Game World!: can onions kill hair lice?

Haircare is of primary importance, especially in a hot, sultry, and tropical country like ours. Ever wondered of the fabulous results your own kitchen ingredients can offer to take care of your tresses? Let’s make you wonder again. Onions! When we say onions, you think of a wonderful pungent aroma and kick that it offers in your favourite foods. But it is an even more wonderful substance of onion for haircare. Still wondering?

Watch this video to learn more about benefits of onion for hair:

Onions are rich in substances that fight fungus and bacteria, and can keep your hair free of infections and improve hair growth.

High is sulphur content, onions help reduce breakage and thinning of hair . Sulphur is essential for regeneration of hair follicles.
Onion pulp can nourish your hair follicles and replenish the nutrients you have lost from your scalp.
The antibacterial and antifungal properties help to prevent and treat scalp infections. A healthier scalp will reduce hair loss.
Natural and powerful antioxidants, onions battle premature greying of hair.
When used regularly, onion paste or juice will not only nourish the hair, it will also create a natural shine for the hair. Over the period of time, this shine can become a permanent feature for your tresses.
Onion juice or pulp, being pungent and able to fight infections also help with lice treatment, and will prevent infestation in future.
Onion juice and oil have shown results of adding volume to hair when used regularly.
For treating dandruff, onion juice or pulp can be used on a weekly basis to clear the scalp.
The onion pulp improves blood circulation in the scalp, promoting hair growth and health.

Let’s look at some practical ways of how you can use onions for healthy, lustrous, infection-free and long hair:

1. Can Onion Juice Benefit The Hair?
2. Will A Honey And Onion Hair Pack Help Hair Growth?
3. How Will Olive Oil And Onion Juice Work For Hair Massage?
4. Does An Onion And Curry Leaf Hair Mask Benefit Hair?
5. Will A Yogurt And Onion Hair Pack Lead To Stronger Hair?
6. Will Coconut Oil And Onion Juice Help For Better Hair Health?
7. Does A Combination Of Egg And Onion Juice Boost Hair Health?
8. Will Ginger And Onion Juice Work Well For Hair Growth?
9. How Does Lemon And Onion Juice Boost Hair Health?
10. FAQs: Benefits Of Onion For Hair

Can Onion Juice Benefit The Hair?

The onion juice stimulates the scalp, and improves blood circulation. It also nourishes the scalp, tackling any issues.

How to make: Take one onion, and peel and chop it fine. Pulp it in the food processor or blender. Pass this pulp through a thin cloth or through a metal sieve to strain out the juice, so there are no onion bits left in the juice. Alternatively, you can also grate the onions with a vegetable grater and then strain the pulp.

How to use: Dip a cotton pad in a small amount of this juice full so it is soaking with the juice. With this pad, dab the juice on your scalp until you cover the entire scalp. Once you have covered the entire area, massage your scalp gently with your fingers, for about 10 minutes. Leave the juice in your hair for another 15 minutes. Wash it off after 15 minutes with lukewarm or cold water, and a mild shampoo. Don’t forget to condition your hair.

Frequency of use: You can use this treatment safely thrice a week. If you can’t manage thrice a week, at least two it twice a week. You will see a visible difference in your hair after six to eight weeks of regular use.

Tip: If you have enough juice and times, apply it on your hair as well, after you massage the scalp.

Will A Honey And Onion Hair Pack Help Hair Growth?

The honey with onion will add lustre to your hair, and will bind moisture to your hair and scalp, preventing it from drying out. The combination of honey and onion juice will promote hair growth.

How to make: Take two tablespoons of onion juice in a cup. Mix it with one tablespoon of honey and stir it so that it emulsifies.

How to use: Soak a cotton pad in this mixture and apply thoroughly all over the scalp and roots of your hair. Gently massage your hair in small circular strokes. Leave it on for 30 minutes after which you can wash it off with a mild shampoo and lukewarm water.

Frequency of use: Try and adopt his routine at least twice a week. It will show instant results even after the first use and some substantial results after six to eight weeks.

Tip: Use raw honey for best results.

How Will Olive Oil And Onion Juice Work For Hair Massage?

Olive oil is a wonderful base oil for hair and skin, and instantly nourishes your hair. It also has anti-dandruff properties and works well with onion juice. The mixture will condition your hair well and boost hair growth.

How to make: Take two tablespoons of onion juice in a bowl, and add one tablespoon of olive oil to it. Mix in a way that it emulsifies well.

How to apply: Soak a cotton pad fully with the mixture and apply it in small sections all over your scalp. Gently massage your head in short, circular strokes to stimulate the scalp. Leave it on at least for an hour, and then wash it off with a mild shampoo and lukewarm water.

Frequency of use: For best results, you can use it on alternate days, that is three times a week. However, if you can’t do it that often, try for at least twice a week. You will see the results in four to six weeks of indulging in the treatment regularly.

Tip: Add a few drops of tea tree oil to your mixture to combat dandruff better.

Does An Onion And Curry Leaf Hair Mask Benefit Hair?

Curry leaves are known for many health benefits when consumed and externally, it can work wonders for your hair and skin. It strengthens the hair, and boots hair health. The combination of curry leaves with onion juice will help prevent premature greying.

How to make: Take 15 to 20 fresh curry leaves and wash them well. Blend them in a mortar and pestle or in a blender with two tablespoons of onion juice into a paste. Your hair pack is ready.

How to apply: Apply the ready hair pack on your scalp with a brush or your fingers. Ensure that you cover the entire surface of the scalp. Leave the pack on your scalp for an hour, and then you can wash it off with a mild shampoo and lukewarm or cold water. Don’t forget to condition your hair.

Frequency of use: You can use this once a week. Every alternate week, try to use it twice. You will see the results within one or two uses. Regular usage will lead to a smoother texture of hair and more manageable hair.

Tip: Use tender and young curry leaves for best benefits.

Will A Yogurt And Onion Hair Pack Lead To Stronger Hair?

Yogurt helps prevent hair loss. In combination with onion juice, it helps boost the hair growth process. Yogurt and onion juice mixed together also have anti-dandruff properties, for a clean and infection-free scalp.

How to make: Take two tablespoons of fresh plain yogurt in a bowl. Add two tablespoons of onion juice in the bowl and mix well.

How to apply: Use a brush to apply this mask on your scalp and hair. Ensure you section your hair in small parts and cover the scalp entirely. Also apply on the roots of the hair. Leave it on for 30 to 40 minutes and then wash it off with a mild shampoo and lukewarm or cold water. Condition your hair after washing it.

Frequency of use: You can use this mask once every week for healthier hair. Every other week, use it twice. In the winter months, you can increase the frequency of using this mask. You will see the results within six to eight weeks of using it regularly.

Tip: If you suffer from heavy dandruff, then let the yogurt sour a little before you use it in the pack. Sour yogurt works wonders for dandruff clearance and control.

Will Coconut Oil And Onion Juice Help For Better Hair Health?

Both, coconut oil and onion juice have great antibacterial and antifungal properties. Coconut oil also penetrates your scalp well, and keeps it nourished, hydrated, and soft.

How to make: Take two tablespoons of coconut oil in a bowl and add two tablespoons of onion juice to it. Mix it well so that it emulsifies.

How to use: Use the smoothly blended mixture on a cotton pad and apply it all over the scalp. Section your hair well to cover the entire scalp. Also apply it to the roots of your hair. Massage the oil gently on your scalp for about 10 minutes. Leave it on for about 30 to 40 minutes. After that, wash it off with a mild shampoo and lukewarm water. You can also use cold water. Condition your hair as needed.

Frequency of use: You can use this treatment thrice a week to begin with, and then gradually move to using it twice a week. For best results, use it regularly.

Tip: Use virgin coconut oil without any additives for best results.

Does A Combination Of Egg And Onion Juice Boost Hair Health?

The main nutrient in eggs in protein, and that is also what is needed to grow healthy hair. The protein will nourish your hair and keep it smooth whereas the onion will work well to combat infections, keeping the scalp clean and boosting hair growth.

How to make: Break a good quality egg in a bowl. Add one tablespoon of onion juice it. Whisk it well to get a smooth mixture so that there a no lumps.

How to apply: Use a brush to apply this hair mask on your scalp and the lengths of your hair. The egg nourishes the hair fibres as well. Once you cover the whole scalp and the entire length of your hair, leave it on for about 20 to 25 minutes. You can cover your hair in a shower cap to avoid messing your clothes and back. Wash it off after 25 minutes with a mild shampoo and cold water. For this rinse, avoid hot or even lukewarm water, which might lead to the egg cooking.

Frequency of use: You can use this treatment twice a week to begin with and then move on to once a week after a month. You will be able to see a marked difference in the texture of your hair in a month.

Tip: Add two or three drops of rosemary or lavender essential oil to the mix to combat the odours.

Will Ginger And Onion Juice Work Well For Hair Growth?

Ginger and Onion Juice Well For Hair Growth

Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties and boosts blood circulation when used with onion juice.

How to make: Mix one tablespoon of ginger juice and one tablespoon of onion juice in a bowl.

How to apply: Soak a cotton pad in this mixture and apply it all over your scalp. Massage your scalp for 10 minutes. Leave it on for about 30 minutes, and then wash it off with a mild shampoo.

Frequency of use: You can use it twice a week to begin with. Once you are regular and see results, you can use it once a week.

Tip: Use the juice from fresh, tender ginger for best results.

How Does Lemon And Onion Juice Boost Hair Health?

Lemon juice strengthens the hair follicles and the vitamin C in it helps combat dandruff. It also balances the pH levels of your scalp. Along with onion juice, it promotes growth of hair.

How to make: Mix one tablespoon of onion juice with one tablespoon of fresh lemon juice in a bowl.

How to apply: Using a cotton pad or a brush, apply the mixture to your scalp and the roots of your hair. Gently massage your scalp. Leave it on for about 30 minutes, after which you can wash it off with a mild shampoo.

Frequency of use: You can start with twice a week, and then gradually move to using this treatment once a week.

Tip: Use young, tender lemons for best results.

FAQs: Benefits Of Onion For Hair

Which onions should I use for this treatment?

You can use any onions that are easily available around your locality. Avoid using spring onions. If you have tender onions, they are likely to yield more juice.

Can I make onion hair oil?

Onion hair oil works wonders for your hair when used regularly, at least once a week. It is not difficult to make, and can be stored as well. Watch this video to learn how to make onion hair oil at home.

Is there a way to get rid of the onion odour after using it?

Yes. When applying the masks to the hair use a few drops of lemon juice in it. Alternatively or additionally, after doing a treatment with onion juice, use an apple cider vinegar hair rinse. In a mug-ful of water, put in two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar . Pour this solution over your hair and scalp after the shampoo rinse.

Can onion juice be left overnight in the hair?

If the odour does not bother you, it can. Also, sensitive skin can be affected. You won’t have a reaction. However, leaving the treatments on for the suggested time periods works best. Leaving it on overnight will not have any better effect on the results.

Can onion juice be stored?

It’s best to make it fresh each time you want to use it. However, it can be refrigerated for about four or five days. A heads up: it might leave a pungent odour in the refrigerator.

How long can you resist scratching your head in public? Not when a head louse feeds on your blood! We understand, you can't take it easy when a 3mm sized menace distracts your peace of mind.

Head lice infestation has a low degree of morbidity and high prevalence, discovered centuries ago. But the good news is that Ayurveda has natural therapies to cure head lice infestation. Let's find out how they work.

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Highlights:

Lifespan Of A Head Louse

Symptoms Of Head Lice Infestation

What Is The Main Cause Of Head Lice Infestation?

How Do You Get Rid Of Lice Overnight?

Medicines To Cure Head Lice Infestation

Can Lice Go Away On Its Own?

How Long Is Lice Contagious For?

Lifespan Of A Head Louse

A head louse lives through 3 stages:

Nit (Egg)

Nymph

Adult

Nits are hard to see and look like dandruff. An adult female lays nits on the hair strand with a cementing substance a few millimetres away from the follicle. Nits take a week to hatch nymphs, which become adults within seven days.

An adult male louse is about 2-3mm, female is about 3-4mm (size of a sesame seed) with six legs, each with claws, and their color is a grey shade. If your hair color is dark, louse color appears darker. [1]

A female head louse is the vector of infestation as it lives for 30 days and lays up to 8 nits per day for a total of 50 to 300 eggs in its lifetime. It survives by sucking the blood every 2 to 3 hours. Lice stay close to the scalp for shelter, warmth, food, and moisture.

Head lice don't spread diseases. They are not dangerous in any way.

Symptoms Of Head Lice Infestation

You cannot predict the entry of a louse on your scalp. You may not notice the increase in the number of head lice until the symptoms gradually develop for a month.

1. You may have a mild feeling of the lice crawling on your head.

2. Your scalp suddenly starts itching, especially during nights.

3. You can see nits on your hair shafts. [2]

4. Someone may catch sight of a louse crawling on your head.

5. A louse may get caught in your comb.

6. You always feel like scratching your head or keep combing your scalp repeatedly.

Adults and children show the same symptoms of head lice infestation.

louse eggs on hair

Image Credit: Shutterstock

What Is The Main Cause Of Head Lice Infestation?

Head lice infestation is highly contagious. A louse is a wingless parasite. So it cannot fly or jump, but can crawl from one person's head to the other. Louse is hematophagous; it cannot survive without sucking human blood for 24 hours.

All you need to do is grate the onions ina cloth and squeeze to make a juice out of it. Apply it onthe scalp well and massage it to make sure it goes well into theroots. Now wear a shower cap for about four hours so that thejuice can do its work. Wash it with hot water andcomb with lice hair comb.

Home Remedies To Get Rid Of Head Lice

Click to see full answer.

Similarly one may ask, does onion get rid of lice?

One can try onion juice and white vinegarmixture - apply it on your scalp and keep it for at least an hour.Neem oil is also very effective to remove hairlice and it should be kept for one-and-a-half to twohours," she said. If you think natural remedies consume time, usemedicated lotions or sprays.

Subsequently, question is, how do I get rid of lice ASAP? Remember to:

remove dead or live lice with a fine-toothed comb eight to 12hours after treatment.

avoid using regular shampoo one to two days after.

continue checking for two to three weeks for nits andlice.

soak combs and brushes in boiling water for five to 10minutes.

Just so, how long should you leave onion juice in your hair?

Use the saturated cotton pad to dabyour scalp with the onion juice. Once yourentire scalp is covered, massage your scalp for acouple of minutes. Leave the juice on for about 15minutes to an hour.

Can lemon juice kill lice?

Lemon Juice to Treat HeadLice Lemon juice is acidic, which is why it iseffective in removing nits and lice from thescalp.

If you ever thought frizzy locks and dull tresses were terrible hair problems to have, you definitely haven’t encountered head lice. It’s possibly the worst hair care worry that exists because lice infest the hair shaft, feast on the scalp and make one’s head unbearably itchy. However, with persistence and the right hair care treatment, you can do away with this nuisance.

How to get rid of lice

If you are wondering how to get rid of lice, these effective home remedies will tell you everything you need to know.

1. Tea tree oil

Out of all the essential oils, tea tree is the one that boasts anti-fungal and anti-microbial properties which fight lice and bacteria. Tea tree oil’s insecticidal properties help to kill both, lice and their eggs i.e. nits.

How to use:

To use it, apply a few drops of tea tree oil directly on the scalp and massage it in.
Then tie the hair tightly, leave it for 2 – 3 hours and wash it off with hot water.

How often to use: Repeat this weekly for a month.

2. Salt and vinegar

A potent combination of sodium chloride and acetic acid combats lice from hatching on the scalp. Both vinegar and salt have desiccating properties which strip the moisture from the hair and put an end to the lice and nits.

How to use:

To try it, mix ¼ cup of salt with ¼ cup of vinegar and store it in a spray bottle.
Spray this solution all over your scalp and hair length, let it dry for 2 hours and wash it off with warm water.

How often to use: Repeat this treatment thrice weekly for a month.

3. Blow dry your hair

Whoever knew a blow dryer could be used for a whole lot more than hair styling!

How to use:

To use it for lice removal, place your blow dryer close to your head and direct its nozzle at your scalp.
Switch it on the hottest setting and move it over your scalp.
The heat of the blow dryer zaps the lice and nits which reside in the hair shaft so make sure you brush your hair with a nit comb after.

4. Olive oil

A sure way to kill lice is by suffocating them. However, the tricky guys can go without breathing for hours at a stretch so do this treatment overnight.

How to use:

Start by applying a thick layer of olive oil over your scalp and hair length.
Then tie your hair tightly and cover it with a shower cap when you sleep.
In the morning, use a nit comb to carefully brush your oiled hair from scalp to tip.
The overnight oiling suffocates the lice while the combing removes their debris from the scalp.

How often to use: Repeat weekly for a month to get rid of the lice and their nits.

5. Neem

Neem Home Remedy to Get Rid Of Lice Naturally

When lice attack, trust the power of anti-bacterial and antiseptic neem. Neem contains azadirachtin, an insecticide that prevents lice from breeding on the scalp—it’s the ideal home remedy to get rid of lice naturally!

How to use:

Boil a cup of neem leaves and blend its juice and leaves into a paste.
Apply this over your hair and leave it for 2 hours.
Then wash it off thoroughly with warm water.

How often to use: Use this remedy once every week.

6. Coconut oil and apple cider vinegar

Coconut oil and apple cider vinegar for lice removal

The potent combination of apple cider vinegar and coconut oil can also curb the spread of lice. The acidity of vinegar stops lice from breeding and thick, viscous coconut oil suffocates them.

How to use:

To try it, apply a few tablespoons of apple cider vinegar all over your scalp and lengths.
Once it has dried, coat the hair with coconut oil.
Wear a shower cap over your head and leave the solution overnight.
In the morning, wash your hair thoroughly with warm water.

How often to use: Repeat this twice every week for a month.

7. Lavender oil

One of the most aromatic essential oils, lavender oil is a safe and effective method for lice treatment at home. A study has found that lice are less likely to feed on skin that has been treated with lavender or tea tree essential oil.

How to use:

Add a few drops of lavender oil to a carrier oil such as almond or coconut oil and massage it well on your scalp.
Let it sit for 20 minutes before washing your hair.

How often to use: Use this remedy once every week.

8. Garlic

This pungent kitchen favourite is an unusual remedy to get rid of nits and lice fast. It’s a must-try remedy as garlic is believed to suffocate and kill lice.

How to use:

To use garlic, grind 10 cloves of garlic and mix some lime juice with it.
Apply the paste on your scalp and let it sit for half an hour.
Wash your hair with warm water and use a comb to remove dead lice.

How often to use: Use it once a week.

9. Onion juice

Everyone knows that onions are great for hair growth! You might have even used onion oil for longer tresses. However, did you know that the antibacterial and antifungal properties of onion are helpful for removing lice eggs from hair as well? Besides, it nourishes the hair and also aids in growth, so using it is even better!

How to use:

Make some onion juice at home by blending chopped onions in a mixer.
Apply the juice on your scalp evenly and leave it for about 3 to 4 hours.
Using a nit comb, remove the dead lice and nits and rinse the hair thoroughly with shampoo.

How often to use: Repeat this every 3-4 days for best results.

What to avoid to prevent lice

When one family member has a lice infestation, it can be frustrating to deal with it since lice are difficult to get rid of. That’s why, you need to make sure that other family members don’t get the infestation.

Avoid sharing towels, combs, bedsheets, and pillows.
Avoid keeping your hair wet for a long time.
Avoid sharing hair accessories such as hair bands and scarves.
Don’t keep your hair dirty, wash it at least once a week.

FAQs to get rid of head lice

Q. Can rubbing alcohol get rid of head lice?

A. No, rubbing alcohol on your head does not help you get rid of lice.

Q. How do you get rid of lice when you’ve tried everything?

A. If none of the home remedies work for you, you must see a skin doctor who can help you by prescribing topical treatment or oral medication.

Q. How do you know you have head lice?

A. Some of the most common symptoms of head lice include an itchy scalp and a mild feeling of something crawling on your head.

Q. How do you know lice is gone?

A. If you no longer have an itchy scalp, don’t have lice on your head, and see the number of nits decreasing, it’s a sign that your head is free of infestation.

Here is a list of factors for the lice to transmit from one human scalp to another:

Top 5 Home Remedies To Get Rid Of Head LICE & Nits * Sushmita's Diaries

1. Head to head contact with a person affected by head lice.

2. Lice transmit if you share your comb, towel, bedsheets, and pillows with the infested person.

3. Transmission of lice also happens if you share your hat, scarf, hair bands, and pluckers with the victim.

4. Monsoon weather also develops head lice if you are Kapha Dosha dominant, according to Ayurveda.

5. If you leave your hair wet for a long time, it is prone to infestations.

6. Excess oil and dirt on your scalp makes it a comfortable place for the lice to settle in.

Victims are mostly women with long thick hair since head lice can multiply faster and are less exposed to light, which makes their survival easier. Also, children in the age group of 5 to 13 years are more likely to be victims of head lice infestation since they don't care much about hair hygiene.

How Do You Get Rid Of Lice Overnight?

You can get rid of lice and nymphs overnight, but it requires two repetitions of the treatment to eradicate nits from your hair. Limit using products with harmful chemicals for getting rid of head lice; it may have a detrimental impact on your hair growth.

Getting rid of head lice also includes limiting their transmission to the people around you. You can never have a permanent cure for head lice infestation as it can return at any moment in your lifetime. However, you can prevent head lice from attacking you by avoiding close contact with victims. [3]

How to Get Rid of Head Lice in 1 Hour !!! (Very Simple Technique) #nigerianyoutuber #portharcourt

Ayurvedic Methods

Ayurveda prescribes safe and easy to follow natural treatments to cure head lice infestation. Herbs with a natural insecticide property help protect your scalp from infestations and enhance resistance to prevent head lice.

Traditional Ayurvedic methods prove the effectiveness of two repetitions of the treatment for long-lasting cure of head lice infestation. The foundation principles of Ayurveda explains the tridosha theory to detect the type of a person's body.

Vata Dosha (Ether and Air dominant)

Pitta Dosha ( Fire dominant)

Kapha Dosha (Water and Earth dominant)

According to the qualities of the deviated dosha, Ayurveda composes herbal combinations to cure his/her hair infestations with holistic solutions.

Dr Zeel Gandhi, Chief Ayurvedic Doctor at Vedix, says, “Yuka - Lice and Pippalika- nits are described in detail by Acharya charak In viman sthan of the Charak Samhita. These are classified under Malaj Krimi - pathogens that proliferate as a result of dirt and grime on the body. Apart from causing itch they may also trigger skin rashes on the affected sites. Extraction of the lice and, application of specially formulated external oils and keeping good personal hygiene is a simple line of treatment for head lice.”

1. Oils

essential oils

Image Credit: Shutterstock

Tea tree oil, eucalyptus oil, lavender oil, peppermint oil, aniseed oil, red thyme oil, nutmeg oil, cinnamon leaf oil, clove oil, and neem oil can be used as cure for head lice infestation. They have natural insecticide properties that help you get rid of head lice.

Head lice: How to treat

How To Use:

Use any of the above mentioned essential oils by mixing it with a carrier oil like coconut oil, olive oil, or almond oil.

Take ten drops of tea tree oil with five drops of eucalyptus oil, lavender oil, peppermint oil. Add the mixture into 30 ml of carrier oil or a combination of 2 carrier oils coconut oil and olive oil (15 ml each).

You can also add other essential oils like thyme oil and neem oil (five drops each) into this formula.

Apply the concoction on your scalp root to tip.

Give a mild massage to your scalp with your fingertips.

Tie up your hair with a shower cap.

Leave it for an hour.

Comb your hair to remove the lice.

Wash your hair with a herbal shampoo (a shampoo made out of herbal extracts like neem or aloe vera).

Drain the excess water from your hair.

Comb wet hair to remove the remaining head lice. Use a nit comb to remove the nits from your hair strands.

Repeat the process two times and once every seven days to kill the newly hatched nits. [4] [5]

Vedix Tip:

If your hair is dry and dirty, first apply oil and wash it at least five hours before the treatment as it works better on clean and nourished hair. After an hour of applying oil, comb out the lice and wash your hair. If you leave it for a long time, lice may get used to the medicinal effect and resist it.

Word Of Caution:

If your skin is a sensitive type, do a patch test on your skin before applying the essential oil on to your scalp. Children may be especially sensitive to certain oils.

2. Herbal Shampoos

Scalp and hair hygiene is vital to prevent lice. Wash your hair at least twice a week to clean out dirt and pollutants that stick to the scalp. Apply oil one hour before the head bath for having moisturized hair.

After taking anti-lice oil treatment, use an anti-lice herbal shampoo for head bath and complete the procedure by combing the nits from your wet hair.

Ayurvedic herbal extracts dissolve exudates around the nits, making it easier to comb out the nits without uprooting the hair strands. It also strengthens your hair roots by nourishing your scalp.

reetha and its natural shampoo

Image Credit: Shutterstock

I Remove Head Lice For A Living

Natural ingredients used in anti-lice shampoo are Neem, Camphor, Sitaphal, Guldaudi, Reetha, Shikakai, Azadirachta, Tea tree oil, Hibiscus, Brahmi, Nutmeg, Soapnut, Citrus Lemon, Rosemary, Lavender, etc. [6]

Wash your kid's hair with anti-lice herbal shampoo to easily remove the nits and increase resistance to infestation. Herbs have a natural insecticide property, so avoid getting it into your eyes as it may cause a mild burning sensation.

3. Other Home Remedies

A. Onion Juice

Grind onions without water.

Apply it on your scalp and leave it for 4 hours.

Remove dead lice and comb out the nits.

Wash your hair thoroughly with water.

Repeat the process twice after a week for better results.

B. Apple Cider Vinegar?

Apply it to your hair with a combination of 1 spoon coconut oil.

Leave it for an hour.

Wash your hair with water.

Comb your wet hair to remove dead lice.

C. Garlic

Grind 8 to 10 garlic cloves with lime juice.

Apply the paste onto your scalp and leave it for 30 minutes.

Garlic suffocates and kills lice. Remove the dead lice.

Wash your hair with warm water.

4. How To Comb Out Nits From Your Child's Hair?

A nit comb is a fine-toothed comb to remove nits from your hair. You cannot pull out nits by yourself; you need to take the help of another person.

mother treating daughter's hair against lice

Image Credit: Shutterstock

Get Rid of Head Lice and Nits in 1 day with Lemon Juice | Vaseline | Onion

Divide the child's hair in sections.

Use a plucker to separate the sections of hair.

Comb one part of hair at a time.

Pull out the nits from each hair strand with a nit comb. Be careful while using an electrical nit comb on the kid's head.

Press the nit comb close to the scalp and thoroughly pull out the nits from top to bottom of the hair.

Repeat the process for your child once a week for two weeks to prevent head lice for a long time.

Medicines To Cure Head Lice Infestation

The use of delousing agents may get rid of lice temporarily. If a person living with you shares your things, she also must use the drug along with you to prevent the spread of head lice.

It is not safe to use synthetic medicines on your child's head because of side effects like itching, allergic reaction, and burning sensation. Usage of drugs dehydrates your scalp. Inappropriate use of medication may lead to hair fall. Take the advice of a dermatologist before using the following OTC Drugs. [7]

1. Malathion

Apply it on dry hair and leave it for 8 hours before washing. You will have a stinging smell while using this.

If you find lice after seven days, repeat the process.

You can use Malathion three times.

Malathion is safe in pregnancy and breastfeeding.

2. Lindane

Apply it on dry scalp, leave it for 4 minutes, wash it.

Repeat the process after seven days if necessary.

Don't use it more than twice. Lindane may cause neurotoxicity.

Lindane is not safe in pregnancy and breastfeeding. You can use it only once during pregnancy if it is mandatory.

3. Permethrin

Apply it on wet hair and rinse after 10 minutes.

Apply it for the second time if required.

If you use it more than twice, lice can resist the drug.

Permethrin is not considered safe in pregnancy and breastfeeding.

4. Pyrethrin

Apply it on wet hair and rinse after 10 minutes.

Treatment includes the second application.

If you use it more than twice, lice can resist the drug.

Pyrethrin is not considered safe in pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Word Of Caution:

3 Natural Home Remedies TO GET RID OF SCABIES – Natural Treatments

Use the medication only on your scalp. The medicine should not get into your eyes. Wash your hands after application.

Can Lice Go Away On Its Own?

Lice don't just come to visit you and go away. They love to build shelter, suck your blood, and reproduce on your head!

You have to make their living uncomfortable on your hair by suffocating them with natural therapies and killing them. Make sure to repel their next visit by enhancing your scalp's resistance to lice. [8]

How Long Is Lice Contagious For?

Lice are contagious until you eliminate the egg-laying adult female lice. After the first treatment kills lice, you remove the dead nits by combing them out of your hair strands, limiting their contagious nature.

You need to follow well-timed iterations of the procedure to make sure you are lice free. Remember to follow the treatment whenever you are in close contact with a person affected by head lice.

The Last Word

Head lice causes itching and drives you crazy. They are contagious, they easily crawl from one human scalp to the next even though you are hair hygienic. Start lice treatment immediately after you notice a head louse to limit the spread.

Follow three well timed natural therapies, remove the lice and comb out the nits from your wet hair to get rid of head lice completely. Herbal anti-lice products are free of chemicals and retain your nourished hair, while strengthening scalp resistance against head lice infestation.

What causes head lice to begin?

Head lice are tiny insects that feed on blood from the human scalp. An infestation of head lice most often affects children and usually results from the direct transfer of lice from the hair of one person to the hair of another.

A head-lice infestation isn't a sign of poor personal hygiene or an unclean living environment. Head lice don't carry bacterial or viral infectious diseases.

Over-the-counter and prescription medications are available to treat head lice. Follow treatment instructions carefully to rid your scalp and hair of lice and their eggs.

A number of home or natural remedies are also used to treat head-lice infestations, but there is little to no clinical evidence of their effectiveness.

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Symptoms

Common signs and symptoms of a lice infestation can include:

Lice | How To Get Rid Of Head Lice

Itching. The most common symptom of a lice infestation is itching on the scalp, neck and ears. This is an allergic reaction to louse bites. When a person has a lice infestation for the first time, itching may not occur for four to six weeks after infestation.

Lice on scalp. Lice may be visible but are difficult to spot because they're small, avoid light and move quickly.

Lice eggs (nits) on hair shafts. Nits stick to hair shafts. Incubating nits may be difficult to see because they're very tiny. They're easiest to spot around the ears and the hairline of the neck. Empty nits may be easier to spot because they're lighter in color and further from the scalp. However, the presence of nits doesn't necessarily indicate an active infestation.

Sores on the scalp, neck and shoulders. Scratching can lead to small, red bumps that may sometimes get infected with bacteria.

When to see a doctor

See your doctor before you begin treatment if you suspect that you or your child has a head-lice infestation. Studies show that many children have been treated for head lice with over-the-counter medications or home remedies when they don't have an active head-lice infestation.

Things often mistaken for nits include:

Dandruff

Residue from hair products

Bead of dead hair tissue on a hair shaft (hair cast)

Scabs, dirt or other debris

Other small insects found in the hair

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Causes

A head louse is a tan or grayish insect about the size of a strawberry seed. It feeds on human blood from a person's scalp. The female louse produces a sticky substance that firmly attaches each egg to the base of a hair shaft no more than 3/16 inch (5 millimeters) from the scalp.

The louse life cycle

A louse goes through three stages:

Eggs that hatch after six to nine days.

Nymphs, immature forms of the louse that become mature adults after nine to 12 days.

Adult lice, which can live for three to four weeks. The female louse lays six to 10 eggs a day.

Transmission

Head lice crawl, but they can't jump or fly. Transmission of a head louse from one person to another is often by direct head-to-head contact, often within a family or among children who have close contact at school or play.

Remove lice, Let's get rid of lice on sad boy's hair

Indirect transmission is uncommon, but lice may spread from one person to another by items such as:

Hats and scarves

Brushes and combs

Hair accessories

Headphones

Pillows, towels and upholstery

Indirect transfer could also occur among items of clothing stored together. For example, hats or scarves hung on the same hook or stored in the same school locker could serve as vehicles for transmitting lice.

Household pets, such as dogs and cats, don't play a role in spreading head lice.

Risk factors

Because head lice are spread primarily by direct head-to-head contact, the risk of transmission is greatest among younger people who play or go to school together. In the United States, cases of head lice most often occur in children in preschool through elementary school.

Complications

If your child scratches an itchy scalp from a head-lice infestation, it is possible for the skin to break and develop an infection.

Prevention

It's difficult to prevent the spread of head lice among children in child care facilities and schools because there is so much close contact.

The chance of indirect transmission from personal items is slight. However, to help prevent a head-lice infestation, you may instruct your child to:

Cleaning and get rid of lice on boy's head

Hang garments on a separate hook from other children's garments

Avoid sharing combs, brushes, hats and scarves

Not lie on beds, couches or pillows that have been in contact with a person infested by head lice

A worry about head-lice transmission is not considered a good reason to avoid sharing protective headgear for sports and bicycling when sharing is necessary.

What happens if you keep lice in your hair?

Much like any human parasite, it is important to treat head lice. Leaving them untreated can have serious consequences both for the carrier and for people they meet on a casual or more much closer basis.

Untreated head lice – what happens?

Do lice need to mate to lay eggs?

Head lice eggs, or nits, take 7 to 11 days to hatch, then the head lice take 9 to 12 days to become fully grown adults. At that stage they can then mate, and they lay their first eggs 24 hours after mating. The female, adult louse only needs to mate once and after that she lays up to 10 eggs a day for the 30 days of her lifetime, so she lays 300 eggs in total. Multiply that by many lice on the head and someone can have a heavy infestation quite quickly. This will simply continue if untreated and from there a severe to very serious infestation will occur.

Can untreated head lice cause hair loss?

Untreated head lice may degrade the scalp and affects it health and that of the hair. If the follicles become blocked, then hair loss may occur. It is hard to have well-conditioned hair if it is covered in head lice eggs, lice and bacteria. Hair also becomes very difficult to brush when it has an untreated head lice infestation, and brushing is important to distribute the natural excretions key to hair health.

A healthy head of hair which fends off hair loss is only maintained if you take care of your hair and your health. Leaving an untreated head lice infestation in your hair is not taking care of your hair or your health.

Do lice eventually die off?

Head lice eventually die off, but a head lice infestation does not. Head lice live up to 30 days and then they die, but in that time, they will have procreated and laid up to 300 eggs per female head louse. When mum or dad dies the family lives on and in turn mates, lays new eggs, those eggs hatch and a whole new generation is borne. This cycle occurs every 24 to 37 days, so roughly every month. And the numbers keep growing exponentially, meaning the infestation get bigger and bigger. It is foolish then to think the infestation will die off naturally – it is only going to get worse.

Can untreated head lice affect your health?

Not only will an untreated infestation become severe but the side effects of that are serious. Firstly, it will become very uncomfortable for the person who has it. They may itch uncontrollably. It will smell because of the build-up of bacteria on the lice, on their eggs and in and on their excretions, which will be deposited on the scalp. The persons sleep can be disrupted, sometimes severely. With the itching there is a risk of tearing the scalp and introducing infection. Blood disorders like anaemia are not unknown. The term ‘feeling lousy’ comes from having head lice, where the lice feeding off someone’s blood can run that person down and give them low-level, flu like symptoms. Extreme infestations that have gone untreated for a long time can result in toxic-shock syndrome.

And beyond the health implications there will be social consequences where people will avoid someone with an untreated, severe infestation. They will be socially shunned which can have deep and lasting psychological consequences for them.

Leaving a head lice infestation untreated, or even treating it in a casual way is simply not a wise thing to do.

Can untreated head lice cause hair loss?

Do lice eventually die off?

Can untreated head lice affect your health?

Leaving a head lice infestation untreated, or even treating it in a casual way is simply not a wise thing to do.

Where can I get help with untreated head lice?

If anyone is struggling with untreated head lice or an infestation that just won’t go away and needs professional help then do contact us. Our network of nit and head lice removal clinics can sort it for you quickly, safely and effectively.

Whilst many of your searches may tell you that head lice are a harmless inconvenience that are easily solved with a little head lice product treatment, this casual approach ignores the true impact and consequences of not dealing with them can have. Leaving a head lice infestation untreated or not sufficiently treated means that the infestation is unchecked and will continue to multiply. Head lice eggs, or nits, take 7 to 11 days to hatch, then the head lice take 9 to 12 days to become fully grown adults. At that stage they can then mate, and they lay their first eggs 24 hours after mating. The female, adult louse only needs to mate once and after that she lays up to 10 eggs a day for the 30 days of her lifetime, so she lays 300 eggs in total. Multiply that by many lice on the head and someone can have a heavy infestation quite quickly. This will simply continue if untreated and from there a severe to very serious infestation will occur.

How do you get rid of lice permanently in one day?

Want to get rid of head lice permanently? Of course you do! There are few words more guaranteed to make parents shudder than the dreaded ‘head lice’. Getting stuck in the endless cycle of eggs, nits and an itchy scalp make a No. 2 crew cut seem incredibly appealing (even when your kids are girls). There are less drastic answers – we promise!

In fact, we’ve dug up so many tips and tricks on how to get rid of head lice permanently, we reckon you’ll be sending us a lice free thank you card.

Sister Black hair Lice picking with fingers.||Sravani Wonders.

Head Lice: The Unauthorised Biography

Before we figure out how to get rid of head lice permanently, let’s get to know these nasty nibblers.

Head lice, unlike fleas, do not spread any diseases but they can cause skin irritation and itching with their bites. These creatures are teeny and wingless. They’re roughly the size of a sesame seed and feed exclusively on human blood – yes gross! They don’t fly and they can’t jump like fleas because their legs are too short and stumpy. Magnify one of these creatures and it resembles something out of a sci-fi movie, with a long body and dramatic looking pincers.

According to Wikipedia, the head lice we experience enjoy feasting on humans and humans alone. Head lice need to spend their entire life cycle attached to and feeding on a human host. Other animals attract different lice but the ‘Pediculus humanus capitis’ is for our scalps only. It may feel embarrassing and uncomfortable to deal with head lice but at least you’re not going to catch the plague as a result of getting them. Phew!

While head lice are determined to call the top of your head home for the long term, it’s not impossible to serve them with a permanent eviction notice, with the help of some quick and thorough treatment.

How does a lice infestation start?

Head lice are extremely common, affecting children and adults alike; however, they are mostly found in school-aged kids. They are always looking for somewhere new to set up shop. Lice transition from one scalp to another when children or families are playing, cuddling or working together.

The only way to get head lice is to come into contact with another person who has them. It is commonly believed you are more likely to get head lice if your hair is very dirty. However, Wikipedia states that head lice infestations are not related to cleanliness.

Another myth is other animals, such as cats and dogs, play a role in transmission. Lice can’t live on the blood of these animals so this is also untrue.

If you do discover your family has lice, tell everyone you or your children may have had head-to-head contact with (this is slightly mortifying to do as a parent but is essential in breaking the cycle!). This way they can check for lice and treat their family quickly. During a lice outbreak, remain vigilant and check scalps daily.

Top tip

It is useful to remember that if you don’t see any lice on your loved ones, you don’t have to treat them. Washing or treating a lice-free head doesn’t act as a deterrent for these creatures and is most likely a waste of money and time.

The lice life cycle

Lice don’t live long but the certainly make their existence known.

The life cycle of the louse starts with a female laying her eggs, which are known as nits. Nits are minuscule, smaller than the head of a pin. They’re hardy too, attaching on the hair shaft close to the scalp with a glue-like adhesive. This is what makes it so tough to get rid of head lice permanently.

Lice eggs hatch around a week after being laid, and the new lice are mature about ten days after that. Once mature, they are ready to lay more nits, and then the infestation really begins. It takes around thirty days from the laying of the egg to the death of the nasty bug from natural causes.

Should your head lice stumble and fall from your scalp and not make their way back to a human food source, these 2mm creatures have little hope of surviving beyond two or three days.

Homemade Hair OIL for Lice & Nits Removal | KILL HEAD LICE & NITS Overnight | Sushmita's Diaries

What is life like for a louse?

‘Louse’ is the singular way of saying lice.

Once the lice hatch from their eggs, they need food – pronto! They use their claws to crawl through the strands of hair to the scalp, where, like little vampires, they feed on the host’s blood several times a day (that’s you). As long as blood is available, they can live a full life cycle, with a female laying up to six eggs daily. Wouldn’t it be scary if chickens did that?

How to get rid of head lice permanently

When faced with an infestation, the first thing you want to know is how to get rid of head lice permanently. Luckily, many different products can help you eradicate them. Some parents swear by older, natural remedies, but use your own discretion when making your ultimate choice.

Store-bought treatments to get rid of head lice permanently

KP24

This is a medicated lotion and foam that provides fast and effective treatment. For optimum results, you need to use the lotion first and then follow with the foam. The active ingredient, Maldison, works by not only killing the lice but destroying the nits. The formula also contains tea tree oil, which is believed to prevent further outbreaks.

Users of productreview.com.au say they are big fans of this product, especially those who have long, thick hair.

Moov Head Lice Solution

Moov is another popular choice. Using a combination of natural essential oils, it is an excellent choice for those looking to go down a more natural route but still wanting an effective outcome. You can also pair the solution with the Moov Spray to keep those critters at bay and prevent re-infestation.

Here’s a product review: “(The) natural eucalyptus smells pretty good. Killed all lice after 15 minutes. Applying this solution is best done by adding a little water to this solution in a spray bottle and spraying onto the head to create a lather.”

NitWits Absolute Head Lice Solution

This is an excellent choice for children with irritated scalps and sensitive skin. The product is formulated for sensitive skin and is also free of any strong smell.

“NitWits is amazing!! For the first time, my children did not fuss and complain about having their hair treated!” – Bellema from BubHub.com.au

Banlice® Mousse

This one’s perfect for children who have trouble sitting still. Because it is a mousse, it does not drip. This makes it easy to keep out of the little one’s eyes as they squirm. The mousse has a pleasant smell and is effective against both the adult lice and their eggs.

“I use this on my daughter every time we get nits now as I know it is going to work properly every time.” – La La from BubHub.com.au

Ask a Dermatologist: What is the best treatment for head lice?

Natural lice removal options to try (and some to skip)

If you aren’t keen to try pharmaceutical products and would prefer a more natural treatment, there are a few options. Unfortunately, these are not scientifically proven, so be warned – they may not combat the infestation successfully or get rid of head lice permanently.

Tea Tree Oil

Tea Tree Oil is popular within natural health circles but experts are not convinced. They say more research is needed before this product is declared to work in all circumstances. If you do decide to try Tea Tree Oil to a lice-infested scalp, be careful. The product is strong and can have dangerous side effects. It should not be applied in its pure form to babies, young children or pregnant women. It is also said that a light spray of diluted tea tree oil or lavender oil on the hair just before school can discourage head lice from choosing your child’s head as their next new home.

Vinegar

Vinegar is also purported to do the job of lice-icide, however, the jury is still out. The acid in vinegar may well kill young lice, but it lacks the properties to eliminate the adults. It does help in getting rid of the nits though, as the acetic acid loosens the glue that holds them to the shaft. This makes combing out those sticky eggs a lot easier.

Mouthwash

Mouthwash has been rumoured to suffocate and kill lice. The herbal ingredients in some mouthwashes have been said to prevent reinfestation and discourage lice from setting up shop. Although mouthwash can suffocate the adult lice, the eggs can lay dormant (and there are always eggs) so it is not an effective solution.

Olive Oil

Another popular option is olive oil. Some informal studies do show olive oil can work as an effective treatment of lice. Don’t get too excited though, it can take more than EIGHT hours for the lice to die. And olive oil treatment is also ineffective in destroying nits so they would need to combed out to end an infestation. You could consider using oil in combination with vinegar to loosen the nits if you are set on an all-natural remedy.

Head lice treatment at home| Dr Dray

Heat

If you are thinking you can kill those lice and nits with a hair straightener, think again! It is true the heat will kill the lice but most of them live very close to the scalp. This spells danger for your child’s head. It also isn’t going to get rid of all of the nits. Another problem with the straightener technique is that it can do permanent damage to the fine hair follicles and hair shafts of a child.

Patience and conditioner

One of the most effective, non-pharmaceutical treatments is to patiently comb out nits and lice using a special nit comb (available from any pharmacy) and any white-coloured normal hair conditioner. The white colour makes the lice easier to spot. Also, the conditioner acts to slow lice down while you get to work, so this technique can be effective. However, if you have tried getting a young child to sit still for this procedure, you are not likely to want to repeat the experience. Friends have reported waiting for their child to fall asleep them laying them on the floor with a towel under their head to then commence this technique.

How to get rid of head lice permanently: what to avoid

Be wary of using a hair dryer to dry your child’s hair after using a lice treatment. Some of the treatments may contain flammable ingredients, and the hair dryer can also blow those sneaky lice over to someone else’s scalp.

Don’t wash your child’s hair before applying lice treatments, or for one to two days afterwards.

Don’t use bug spray or hire an exterminator to tackle the infestation around your house. As previously mentioned, dropping off their host means certain death for head lice anyway.

Resist all temptation to give your kids the dog’s flea treatment! It will likely only serve to hurt their scalps.

Don’t keep using the same medication over and over. If you have used the same medication more than three times, it is time to see a professional. Your doctor can help you find another remedy.

Tricks to avoid re-infestation

Once you have got rid of the lice and nits, it is essential to try to keep them gone. Here are the best tips for keeping these sneaky parasites at bay:

Clean all combs, brushes and hair accessories in hot water – at least 65°C. Wash all hats, pillowcases, cuddly toys in very hot water too, and then stick them in the dryer for at least 15 minutes.

Place all non-washable items that may have come into contact with the lice in an airtight plastic bag for a few days.

Give your carpets a very thorough vacuum

Make sure your children understand to avoid head-to-head contact. That includes in the playground and when playing at home. Also explain that they should avoid sharing hair accessories, hats, combs or brushes.

It is also important to avoid lying on any bedding, pillows and even carpets that have been used by someone with lice within the last 48 hours.

If anyone in your family has had contact with a lice-infested person, don’t forget to check their hair every three or four days for any signs of lice or nits.

During a lice outbreak at school or daycare, tie long hair back. This will make it harder for the lice to transfer to your child’s hair.

Plastering your child’s head to their scalp with hairspray or gel can also make it hard for lice to get into their hair.

Remember, no product is guaranteed to stop your child from getting lice, no matter what the advertising says.

How to Get Rid of Lice Permanently in 1 Hour - Home Remedies to Get Rid of Lice Eggs in Hair

Lice: Be alert, not alarmed

Having a head lice infestation does not mean you or your children are dirty. Lice do not discriminate – dirty, clean, rich, poor. Anyone can find lice on their children’s scalp. Make sure to let your children know that this happens to everyone and that you will help them get it sorted straight away. Although they may feel embarrassed, it is ultimately part of the human condition. Once they receive the treatment, the lice will be a distant memory.

Again, it is worth noting that if you can’t wipe out the lice from your family’s heads, book a trip to the doctor and get professional help.

Background: Head louse infestations are prevalent worldwide. Over the past 20-25 years, 15-20% of all children in Israel between 4 and 13 years of age have been infested with head lice. This is mainly due to the existence of ineffective pediculicides on the market.

Objective: To examine the pediculicidal efficacy and safety of a natural remedy ("Chick-Chack") and to compare it in an open clinical study with a known pesticide spray.

Methods: The natural remedy, which contains coconut oil, anise oil and ylang ylang oil, was applied to the hair of infested children three times at 5 day intervals. Each treatment lasted for 15 minutes. The control pediculicide was a spray formulation containing permethrin, malathion, piperonyl butoxide, isododecane and propellant gas, which was applied twice for 10 minutes with a 10 day interval between applications.

Results: Of 940 children, aged 6-14 years, from six schools in Jerusalem who were examined for head louse infestation, 199 (21.2%) were infested with lice and eggs, while 164 (17.4%) were infested only with nits. Altogether, 119 children were randomly treated with either the natural remedy or the control product. Treatment was successful with the natural remedy in 60 children (92.3%) and with the control pediculicide in 59 children (92.2%). There were no significant side effects associated with either formulation.

Conclusions: The natural remedy was very effective in controlling louse infestations under clinical conditions and caused no serious side effects.

Background: There are many different types of pediculicides available OTC in Australia. In this study we compare the efficacy and safety of three topical pediculicides: a pediculicide containing melaleuca oil (tea tree oil) and lavender oil (TTO/LO); a head lice "suffocation" product; and a product containing pyrethrins and piperonyl butoxide (P/PB).

Method: This study was a randomised, assessor-blind, comparative, parallel study of 123 subjects with live head lice. The head lice products were applied according to the manufacturer's instructions (the TTO/LO product and the "suffocation" product were applied three times at weekly intervals according to manufacturers instructions (on Day 0, Day 7 and Day 14) and the P/PB product was applied twice according to manufacturers instructions (on Day 0 and Day 7)). The presence or absence of live lice one day following the last treatment was determined.

Head Lice - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Options

Results: The percentage of subjects who were louse-free one day after the last treatment with the product containing tea tree oil and lavender oil (41/42; 97.6%) and the head lice "suffocation" product (40/41, 97.6%) was significantly higher compared to the percentage of subjects who were louse-free one day after the last treatment with the product containing pyrethrins and piperonyl butoxide (10/40, 25.0%; adj. p < 0.0001).

Conclusion: The high efficacy of the TTO/LO product and the head lice "suffocation" product offers an alternative to the pyrethrins-based product.

Head lice infestation is an emerging social problem in undeveloped and developed countries. Because of louse resistance increasing, several long-used insecticidal compounds have lost their efficacy, and alternatives, such as essential oils, have been proposed to treat this parasitic infestation. The present study investigated the efficacy of two natural substances: tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) oil and nerolidol (3,7,11-trimethyl-1,6,10-dodecatrien-3-ol) against lice and its eggs. Products were used alone and in combination (ratio 1:1 and 1:2) from 8 % dilution. The in vitro effect of natural substances at different concentrations were evaluated against 69 head lice (adults and nymphs) and 187 louse eggs collected from school children in Chieti–Pescara (Central Italy) over a 6-month period. The lice mortality was evaluated for 24 h by a stereo light microscope. The ovicidal activity was monitored by microscopic inspections for 15 days. Tea tree oil was more effective than nerolidol against head lice with 100 % mortality at 30 min and 1 % concentration. On the contrary, nerolidol expressed a more pronounced ovicidal activity inducing the failure of 50 % of the eggs to hatch at 1 % concentration after 4 days; the same effect was achieved by using a twice concentration of tea tree oil. The association of the two substances both in ratios 1:1 and 1:2 combined efficaciously their insecticidal and ovicidal effect; in particular, the ratio 1:2 (tea tree oil 0.5 % plus nerolidol 1 %) acted producing both the death of all head lice at 30 min and the abortive effect of louse eggs after 5 days. These results offer new potential application of natural compounds and display a promising scenario in the treatment of pediculosis resistant cases. The development of novel pediculicides containing essential oils could be, in fact, an important tool to control the parasitic infestation.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00436-012-3045-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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Introduction

Head lice infestation is caused by Pediculus humanus capitis De Geer, belonging to the family Pediculocidae, permanent and strictly obligatory ectoparasite species-specific: it completes the entire life cycle on the scalp of man. The head louse is a hematophagous that survives by sucking the blood, several times a day (every 2–3 h).The male P. humanus capitis (2–3 mm) is smaller than the female (3–4 mm); the female is the most important vector of infection, since it lives 30 days after fertilization and lays 8–10 eggs per day for a total of 50–300 eggs during its lifetime. From the eggs (nits), nymphs will hatch after 8–12 days and become mature in another 8 days. One to two eggs are laid on the hair, at few millimeters from the follicle, grayish white, shiny surface, and adhering to the hair with a cementing substance. After 6–10 days, the larvae from the egg slip out of the site of the operculum (Burgess 2004; Chosidow 2000; Ko and Elston 2004; CDC 2005).

Head lice - the facts

The transmission may be direct, from one head to another when they are very close, or indirect, through clothing (hats, caps, headbands muffs, shawls, scarves, and jackets), the common use of hair brushes combs, through the bedding, the backs of upholstered chairs, blankets, stuffed animals, and the common use of wardrobes (Leung et al. 2005).

The infestation may be asymptomatic or symptomatic; in symptomatic cases, the itching is found in a highly variable percentage of patients (Chosidow 2000). The itching can be caused both by the bite of lice on the skin and the irritative-allergic reaction caused by the deposition of saliva on the scalp. The symptoms occur when the infestation is already old (Chosidow 2000; Flinders and De Schweinitz 2004).

Many parents overlook this problem or are not sufficiently informed. Although the infestation is characterized by a low degree of morbidity, because of its high prevalence, not to be excluded the psycho-social consequences, with exclusion of affected patients, this condition is considered socially inappropriate (Mumcuoglu 1999). Head lice infestation is spread throughout the world and represents an important problem from the standpoint of social health. In Italy, head lice infestation appears among children in nursery and primary schools, especially during the cold months (autumn–winter) and also in summer (swimming pool and colonies) (Canyon and Speare 2007a; Sidoti et al. 2009).

Several topical head lice treatments based on insecticidal chemicals failed to obtain a lice control for their misuse or extensive use favoring the emergence of resistance, especially in developed countries (Hunter et al. 2003; Roberts and Burgess 2005; Mumcuoglu 2006; Priestley et al. 2006; Burgess 2009a; 2009b; Burgess and Burgess 2011). As a consequence, the presence of lice infestation is an increasing problem (Lee et al. 2000; Roberts and Burgess 2005), and the effectiveness of alternative compounds should be considered to evaluate the development of novel pediculicides.

Plant-based compounds such as the flowers bud extract of Syzygium aromaticum, Melia azedarach, lavender oil, eucalyptus oil, lemon tea tree oil, thymol, and geraniol have been taken into account for their activity against both insects and their eggs and could represent an interesting approach to limit the emergence and the spread of the parasitic infestation (Heukelbach et al. 2006; Abdel-Ghaffar et al. 2007; Priestley et al. 2006; Carpinella et al. 2007; Bagavan et al. 2011; Barker and Altman 2011; Mehlhorn et al. 2011; Abdel-Ghaffar et al. 2012).

Tea tree oil is a compound derived from the Australian native plant Melaleuca alternifolia. It has well-established quality control procedures, and its composition has specified under International Organization for Standardization standard 4730 (oil of Melaleucaterpinen-4-ol type) (ISO 1996). Tea tree oil is reported to have a wide variety of biological properties, including antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and insecticidal activities (Gould 1997) with interesting applicative prospects. The insecticidal properties (Williamson et al. 2007; Heukelbach et al. 2008) could be useful in the treatment of larvae in strikes, the repellent effects (Canyon and Speare 2007b; Eamsobhana et al. 2009; Maguranyi et al. 2009) could protect against new strikes or restrikes, and the antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities (Carson et al. 2006) can favor wound healing (Woollard et al. 2007).

Nerolidol or 3,7,11-trimethyl–1,6,10-dodecatrien-3-ol is a predominant sesquiterpene, which not only occurs in Baccharis dracunculifolia essential oil but is also found in many essential oils (Klopell et al. 2007). Nerolidol is a fragrance ingredient and has been studied as a topical skin penetration enhancer (Lapczynski et al. 2008; Williams and Barry 2004). Moreover, it has been documented to have significant antibacterial (Brehm-Stecher and Johnson 2003; Inoue et al. 2004), antifungal (Lee et al. 2007), antimalarial (Lopes et al. 1999), antileishmanial (Arruda et al. 2005), and antiulcer activities (Klopell et al. 2007). In particular, Priestley et al. (2006), found a significant lethality against louse eggs at a concentration of 1 %.

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The aim of this study was to evaluate the activity of tea tree oil and nerolidol against eggs, nymphs and adults of Pediculus capitis used alone and in combination, in ratios 1:1 and 1:2.

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Materials and methods

Head lice and louse eggs collection

Adults, nymphs, and eggs of P. capitis were collected from the head of children 6–13 years old, who attended primary/elementary schools in Chieti–Pescara (Central Italy) over a 6-month period.

The children were not previously treated with antilice products for at least 1 month, and the head lice were collected using a fine-toothed antilouse metal comb (Fig. 1a) and transported to the laboratory in glass jars with screw caps, with the approval of the children guardians. We conducted a total of seven experiments.

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Fig. 1

Head lice and louse eggs detection. (a) Collection of lice by combing from infested head. (b) Basket for lice. (c) Viable louse egg attached to the hair. (d) Lice and louse eggs treated for experiments

A total of 69 head lice (21 adults and 48 nymphs) were analyzed and considered indistinctly. Lice, processed within 2 h after collection, were placed into 6-cm diameter stainless steel baskets with nylon net bottoms into separate glass Petri dishes lined with Whatman no. 1 filter paper (7.0 cm in diameter) on the bottom (Fig. 1b) and used for the experiments.

Louse eggs, attached <1 cm from the scalp, were collected by cutting the hair with hairdresser scissors and put in glass jar with screw caps in a polystyrene container to minimize temperature variation. The samples were taken to the laboratory and processed within 2 h after collection. One hundred eighty-seven louse eggs were selected among the 250 or more microscopically observed due to their homogenous aspects, with closed operculum and in the same phase of embryonic development (Mougabure-Cueto et al. 2006). These, then were placed in separate glass Petri dishes lined with Whatman no. 1 filter paper (7.0 cm in diameter) on the bottom (Fig. 1c) and used for the experiments.

Products

Tea tree oil (oil of melaleucaterpinen-4-ol type, Fig. 2a) and nerolidol (3,7,11-Trimethyl-1,6,10-dodecatrien-3-ol, Fig. 2b) were purchased from A.C.E.F. SpA (Fiorenzuola D’adda, Piacenza, Italy) and Moellhausen SpA (Vimercate, Milano, Italy), respectively. Both products were dissolved in ethylexyl stearate to obtain the following twofold solutions: tea tree oil (A), 8, 4, 2, and 1 %; nerolidol (B), 8, 4, 2, and 1 %. The essential oils were also combined in ratios 1:1 and 1:2, obtaining the following combinations:

How To Get Rid Of Lice In Your Home

Tea tree oil plus nerolidol, ratio 1:1 (C): C1 = A4 % plus B4 %, C2 = A2 % plus B2 %, C3 = A1 % plus B1 %, C4 = A0.5 % plus B0.5 %

Tea tree oil plus nerolidol, ratio 1:2 (D): D1 = A4 % plus B8 %, D2 = A2 % plus B4 %, D3 = A1 % plus B2 %, D4 = A0.5 % plus B1 %.

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Fig. 2

Chemical structure of terpinen-4-ol (a), the main component of tea tree oil, and nerolidol (b)

Bioassay

Pediculicidal activity

For testing pediculicidal activity, the baskets containing adults and nymphs (detected together) of lice, distributed in Petri dishes lined with Wathman no.1 paper filter on the bottom (Fig. 1d), were treated with 600 μl of each product (A–D) at the different concentrations and in the two tested combinations for 15 min and at 65 ± 5 % humidity in darkness chamber and incubated at 35 ± 2 °C (WHO 1981). Then, to simulate the treatment of an infested host, the baskets were taken out, and the lice were washed with top water until they were completely free from residual products and placed in Petri dishes with untreated filter papers and incubated at 35 ± 2 °C and at 65 ± 5 % humidity in darkness. Two control tests were performed: one with lice placed on unimpregnated filter paper, and another with lice exposed to solvent ethylexyl stearate impregnated filter paper dried for 5 min under fume cupboard. The plates with adults and nymphs of lice were observed by stereomicroscope at 10, 15, 20, 30, 60, 120, 240 min and 24 h. Depending on the insects recovering, each basket for each experiment could contain one, two, or three lice.

Criteria of death of head louse were extremely strict and were defined as absence of movement of limbs and gut, with or without stimulation using forceps. Experiments were repeated, at least, twice.

Ovicidal activity

For testing ovicidal activity, all the viable selected louse eggs, distributed in Petri dishes with Wathman no.1 paper filter on the bottom (Fig. 1d), were embedded with 600 μl of each product (A–D) at the different concentrations and in the two tested combinations. After the exposure, the filter papers were dried for 5 min under a fume cupboard. Two control tests were performed: one with louse eggs placed on unimpregnated filter paper, and another with louse eggs exposed to solvent ethylexil stearate impregnated filter paper dried for 5 min under a fume cupboard; treated samples and controls were incubated at 37 ± 2 °C and 65 ± 5 % humidity chamber in darkness for 15 days. Depending on the louse eggs recovering, each Petri dish for each experiment could contain four or five eggs.

The louse eggs hatching were monitored daily under microscopic inspection. Mortality data of treated eggs were recorded 5 days after the hatching of controls. Louse eggs with closed operculum and nymphs inside were the criterion for embryo mortality (abortive eggs) (Mougabure-Cueto et al. 2006). Experiments were repeated, at least, twice.

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Results

The results obtained by treating 69 head lice, adults and nymphs, with tea tree oil (A), nerolid (B) and their combinations in ratios 1:1 (C) and 1:2 (D) at different concentrations are shown in Fig. 3.

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Fig. 3

Mortality (%) of head lice (adults and nymphs) treated with tea tree oil (a), nerolidol (b), and their combination in ratio of 1:1 (c) and 1:2 (d) at different concentrations (see “Materials and methods”) and control groups, in time. The total number of lice ranged from 2 to 10, for each product and for each concentration

The percentage of lice mortality, detected in 24 h, was expressed using highly strict criteria for mortality (no external or internal vital signs). Lice treated with tea tree oil at 1 % of concentration (A4), caused 100 % mortality after 30 min of washing (Fig. 3a). The treatment with different concentrations of nerolidol was less effective than tea tree oil with 33 % mortality reached at 2 % (B3) after 120 min of washing (Fig. 3b).

Combining the two essential oils, no vital signs were recorded in the 100 % of lice after 30 min of washing at C4 condition (A0.5 % plus B0.5 %); the same efficacy was achieved after 10 min of washing at C3 combination with essential oils at 1 % each (Fig. 3c). The mixing of tea tree oil and nerolidol in the ratio 1:2 produced 100 % mortality after 20 min of washing at D3 condition (A1 % plus B2 %) (Fig. 3d). The evaluation of vital signs was recorded both in nymphs and adult lice resulting in a more resistance to treatments of nymphs than adult lice, in each examined group, with persistent internal movements (Video 1) also in presence of dead adult insects (Video 2) until the total mortality occurred. Interestingly, dead nymphs were mainly characterized by the gut rupture with seepage into the thorax and limbs (Fig. 4).

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Fig. 4

Nymph of louse dead after 20 min of treatment with tea tree oil at 1 % concentration (A4) showing the gut rupture (a), with seepage into the thorax (b) and limbs (c), which appeared after 30 and 60 min, respectively

All the head lice in the negative control group survived during the observation time for 240 min except for C condition (Fig. 3c) with 25 % mortality; the same survival values were recorded, in each examined group, also after 6 h of observation (not shown); after 24 h, all insects were dead.

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The ovicidal activity of tea tree oil (A), nerolidol (B), and their combinations in ratios 1:1 (C) and 1:2 (D) is summarized in Fig. 5. Few detectable modifications in the development of larvae inside the eggs were recorded with tea tree oil at lower concentrations; the 50 % of abortive eggs at 2 % concentration was reached after 4 days of observation (Fig. 5a). The treatment with nerolidol was more effective against louse eggs in respect to tea tree oil; in fact, after the same time of observation (4 days), the 50 % of ovicidal effect was reached at 1 % concentration, and, after 7 days, all louse eggs were abortive (Fig. 5b).

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Fig. 5

Abortive (%) louse eggs treated with tea tree oil (a), nerolidol (b), and their combination in ratio 1:1 (c) and 1:2 (d) at different concentrations (see “Materials and methods”) and control groups, in time. The total number of louse eggs ranged from 8 to 12, for each product and for each concentration

Regarding the essential oil combinations, the mixture C4 (A0.5 % plus B0.5 %) was effective in the 80 % of treated louse eggs after 5 days (Fig. 5c), whereas the mixture D4 (A0.5 % plus B1 %) induced, after the same period of time, the full ovicidal effect (Fig. 5d). Louse eggs in the controls hatched after 5–8 days (Fig. 6).

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Fig. 6

Phases of hatching of louse egg, in time. Eye spot (arrow). Operculum with aeropyles (inset). Original magnification ×100. Scale bar = 500 μm

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Discussions

The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of two natural products, tea tree oil and nerolidol, at various concentrations, used alone or combined in ratios 1:1 and 1:2, against lice and their eggs. The in vitro tests displayed a significant efficacy at lower concentrations. In particular, tea tree oil needed the shortest time (30 min) until all lice were killed at 1 % concentration, whereas the most effective oil for killing louse eggs appeared to be nerolidol that provided the 75 % abortive eggs 5 days after treatment. This ovicidal effect was also detected by Priestley et al. (2006), who attributed the specific action of nerolidol against louse eggs to its bioavailability favoring the penetration through the highly hydrophobic cuticle.

When the analyzed products were mixed, the pediculicidal effect of tea tree oil and the prevalent ovicidal activity of nerolidol were usefully displayed; in particular, in ratio 1:2, at less concentration (D4), the total lice killing was obtained within 30 min and the complete inhibition of nymphs emergence happened at 5 days, whereas the association at D3 concentration (A1 % + B2 %) produced a 100 % mortality of adult insects and nymphs after 20 min of exposure.

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The considerations agreed by other authors (Carpinella et al. 2007; Priesley et al. 2006) and the results obtained from this study suggest that the combination investigated can improve the insecticidal activity, in particular, when lice are resistant. Other studies (Bagavan et al. 2011; Mehlhorn et al. 2011; Abdel-Ghaffar et al. 2012) analyzed the effect of natural products against both motile lice and eggs. In particular, Abdel-Ghaffar et al. (2012) propose an antilice shampoo based on a new seed extract able to be efficacious after one treatment. The hexane flower bud extract of S. aromaticum (Myrtaceae) was evaluated by Bagavan et al. (2011), who found a major effect in vapor phase. These studies underline that natural products may provide good antilice activity and can offer a valid alternative to conventional insecticides. In our study, the investigated substances, in the ratio of 1:2, make up the formulation of the antihead lice natural product NOPID®, used in Italy and indicated for the treatment of head lice and its eggs.

The results obtained from this study presented a promising scenario for using combinations of tea tree oil and nerolidol as effective alternative for treating pediculosis.

Essential oils are potential natural products for lice control, promoting selective effects against resistant insects, and may prevent the rapid development of resistance, in particular in developed countries (Mumcuoglu et al. 2002). In Italy, very few studies were carried out (Sidoti et al. 2009), and misdiagnosis, overuse of pediculicides, and lack of information contribute both to the lice resistance and the difficulty of survey. Moreover, studies of pediculicidal and ovicidal effectiveness of new products should be performed with lice collected in the country to obtain real efficacious treatments.

Our analysis provides efficacy against lice and their eggs encouraging for novel therapy schemes including natural compounds as alternative approaches to cure P. capitis infestations.

Moreover, in this study, we avoid misidentifying mortality following stringent criteria for the definition of mortality of lice and louse eggs. As observed by Burgess (2009a) using dimeticone 4 %, in our study, we found gut disruption with evidences of seepage of the thorax and the limbs in head lice.

As suggested by Yang et al. (2005), the mode of delivery of the essential oil and compounds was likely by vapor action via respiratory system blocking. The essential oils are complex mixtures of many different components with various degrees of lipophilicity, relative hydrophilicity, and volatility at room temperature.

The terpenoid components of essential oils as tea tree oil can exert their action in a mechanical way.

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Because of the low molecular weight, such compounds can pass through the cuticle of louse up to the trachea causing the death of head lice by suffocation. The efficacy of essential oils can be attributable to the combined effect of direct deposition of essential oils on cuticle together with an indirect effect via adsorption of the vapors. Then, to potentiate this effect, it will be useful to apply oils, cover hair with a shower cap, and let stand overnight with the aim to suffocate the remaining live lice (nymphs).

The results of this study offer new potential application of natural compounds. The development of novel pediculicides containing essential oils could be, in fact, an important tool to control the parasitic infestation.

Education of parents and teachers about louse biology, epidemiology, control, and an effective prevention is of paramount importance to manage lice infestation. In fact, the increasing knowledge of the pediculosis, overcoming prejudice, should favor a rapid alert of health service, providing suitable treatment.

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Electronic supplementary material

Nymph showing persistent internal movements of gut (Video 1) and dead adult louse and nymph showing persistent movements of limbs (Video 2) after 30 min of treatment at D4 condition (tea tree oil 0.5 % plus nerolidol 1 %).

ESM 1(444K, mpg)

(MPG 444 kb)

ESM 2(756K, mpg)

(MPG 756 kb)

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank Mrs Anamaria Pereira for her kind contribution. This Research was supported by Union Health S.r.l., S. Giovanni Teatino, (CH) Italy

Open Access

This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits any use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author(s) and the source are credited.

What do lice hate?

Staff WriterPosted on August 23, 2017 Posted in Uncategorized

LICE PREVENTION INFO

Do You Have HEAD LICE ? NATURAL HAIR

This info was provided by a community partner to help parents and child care providers prevent lice. Back to school season means lots of excitement. Do some prevention to avoid adding worry to your back to school list.

DIY Preventative Essential Oil Lice Spray for Hair — Pass Health Foods

2 oz. spray bottle, filled halfway with water.

10 drops tea tree oil.

5 drops lavender oil.

5 drops rosemary oil.

5 drops eucalyptus oil. Fill a 2oz spray bottle halfway with water (it’s best to use distilled or bottled water) and add the essential oils.

What repels head lice?

Coconut, tea tree oil, lavender, eucalyptus, rosemary, lemon grass, and peppermint are scents popularly believed to repel lice. Using any coconut scented shampoo and conditioner is an easy way to increase your defense.

What can I put in my hair overnight to kill lice?

Have your kids come home with head lice recently? Kids of all ages and socioeconomic levels get lice, no matter how often they do—or do not—wash their hair or bathe. In fact, 6-12 million kids in the U.S. get head lice each year, so you’re not alone.

11 best ways to eradicate head lice

Dr. Lauren Adler, one of our pediatricians with Westchester Health Pediatrics has put together this list of the 11 best ways to get rid of lice so you and your child can get some relief.

How to avoid and get rid of HEAD LICE in natural hair

Nitpicking and wet combing. You cannot get rid of lice until you’ve picked out all the eggs. This should be done in conjunction with almost all other treatments. Hair should be wet and have a lubricant added to it, such as conditioner.Lauren-Adler

Lauren Adler, MD, FAAP

First, comb the hair section by section, starting very close to the scalp with a fined-toothed metal comb (you can buy one at the drugstore) to remove lice and nits. After a comb-through, use a magnification light to find and pick out any strays.

Rid, lice-killing shampoo. Pyrethrum, the active ingredient in Rid and similar OTC products, comes from chrysanthemum flowers that harbor natural insecticides called pyrethrins. Apply to dry, clean hair that has no products applied to it, wait 10 minutes, then add water to form a lather and rinse. Comb for nits. A second application is recommended 7-10 days later to kill any live lice that remain. Watch your child for allergic reactions.

Olive oil. This home remedy smothers and kills lice but it needs to be applied overnight under a shower cap because lice can survive without breathing for hours. You’ll also have to comb your child’s hair afterwards to remove nits, but the olive oil should help loosen them from the hair shafts.

Nix, another lice-killing shampoo. Here is another permethrin-containing product that attacks live lice although some of our parents report that lice seem to have become resistant to it. Allergic reactions are possible. On damp, shampooed (but not conditioned) hair, saturate your child’s head with the lotion. Leave for 10 minutes, rinse and comb out nits. Repeat if live lice appear 7 or more days after the initial treatment.

Petroleum jelly (Vaseline). Like olive oil, many moms swear by this (other options: styling gel or mayonnaise). The thick jelly supposedly suffocates lice by clogging their breathing holes. For best results, coat the hair and scalp, cover it overnight with a shower cap, and wash out the next morning. Comb for nits. Repeat the treatment one week later.

Vinegar. Some parents have found that vinegar dissolves the sticky glue that the female louse uses to attach her eggs to hair shafts. Also, we’ve seen that coating the hair with vinegar after using a lice-killing treatment and before combing for nits works well. (White vinegar is recommended.)

LouseBuster. Resembling a vacuum cleaner, this device directs heated air toward the hair roots and scalp to dry out lice and their eggs. A 2006 study showed that the LouseBuster killed 98% of nits and 80% of live lice. Although safe and quick (a typical treatment takes only 30 minutes), treatments are only available through certified professional operators.

Clean items that have come in contact with your child’s head. To prevent re-infection, wash bedding, hats, scarves and towels in hot water and dry on a hot setting. Soak combs and brushes in very hot, soapy water. Vacuum floors, pillows, upholstered furniture and car seats. Stow items you can’t wash in a sealed bag for 2 weeks. Check all household members for lice as well.

Hire a nit-picking service. There are actually de-lousing services that specialize in removing head lice. Ask friends, neighbors, your school nurse or us for recommendations for a reliable service in your area, or consult the National Association of Lice Treatment Professionals.

Benzyl alcohol lotion 5%. This prescription lotion (brand name Ulesfia) works by paralyzing a louse’s breathing apparatus. Ulesfia can be prescribed for patients 6 months of age and older and at least two applications are needed. (Note: It can cause eye and skin irritation.) To use, saturate dry hair and scalp with the lotion, wait 10 minutes, then rinse. Use a nit comb afterward to help remove nits and dead lice.

Cetaphil Cleanser: Another product that can be used to treat lice via suffocation is Cetaphil Cleanser. This method has been shown to be 96% effective and has no toxicity. Start by coating the scalp and dry hair with a thick layer of Cetaphil. Once the hair has been saturated, wait 2 minutes to allow the product to soak in. Using a fine-toothed comb, remove the excess product. Blow dry the hair until is is completely dry (this may take longer than usual). Leave product in for at least 8 hours, usually overnight. In the morning, wash hair as usual. This process should be repeated 7 and 14 days later.

For more information, advice and tips, come in and see us

If you’re concerned about head lice, or any aspect of your child’s healthcare, please call (914) 232-1919 to make an appointment with one of our Westchester Health pediatricians to come in and talk about it. Whenever, wherever you need us, we’re here for you.

What kills lice instantly in hair?

Head lice are small wingless insects that are light brown or grey in color and present on the scalp. They feed on the blood of the scalp and derive nutrition. Children are more commonly affected by an infestation with head lice than adults. Head lice can affect anyone, and having head lice is not a sign of poor hygiene. Head lice don't carry or spread bacterial or viral infections. It is usually not possible to get rid of head lice overnight, but there are several treatment options involving over-the-counter medicines, prescription medication, and lifestyle and home remedies that can help get rid of lice faster.

KILLING LICE pt.2

How do you know you have head lice?

Common signs and symptoms of lice infestation can include:

Itching of the scalp, neck, and ears (open wounds on the scalp and neck due to severe itching)

Visible lice on the scalp

Visible lice eggs on the hair shafts

Sores on the scalp, neck, and shoulders

How do you get head lice?

Female lice produce a sticky substance that attaches the eggs to the base of the hair shaft, up to 5 mm from the scalp.

The life cycle of lice:

Eggs: They typically hatch after six to nine days.

Nymphs: These are immature forms of the lice. They develop into mature adults after 9-12 days.

Adult lice: They usually live for three to four weeks, and the adult female lice lay around 6-10 eggs a day.

Transmission of head lice:

REACTING TO EXTREME HAIR LICE

Head lice can’t jump or fly; they can only crawl. Lice usually directly transfer from the hair of one person to another. Therefore, head lice infestation may not always be a sign of poor personal hygiene or an unclean environment. Pets, such as dogs and cats, usually don't play a role in spreading head lice. Some possible ways of transmission include:

Direct and close contact with another person that has head lice

Sharing hats and scarves

Brushes and combs

Hair accessories

Headphones

Sharing pillows, towels, and clothing

Lifestyle and home remedies

Alternative lifestyle and home remedies can be used alongside medical treatment to help get rid of lice faster. Home remedies alone may not be effective because there is no scientific proof of their effectiveness, and one may consult with a doctor before following them.

Wet combing: Combing the entire hair from the scalp to the tips when it is wet with a fine-toothed comb can remove lice and some eggs. A lubricant such as olive oil or coconut oil used while combing the hair makes it easy to remove the lice. This can be repeated every three to four days for a few weeks till there are no more lice found.

Essential oils: Certain essential oils such as tea tree oil or ylang-ylang oil may kill lice by suffocating them.

Smothering agents: There are several common home products that may kill lice by depriving them of air and smothering them. These products include petroleum jelly (Vaseline), olive oil, butter, or mayonnaise. Any of these products may be applied to the scalp and hair, covered with a shower cap, and left on overnight.

Dehydration: Applying hot air with a special machine operated by a professional can cause dehydration, possibly killing the eggs and lice.

Household cleaning: Lice usually can’t live more than a day without feeding off a human scalp, and the eggs can’t survive if they aren't incubated at the temperature in the scalp. Despite this, as a precaution, it is advised to clean items that a person with lice infestation has used in the previous two days. Cleaning recommendations include:

Washing clothing, soft toys, and bedding in hot soapy water at a temperature of 130°F (54.4°C) at least, and they should be dried at high heat.

Cleaning hair care items such as hair combs, brushes, or hair accessories by soaking them in hot soapy water for at least 10 minutes.

Safely sealing items that cannot be washed in plastic bags for at least two weeks.

Vacuuming the floor and furniture can help get rid of lice.

How do you use onion juice for lice?

Monsoon woes don't end with dandruff. The sweaty and sticky scalp brings lice with it. Worry not, as there are solutions in the form of onion and garlic juice.Hair transplant surgeon Sakshee Sareen says that due to accumulation of sweat in the scalp, chances of hair lice or fungal infection increases during the monsoon season."And since the scalp remains wet for a longer duration, the hair lice multiplies very rapidly," Sareen told IANS.Lice are found mostly in long hair, and she advises not to tie up damp hair."Lice are found majorly in long hair because they can easily lodge and multiply in comparison to shorter hair. If long hair is tied up for long, the chances of lice increases because of the dampness and sweat," she said.But women need not fear as one can take steps to prevent lice from attacking the scalp."Those with long hair specially should wash their hair regularly and after washing should completely dry their hair before tying it up. Once or twice in a week, check for lice and brush hair with soft bristle comb," said Sareen.Since lice spread fast, even if a family member or friend has the problem you should take care. She advises not to share personal belongings like comb, hair accessories, pillow and other products that touch the hair.Sareen suggests few home remedies too. Garlic, neem and onion can be of great help."Apply garlic paste or juice all over your hair and scalp, keep it for some 30-40 minutes, then wash it. One can try onion juice and white vinegar mixture - apply it on your scalp and keep it for at least an hour. Neem oil is also very effective to remove hair lice and it should be kept for one-and-a-half to two hours," she said.

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If you think natural remedies consume time, use medicated lotions or sprays."There is anti-lice shampoo also, but it will only kill the lice not the eggs. So it's better to opt for natural solutions," she said.

Not really. Onions will probably only irritate your scalp further and aggravate the itching and not kill the lice anyway. There are shampoos that help treat head lice completely but can be prescribed only after a physical examination .

Do lice like onions?

Head lice are a common problem among all school children, with approximately 2 to 4% of school age kids getting head lice every year. Along with the spread of lice, comes the spread of common myths associated with it. As head lice professionals, we want to clear up some of the most common myths so you can rest assured.

Myth: Head lice prefer dirty hair. Lice are non-discriminatory when it comes to hair cleanliness. They simply require any human hair, whether squeaky clean or completely greasy. Lice feed on tiny bits of human blood, and the hair is just a place where they hang on. Also, washing your hair repeatedly as a way to get rid of the lice will not work. They can withstand being submerged in water for hours and have a pretty firm hold on the hair follicle.

Myth: You must clean everything to get rid of lice. This is a common myth that has everyone frantically running around, cleaning their home from top to bottom, washing and rewashing their linens. Lice do not live in the home, only on the human head. Lice can only live removed from the human head for 48 hours or less, so only the items that have come into contact with persons’ heads will need to be cleaned. Items to clean include the infected person’s bedding, hairbrushes/combs, stuffed animals on the bed, and any hats, scarves or helmets worn recently.

Myth: Pets can carry lice. Have no fear, your pets do NOT carry head lice. Lice are a human parasite and only survive on human blood. Dogs and cats can only get fleas.

Myth: Over the counter lice shampoos will get rid of lice. Lice have developed resistance to the chemicals in the most common over the counter treatments. A study published in 2016 shows 98% of lice are now resistant to over the counter shampoos and many prescription treatments as well.

Myth: Lice prefer long hair. This is a very common myth associated with head lice. So many people have chopped or shaved hair off of their children’s head when confronted with head lice, but the sneaky parasite can live on hair as short as 0.1 inch! They like to hang out as close to the scalp as possible, so go ahead and keep your locks as long or as short as you like.

Myth: Head lice can jump from one person to another. Lice cannot jump, nor do they have wings! They can only crawl, which is why they are passed through direct contact. This is one of the reasons why avoiding direct contact with another’s hair or head is the best way to protect yourself from getting head lice.

If you are currently dealing with head lice it’s very important to be treated effectively, in order to get rid of it quickly and prevent it from spreading to others.

Top 5 Home Remedies for Head Lice Removal! WATCH BEFORE YOU TRY!

The treatments at Pediatric Hair Solutions have greater than 99% effectiveness rate and we offer a 30 day 100% guarantee.

You can view each of our treatment services here.

To make an appointment or get more information, call 704-909-9414.

If you do not live near one of our treatment centers, we recommend using our Home Treatment Kit. The kit contains two 8 oz. bottles of non-toxic Treatment Solution, a bottle of Enzymatic Mousse to help remove the eggs/nits, and a Terminator Nit Comb.

How do I check my own head for lice?

Lice are tiny, wingless, parasitic insects that feed on human blood. Lice are easily spread — especially by schoolchildren — through close personal contact and by sharing belongings.

There are three types of lice:

Head lice. These lice are found on your scalp. They're easiest to see at the nape of the neck and over the ears.

Body lice. These lice live in clothing and on bedding and move onto your skin to feed. Body lice most often affect people who aren't able to bathe or launder clothing regularly, such as homeless individuals.

Pubic lice. Commonly called crabs, these lice occur on the skin and hair of the pubic area and, less frequently, on coarse body hair, such as chest hair, eyebrows or eyelashes.

People can have good personal hygiene and still get lice. Unless treated properly, this condition can become a recurring problem.

Symptoms

Nits on hair

Head liceOpen pop-up dialog box

Common signs and symptoms of lice include:

Intense itching on the scalp, body or in the genital area.

Tickling feeling from movement of hair.

Lice on your scalp, body, clothing, or pubic or other body hair. Adult lice may be about the size of a sesame seed or slightly larger.

Lice eggs (nits) on hair shafts. Nits may be difficult to see because they're very tiny. They're easiest to spot around the ears and the nape of the neck. Nits can be mistaken for dandruff, but unlike dandruff, they can't be easily brushed out of hair.

Sores on the scalp, neck and shoulders. Scratching can lead to small red bumps that can sometimes get infected with bacteria.

Bite marks especially around the waist, groin, upper thighs and pubic area.

When to see a doctor

See your doctor if you suspect a lice infestation. Things often mistaken for nits include:

Dandruff

Residue from hair products

Bead of dead hair tissue on a hair shaft (hair cast)

Scabs, dirt or other debris

Other small insects found in the hair

Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic

Causes

Lice feed on human blood and can infest the human head, body and pubic area. The female louse produces a sticky substance that firmly attaches each egg to the base of a hair shaft. Eggs hatch in six to nine days.

DO WE HAVE HEAD LICE?!?!?

You can get lice by coming into contact with either lice or their eggs. Lice can't jump or fly. They spread through:

Head-to-head or body-to-body contact. This may occur as children or family members play or interact closely.

Proximity of stored belongings. Storing infested clothing in closets, lockers or on side-by-side hooks at school, or storing personal items such as pillows, blankets, combs and stuffed toys in proximity at home can permit lice to spread.

Items shared among friends or family members. These may include clothing, headphones, brushes, combs, hair decorations, towels, blankets, pillows and stuffed toys.

Contact with contaminated furniture. Lying on a bed or sitting in overstuffed, cloth-covered furniture recently used by someone with lice can spread them. Lice can live for one to two days off the body.

Sexual contact. Pubic lice usually spread through sexual contact and most commonly affect adults. Pubic lice found on children may be a sign of sexual exposure or abuse.

Prevention

It's difficult to prevent the spread of head lice among children in child care and school settings. There's so much close contact among children and their belongings that lice can spread easily. It's no reflection on your hygiene habits or those of your children, and it's not a failure on your part as a parent if your child gets head lice.

Some over-the-counter products claim to repel lice, but more scientific research is needed to prove their safety and effectiveness.

A number of small studies have shown that ingredients in some of these products — mostly plant oils such as coconut, olive, rosemary and tea tree — may work to repel lice. However, these products are classified as "natural" so they aren't regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and their safety and effectiveness haven't been tested to FDA standards.

Science for kids - Head Lice | Body Parts | Experiments for kids | Operation Ouch

Until more research proves the effectiveness of head lice prevention products, the best approach is simply to take thorough steps to get rid of the lice — and their eggs — so that you don't have more lice to deal with.

Ask your child to avoid head-to-head contact with classmates during play and other activities.

Instruct your child not to share personal belongings such as hats, scarves, coats, combs, brushes, hair accessories and headphones.

Tell your child to avoid shared spaces where hats and clothing from more than one student are hung on a common hook or kept in a locker.

However, it's not realistic to expect that you and your child can eliminate all the types of contact that may result in the spread of lice.

Your child may have nits in his or her hair but not necessarily develop a case of head lice. Some nits are empty eggs. However, nits that are found within 1/4 inch (6.4 millimeters) of the scalp should be treated — even if you find only one — to prevent the possibility of hatching.

Can onion kill lice? Does onion juice get rid of lice?

Nits that are farther away from the scalp are probably from an old infestation, but should be removed to prevent a recurrence.

Not sure

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Rinse hair with neem leaves water

Rinse hair by apple cider vinegar

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It’s a tough question for someone practising allopathy. It can be better answered by someone practising homeopathy. Anyways, I searched on the topic but found no significant evidence to support the fact that onion kills lice. Even if it does what about its eggs which will be left behind and will hatch after few days. Pungent smell and risk of contact dermatitis are another side effects.

Why don’t you try the more established treatment for lice in the form of 1% permethrin. It easily available and effective. But before you start any treatment it’s always a better idea to consult a nearby dermatologist.

Lice can quickly become a nuisance when left unnoticed. With all the constant itching and irritation, your child will have a tough time relaxing and doing daily activities at home or at school in peace. Spending a lot of time outdoors and with other kids affected with head lice can have your child contract this itchy problem. If you see nits on your child’s scalp, that’s the ultimate sign. Here’s everything you need to know about natural remedies to get rid of head lice.

How to cure lice for nigerians

What Are Head Lice?

Head lice are insects that live in human hair. They cannot fly or jump but can run at a rate of 9 inches per minute. They are usually passed on by direct head-to-head contact with another person. They can be found mainly at the back of the head or behind the ears, while sometimes appearing on the eyelashes or eyebrows.

Symptoms of Head Lice Infestation

Your child’s head and hair may have been infested by lice if he exhibits the following symptoms:

Constant itching

Irritability or having trouble sleeping

Swollen lymph nodes or glands

Sores due to scratching

A tickling sensation on the head

Why Parents Prefer Home Remedies to Treat Their Child’s Head Lice Problem

Although you could go to the doctor and get prescriptions for OTC medications, treating head lice with these is usually avoided by many parents because of the list of side effects they come with. Home remedies for head lice usually consist of more natural ways and products to treat head lice and maintain the health of the scalp. Plus, if your child has a case of ragweed or chrysanthemum allergy, then you should definitely avoid OTC drugs and prescription medications for eliminating head lice.

15 Effective Home Remedies to Get Rid of Head Lice

Here are 15 effective home remedies for lice in babies and kids. Try these out, and we’re sure your child will be free of this itchy problem.

1. Vinegar

Use distilled vinegar and gently apply it on your child’s hair. Leave it on for a while and rinse his hair thoroughly with plain water. You can even use apple cider vinegar for this treatment. We also recommend using coconut oil while combing his hair, once you’re done rinsing to extract the dead lice and nits.

2. Olive Oil

Apply olive oil to your child’s scalp till it looks saturated. The olive oil leaves no room to breathe for the lice and their eggs, and suffocates them to death. After 15-20 minutes, comb out the dead lice and apply shampoo to remove the excess oil and rinse. Repeat this process a few times till you see no more lice or red bumps on your child’s hair and scalp. Make sure you wash his clothes carefully after every session.

3. Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is one of the best home remedies for head lice and eggs in children. Simply pour tea tree oil into a spray bottle and mix it with water. Spray it on your child’s scalp and cover his head with a towel for a while. Remove the towel and rinse thoroughly. Repeat twice a week for best results. You may add some tea tree oil in your kid’s shampoo or add it to olive oil for combing out the nits naturally.

4. Garlic

Lice hate garlic, so it’s something you can kill them with! Simply add 8-10 cloves of garlic to lime juice by grinding them into a paste. Mix them together and apply the mixture on your child’s scalp. Let it stay on for 30 minutes, after which you can rinse his scalp with warm water.

5. Petroleum Jelly

Petroleum jelly stops roaming lice in their tracks and acts as a deterrent. Apply a thick layer of petroleum jelly onto your child’s scalp and hold it in place with a towel or shower cap before he goes to bed at night. When he wakes up in the morning, use baby oil and a nit comb to comb away the nits and remove dead lice.

Petroleum Jelly

6. Hair Dryers

A quick and surefire way to pick lice out of your child’s scalp is to use a hairdryer. Be certain to do this outside the house as it prevents the lice from transferring to things and people indoors. Avoid trying this on young toddlers since hot air is not a good idea for their scalp.

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Wednesday, 19 January 2022

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Which onions should I use for this treatment?

Can I make onion hair oil?

Is there a way to get rid of the onion odour after using it?

Can onion juice be left overnight in the hair?

Can onion juice be stored?

How to get rid of lice

1. Tea tree oil

How to use:

2. Salt and vinegar

How to use:

3. Blow dry your hair

How to use:

4. Olive oil

How to use:

5. Neem

How to use:

6. Coconut oil and apple cider vinegar

How to use:

7. Lavender oil

How to use:

8. Garlic

9. Onion juice

How to use:

What to avoid to prevent lice

FAQs to get rid of head lice

Q. Can rubbing alcohol get rid of head lice?

Q. How do you get rid of lice when you’ve tried everything?

Q. How do you know you have head lice?

Q. How do you know lice is gone?

Untreated head lice – what happens?

Do lice need to mate to lay eggs?

Can untreated head lice cause hair loss?

Do lice eventually die off?

Can untreated head lice affect your health?

Can untreated head lice cause hair loss?

Do lice eventually die off?

Can untreated head lice affect your health?

Where can I get help with untreated head lice?

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