If you've noticed small, white pieces clinging to your hair that are not easily removed and accompany intense scalp itching, you may have lice, according to the Mayo Clinic in the article "Head Lice." You don't need to purchase a variety of harsh over-the-counter chemicals to eliminate head lice. Instead, you can effectively remove lice using home remedies if your doctor approves.
Nit Comb
Comb your hair with a nit comb to remove lice and their eggs, or nits, recommends pediatrician Mary Meland in "The Doctors Book of Home Remedies." A nit comb is a very fine-toothed comb that can isolate and remove lice and nits from the hair. Wet your hair, then carefully comb through each section of the hair. Between each stroke of the comb, wet it in a cup of hot, soapy water to remove lice and nits from the comb. Repeat the process every three or four days for two weeks or more, until there is no more sign of nits or lice.
Essential Oil
Kathi Keville, author of "Herbs for Health and Healing," suggests creating an essential oil mixture to repel lice. The mixture may cause irritation to sensitive skin, so test a small amount of the mixture on your elbow before using it on the hair. Combine 20 drops tea tree essential oil, 2 oz. vegetable oil, 10 drops lavender essential oil, 10 drops lemon essential oil and 10 drops rosemary essential oil in a container, then apply the mixture to the hair and place a shower cap over your head. After one hour, shampoo your hair to remove the oil, then rinse. Shampoo your hair again and rinse.
Plastic Bags
If you've removed the nits and lice from your hair, your problem may not be over. Lice may still be living in your clothing and furniture. Seal off all of your furniture, clothing, sheets, pillows, stuffed animals, rugs and other plush items in plastic bags for four days. The lice will die inside the plastic bags, and any lice that hatch while in the bags will not survive, according to Mayo Clinic. If you are unable to seal these items in plastic bags, washing them in hot water in the washing machine may also kill the lice.
References
- Mayo Clinic: Head Lice
- "The Doctors Book of Home Remedies;" Deborah Tkac; 1997
- "Herbs for Health and Healing;" Kathi Keville; 1998
