It's Back To School For Headlice Too - Natural Nit and Headlice Solutions!
Lice (officially called pediculus humanus capitis) are tiny, wingless parasites that feed off minuscule amounts of blood from your scalp. They spread by direct contact, 'walking' from one head to another. They are also highly resistant to common chemical treatments. Many home remedies for lice only kill the adult bugs, leaving behind their eggs (known as nits). This means that the critters can re-infest your child's head once they hatch!
Although head lice may cause itching, they do not transmit disease. Unlike body lice, they cannot fly or hop, and can only be transmitted by direct head-to-head contact. Diagnosing a lice infestation can be difficult. Live lice avoid light and move quickly, making them hard to see. Nits can be confused with dandruff, hair spray droplets and dirt particles.
Nits are the eggs
Lice are tiny, wingless insects that feed on blood and live close to the scalp. Their eggs are called nits and appear as small, oval-shaped specks that resemble dandruff or hair spray droplets. They are glued to the base of the hair shafts, so they are difficult to remove from the head. They are usually yellow or white but can blend in with some people’s hair colour. Nits are firmly attached to the hair and can only hatch when a louse has laid them.
Because lice can’t jump or fly, they are spread only by direct contact with an infested person. They can also be transferred via sharing hats and scarves, brushes and combs, and pillows or towels. Children may even pass lice to their siblings or friends.
One of the best ways to kill lice and their nits is to use a special fine-toothed metal lice comb with hair conditioner. It is recommended that this treatment be done every day until the infestation has disappeared, and weekly checks for re-infestation are made.
Essential oils can also be used to treat head lice. Eucalyptus oil is particularly effective, killing lice and their nits in just an hour. It can be mixed with water or vodka to create a shampoo (1% dilution) or combined with vinegar to make a rinse (0.1% dilution).
Nits are the live lice
Head lice are tiny bugs that live on the scalp and feed by sucking blood. They are about the size of a sesame seed and tan or grayish white in color. They move very quickly and evade detection. Head lice are most often seen on preschool and elementary school-aged children, but anyone can get them. Lice cannot jump or fly, but can only crawl. They are most likely to spread by close, prolonged contact of the head or hair with someone who has them, such as when children play, nap, or sleep together. They may also be passed on by sharing combs, brushes, hats or sports helmets.
Nits are the eggs of head lice and they look like bits of dandruff in the hair. They are oval-shaped and very small, so they can be hard to see. They are glued to the base of each hair shaft, usually within 1/4 inch of the scalp and can be difficult to remove. Nits are white in colour, although a nit can be the same colour as the person’s hair. Nits hatch into nymphs in about 8-9 days and then mature into adult lice.
Finding a nit does not mean that a person has active lice, and many people with nits do not experience itching of the scalp. It is important to comb or wet comb the hair to find a living louse before beginning treatment.
Nits are the dead lice
Head lice are parasitic insects that invade the hairs on a person’s scalp and feed on blood from the scalp. They are most common in school age children 4 to 11 years old. Infestations can occur in anyone, but they are most common among people who share items that touch the head such as combs, brushes, hats and scarves. It is not a sign of poor hygiene and it can affect people of all races. Itching of the head and neck is a key symptom. Itching is especially itchy at night and may disrupt sleep. Itching can also break skin and cause sores.
Eggs of head lice are called nits and are clear or whitish in colour and look similar to dandruff, but nits do not brush off easily as dandruff does. When a female lice lays a nit it attaches to the hair shaft near the scalp. The eggs hatch into baby lice, called nymphs, in seven to 10 days.
Once lice are hatched, they become mature adults that can crawl rapidly to other areas of the head and neck. They are about the size of a sesame seed and have six legs. Adult lice do not spread disease, but itching can lead to sores if the scalp is scratched repeatedly. Wash clothing and bedding that has been worn by a person with lice. If possible, wash these items in hot water and dry them on a high heat setting. If any items like stuffed animals or hats cannot be washed, seal them in a plastic bag for two weeks.
Natural Solutions To Headlice
Itching and nits are annoying, but the good news is that you can get rid of them easily with home treatments. These include smothering them with natural oils, followed by a thorough combing with a nit removal comb.
Use a carrier oil like coconut or olive to dilute essential oils, then apply on hair and scalp. Follow with a shower cap for 4 hours and then comb and rinse.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil, derived by steam distillation from the leaves of the Australian plant Melaleuca alternifolia, is well known for its antiseptic properties. It is also an effective natural remedy for a wide range of skin issues including acne, psoriasis, dandruff and nail fungus. A 2012 study found that tea tree oil can be an effective lice treatment, killing a significant percentage of head lice in both the nymph and adult stages. It can also prevent lice eggs from hatching.
Before applying any essential oils, spot test them on a small area of skin to make sure they don’t cause an allergic reaction. If you do experience an allergic reaction, use a different treatment method, like over-the-counter treatments.
To use tea tree oil to kill head lice, dilute it with a carrier oil such as olive or jojoba. Add the mixture to shampoo and apply it to your scalp, taking care to cover all areas affected by lice. Leave the mixture on for at least eight hours to suffocate the lice and their eggs. You can also make a mixture of equal parts coconut oil and tea tree oil to smother head lice. A study found that this combination was very effective at killing lice within four hours. It is also reputed to kill nits, so you don’t have to worry about those re-infesting your child.
Lavender Oil
Lice hate lavender oil, which is why it’s such a good repellent. It can also be used to soothe irritated skin, including scalp conditions like dandruff and itching. To use, dilute a few drops in carrier oil (like coconut or olive) and massage into hair and scalp.
Lavender isn’t as effective at killing lice and nits as other oils, but it’s useful in combination with others to prevent infestations. It contains several chemicals, such as linalyl acetate, linalool, 8-cineole-ocimene, terpinen-4-ol, and camphor, that work together to repel insects and treat skin problems like rashes and allergic reactions.
The most effective natural treatment for lice and nits is neem oil. Neem oil has many properties that can kill lice and nits, from its insecticidal ingredients that stop reproduction to its anti-fungal and antibacterial properties. It can be purchased online or found in some stores that specialize in natural products. Clean all clothing, hats, scarves, and bedding and wash them frequently in hot water. Also, wash toys and stuffed animals regularly and vacuum the car and furniture to prevent the spread of lice and nits.
Peppermint Oil
Lice hate the smell of peppermint oil, which is why it is often used as a natural lice repellent. You can add a few drops of peppermint oil to your favourite carrier oil, like olive or jojoba, and apply it directly on the scalp.
The menthol in the peppermint oil helps to suffocate the lice, which will help to kill them. This oil is also a very effective natural deterrent for other types of pests and insects, including ants, fleas, flies and moths.
Many over-the-counter (OTC) treatments that contain permethrin have been shown to be ineffective at killing head lice or removing their nits, but essential oils are a natural alternative with no harmful side effects. In fact, a few studies have even found that these oils can be just as effective as many popular over-the-counter products, including nit combs. However, these studies have been small and have not been very recent. So, it is important to continue to use proven methods of removing lice and nits, such as a nit comb with the proper technique.
Rosemary Oil
The essential oil of rosemary can kill lice and nits and also relieve the itching of head lice. The oil has insecticidal properties and is a natural alternative to pyrethrins and phenothrins, which are the main chemicals found in over-the-counter lice treatments. The oil should be diluted with a carrier oil like jojoba or olive oil before applying it to the scalp and hair. This will allow for better blood flow and absorption.
Rosemary oil also has anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal properties and can be used to treat other skin problems such as dandruff or eczema. It is a popular choice for treating head lice as it has a strong smell that can deter lice and nits.
Garlic Oil
While over-the-counter treatments like pyrethrin can kill some adult lice, they don’t penetrate the protective nit casings, and lice are becoming resistant to these chemicals. A natural treatment that works well to get rid of lice and nits is garlic oil. Crush a few cloves of peeled garlic into a paste, and mix it with lemon juice. Apply this to the scalp and leave it for a few hours to suffocate head lice. Rinse thoroughly.
Garlic has strong antifungal and antibacterial properties due to its allicin. It also suffocates lice and helps break down their eggs. It has been used in ancient Indian and Chinese medicine for various ailments such as arthritis, toothache, gynecological disorders and parasitic infestation (Avicenna (1988) >). Applying olive oil infused with garlic to the scalp is another popular home remedy. However, it has been found to be less effective than other natural ingredients such as tea tree oil and vinegar in destroying lice and their eggs.
Other Remedies
Another natural ingredient that is believed by many to kill head lice is neem. Pour a little diluted iodine into a small bowl and soak your hair tools (louse combs, barrettes, wide-toothed combs) in the solution. This will help to loosen the glue that holds nits in place, making it easier to comb them out.
Fenugreek seeds, also known as methi, have potent pesticidal and antimicrobial properties, which can help keep head lice away from your child’s hair. To use this remedy, soak methi seeds overnight in some water and then grind them to make a paste. Apply this to your child’s scalp and leave it on for 30 minutes. Then, rinse it off and comb out the lice and their eggs using a nit comb.
When Is The Best Time To Try These Methods?
While some studies have shown that these natural remedies can be effective at eliminating head lice, you should always use caution when using these oils and consult a professional if you have any questions or concerns. Many of the essential oils mentioned are not suitable for very young children, or for those of any age who are taking medications or with diagnosed health conditions. The best time to use these remedies is early on, when only a few are present, and to use a nit comb regularly to catch any guests you may not be aware of before the multiply. Experts agree that in a case of severe lice infestation, more proven over-the-counter lice treatment methods should be the first approach (This includes using a nit comb). For best results therefore, use natural methods to prevent infestation setting in, and catching mummy lice and her first born, before the family tree takes hold!
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