Most parents get terrified when they hear the news that there’s an outbreak of head lice in their kid’s school. Learning that your kid has lice can be embarrassing for the parents and distressing for your kid.
There are 3 types of lice that can affect humans:
1. Body lice
They’re associated with dirty clothes and dirty homes. They’re a bit larger and live on the body, as well as on bed linen, clothing and soft furniture.
2. Head lice
They’re found in the hair and are generally spread by head-to-head contact. They spread really quickly and they feed on blood from the scalp. They’re usually the size of a sesame seed and their eggs are smaller and can be really difficult to get rid of. The eggs hatch 1 week after being laid, which means that even if you got rid of the lice, you could still encounter another outbreak.
3. Pubic lice
They live in the pubic hair of humans. They’re often spread through sex, but can you can also get them from using infected towels, bed linen and clothing. Some of the symptoms include itching and severe skin irritation in the pubic area.
Most people eliminate lice by using products that are packed with chemicals and pesticides. They can help you kill the lice but the pesticides stay on your scalp and can enter your bloodstream. There’s no need to use dangerous chemicals because there are natural ways to eliminate lice.
Here are some effective chemical-free ways to eliminate lice:
1. Use a nit comb
A nit comb is an essential tool for eliminating lice. The comb is very fine and can remove the nits from the hair even before they’re hatched. Use the comb with the following homemade treatment to get the best results.
2. Tea tree and lavender oil
Mix 5 drops of lavender oil, 15 drops of tea tree oil with 2 oz carrier oil (jojoba or coconut oil). Apply the mixture on the hair and scalp. Avoid the face and eyes. Put the hair in a shower cap, wrap it with a towel and leave it like that for 60 minutes. Comb through your hair with a nit comb. Wash your hair to remove the oils. Repeat the treatment 3 times a week.
3. Apple cider vinegar and tea tree
Apple cider has many benefits for the scalp and hair and can loosen the glue that holds the nits in place.
Mix 2 tbsp. apple cider vinegar with a few drops of tea tree oil and a cup of water. Pour the mixture in a spray bottle and shake it well. Spray your hair until it gets wet and massage it into your scalp and hair. Leave it for 60 minutes. Comb your hair with a nit comb afterwards.
4. Neem oil
Add 8-10 drops of neem oil for every 1 oz of shampoo. Massage the shampoo into wet hair and apply the neem oil. Leave it on for 20 minutes. Rinse your hair and comb through with a nit comb.
How To Remove Body Lice
Body lice occur less frequently than head lice. In order to kill them, you need to remember that they can live on the body, bed linen, clothing and upholstery. You need to wash thoroughly all clothing, bed linen and towels at a high temperature. Maintain a great hygiene!