How to get rid of lice at home using folk remedies?

Lice are ancient insects. Archaeologists discovered their remains in Egyptian, Indian, and Peruvian mummies. According to scientists, lice have been bothering humans for more than 80 thousand years. Over such a huge period of time, a large number of recipes, conspiracies, and rituals have accumulated that are designed to rid a person of these parasites. Folk remedies for lice are still used today, although scientists question their effectiveness.

Table vinegar

A common sense approach, acetic acid dissolves the thick adhesive film that cements nits at the base of the hair. As a result, they can be easily removed from the hair.

To avoid burning the scalp, the vinegar was diluted with water, coarse salt was added, and to be sure, a little alcohol, which also dissolves the protective capsule of the nits. This method has a significant drawback - vinegar in combination with alcohol dries out the hair, turning it into a washcloth, and also irritates the scalp, which is already scratched from insect bites.

Herbal remedies for parasites

Many plants have insecticidal properties. They don't just repel parasites. Acting on the nervous system of lice, decoctions and plant juice destroy the “bloodsuckers”.

Treatment of lice with folk remedies will be incomplete without unique herbal recipes:

• Grind fresh wild rosemary leaves in a mortar and apply the resulting pulp as a compress to the scalp. Leave for 30 minutes and rinse. Repeat the procedure 3-4 times with an interval of 4 days.

  
  Herbs for lice

• Mix 3 teaspoons of parsley or dill seeds with 1 tablespoon of lard. Grind thoroughly. Apply the resulting mass to the hair roots and rub in, spreading over the entire length. Leave for 1-2 hours. Wash your hair. Repeat the procedure after 3 days.
• Prepare a decoction of 3 teaspoons of bird cherry fruits and 200 ml of water. Boil for 3 minutes, leave for 2 hours. Moisten your hair generously with the strained warm broth and cover with polyethylene. Insulate and keep the compress for 2-2.5 hours. Rinse off. Repeat the procedure 3-4 times with an interval of 4 days.
• Prepare a tincture of 3 teaspoons of fresh eucalyptus leaves and 100 ml of vegetable oil. Leave for 21 days, shaking occasionally. Use as an oil mask. Repeat the procedure 2-3 times.

Don’t forget to thoroughly comb out lice and nits after the procedure.

First generation of anti-pediculosis drugs

These drugs are based on permethrin, a toxic insecticide that has a paralyzing effect on insects. It also poses some danger to humans, therefore it is not recommended for use in children under 6 months, pregnant and lactating women. In addition, permethrin-based preparations cause the gradual development of resistance in lice and nits. According to statistics, about $74 of parasites today are already resistant to the effects of permethrin, so such drugs show low effectiveness.

Pharmacy products

How to treat head lice using pharmaceuticals? You can use shampoo, spray, ointment, solution or emulsion for scabies. The result of fighting the disease at home with the help of products purchased at the pharmacy is as effective as using traditional recipes.

How to remove parasites if there are a lot of them and the hair is thick and long? It is better to first shorten them by a couple of centimeters. A haircut will make treatment easier and speed up results.

All pharmaceutical preparations are divided into two types - those affecting the nervous system of lice and limiting their access to moisture. The latter are best chosen by parents of children with allergies and pregnant women.

List of effective remedies that remove parasites:

• Benzyl benzoate - for adults use a 20% product, for children a 10% concentration is suitable. Rub the composition into the hair and skin with light movements, and tie a scarf on the head. After 30 minutes, the hair is washed, rinsed with a solution of 5% vinegar and washed with tar soap. For remaining lice, comb them out with a comb.
• Pediculen ultra spray is used to remove nits and parasites from an adult or child. The drug is applied to the hair until completely moisturized, wait at least 30 minutes. Then wash your hair with running water and shampoo. Combing is carried out mechanically; if necessary, the fight against pediculosis is repeated after a week.
• Pedilin, Sifax, Anti-bit, Paranix - the product in the form of shampoo is applied to the head, foamed and left for 15-20 minutes (in the absence of allergies, the procedure can be extended to 30-40 minutes). The composition is washed off and the head is treated with regular shampoo.

When carrying out treatments for lice and nits at home using chemicals, you must avoid contact with the eyes and prolonged inhalation of vapors. Many medications have a strong odor, which is dangerous for allergy sufferers.

Regardless of what products are used, it is recommended to repeat the treatment several times to completely kill the insects. 7-10 days after treatment, you must carefully check the head under a bright lamp and make sure that the insects have died and there are no new larvae on the hair.

Author: Marina Ermakova, doctor, especially for Dermatologiya.pro

A new word in the fight against pediculosis

Dimethicone and mineral oil have long been used not only in the production of cosmetics, but also in pharmacology. In the first case, they give creams, serums, and balms a plastic consistency, make them more comfortable to apply, retain moisture and create an impenetrable protective film. Dimethicone is the active ingredient in anticolic drugs for infants.

Substances that are safe and so useful for humans turned out to be lethal for the insects that parasitize them. Lice breathe through the surface of the body - there are 4 pairs of spiracles on the sides through which air penetrates. Nits, firmly fixed to the hair with cementing glue-saliva, receive only air from the outside; their supply of nutrients is located under the shell of the egg. Dimethicone and mineral oil, which became the basis of PARANIT pediculicidal products, are easily distributed throughout the hair and tightly clog the respiratory passages of lice and nits. Deprived of the ability to breathe, they quickly die. For the product to be as effective as possible, it must be applied generously, thoroughly moisturizing each strand.

The active ingredient of PARANIT preparations is safe for humans. "PARANIT Sensitive" is suitable for children under 3 years of age, pregnant and lactating women. Anti-pediculosis products are available in various forms: shampoo, spray, lotion. Due to their oily consistency, they are easily distributed throughout the hair and do not drip. To make rinsing easier, you can use PARANIT shampoo-conditioner.

Another advantage of PARANIT products based on dimethicone is the lack of resistance in lice and nits. The drug acts physically, blocking the access of oxygen, so insects cannot adapt to it and develop resistance. Even repeated use of drugs helps to eliminate parasites just as effectively without harm to health and hair.

Pediculosis is not scary if you don’t have folk remedies for lice on hand, but a modern, safe “PARANIT” that can easily get rid of uninvited guests, preserve your hair and help prevent the appearance of parasites in other family members.

Folk remedies for lice

No matter how skeptical scientists grin, folk methods of getting rid of lice and nits are based on extensive practical experience. Let's look at recipes that are used in the fight against adult insects.

Combing and picking out lice and nits destroys only 40% of parasites. For those who boast thick hair and long hair, special lice combs with a small pitch of hard teeth will simply get stuck. To make it easier to comb out nits, traditional medicine suggests using vegetable oils and compositions based on them.

Vegetable oil mask against lice

There are many recipes for such remedies. To get rid of lice and nits, you need to apply any vegetable oil to your hair - burdock, flaxseed, olive, corn, cedar, mustard, sesame or sunflower. The oil is preheated in a water bath to 35-40°C. Dry, unwashed hair is divided into strands and the product is applied along the parting, starting from the roots of the hair, where the lice “hide”. Then the oil is distributed over the entire length of the hair using the palms of your hands and thoroughly combed with a fine comb. The head is covered with polyethylene, and the top is insulated with a cap or towel. Keep the product on your hair all night. In the morning, wash your head thoroughly with mild shampoo, lightly dry your hair and comb it out again.

The advantage of such a folk remedy is that it:

• helps remove 90% of parasites;
• nourishes and stimulates hair growth;
• does not cause allergies;
• safe for children, pregnant women, weakened people;
• cheap and accessible;
• easy to apply;
• has no contraindications and age restrictions;
• has no side effects.

The only inconvenience is that you will have to use this product several times to destroy all the parasites. The mechanism of action of vegetable oils is based on the ability to block the respiratory function of insects. The oil, getting on the surface of the body of the lice, closes the spiracles located on the abdomen of the parasite. The insect loses mobility and dies.

Lice oils

Oiled hair is easier to comb due to its gliding effect. The oil glues the scales of the hair shaft and prevents long hair from tangling. The product prevents fragility, electrification, and restores hair structure.

Interesting!

The ancient Egyptians used oil from grape seeds, juniper seeds, seeds, and flowers. The famous Queen Cleopatra wrote a treatise called “On Medicines for the Body.” Her collection included many recipes for cosmetics and medicinal products, including those for hair beauty. While men shaved their hair and wore wigs to protect themselves from lice, women invented and prepared various remedies not only for hair growth and strengthening, but also against parasites.

Essential oils for parasites

Essential oils are an equally effective cure for lice and nits. Their use against lice beetles is based on two mechanisms - contact damaging action and the repellent properties of phytoncides. In addition to the already described contact effect, when a fatty substance envelops the insect’s body and “clogs” the respiratory openings, essential oils have an irritating odor that lice are afraid of.

For a mask against lice, use any aroma oil - lemon, orange, clove, lavender, mint, tea tree, rosemary, bergamot, pine, juniper, eucalyptus. You can use one type or create compositions.

Essential oils

The advantages of using products for the treatment of head lice based on volatile phytoncides are as follows:

• has regenerating, antibacterial, antimycotic properties;
• strengthens and stimulates hair growth;
• heals the scalp;
• treats lice bites and scratches;
• relieves itching and eliminates inflammation;
• prevents infection from penetrating through minor lesions on the scalp;
• has no age restrictions;
• contraindicated only in case of individual intolerance;
• can be used as a lice remedy for pregnant women;
• safely;
• cheap.

To get a healing effect from the whole variety of aromatic oils as a “bonus”, you can choose those that are suitable for a specific hair type.

At home, you can simply prepare the following remedies for parasites based on aromatic oils:

Tea tree oil mask

Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil with alcohol:

• tea tree essential oil – 25 drops;
• medical alcohol or cognac (for dark hair) – 30 ml;
• water – 20 ml.

Preparation and application process:

1. Dilute the alcohol with warm water, add aromatic oil, mix thoroughly.
2. Apply the product to damp hair at the roots and distribute along the entire length of the hair using a comb.
3. Cover your head with a plastic cap and insulate it.
4. Leave the product on your hair for 2 hours.
5. Rinse thoroughly with shampoo, rinse with acidified water, dry and comb out dead lice and nits with a fine-toothed comb.
6. Repeat the procedure after 2-3 days until the parasites completely disappear.

Burdock and geranium oil

Burdock oil
The mask recipe is as follows:

• burdock oil – 40-50 mg;
• geranium essential oil – 25 drops.

How to prepare the product:

1. Mix the ingredients and heat in a water bath to 35-40°C.
2. Apply the product to dry hair, starting from the roots. Distribute over the entire length of the hair.
3. Cover your head with polyethylene and insulate it on top.
4. Leave the product on for 20 minutes.
5. Wash with mild shampoo.
6. Dry and thoroughly comb out dead insects and nits with a fine-toothed comb.

Before using this lice and nit treatment on children, it is necessary to test for an allergic reaction. To do this, a few drops of essential oil are diluted with water and applied to the skin of the inner part of the forearm. If there is no reaction after 10-15 minutes, then the chosen remedy can be used to treat the child. To completely remove lice from children, the procedure must be repeated after 3-4 days until the problem is finally resolved.

Interesting!

Indian beauties use essential oil not only for the beauty of their hair and the treatment of lice. Ayurveda, the traditional system of Indian medicine, makes extensive use of aromatic oils. With the help of their properties and aroma, you can influence your psycho-emotional state. Pediculosis often causes depression, fear, phobias, and feelings of insecurity. The aroma oil will not only get rid of lice, but also calm the nervous system and boost immunity.

A few drops applied to dry, washed hair will be a good preventative against lice infestation of other family members.

Combing out lice

Another way to combat lice is to comb them out.

To do this, you need to get a comb with very fine teeth.

Any pharmacy offers a wide selection of such combs, including mechanical ones.

For best results, you should first wash your hair with a special anti-lice shampoo or treat your scalp with one of the following products.

This action will weaken the tight attachment of nits to the surface of the hair. So:

• using vinegar;
• hellebore water;
• cranberry juice.

The concentrate of natural organic acids in these preparations corrodes the secretion of the adhesive substance of the louse, with the help of which the egg is attached to the hair. For a more effective effect of the product, you should leave it on all surfaces of the hair for at least half an hour.

Of course, brushing alone will not get rid of parasites. Some individuals and their eggs will still remain in the hair. It is best to repeat the procedure several times, taking into account some points:

1. After each combing, the comb must be thoroughly treated in boiling water.
2. Comb your hair, better dividing it into small strands.
3. The process itself should be carried out over a spread sheet to prevent parasites from getting on the carpet or other interior items.

And it is also important to remember that the one who combed out the nits must wash thoroughly in the shower and wash his clothes.

The 100% safe and economical way to get rid of lice is to shave your head. For aesthetic reasons, this method is most suitable for boys. At the end of the procedure, the scalp can be washed with anti-lice shampoo. Although, any shampoo will also work.

You may be interested in an article about the treatment of mumps with folk remedies.

There is also a useful article about treating scoliosis at home.

After reading this article, you will know everything about how to remove lice from an adult and a child.

Treatment of pediculosis in children

Regardless of how lice in children is treated, for a 100% result it is always recommended to use a special comb for combing. So:

1. Cranberry juice is rubbed into the roots of the child's hair. It is recommended to cover the head with a plastic bag and leave for 30 minutes. The acid dissolves the mantle of the nit, moving it away from the hair. After this procedure, the parasites are easily combed out. You can easily prepare juice by squeezing cranberries in a juicer.
2. Dried wild garlic, wild rosemary or angelica are combined with burning fat. The mixture is cooled and applied to the hair.
3. Crushed cumin seeds are mixed with apple cider vinegar. This composition should be washed off from your hair only at the end of the day.
4. Vaseline has a very greasy base. Parasites treated with this product easily slide through the hair and can be combed out.
5. Full Marx, a pharmacological ointment, blocks the respiratory function of insects, killing them. The product is non-toxic and therefore harmless to children.
6. Nyx, cream containing perimetrite. Approved for the treatment of pediculosis in children from six months of age.
7. A line of products from the Nit Free brand. They contain exclusively natural ingredients and are used both for the treatment and prevention of head lice.

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Mechanical methods

The simplest and most effective folk methods of getting rid of lice and nits are shaving and combing the hair.

Combing

The first method allows you to immediately say goodbye to parasites, which will be removed from the head along with the hair. But the second is less radical, but will require a lot of time - you will have to comb your hair with a fine comb until absolutely all lice and nits are removed.

How to find lice in children

If a child has the above symptoms, the head should be immediately examined for the presence of nits. Their ripening period usually lasts a week.

Nits have a light red, translucent color and are located close to the roots of the hair. They are easily confused with dandruff. However, it is extremely difficult to remove from the nesting site.

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Adults are much more difficult to detect. The small, wingless insects are equipped with six prehensile legs for nimble, unnoticed movement when necessary. Lice usually sit motionless, attached to the hair.

To check a child’s head for the presence of head lice, you should divide the hair into small strands and make sure there are no nits. For a better inspection, you can use a magnifying glass.

If head lice is detected, you should immediately notify the educational institution your child attends to prevent an epidemic. Treatment should be carried out collectively, as preventive measures against relapses. And it is also important to check all family members for lice.