How can lice and nits be quickly removed at home with folk remedies? - briefly
Apply a hot oil treatment (olive or coconut oil heated to about 45 °C), cover the scalp for 30 minutes, then use a fine‑toothed nit comb to remove lice and nits; finish with a vinegar rinse to loosen any remaining eggs.
How can lice and nits be quickly removed at home with folk remedies? - in detail
Lice infestations can be addressed at home using time‑tested natural agents that act on both adult insects and their eggs. The following methods rely on readily available household items and avoid synthetic chemicals.
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Vinegar rinse – Mix equal parts white distilled vinegar and warm water. Apply to damp hair, saturating the scalp and shafts. Leave for five minutes, then comb through with a fine‑toothed nit comb. The acidic solution loosens the adhesive that secures eggs to hair strands, facilitating removal.
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Olive‑oil or coconut‑oil soak – Generously coat the scalp and hair with the chosen oil. Cover with a shower cap for thirty minutes to suffocate the parasites. After the waiting period, rinse thoroughly and comb out the loosened lice and nits. The oil’s viscosity disrupts the breathing apparatus of the insects.
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Tea‑tree oil blend – Combine ten drops of pure tea‑tree essential oil with two tablespoons of carrier oil (e.g., olive or almond). Apply to the scalp, ensuring even distribution. The antimicrobial properties of tea‑tree oil impair the lice’s nervous system, leading to rapid immobilization. Follow with a nit comb and repeat after 24 hours.
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Salt‑water wash – Dissolve two tablespoons of table salt in a liter of warm water. Pour over the hair after shampooing, allowing the solution to sit for ten minutes. Salt desiccates the insects, reducing their viability. Rinse and comb to extract dead lice and detached eggs.
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Baking‑soda spray – Mix one tablespoon of baking soda with a cup of water, shake well, and spray onto dry hair. The alkaline environment interferes with the lice’s cuticle, causing loss of grip. After fifteen minutes, brush thoroughly with a nit comb.
Each treatment should be performed twice, spaced twelve to twenty‑four hours apart, to target newly hatched lice before they mature. After the final application, wash all bedding, clothing, and personal items in hot water (minimum 60 °C) or place them in a sealed bag for two weeks to prevent re‑infestation. Regular combing with a nit comb for several days confirms the success of the regimen.