What folk remedies can be used to remove lice? - briefly
Common folk treatments include applying a mixture of apple‑cider vinegar and water, using a few drops of tea‑tree or neem oil diluted in a carrier oil, coating the scalp with mayonnaise or petroleum jelly before washing, and rinsing hair with a hot salt‑water solution. These methods aim to suffocate or repel the parasites, after which a fine‑toothed comb removes remaining nits.
What folk remedies can be used to remove lice? - in detail
Traditional home treatments for head louse infestation rely on substances that suffocate, irritate, or detach the parasites from hair shafts. Their effectiveness varies, but proper application and thorough combing increase success rates.
- Apple cider vinegar (5 % acetic acid) – Dilute 1 part vinegar with 2 parts water. Apply to damp hair, cover with a shower cap for 30 minutes, then comb with a fine-toothed lice comb. Acidic environment loosens the glue that secures nits to the cuticle.
- Olive oil – Saturate scalp and hair, leave for at least 2 hours or overnight, then comb. Oil blocks the respiratory spiracles of lice, causing death by asphyxiation.
- Tea tree oil – Mix 10 drops of oil with 2 tablespoons of carrier oil (e.g., coconut). Apply to scalp, leave 30 minutes, rinse, and comb. Terpinen‑4‑ol component disrupts insect nervous system.
- Coconut oil – Apply liberally, cover, and leave for 4–6 hours. Fatty acids penetrate the exoskeleton, leading to dehydration of the parasite.
- Salt water rinse – Dissolve ½ cup salt in 2 cups warm water. Pour over hair, let dry naturally, then comb. Hypertonic solution dehydrates lice.
- Baking soda paste – Combine 2 parts baking soda with 1 part water to form a thick paste. Apply to scalp, leave 15 minutes, rinse. Alkaline pH interferes with lice cuticle integrity.
- Neem oil – Mix 5 drops neem oil with 2 tablespoons carrier oil. Apply, cover for 1 hour, rinse, comb. Azadirachtin compounds act as insect growth regulators.
- Garlic paste – Crush 3 cloves, blend with a small amount of olive oil, apply for 20 minutes, then wash. Sulfur compounds irritate lice’s respiratory system.
- Mayonnaise – Coat hair fully, cover for 6–8 hours, then comb. High viscosity suffocates insects.
- Essential oil blend – Combine 5 drops each of lavender, rosemary, and peppermint with 2 tablespoons carrier oil. Apply, leave 30 minutes, rinse, comb. Multiple active constituents produce synergistic toxicity.
Safety considerations include performing a patch test 24 hours before full application to detect allergic reactions, avoiding contact with eyes and mucous membranes, and repeating treatment after 7–10 days to eliminate newly hatched nits. All hair and bedding should be washed in hot water (≥ 60 °C) or sealed in plastic bags for 48 hours to prevent re‑infestation. Use a fine-toothed metal comb (0.2 mm spacing) after each application; combing removes detached insects and eggs, a critical step that no remedy can replace.
Clinical studies on these methods are limited; most evidence derives from case reports and laboratory assays. Combining a suffocating agent with meticulous combing consistently yields higher eradication rates than either approach alone. For resistant cases, consult a healthcare professional for approved pediculicidal medications.