What folk remedies help against lice? - briefly
Traditional home treatments reported to reduce lice include rinsing with diluted apple‑cider vinegar, massaging warm olive oil into the scalp, applying tea‑tree or neem oil, coating hair with mayonnaise or a salted‑water solution, and using a baking‑soda paste or sunlight exposure.
What folk remedies help against lice? - in detail
Traditional home treatments for head‑lice infestations rely on substances that suffocate, repel, or destabilize the insect’s exoskeleton. The most widely documented remedies include:
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Vinegar (acetic acid) – Diluted white or apple‑cider vinegar applied to a saturated comb after washing. The low pH disrupts the adhesive that lice use to attach to hair shafts, facilitating removal. Rinse after 15 minutes; repeat daily for three days.
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Olive or coconut oil – Thick oil coats the scalp, blocking the breathing pores of the insects. Apply a generous layer, cover with a shower cap for 6–8 hours, then comb out nits with a fine‑toothed lice comb. The method also softens the cement that holds nits to hair.
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Tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) – A potent essential oil with insecticidal properties. Dilute 5 drops in 30 ml of carrier oil (e.g., jojoba) and massage into the scalp. Leave for 30 minutes before rinsing. Repeat every 48 hours for a week. Caution: avoid use on children under two years or individuals with known oil sensitivities.
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Mayonnaise or petroleum jelly – Heavy, occlusive substances create an airtight layer that suffocates lice. Apply a thick coating, cover with a plastic cap, and leave for 8–12 hours. After removal, wash hair thoroughly and comb out nits.
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Salt and vinegar spray – Mix 1 part salt with 2 parts vinegar, dissolve fully, and spray onto damp hair. Salt desiccates the insects, while vinegar weakens the nit glue. Leave for 20 minutes, then comb and rinse.
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Neem oil (Azadirachta indica) – Contains azadirachtin, an insect growth regulator. Mix 10 ml neem oil with 100 ml water, apply to the scalp, and leave for 30 minutes before washing. Repeat every other day for five days.
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Baking soda paste – Combine baking soda with a small amount of water to form a paste, apply to the scalp, and let dry. The alkaline environment interferes with lice respiration. Rinse after 15 minutes and comb.
Effective implementation requires a systematic combing process after each treatment. Use a fine‑toothed nit comb, section hair, and pull the comb from scalp to tip in a single motion. Repeat combing at least twice daily for a week to capture newly hatched nits. Combining two complementary methods—such as an oil suffocation treatment followed by an acidic rinse—enhances efficacy and reduces the likelihood of reinfestation.