Remedies for Head Lice

Lice are nasty external parasites that infest human hair and are quite a nuisance. They feed on human blood, causing itching and irritation every time they bug. Lice lead to scalp infection, pimples on the head and neck region and thus weaken the hair roots. This increases hair fall. In acute cases, lice can also cause fever to the person infested. Apart from the health hazards that they carry; lice are also considered to be an object of ridicule to the person who has them essentially because they are considered highly contagious. And mostly, children fall prey to these tiny pests while hanging out with other infected friends. However, adults are not completely safe either. Some mothers try to remove lice by rigorous combing, scrutinizing the head and pulling them off from hair strands. It being very painful to kids is dreaded with a passion among them and they avoid such treatments. But, it doesn’t have to be that painful. Mother Nature has bestowed us with some endowments that are very effective in handling lice treatment. Read your way out of lice-dom.

Image: smallislander@flickr

Lice Home Remedies

• A very effective home remedy for head lice is lemon juice. Take two tablespoon of lemon juice and mix it with garlic paste. Apply this mixture to the scalp. Leave it for about 25 – 30 minutes to dry and then wash off. Use cold water to rinse and you will get rid of dandruff and dirt as well. Repeat this method at least twice a week until all lice are gone.
• Grind some neem leaves (Azadirachta indica) to form a paste and apply it on your head. Once the pack dries, wash it off with cold water. Since neem is a natural anti-septic and medicinal herb, it kills the lice and also cures the pimples and rashes caused by them.
• Olive oil is also very useful in killing lice. Massage your head with olive oil and cover your hair with a plastic bag. Keep it overnight. Wash off your head next morning with a shampoo to get lice-less hair.
• Prepare a pack with 2 egg yolks, 3 tablespoons of vinegar and 2 tablespoons of lemon juice. Mix well and apply on the head. Allow it to dry for 20 – 30 minutes and rinse.
• Massage your hair with mayonnaise oil. Keep it for two hours. Thereafter, comb the hair thoroughly and the lice will fall off.
• Take 10 soaked almonds and peel them off. Grind them to form a smooth paste and add 2 - 3 teaspoons of lemon juice to it. Apply this mixture on the scalp and wash off after two hours.
• Take custard apple seeds and grind them to from powder. Apply this powder on your head every day and leave it overnight. Wash it off well in the morning.
• Listerine is also quite effective in removing head lice. But only original flavor Listerine must be used. After washing the head with shampoo, apply Listerine all over the head. Keep it for 10–15 minutes and then wash off with water.