. Keep it overnight and rinse with normal shampoo in the morning. Carry on doing this daily for a week to make certain that all the lice and eggs are dead.

When should one look for professional help with head lice?

Home treatment can be successful in managing head lice infestation, proper professional intervention is necessary if the parasitic insects prevail despite these attempts or cause a scalp infection due to severe itching. Head lice are highly infectious and can escalate at a fast rate thus the need to address it in good time using effective strategies.

It is where professional treatments help you with faster solutions. Professional treatment includes powerful prescription medications all for the purpose of clearing lice and their eggs. You can use these professional products for quick and better results as compared to treating the same at home. They should be used with the supervision of a healthcare giver, to guarantee that they are safe and effective. Moreover, a professional is able to give recommendations on how this issue can be avoided in the future like not sharing hair accessories and checking regular for lice.

To summarize, take advantage of the home remedies described above to treat head lice successfully and consider professional treatment if required. It is possible to manage lice infractions and eradicate them completely with adequate care. Moreover, learning about preventing and detecting lice can prevent a similar infection later. However, it is important to keep in mind that the advice of a healthcare provider’s guidance is necessary whenever one requires knowing what is the best solution that works for them for treating head lice.

The post Effective Ways to Treat Head Lice at Home appeared first on Indian Parenting Blog.