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Head Lice Home Remedy

Signs and Symptoms of Head Lice

Head lice are wingless insects that live on the human scalp and feed off of human blood. They are different from fleas (which often infect pets) in that they spend their entire life on a host. Related species of lice can also infect other parts of the body. For example, body lice often live on clothing, while pubic lice mainly live on hair in the pubic regions. An infestation of lice is also often referred to as pediculosis.

Head lice develop in the following phases:

Head Lice Eggs (Nits): These are firmly attached to the hair shaft, and are difficult to see (they can easily be mistaken for dandruff). They are oval shaped and usually yellow to white.
Nymphs: After about a week, a nit will hatch into nymphs which are young head lice. At this stage they begin feeding on blood from the scalp.
Adults: After 7 days, a nymph matures into an adult, which is about the size of a sesame seed with a greyish-white color. The adult lifespan is about 30 days.

The most common symptom of lice infestation is frequent itching, which occurs as a result of a lice's saliva entering holes in the scalp when they feed. Note that excessive scratching of the head can result in sores, which may become infected, so it is best to get treatment as quickly as possible. Although a louse bites into the skin to feed, the reaction to the bite is difficult to see between the hairs. However, bites can often be seen on the neck of individuals with long hair.

Causes of Head Lice

Head lice are usually spread through direct head-to-head contact with an infested person, but they can also be spread by sharing combs or towels. Children are often the most affected by head lice, particularly those between the ages of 3 and 10. Additionally, females often get head lice more than males, possibly due to having longer hair. Pets are typically not affected by human head lice.

Home Remedies and Natural Cures for Head Lice Treatment

Use Tea Tree Oil Shampoo to Get Rid of Head Lice

Shampoos containing a small amount (5%) of Tea Tree Oil are often very effective at getting rid of head lice. An excellent shampoo is Nature's Gate - Tea Tree Calming Shampoo.

Head Lice Home Remedy Using Vinegar

A quick home remedy for head lice is to create a rinse using an equal part of water mixed with an equal part of kitchen vinegar. One-half cup usually does the trick. After you've created this mixture, do the following:

Take a shower and leave shampoo in your hair for 5 to 10 minutes. Tea Tree Oil shampoos (described above) work well.
Rinse the shampoo.
Apply the vinegar rinse to your hair and rub it into your whole scalp.
Leave the rinse in your hair for about 2 minutes, then rinse it out.
Repeat this twice per day (morning and evening) until the head lice disappear.

The active ingredients in the shampoo kill head lice as well as penetrate into the eggs that they hatch. The vinegar then helps to dissolve the dead lice and wash their remains away.

Eliminate Head Lice with a Nit Comb

Although shampooing is quite effective at getting rid of head lice, many nits usually remain firmly attached to hair strands. Therefore, after shampooing and drying your hair, it is good to invest in a quality nit comb to remove the pesky nits. A recommended nit-comb is the Nit Free Terminator Lice Comb from NitBusters. A natural peppermint oil repellant such as Nit Free Mint Spray can also help to loosen nits before using the nit comb.

Shaving your Head to Remove Head Lice

One of the easiest and most effective ways to get rid of head lice is to simply shave your head, although many women would prefer alternative methods. Note that a short haircut usually isn't sufficient, since head lice typically cling to hair only a quarter-inch from the scalp.

More Head Lice Home Remedies and Treatments

Reader Comments

Posted by Lisa on Oct 30 2008 23:14:08

When I was young we tried all the above. Vinegar did help with the nits but it burned so bad it really didn't help enough for how bad it burned Mayonaise just left my head super greasy for a couple days and did not kill them the Sargants flea and tick shampoo was the best shampoo but finally what did it was blow drying my hair in the morning and at night.

Posted by Lana on Oct 05 2008 10:39:02

This came from a registered nurse and it really works, my 7 year old daughter was getting lice and we couldn't seem to get rid of it until we tried this, Sargents flea and tick shampoo for CATS only we washed her hair in this and it made the nits almost glow now we was her hair in the shampoo about once every two weeks leave it on for 10 minutes and then condition her hair really well so it won't burn her hair up. using the shampoo every week or everyother week will also repel those critters. we have had alot of success with it, try it it works

Posted by brandii on Sep 02 2008 15:57:41

my 2 year old step son kept getting headlice at 2!! we came up with our own solution which consists of mayo vinegar and dawn dishsoap use 1 cup of each apply to the whole head leave on for approximately 10 minutes and rinse out this has been approved by a pediatrician as well this is 100% safe

Posted by Linda on Aug 10 2008 04:14:20

Get a Jar of Salad Dressing Miracle Whip are any cheap brand will do, put it in your hair real thick and work it in and leave on for 30 min. are so then rinse and comb out with a nit comb, no more head lice..

Posted by Susan on Jul 21 2008 11:30:18

While some of these may work, you forgot to mention the importance of a good nit comb to get all of the eggs out of the hair after using whatever remedy you choose. There are also natural shampoos that are proven to loosen the glue that is holding the nits to the hair shaft and there are mint sprays that help to repel lice. The brand that I prefer for all of these is NitFree that is sold at www.Kleen-Free.com

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