How To Get Rid of Head Lice

Head lice are parasites that feast on human blood and need the same for survival. The eggs hatch over a week or 10 days and each louse lays over 4 eggs on a daily basis. Head lice are spread when one comes in contact with others who suffer from the same. Hats, brushes, hair ties, etc can transfer these critters onto your scalp. 

Remedies

Vaseline has been used by a large number of people for the purpose of getting rid of head lice. You must cover your head with this petroleum jelly and put a plastic cap over your head. The next morning, when you wash your hair, they will fall out. However, you may need to wash your hair a number of times to completely remove the vaseline.

Mayo and castor oil are also used by a large number of people. The method is the same- you must apply these products overnight and wash them off thoroughly the next day. A fine-toothed comb can be used to completely remove these critters. 

Related: Are Hairsprays Bad For Hair

Related: Ammonia And Peroxide Free Hair Color

Another method that is used for this purpose- wash your hair twice and then wash off the shampoo with vinegar instead of with water. Consequently, the eggs will not stick to your hair and slide off easily. However, you may also need to pick them out by hand and throw out the eggs. 

Soaking your hair in pine oil works wonders as well. This must be done for about 15 minutes, at least twice a day. After you have dried your hair with a towel, you must cover your scalp with baby oil. This will make it easier for you to comb out the eggs. The oil must then be left in overnight with the help of a shower cap. You must wash out this oil thoroughly with strong shampoo.

For many people, using mayonnaise or vaseline may not work at all. Such people must resort to thoroughly combing out their hair. Combing after the sun sets is recommended as these critters are sensitive to light and it is easier to detach them at night. Along with combing them out, you must also apply oil to your scalp. If you cover the comb with vinegar, it will be easier for you to comb these critters out.

Using a blend of the following oils can also work wonders:

• Rosemary
• Lavender
• Peppermint
• Eucalyptus
• Tea tree

Related: Choosing Right Shampoo For My Hair

Related: Diet for Healthy Shiny Hair

This remedy must be carried out cautiously:

Take a large curling iron, allow the temperature to go as high as it possibly can, and then run it through your hair. Due to the high temperature, the eggs will die. Another manner in which the eggs can be killed is with the help of a hot comb. After these eggs are dead, they must be pulled out. 

Those who suffer from this problem and cannot find respite with the help of any of the above-mentioned problems may turn towards a tea which also goes by the name of Bitter wood, Paolo Amargo, Simaruba, and Quassia Amer. This infusion is sprayed onto the infected scalp. The lice either fall out or die immediately. For long-term prevention, this concoction must be sprayed, on a regular basis.

Adding Quassia Amara wood chips in boiling hot water will also do the trick. This mixture must be cool before use. A bit of rubbish alcohol should be added so that bacteria can be kept away. The wood chips must then be strained out and the concoction must be sprayed onto the scalp on a daily basis.

Related: How To Make Organic Shampoos At Home

Creamy peanut butter can also be used if one wants to get rid of head lice. The hair must be divided into several sections and the peanut butter must be applied to the scalp. After this, the hair must be combed out with special lice comb. The sticky peanut butter will make sure that the eggs fall out. Even though this method takes time and the peanut butter may be hard to wash out, it works very well and is recommended.

Even though the above-mentioned methods have been carried out by a large number of people and have worked very well, many people resort to using special shampoos that contain chemicals for the purpose of killing head lice.