How can lice be removed from the head using folk remedies? - briefly
Apply a warm blend of olive oil and vinegar to the scalp, cover with a shower cap for about 30 minutes, then remove lice and nits using a fine‑toothed comb. Rinse afterward with diluted tea‑tree oil or a garlic‑salt paste to discourage re‑infestation.
How can lice be removed from the head using folk remedies? - in detail
Traditional home treatments for head‑lice eradication rely on substances that suffocate, dissolve or dislodge the parasites and their eggs. The most widely documented remedies include:
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Olive‑oil or coconut‑oil soak – Apply a generous layer to dry hair, cover with a shower cap, and leave for at least eight hours. The oil blocks the lice’s breathing pores, causing them to die. After the waiting period, comb the hair with a fine‑toothed nit‑comb, removing dead insects and nits. Rinse and repeat the process for three consecutive days.
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Vinegar rinse – Mix equal parts white vinegar and water, pour over the scalp, and let sit for five minutes. The acidic solution loosens the glue that holds nits to hair shafts, facilitating removal with a nit‑comb. Follow with a regular shampoo.
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Tea‑tree oil solution – Dilute 10 drops of 100 % tea‑tree oil in 30 ml of carrier oil (e.g., olive oil). Apply to the scalp, massage gently, and leave for 30 minutes before combing. Tea‑tree oil possesses insecticidal properties that impair lice movement and respiration.
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Mayonnaise mask – Spread thick mayonnaise over the entire scalp, cover with a plastic cap, and keep for six to eight hours. The high-fat content suffocates the insects. After removal, wash hair thoroughly and comb out nits.
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Baking‑soda paste – Combine two parts baking soda with one part water to form a paste. Apply to damp hair, allow to dry, then brush through with a nit‑comb. Baking soda dehydrates lice and disrupts the integrity of their exoskeleton.
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Salt water spray – Dissolve two tablespoons of table salt in one cup of warm water, spray onto hair, and let dry completely. Salt desiccates the parasites, making them easier to eliminate during combing.
Effective execution requires the following steps for each method:
- Preparation – Wash hair with a mild shampoo to remove excess oil and debris. Towel‑dry until damp.
- Application – Distribute the chosen remedy evenly, ensuring full coverage of scalp and hair length.
- Incubation – Maintain the treatment for the specified duration, using a shower cap or plastic wrap to prevent drainage.
- Mechanical removal – Use a fine‑toothed nit‑comb, working from the scalp outward, to extract dead lice and nits after each treatment.
- Repetition – Perform the entire cycle daily for three days, as newly hatched lice emerge from eggs within 7‑10 days.
Precautions: Conduct a patch test for allergic reactions before full application. Avoid using excessive heat or harsh chemicals that may damage hair or scalp. Maintain clean combs, towels, and bedding throughout treatment to prevent reinfestation.