Lice are parasitic insects that live in the hair and feed on skin debris, sebaceous secretions and blood. Adults can live up to 30 days and lay up to 100 nits. They attach the nits to the hair close to the scalp to keep them warm. Infestations occur most frequently in children, cause itching and a sensation of something moving in the hair, and do not cause disease. In addition to medicinal treatments, there are also numerous home remedies for treatment.
Mayonnaise, Apple Cider Vinegar and Tea Tree Oil
Mayonnaise is frequently used as a home remedy for lice. Use plain mayonnaise or make a mixture the consistency of pancake batter with mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar and several drops of tea tree oil. Work the mayonnaise through your child's hair until it is saturated. Put a shower cap on or wrap her hair in plastic wrap for a period of time from 30 minutes to overnight. Remove the wrapping, comb with a lice comb to remove the lice and nits, and shampoo. Repeat this process in a few days. The mayonnaise acts to smother the lice and the vinegar dissolves the glue holding the nits onto the hair. This makes it easier to comb the lice and nits out of the hair.
Hair Dye
If you really want to dye your hair, this may give you a good excuse. Hair dye is one home remedy used to treat lice. Use a commercial dye as directed. When you finish the process, comb out the lice and nits. Continue to comb periodically for the next two days, then make a salt water gel, apply it to your hair and cover with a shower cap for an hour or so. Rinse and shampoo your hair. Add a few drops of tea tree oil to the shampoo each time you shampoo to prevent a recurrence of lice. As an added bonus, you should have soft shiny hair following this process.
Cetaphil Skin Cleanser and a Hair Dryer
Try a method that involves a bottle of Cetaphil skin cleanser and your hair dryer. Saturate your child's hair with Cetaphil and comb through it. Blow-dry her hair until it hardens. You can make this a game with your child. Put a shower cap on to prevent flaking while your child is asleep. Eight to 24 hours later shampoo. Comb with a lice comb to remove the lice and nits. Repeat this process weekly for three weeks. You can shampoo at your child's regular bath time if you choose, the Cetaphil doesn't harm the skin if it is left on longer that eight hours. You can style your child's hair as usual and no one will know she has the Cetaphil on if she returns to school during this process.
