What folk remedies help get rid of nits and lice? - briefly
Common folk treatments include a rinse of apple cider vinegar diluted with water, application of tea‑tree or neem oil, coating the hair with mayonnaise or petroleum jelly, and thorough combing with a fine‑toothed nit comb after a hot‑water wash. Each remedy should remain on the scalp for at least 30 minutes before combing to maximize nit removal.
What folk remedies help get rid of nits and lice? - in detail
Traditional approaches to eliminating head‑lice infestations rely on readily available household items. Several methods have demonstrated efficacy when applied correctly and consistently.
• Vinegar solution (5 % white or apple‑cider). Mix equal parts with water, saturate the hair, and cover with a shower cap for 30 minutes. The acidic environment loosens the glue that attaches eggs to hair shafts, facilitating removal with a fine‑toothed comb.
• Olive‑oil or coconut‑oil treatment. Apply a generous amount to dry hair, leave for at least one hour, then comb thoroughly. The oil suffocates insects and softens the egg shell, making it easier to extract.
• Tea‑tree oil (0.5 %–1 % concentration). Dilute in a carrier oil, massage into the scalp, and leave for 20 minutes before rinsing. The antiseptic properties reduce irritation while the volatile compounds act as a repellent.
• Salt‑water rinse. Dissolve 2 tablespoons of non‑iodized salt in a liter of warm water, pour over the scalp, and allow to dry naturally. The hypertonic solution dehydrates lice and weakens nits.
• Lemon‑juice spray. Combine fresh lemon juice with a small amount of water, spray onto hair, and expose to sunlight for 15 minutes. The increased acidity and UV exposure diminish egg viability.
Safety considerations include patch‑testing essential oils to avoid allergic reactions, avoiding application on broken skin, and ensuring that oil‑based treatments do not cause slipping hazards for children. Comb use should involve a metal nit‑comb with teeth spaced 0.2 mm apart; comb through the hair in sections, wiping the comb after each pass to prevent re‑infestation.
Effective eradication typically requires two to three treatment cycles spaced 7–10 days, coinciding with the lice life cycle. Re‑inspection after each session confirms removal of live insects and residual nits. Combining a suffocating agent (oil or petroleum jelly) with an acidic rinse (vinegar or lemon) maximizes success, provided that instructions are followed precisely.