How to Get Rid of Lice (Pediculosis): Are Natural Remedies Helpful?

Lice (pediculosis capitis), scientifically known as pediculosis capitis, are tiny insects that infest the human scalp and feed on blood. Lice are most commonly found in children and are usually transmitted through direct contact. Having lice is not a sign of poor hygiene and does not indicate any infectious disease. Although there is limited medical evidence supporting the effectiveness of lice treatments, using natural remedies may help eradicate lice without the need for strong chemicals.

Comb the hair while wet. Use a fine-toothed lice comb to carefully comb through the entire length of the hair when it is wet and smooth. This method can help remove lice and some lice eggs if done over several weeks.

• Purchase a lice comb from a pharmacy, supermarket, or other retailers.
• Wet the hair and apply a product like conditioner to make the hair smooth.
• Use the lice comb to comb through the hair from root to tip at least twice.
• Repeat every three or four days for several weeks. Continue for at least two more weeks after no lice are found in the hair.
• Use a flashlight on the scalp to clearly see the areas being combed for lice.
• A magnifying glass can also help you get a better view of the areas you are combing.
• Section the hair into parts about 2.5 cm by 1 cm, starting at the scalp and combing all the way to the ends of the hair. Be sure to clean the comb with hot water and paper towels after each section.
• Clip the sections you’ve combed to ensure the entire scalp is treated.

Apply essential oils. There is evidence indicating that certain natural plant-based essential oils can effectively eliminate lice and their eggs, while also easing itching when applied to the hair. However, it's important to note that while these oils are effective at killing lice, they are not FDA-approved for safety, efficacy, or production standards, and improper use could harm the scalp.

• Essential oils such as tea tree, fennel, or ylang-ylang can be used to treat lice and eggs. You can also find oils containing nerolidol, a compound found in several plant-based oils. Examples include: orange blossom oil, ginger oil, jasmine oil, and lavender oil.
• Mix about 50 drops of your chosen oil with 4 tablespoons of vegetable oil.
• Apply the mixture to your hair and cover it with a shower cap. Wrap a towel around it for extra coverage.
• Leave it on for approximately 1 hour, then wash thoroughly with shampoo to remove the lice and eggs.
• Essential oils can be purchased at most health product stores, pharmacies, and supermarkets.

Suffocate lice and eggs. Many household products can suffocate lice and their eggs. You can treat lice by applying one of these substances to your hair and leaving it overnight.

• Apply mayonnaise, olive oil, butter, or Vaseline to your hair.
• Cover with a shower cap after applying these substances and leave overnight.
• In the morning, wash your hair with baby oil and shampoo, then rinse thoroughly. Due to the nature of these products, it may take some time to completely clean your hair.
• Repeat this process for several consecutive nights.

Rinse hair with water and vinegar. After eliminating lice and eggs, you can use a mixture of 50% water and 50% vinegar. This solution helps break down dead lice eggs and removes any remaining lice or eggs stuck to the hair.

• Massage the mixture into your hair and rinse thoroughly with water.
• A vinegar and olive oil mixture may also be effective.

Avoid flammable products. Regardless of which natural remedy you use to treat lice, never apply flammable substances to your hair. Kerosene and gasoline can cause serious harm to your health and pose a fire risk if exposed to flames.

Clean all household items. Although lice cannot survive for more than a day when separated from the scalp, it is important to disinfect any items as a precaution. Wash all items used by the infested person from two days prior.

• Wash bed linens, sheets, stuffed animals, and clothing using hot soapy water. The water should be at least 55°C. Dry them on a high heat setting.
• Clean all hair care items, such as combs and accessories, with hot water and soap. Soak these items in hot water at least 55°C for 5-10 minutes.
• Seal any items that cannot be washed or cleaned in plastic bags for two weeks, suffocating the lice and their eggs.
• Vacuum the floor and any upholstered furniture.

Inspect thoroughly. After treating lice, it is important to continue checking the scalp for lice or their eggs for several weeks. This step helps prevent lice transmission to others and ensures no lice or eggs remain.

• Lice eggs hatch within 7-11 days of being laid, so be sure to check the scalp for at least two weeks after treatment.
• You may use a magnifying glass and a light to inspect the hair and items closely.
• Check hair daily until there are no lice, and then continue weekly inspections to prevent reinfestation.

Contact the source of infestation. Schools and childcare centers are the most common sources of lice infestations, although lice can spread anywhere. It is advisable to contact the suspected source to alert them to the possibility of others being infected.

• Inform them that you are actively treating lice.

Keep personal items separate. In general, it's best to separate your personal belongings. This minimizes the risk of lice and eggs spreading to others and helps prevent reinfestation.

• Hang your coat, hat, and scarf on separate hooks whenever possible.

Use only your own items. It is crucial to avoid sharing personal items with others. This prevents the spread of lice and their eggs.

• Only use your own combs, hats, and scarves.
• Ensure you use only your own protective gear, such as helmets.

See a doctor. If natural lice treatments are consistently ineffective, it's time to consult a doctor. They may prescribe a treatment for lice or related skin infections, or they might determine if what you're experiencing is actually dandruff, not lice.

• Persistent itching caused by lice can lead to skin tears and infection.
• Other conditions that may be confused with lice include dandruff, leftover hair products, dead skin cells attached to hair shafts, flakes, and small insects in the hair.

• Children of school age should be checked for lice every month or two months.
• If lice are found, you can apply coconut oil to the hair, cover the head with a shower cap, and leave it on overnight.

• Be cautious when using plastic bags if there are small children in the house, as plastic bags can cause suffocation.
• Lice are rarely transmitted through objects since they need blood to survive.

• Lice comb (to remove lice and eggs)
• Essential oils
• Mayonnaise, butter, olive oil, or Vaseline
• Vinegar
• Washing machine and dryer
• Plastic bags
• Vacuum cleaner
• Shampoo and conditioner