Head lice are tiny, parasitic insects that live on the human scalp, feeding on blood from scalp tissue. According to MayoClinic.com, head lice are the second most common type of communicable disease affecting children of school age. Lice are highly contagious and may cause severe itching and distress. While over-the-counter and prescription lice medications exist, they may contain toxic chemicals that irritate the skin or pose health risks. Fortunately, natural remedies are safe and effective ways to get rid of a case of lice.
Mayonnaise
The thick, oily consistency of mayonnaise smothers head lice and kills them. Avoid mayonnaise substitutes such as Miracle Whip, which do not effectively kill lice. Apply mayonnaise liberally to the scalp, working it into the hair with your fingers. Cover the entire surface, being sure to attend to the neck and ears. Keep the mayonnaise on your head for at least two hours, covering your hair with a shower cap to prevent oils from dripping. Shampoo your hair thoroughly with regular shampoo to remove the mayonnaise.
Petroleum Jelly
Petroleum jelly also works to smother live lice. Work a large amount of petroleum jelly into your hair, massaging it into your scalp. Leave it for at least two hours or overnight, covering with a shower cap to prevent residual damage. Removing petroleum jelly from hair is very difficult. The Fat Free Kitchen website recommends rubbing corn flour onto your hair before shampooing to get rid of petroleum jelly residue. Shampoo multiple times to remove all traces of the jelly.
Mouthwash
Mouthwash is typically high in alcohol and contains other compounds such as menthol that are lice-killing agents. Rinse your head with mouthwash, rubbing it onto your scalp to cover the entire surface. You may want to soak your head in a mouthwash bath if possible. This treatment gets rid of live lice and kills louse eggs.
Vinegar
Although mayonnaise and petroleum jelly effectively kill lice, their eggs may still remain on the scalp. After killing the live insects, rinse your scalp with vinegar. According to the website Safe Natural Cures, this helps detach eggs from the hair shafts. Follow the vinegar rinse with a soak in hot water.
After this treatment, some eggs may still remain. Purchase a fine-toothed nit comb, commonly found at drug stores, and carefully comb through your hair. Dry your hair and ask a friend or family member examine your scalp closely under a bright light to detect remaining eggs. These appear similar to tiny pussy willow buds, according to the Mayo Clinic. Remove any remaining nits and kill them in vinegar or hot water.
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