Head Lice
Head lice are insects that are parasitic and thrive on the scalp by feeding on the blood of the host. The lice lay eggs, also known as nits, which look like tiny flakes. Head lice are very contagious and easily spread from one person to the other due to close contact or sharing of hairbrushes or hats. Children between the ages of three and eleven years are most susceptible to head lice, which then spreads to the families as well. Head lice result in itching on the scalp. This takes place as the lice feed on the blood by penetrating through the skin with the mouth and antennae. The bite as such is not experienced, and the itching and redness is felt later. Sores could also develop on the scalp due to repeated scratching. Lice have nothing to do with the level of an individual’s personal hygiene. They can spread to anyone, especially those with longer hair.
The lice and nits may be removed using a fine tooth comb or a pair of tweezers. However, this is time consuming and would require repeated combings to get rid of head lice. There are many shampoos commonly available over the counter, which are effective in removing lice. After washing the hair with the shampoo, you will still need to comb the lice and nits out of the hair. One suggested head lice treatment involves smothering the head lice by applying substances such as olive oil, petroleum jelly or even mayonnaise to the hair and leaving it in overnight, by covering with a shower cap. It is believed that removal of the substances from the hair will also bring about removal of the head lice. This method, however, can be quite messy. Washing the hair with vinegar is also known to get rid of the lice and nits in a very short period of time. One of the most effective head lice home remedies is tea tree oil. It is believed to be effective in treating head lice. You can add a few drops of the oil to your shampoo and use regularly.
Lemon juice could also be used for head lice removal. You could take a couple of tablespoons of lemon juice and add some garlic paste to it. Apply this all over the scalp and leave it on for half an hour. Then wash the hair in cool water with shampoo. You can also make a mixture of two egg yolks, three tablespoons each of vinegar and lemon juice. Mix well, and then apply to the scalp, allowing it to remain for about twenty five minutes, before rinsing. A paste of margosa leaves is also effective in getting rid of head lice and nits.
