Prevent Head Lice Naturally
July 22nd, 2009. Published under Family. No Comments.
Home remedies and natural cures have quickly become society’s way of dealing with head lice. It seems that everywhere you look you can find an article or blog post about natural head lice treatment. Many people rely on essential oils, common household foods and specially formulated natural cures to rid their homes of the pesky little critters.
Chemical Head Lice Treatment
Chemical head lice treatments have been available for many years. Some of the chemicals used in previous years have been found unsuitable for human use and reformulated. Today, chemical head lice treatment options are still comprised of pesticides.
Chemicals often leave the affected person with dry skin and hair. Complications may include skin rashes and mild to severe allergic reactions. Chemical treatments that include conditioners and special shampoos are often less damaging to the hair and skin.
Natural Head Lice Treatment
Most natural head lice treatments include the use of vinegar and oils. Olive oil and other thick oils may be easily purchased at your local grocery store. Such oils drown adult lice and nymphs but do very little for the eggs or “nits” that are attached at the base of the hair.
Vinegar is an effective nit removal agent. The acids in vinegar dissolve the glue-like substance that adult lice use to attach eggs to the hair. Wrap the hair in a towel soaked in vinegar and water before applying an oil to kill the live adults and nymphs.
After washing the vinegar and oil from the hair, use a lice comb to remove even more eggs. To ensure maximum effectiveness of the lice comb, part the hair in quarter-inch sections an comb thoroughly. Once you see eggs on the comb, rinse it thoroughly with hot water before touching the comb to the hair again.
Because vinegar and oils are so effective in treating head lice infestations, people started experimenting with other household and grocery products. Some of the more popular home remedy style treatments include mayonnaise, creamy peanut butter and Vaseline. With most oil-based treatments, multiple shampoos are required to remove the oils.
Essential Oils Help Prevent Head Lice
Essential oils are used in a variety of alternative medicinal ways such as aromatherapy, massage and yes, even to help prevent head lice. Essential oils that are most commonly used are lavender, eucalyptus, rosemary, peppermint and tea tree oil. To properly use essential oils, mix them with carrier oil or directly into your shampoo or conditioner.
Tea tree oil has been used in several professionally formulated shampoos used to prevent head lice. Unfortunately it has a medicinal scent that many people choose to avoid. Some companies mix other essential oils to create a scent their consumers can enjoy.
Head Lice Prevention
One popular home remedy for head lice prevention is a combination five drops of lavender, eucalyptus, rosemary, peppermint and tea tree essential oils with one ounce of olive oil and one cup of water. Use the combination as a rinse or a spray for hair. The olive oil acts as a conditioner, keeping hair lustrous and smooth. The combination of essential oils creates a nice smelling louse repellent.
For effective, 100% natural head lice treatment, try Bon Cheveux. Clinically tested and proven effective, these products have been created by a board certified pediatrician, for the Lice Treatment Center. http://www.licetreatmentcenter.net