Head Lice Cures

If your child comes home from school complaining of an itchy head, be on the lookout for tiny bugs crawling through the hair. Head lice aren't a sign of poor hygiene; they're a common occurrence in kids who pick it up at school and bring it home to their families.

Head lice are small insects that can be white, gray or tan in color, says the Nemours Foundation. You can also easily spot their eggs, which look like little yellow dots or seeds in your child's hair. Though they're pretty uncomfortable and a big pain to deal with, head lice don't cause serious health problems. But you do need to take care to properly treat the problem and prevent spreading head lice to other people.

Kill Lice With Shampoo

A medicated shampoo is one of the best ways to kill head lice and their eggs. You can get a shampoo over the counter, or get a prescription shampoo from your child's pediatrician, the foundation says. These shampoos contain a 1 percent solution of permethrin, says the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Nix is a popular over-the-counter brand name that can effectively cure head lice. Follow the instructions exactly, and expect the shampoo to take a few days before itching subsides.

Remove Eggs With a Comb

The eggs that a head louse lays are called nits, and it's important to remove all of them or your child will keep suffering from an itchy head and lice. A nit comb can help pull tiny eggs out of the hair and cure a case of head lice, says the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Wash Everything

Once you've gotten rid of head lice and the eggs on the head, make sure they're not lingering anywhere else in your home. Be sure to wash all of your child's clothes, towels, pillows, blankets, comforters and sheets in very hot water and laundry detergent. This helps kill lice and eggs and prevent the spread, says the NLM.

Use Garlic and Lime Juice

Grind up 1 tsp. garlic and 1 tsp. lime juice until it forms a thick mixture. Rub it into the scalp, and let it sit for about 30 minutes before rinsing the hair and scalp with water. You can also try a paste of almonds and lime juice, using a handful of almonds (about 10) and following the same instructions.

Try a Homemade Scalp Soak

Another way to kill head lice without subjecting a tender scalp to harsh chemicals is to try home remedies. Combine vinegar with olive oil and mayonnaise, and coat your child's hair with the mixture before bedtime. Wrap the head with a shower cap to keep the mixture in place overnight. In the morning, give the head and scalp a good wash and get out all of the goop--and the head lice. You can also combine lemon juice with butter, cover the scalp, and let it soak for about 20 seconds before rinsing with water.

Wash Hair in Vinegar

Vinegar can help kill lice and their eggs without chemicals. Use vinegar in place of your regular shampoo for at least two days to kill lice and eggs. You can also mix tea tree oil with your regular shampoo--about 10 or 15 drops--to naturally kill lice.

Soap up With Listerine

The bad-breath destroying mouthwash Listerine can kill head lice. Shampoo your hair, then soak your hair and scalp with original Listerine. Leave it to soak for at least 10 to 15 minutes before rinsing it out with just water.

Keep on the Lookout

A week after washing hair with medicated shampoo, check again for any lice or nits. You'll also need to check the head again and comb with the nit comb after about seven to 10 days to be sure no eggs are left in the hair.