Lice are microscopic insects that feed on human blood, typically infesting head hair but also pubic hair, eyelashes, and brows. Adult lice are 2–3 millimetres long and lay eggs close to the skin, leading to rapid infestations. Effective hair lice treatment requires removing both lice and their eggs. If a hair lice treatment fails to eliminate the eggs, it must be repeated once they hatch. There are various OTC treatments and home remedies to kill head lice. However, if you have a sensitive skin, you should consult a doctor, before using any home remedies for hair lice treatment. Lets explore the some simple, safe, yet effective hair lice treatment methods at home.
Effective Suggested Home Remedies for Lice
Essential oils are substances that have therapeutic properties. It has been shown in a few small clinical investigations that certain natural plant oils may harm lice and their eggs. Among these products are tea tree oil, lavender oil, and anise essential oil.
The home remedies for lice treatment also include a few ingredients which are not as effective but can be used as temporary lice treatments such as mayonnaise, petroleum jelly, etc.
List of 6 Home Remedies For Head Lice Treatment
- Anise essential oil
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Petroleum jelly
- Mayonnaise
- Tea tree oil
- Other lice treatments
1. Anise Essential Oil
Anise oil has the potential to cover and kill lice. Even though other natural therapies were frequently effective, anise oil is considered to completely remove lice. People who tried various herbal medicines usually had re-infestations within a few months.
2. Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Olive oil has comparable properties to anise oil in terms of potentially smothering lice and stopping them from returning. People looking for a highly efficient home lice treatment should consider combining olive oil with anise oil. Olive oil may have further hair and scalp advantages.
3. Petroleum Jelly
By suffocating the insects and probably their eggs, petroleum jelly can kill lice. Petroleum jelly is greasy and messy, and removing it may necessitate multiple washing. It may, however, be a successful choice for persons who have treatment-resistant lice or are allergic to lice shampoos. One advantage of using coconut oil and anise is that the effects are physical rather than neurological, which means that lice are unlikely to develop resistance to the treatment. The treatment causes the lice’s waxy outer coat to dry out, causing dehydration and death.
4. Mayonnaise
It is said that mayonnaise suffocates lice and makes it simpler to remove them from the hair. Some people believe eating mayonnaise can help relieve the itching and scalp irritation caused by lice. mayonnaise kills or treats lice, certainly has no proof. While this home cure is likely to be safe, it is also likely to be messy and inconvenient.
5. Tea Tree Oil
Because of its antibacterial characteristics, tea tree oil is a popular home cure for a variety of skin ailments. Tea tree oil as a cure for head lice has been found the medication to be less successful and time-consuming. In addition, tea tree oil can irritate the skin and cause a rash or itching.
6. Other Lice Treatments
Herbalists and supporters of natural therapies claim that a variety of items, including garlic, thyme oil, and sesame oil, can treat head lice. However, there is little, if any, scientific data to back up their effect. Garlic has been found in studies to have limited benefits as a treatment for lice infestations. While thyme and sesame oils did help at first, people who used them frequently had the infestation return. Anise and coconut oils were more effective as head lice treatments.
Lice are not normally dangerous but extremely contagious. Anyone can become infected with them and this infestation can be unpleasant, and because they are very contagious, it is critical to seek treatment as soon as possible. A person’s lice infestation may not necessarily indicate poor hygiene or other health problems.
If you need assistance making treatment decisions, consult with your doctor or another healthcare expert. Before treating a lice infestation, anyone with a weakened immune system, a history of severe skin reactions, or previous experience with treatment-resistant lice should consult with a healthcare expert.
Do Lice Treatment at Home Have Any Effect?
The effectiveness of home cures for lice is being studied. Some home cures, such as coconut oil or anise oil, may be useful. Home remedies for lice can be effective or ineffective. One big worry with home remedies for lice is that they may not be effective in permanently eliminating lice. A study of various natural therapies discovered that lice infestations returned in the majority of instances within 2–8 weeks of therapy.
How to Get Rid of Lice Eggs in Your Hair?
There are a few things that can be done to treat a head lice infestation at home. Look for shampoos or lotions containing pyrethrin (or its synthetic version, permethrin). These chemicals are toxic to head lice and their eggs.
Useivermectin lotion, available over-the-counter. Along with using OTC shampoos and lotions, use a fine-toothed nit comb to comb through wet hair. It will help eradicate lice and some nits. During a session, comb the entire head thoroughly from the scalp to the hair ends, twice as often as normal. This treatment should be repeated every 3 to 4 days for at least 2 weeks after no further lice are identified.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Products with specific insecticides, such as pyrethrin or permethrin, work quickly and effectively to kill lice. Moreover, using a fine-toothed comb to manually remove lice and their eggs and home remedies for lice can aid in their rapid elimination.
Head lice home treatment can be done by using a shampoo or lotion for treating lice. Take the products available over-the-counter or through a prescription that contains insecticides like pyrethrin or permethrin. Carefully follow the directions and apply the product to dry hair, making sure that the entire root to tip is covered. After applying the medication, run a fine-toothed lice comb to get rid of the lice and their eggs. Carry on this procedure regularly to make sure all lice and their eggs are gone.
Home remedies for lice also includes coconut oil. It can kill lice by suffocating them, but it might not be as successful in totally eliminating lice infestations as more the insecticidal treatments.
One of the home remedies for lice removal is using hot water. Lice and their eggs can be killed by hot water. Lice can be removed from clothing, bedding, and personal things by washing them in hot water (over 54.4°C). For complete eradication, hot water treatment must be used along with other lice treatment at home.
Although the acidic property of lemon juice might be able to suffocate or dehydrate lice, this is not considered as a approved method of lice elimination. For successful lice removal, it is advised to use medically approved shampoos and lotions for lice.
While head lice are more common in children, it’s still possible for adults, including those in their twenties, to get head lice.
Men can indeed be affected by head lice, just like women. The key is to recognize the symptoms (itching, lice, and nits) and seek appropriate treatment.
Yes, neem is commonly used for head lice treatment. Its natural properties, including insecticidal effects, can help combat lice. Neem oil or neem-based shampoos are often recommended for head lice treatment.
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