If your child just came home from school with a case of head lice, you are not alone. According to Dr. Alan Greene, there are more than 12 million cases of head lice in the United States every year. The conventional way to treat head lice is with powerful insecticides to kill the lice. If you don't want to use chemical pesticides on your child's head, consider treating head lice naturally with tea tree oil and a fine-toothed lice comb--also called a nit comb. You can also use tea tree oil to prevent future outbreaks of head lice.
Step 1
Treat active head lice infestations with tea tree oil shampoo and/or conditioner, which you can buy at many health food stores and natural pharmacies. If you cannot find commercially prepared tea tree oil hair products, you can make your own by adding 1/2 oz. of pure, undiluted tea tree oil to a 12- to 16-oz. bottle of shampoo or conditioner. Shake the bottle of shampoo or conditioner before every use. Use the tea tree oil shampoo every day for at least 14 days, or longer, if needed, until all the lice are gone.
Step 2
Comb through your child's hair every day during a lice infestation with a fine-toothed lice comb, available at pharmacies. Soak the comb in rubbing alcohol for at least an hour after every use.
Step 3
Practice good housekeeping. Vacuum regularly and wash all sheets, bedding, towels in hot water and dry them in a high-heat dryer. You may add a few drops of tea tree oil to your favorite laundry detergent, although your laundry may have a slight mentholated or medicinal scent until they get washed again.
Step 4
Wash all clothing that may have come into contact with lice, such as hats, scarves, shirts or jackets, and do not allow your child to share these items with his friends.
Step 5
Use tea tree oil shampoo on your child once a week or once every other week after the original lice infestation has been cleared up. If lice are a regular problem in your child's school, using a tea tree oil shampoo occasionally may discourage them from settling in your child's hair.
Things You'll Need
- Tea tree oil shampoo and/or conditioner
- Tea tree oil
- Fine-toothed lice comb
- Rubbing alcohol
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