Home remedies for lice, like cleansing your scalp with rue tea, camphor alcohol or citronella spray, can be an effective way of eliminating lice and nits from your hair.
These home remedies for lice can be used on children as they non-toxic, and are associated with a very low risk for side effects or reactions.
Opting for home remedies to treat lice are also a great way to prevent lice when known infestations have been confirmed among siblings or classmates. After using these home remedies, you can additionally use a fine-tooth comb to remove any remaining lice and eggs.
List of natural remedies
Some home remedies for lice that you can use to treat lice include:
1. Wash your hair with rue tea
Another way to treat treat lice is by washing your hair in rue tea. This tea helps to get rid of the parasites and soothe itchy scalps. It should be applied generously to wet hair and then you should pass a fine-tooth comb through your hair.
Ingredients
- 40 g de rue leaves
- 1 liter (33 oz) of boiling water
How to prepare
Place the rue leaves in the boiling water and allow to soak for 10 minutes. Cover the infusion, allow to cool and strain. Once ready, you can apply this infusion to your hair with cotton balls or gauze. You can also pour the tea over your scalp, making sure that all your hair is fully wet.
Once wet, wrap a towel over your hair and allow the infusion to soak for 30 minutes. Then wash your hair with shampoo and apply conditioner. Do not rinse - first pass a fine-tooth comb through your hair to remove dead lice and eggs.
2. Use citronella spray
Citronella repels insects, including lice, due to its intense smell. You can use citronella as a spray to help get rid of lice.
Ingredients
- 150 mL (5 oz) of liquid glycerin
- 150 mL (5 oz) of citronella tincture
- 350 mL (12 oz) of alcohol
- 350 mL (12 oz) of water
How to prepare
Mix all the ingredients in a bowl and place in a sealed container. Apply directly to the hair and scalp, leaving it on for a few minutes. Then pass your hair through a fine-tooth comb to remove the live and nits. You can then wash your hair with your usual shampoo and conditioner.
3. Apply oils to your scalp
Coconut oil, lavender oil, peppermint oil and eucalyptus oil can help to kill lice and nit. Therefore these oils can be used to get rid of them.
Ingredients
- 50 mL (1.5 oz) of coconut oil
- 2 to 3 drops of lavender essential oil
- 2 to 3 drops of peppermint essential oil
- 2 to 3 drops of eucalyptus essential oil
How to prepare
Mix all the oils together and apply to the scalp. Allow to soak for 20 minutes, and then pass your hair through a fine-tooth comb. You can then wash your hair with shampoo and conditioner. These oils can be applied 2 to 3 times per day.
4. Vaseline
Vaseline is a great home remedy for lice as it suffocates the parasites, promoting their elimination.
Ingredients
- Vaseline
How to prepare
Apply the Vaseline to your scalp, put on a shower cap and leave it on overnight. The next morning, wash your hair and scalp thoroughly, and comb through it.
5. Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil has anti-inflammatory properties that can help to reduce swelling, redness and itching on the scalp.
This oil also has antimicrobial properties that can help combat lice infestation.
Ingredients
- 5 drops of tea tree oil
- 3 tablespoons of coconut oil, sweet almond oil or olive oil
How to prepare
Mix the ingredients and apply to the scalp. Leave it on for about 1 hour and then wash your hair. This home remedy for lice can be used for a maximum of 6 days in a row.
Before applying tea tree oil to the scalp, you should do an allergy test by applying a drop of tea tree oil to the skin on the back of your hand.
If you experience allergy-related symptoms such as redness, itching, swelling or small blisters on your hand, wash your skin thoroughly and avoid using tea tree oil as a home remedy for lice.
Furthermore, tea tree oil should not be used by pregnant women.
6. Lemongrass essential oil
Lemongrass essential oil is also a great option for a home remedy for lice, as it has naturally insecticidal action that causes changes in the body of the louse, leading to its elimination.
Ingredients
- 1 drop of lemongrass essential oil;
- 1 tablespoon of plant-based oil, such as coconut, jojoba or olive oil.
How to prepare
Mix the ingredients in a container and apply to the scalp. Put on a shower cap and leave it on for 30 minutes. Then wash your hair and scalp. You should also use a fine-tooth comb to remove lice and nits from your hair.
You should avoid sun exposure for up to 6 hours after applying this oil to prevent skin irritation.
Other ways to get rid of lice
Another important tip to get rid of lice is to wash your clothes and linens separately from those of anyone who is infected. All clothes linens should be washed at high temperatures or placed in a large container of boiling water for several minutes. Learn about other tips for getting rid of lice.
Each bug lives for about 30 days and lays 6 to 8 eggs per day. These eggs take 7 days to develop into a lice bug. Therefore, it is important to avoid cross-contamination and avoid sharing hats, hair brushes or clothing.