How to Get Rid of Head Lice:10 Natural Remedies

Head lice can be a frustrating and uncomfortable problem to deal with, especially for parents of school-aged children. These tiny parasites are notoriously difficult to eliminate and can quickly spread from person to person. Fortunately, there are effective ways to eliminate these pesky bugs and prevent them from returning.

In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about how to get rid of head lice, including common signs and symptoms, the best treatment options, and preventative measures you can take to keep them at bay.

From natural remedies to over-the-counter products, we’ll provide you with all the information you need to tackle this problem head-on and keep your family lice-free. So if you’re ready to say goodbye to those pesky critters, keep reading!

What Are Head Lice?

Head lice are tiny insects that live on the scalp and feed on human blood. They are a common problem among children and spread quickly from person to person. Head lice are not dangerous and don’t spread disease.

However, they can cause itchiness and discomfort. Head lice are visible to the naked eye and move quickly. They lay their eggs, known as nits, near the scalp. The eggs are small, oval-shaped, and yellow or white. Nits stick to the hair shaft and are very difficult to remove.

Head lice are highly contagious and can be spread easily from person to person, especially amongst children in school, or through sharing personal items such as hats or brushes.

How to Identify Head Lice?

Head lice are tiny parasitic insects that feed on human blood. They can be tough to identify as they are small, but there are some tell–tale signs that you may have an infestation.

Look closely at the scalp: Part of the hair, and check for small, white, oval–shaped eggs (nits) attached to the hair shaft. Nits are small, oval-shaped eggs that are often white or yellow and are attached to the hair shaft close to the scalp. Live lice are gray or tan and move quickly.

Check for intense itching: Head lice infestations can cause intense itching due to an allergic reaction to their saliva. Look for red bumps or sores on the scalp.

Check for lice in other parts of the body: Head lice can live in other areas, including the neck, behind the ears, and near the temples.

Symptoms of Head Lice

The most common symptom of head lice is an itchy scalp. This is due to an allergic reaction to the saliva of the lice. Other symptoms include red bumps on the scalp, neck, and shoulders, visible lice or nits on the hair shafts, and an increased feeling of something moving on the scalp.

Head lice can be spread through contact with an infested person’s hair. They can also be spread indirectly through shared items such as hats, combs, and brushes. It is important to check for head lice regularly and treat any infestations promptly.

10 Natural Home Remedies to Get Rid of Head Lice

1. Oil and Comb

• 1. Wash your hair with regular shampoo and conditioner. Make sure to remove any product build-up or dirt from the hair.
• 2. Apply a generous amount of mineral oil or baby oil to the entire scalp. Massage it into the scalp and cover every strand of hair.
• 3. Cover your head with a shower cap and leave it on for at least 6 hours or overnight. The oil will smother the lice and make them easier to remove.
• 4. After the waiting period, remove the shower cap and wash the hair with a lice shampoo. Rinse the hair thoroughly.
• 5. Comb the hair with a lice comb. Start from the scalp and work your way out. Make sure to comb through the entire length of the hair.
• 6. Dip the lice comb in hot water after each combing session to kill any lice that have been removed.
• 7. Repeat the combing session daily for at least 10 days to ensure all the lice are removed.
• 8. Wash the comb in hot water and dry it thoroughly after each use to prevent reinfestation.
• 9. Wash bedding and clothing in hot water to prevent re-infestation.
• 10. Vacuum carpets and furniture to remove any lice eggs.

2. Hot Oil Treatment

• 1. Gather the supplies. You will need hot oil, a shower cap or plastic wrap, a towel, and combs.
• 2. Heat the oil. Heat the oil to a temperature that is comfortable to touch.
• 3. Apply the oil. Apply the hot oil to the scalp and hair. Use a comb to distribute the oil evenly.
• 4. Cover the head. Cover the head with either a shower cap or plastic wrap. The wrap will help to keep the oil in place and ensure that it penetrates deep into the scalp.
• 5. Leave the oil on for 15-20 minutes. Leave the oil on for 15-20 minutes to allow for the oil to penetrate the scalp and hair.
• 6. Wash the oil out. Wash the oil out of the hair with a shampoo.
• 7. Comb out the lice. Use a comb to comb out the lice and nits.
• 8. Repeat the process. Repeat the hot oil treatment two or three times a week for several weeks until the lice are gone.

3. Pyrethrum

• 1. Purchase pyrethrum as a powder, liquid, or spray.
• 2. Before using the pyrethrum, wash the hair with a gentle shampoo and rinse well.
• 3. If using a powder, apply it directly to the scalp and massage it. Leave it on for 10 minutes before rinsing.
• 4. If using a liquid or spray, apply it to the scalp and massage it. Leave it on for 10 minutes before rinsing.
• 5. Rinse the scalp with warm water and towel dry.
• 6. Comb the hair with a fine-toothed comb to remove any lice or nits.
• 7. Repeat the treatment weekly for at least two weeks to ensure all lice and nits are removed.
• 8. If necessary, use a natural conditioner after the treatment to help keep the scalp and hair moisturized.

4. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is an effective way to get rid of head lice. The acidic nature of the vinegar helps to loosen the grip of the lice on the hair shafts, making it easier to remove them. Additionally, it can help to kill the lice by cutting off their oxygen supply.

• 1. Start by washing your hair with your regular shampoo and conditioner.
• 2. Rinse the hair thoroughly and then towel dry.
• 3. Prepare a mixture of equal parts of apple cider vinegar and warm water.
• 4. Pour the mixture over your head, ensuring it covers the scalp and all hair, from root to tip.
• 5. Massage the mixture into the scalp and allow it to sit for 15-20 minutes.
• 6. Rinse the hair with warm water and gently comb it with a fine-toothed comb to remove any nits or lice.
• 7. Repeat this process once a week for at least six weeks.
• 8. To prevent the lice from returning, mix 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with 8 ounces of water in a spray bottle and spray it on your hair every morning.
• 9. If the lice persist, consult your doctor about other treatment options.

5. Apply Essential Oils

• 1. Start by selecting your essential oil. Tea tree oil, rosemary oil, and lavender oil are some of the best essential oils for treating head lice.
• 2. Measure the essential oil you will need for your treatment. You should use 5-10 drops of essential oil for every 15 ml carrier oil.
• 3. Mix the essential oil and carrier oil. You can use a few carrier oils, such as coconut oil, jojoba oil, or almond oil.
• 4. Apply the mixture to your scalp, covering all the affected areas.
• 5. Massage the mixture into your scalp and the affected areas for several minutes. This will help ensure the essential oils reach all the lice and eggs.
• 6. Cover your head with a shower cap for about 15 minutes. This will help to ensure that the essential oils can penetrate the lice and eggs.
• 7. Rinse off the mixture with a mild shampoo.
• 8. Comb your hair with a fine-toothed lice comb to remove any remaining lice or eggs.
• 9. Repeat the procedure until all lice and eggs are removed.
• 10. Wash your bedding, clothing, and other items with hot water to help prevent the spread of lice.

6. Lime Juice

• 1. Mix fresh lime juice into a bowl or other container.
• 2. Dip a cotton ball or Q-tip into the lime juice, and apply it directly onto the scalp.
• 3. Massage the lime juice into the scalp and hair until completely saturated.
• 4. Let the lime juice sit on the scalp and hair for an hour, then rinse it with warm water.
• 5. Comb through the hair with a fine-toothed lice comb to remove any remaining lice and eggs.
• 6. Repeat the process daily for at least a week to ensure all the lice and eggs are gone.
• 7. After the treatment, regularly use a lice comb to check for any remaining lice or eggs. Using lime juice is an easy and safe way to treat head lice.

7. White Vinegar

• 1. Begin by combing the hair with fine-toothed lice comb to remove any visible lice or nits.
• 2. Fill a spray bottle with a mixture of white vinegar and water in a ratio of 1:1.
• 3. Spray the mixture onto the scalp and hair and massage it into the hair.
• 4. Leave the mixture on the hair for 15 minutes.
• 5. Rinse the hair with warm water.
• 6. Comb through the hair with the lice comb to remove any remaining lice or nits.
• 7. Repeat the process every day for at least a week to ensure all lice and nits are removed.
• 8. After the treatment, wash your hair with shampoo and conditioner.
• 9. Dry your hair completely with a towel.
• 10. Repeat the treatment as necessary.

8. Baby Oil

• 1: Begin by combing your child’s hair with a fine-toothed nit comb. This will help to remove any existing lice or eggs.
• 2: Part the hair into sections and apply a generous amount of baby oil to each section. Make sure the baby oil is applied evenly and thoroughly.
• 3: Put on a shower cap or plastic bag. This will help keep the baby oil in place and prevent it from dripping onto furniture or clothing.
• 4: Leave the baby oil in the hair for at least four hours or overnight.
• 5: After the recommended time, remove the shower cap or plastic bag and rinse the baby oil out of the hair with lukewarm water.
• 6: Reapply the baby oil, if necessary, and repeat the process until all the lice and eggs are gone.
• 7: After each treatment, thoroughly wash bedding, towels, and clothing that may have come into contact with the lice or eggs.

9.  Salt

• 1. Start by combing the hair with a fine-toothed comb to remove tangles.
• 2. Wet the hair with warm water and apply a generous amount of salt to the scalp and hair strands.
• 3. Once the salt is in place, massage the scalp and hair for 10 minutes. The salt should coat all of the hair strands.
• 4. After 10 minutes, put on a shower cap or plastic bag and leave the salt in the hair for at least an hour.
• 5. After the hour is up, rinse the hair with warm water.
• 6. Comb the hair again with a fine-toothed comb to remove the dead lice and nits.
• 7. Repeat the process at least once a week for a few weeks until all the lice and nits are gone.
• 8. To prevent head lice from returning, use a lice comb regularly and avoid sharing hats, combs, and other items with others who could have lice.

10. Tree Tea Oil

• 1. Start by buying pure tree tea oil, which can be purchased at most health food stores or online.
• 2. Make sure that your hair is completely dry.
• 3. Part your hair into small sections and apply a few drops of tree tea oil onto each section. Make sure to massage the oil into the scalp.
• 4. Put on a shower cap and leave it on for two hours.
• 5. Remove the shower cap and wash your hair with gentle shampoo after two hours.
• 6. Comb out the lice and eggs with a lice comb.
• 7. Repeat the process if necessary.
• 8. To prevent a reinfestation, dry your bedding, clothing, and any other items that may have come into contact with the lice in a hot dryer for at least 20 minutes.
• 9. Vacuum your carpets and furniture to remove any remaining lice or eggs.
• 10. Finally, wash any items that can’t be dried in hot water and detergent.

How to Prevent head lice in the future?

1. Avoid close head contact with other people. Head lice are highly contagious and spread through direct contact with infested hair. Avoiding close contact with other people, such as sharing hats, scarves, and hairbrushes can help reduce the risk of head lice transmission.

2. Use a lice-repellent spray. Many over-the-counter lice-repellent sprays are available. These sprays contain natural or synthetic ingredients that repel lice from the hair.

3. Check your hair regularly. Regularly inspecting your and your child’s hair for head lice can help you catch an infestation before it spreads. Check your hair at least once a week.

4. Don’t share items used on the head. Items such as hats, hairbands, helmets, and hairbrushes should not be shared with other people. This is especially important in households with multiple children.

5. Wash items that come into contact with the head. Items such as hats, pillows, and bedding should be washed regularly. This helps remove any lice or eggs that become attached to them.

6. Vacuum carpets and furniture regularly. Vacuuming carpets and furniture regularly can help remove lice or eggs trapped in them. It’s also important to vacuum areas where an infested person has recently been.

7. Use a lice comb. A Lice comb is a small, fine-toothed comb that can remove lice and eggs from the hair. Comb the hair thoroughly, paying special attention to the scalp and behind the ears.

8. Avoid tight hairstyles. Tight hairstyles, such as braids and buns, can make it easier for lice to attach to the hair. Avoiding these styles can help reduce the risk of head lice.

9. Wear a hat or scarf. Wearing a hat or scarf outdoors can help protect the hair from touching lice-infested items or surfaces.