Home Remedies for Lice

Head lice have been a problem for centuries. In recent years, lice have become resistant to many chemical insecticides that are on the market for human use. The have evolved to know when to close down their systems and reject the poisons that are commonly used. Home remedies for lice have become more and more popular with each resistant infestation because they will not expect what means will be taken to destroy them and their eggs.

The best home remedies for lice are to prevent it altogether. You can take measures to prevent an infestation by spraying the hair with Listerine at least once per week. Check the hair for signs of the eggs, known as nits, and insect activity each week. If your child is exposed to lice, finding it in the early stages and eliminating a small population is much easier and more manageable to do, rather than a highly populated infestation.

Some home remedies for lice involve items you may already have around the house: vinegar, Listerine, mayonnaise and olive oil. Rinsing the hair with regular white vinegar will help to loosen the nits from the hair shaft, and making it easier to comb out. Rinsing the hair with Listerine mouthwash will kill the live insects, but not destroy the eggs, so repetitive uses will eliminate any newly hatched insects, thus destroying the population and eliminating the problem. Persistent combing will also rid many adults and any nits that have released from the hair shaft. Some people have had great results with using mayonnaise to smother and kill the insects and the nits, by coating the hair in mayonnaise and leave in for 24 hours. Then when you wash the hair, rinse with vinegar before conditioning and then comb out the dead insects. Olive oil is also used to smother the insects, but is not very successful in destroying the nits.

Another lesser-known agent for killing both insect and egg is Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth. This natural compound dries the exoskeleton of the insect and egg. As a result, this prevents them from retaining moisture and causes them to dehydrate and die. When applying this powder, it is important to wear a mask because this can irritate the sinuses and throat. It is better to mix the powder in water, spritz onto the hair, massage into scalp and let dry. Do not wash the hair for one day, then wash with tea tree oil shampoo and conditioner, rinse with vinegar and comb through to extract the dead insects. Repeat this process until there are no more dead insects being combed out. You can purchase Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth online or at your local farm and feed store.

When choosing to use home remedies for lice, repetition is the key to winning the fight against the parasite population. Continued use of the remedy for 14 days is crucial to eliminating the entire population and reducing the chance of a reoccurrence. Also, when treating a child that has lice, it is important to treat everyone living in the household, even if they are not showing signs of exposure, this will help stop the cycle and spread. In addition, it is just as important to decontaminate your home and all items that may be contaminated. The process is not always easy, but preventing a reoccurrence is easier than treating another infestation. Soaking fabric items in hot water with dish detergent or laundry detergent is a quick way to eliminate any insects. Soak brushes, combs and hair bows in hot water or throw them away. Stop the cycle from continuing, be persistent and treat the household, this will help you be victorious.

Read more about home remedies for headlice here.

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