Buzz
Lice are tiny, wingless insects that live as parasites on the human scalp, attaching to the hair and laying their eggs. Contrary to popular belief, lice do not spread diseases, and poor hygiene is not the primary cause of lice infestation. They are transmitted through direct person-to-person contact. If you or your child have been infected with lice, tea tree oil can be used as an effective treatment.
Steps
Identify and Minimize the Risk of Lice Transmission
Identify the signs of lice infestation. There are many reasons for an itchy scalp, and it is easy to confuse dandruff with a lice infestation. It’s important to recognize the signs of lice in order to treat it effectively:
- Use a fine-toothed comb to check the hair and scalp for lice and their eggs. Live lice are about the size of a sesame seed (2-3mm), while their eggs are typically yellowish-white and attached to the hair close to the scalp. The eggs are slightly smaller than the adult lice.
- Look for eggs attached to the hair. Eggs located more than 5mm away from the scalp are most likely to hatch into lice. This is because lice need to feed on blood from the scalp to survive, and the warmth of the scalp helps them thrive. Eggs that are farther from the scalp usually die or have already hatched into lice.
- Use a magnifying glass to examine the scalp and hair. Dust particles and dandruff can easily be mistaken for lice, so using a magnifying glass will help you determine if what you're seeing is lice or their eggs. If you only find eggs attached to the hair further from the scalp, the lice infestation may have already ended.
- Check behind the ears and along the hairline. Lice and their eggs are more easily found in these areas because the hair is thinner.
Check the lice status of everyone in the household. While lice cannot fly or jump, they are highly contagious and can spread to every member of the family. If someone in the house has lice, you must check the hair and scalp of everyone else for signs of these insects.
- Lice are most easily transmitted through shared combs, hats, or sleeping in the same bed as an infected person. If you have a child who shares a bed or room with someone who has lice, or if you often wear the same clothes, you need to check everyone for lice.
Change to clean clothes. If someone in the household is found to have lice, ask them to change into clean clothes, as lice eggs may be attached to clothing, especially shirts, scarves, or hats.
Wash all household items used by the infected person. While poor hygiene is not the cause of lice, they can cling to fabrics and items, spreading the infestation to others. Therefore, it's crucial to clean and disinfect those items thoroughly.
- Machine wash and dry clothes, bed linens, hats, towels, and any fabrics that came into contact with the infected person. Use hot water and dry at a high temperature. If an item cannot be machine-washed, place it in a plastic bag for 2 weeks to suffocate the lice.
- Soak combs and brushes in hot water (at least 50°C) for 5-10 minutes, or place them in the dishwasher with hot water.
- Vacuum the floors and replace upholstery fabric. Lice can't survive for long without feeding on human blood, but vacuuming will remove any lice that may have fallen off, preventing further spread.
Treat everyone in the household simultaneously. Anyone showing signs of lice or anyone who shares a room with the infected person must be treated immediately. Otherwise, another lice outbreak will occur when they remain on someone's hair.
Use Tea Tree Oil to Treat Lice
Buy tea tree oil. Tea tree oil has antimicrobial, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and antiviral properties. Although the exact mechanisms behind these effects are not fully understood, tea tree oil has been proven effective in killing lice eggs and reducing the number of lice on the scalp. Additionally, it has the ability to repel lice.
- A mixture of tea tree oil and lavender oil has shown to be effective in killing lice and their eggs. Be sure to buy pure lavender oil.
- While many shampoos and conditioners contain tea tree oil, the concentration is often not strong enough to be effective. The minimum concentration should be 2% to kill lice eggs.
- Look for tea tree oil extracted from the Melaleuca alternifolia plant using the “steam distillation” method.
Purchase a lice comb. This type of comb has very fine teeth that can help you check for lice close to the scalp.
- If you don't already have one, consider buying a magnifying glass to help inspect the scalp after treatment.
Mix tea tree oil with shampoo. Since tea tree oil can irritate the scalp, it is best to dilute it with shampoo before use.
- Use an eye dropper to add 2-4 drops of tea tree oil to a small bowl.
- Add 2-4 drops of lavender oil to the mix.
- Then add 96-98 drops of mild shampoo (roughly enough to create a small pool about the size of a coin).
- Add a few drops of olive oil or coconut oil to help suffocate the lice.
- Mix the ingredients thoroughly until fully combined.
Apply the shampoo mixture to your hair. Focus on the scalp, as this is where the lice and eggs are located. After applying, wrap your hair in a shower cap while bathing or swimming. Leave it on for 30 minutes.
- If you experience itching or a burning sensation during the treatment, it could be an allergic reaction. Quickly rinse your hair with warm water and wash it again with a very mild shampoo. Use a towel to dry your hair and let it air dry. If the scalp still itches or turns red, wash again.
Lather the shampoo and rinse with water. Apply the shampoo foam to your hair and use your fingers to comb through, trying to remove as many lice as possible. Rinse thoroughly with warm water.
Condition your hair with hair conditioner. The thick consistency of the conditioner can block live lice that tea tree oil hasn't yet killed. Additionally, the conditioner makes it easier to comb through the hair and remove lice. Be sure not to rinse out the conditioner with shampoo.
Use a lice comb to comb through the hair. Start combing from the scalp, as this is where the eggs are most likely to be. If the person has long hair, divide the hair into small sections to comb through gradually.
- This step must be done slowly! Even if you miss a few eggs, they will hatch in a few days and lead to another cycle of lice.
Repeat steps 3-7 every day for 7 days. This is crucial, even though it may seem excessive. Lice eggs take about a week to hatch and develop into full-grown lice. To ensure all eggs are eliminated, maintain this treatment for a full week to clear any remaining eggs.
Frequently use a shampoo containing tea tree oil. Add a few drops of tea tree oil to your regular shampoo, or purchase a shampoo already infused with tea tree oil. It’s advisable to use this type of shampoo once a week to prevent lice from returning.
Tip
- If your child has head lice, it's important to inform the school so they can notify other parents and prevent further outbreaks. Since lice spread easily among young children, a widespread preventive measure is necessary to ensure that lice do not return.
- Lice live exclusively on the human scalp and cannot be transmitted through pets in the house.
- Limit your child's direct head-to-head contact (for example, avoid sharing pillows or lying head-to-head when visiting others). Encourage them not to share clothes, hats, or other personal items with friends. This reduces the risk of your child catching lice from others.
Warning
- Tea tree oil can be toxic if ingested, so avoid applying it near the mouth or swallowing it.
- The safety of tea tree oil for pregnant or breastfeeding women has not been established, so it is not recommended for use by these individuals.
- Some people may be allergic to tea tree oil. If redness, irritation, or itching occurs, stop using it immediately.
- Tea tree oil may have hormonal effects on prepubescent boys, such as causing abnormal breast development (gynecomastia). While the link between tea tree oil and this condition is not fully established, it’s advised not to use it on boys who have not yet reached puberty.
Items You Will Need
- Tea tree oil
- Lice comb
- Magnifying glass
- Mild shampoo and conditioner
