| For every parent of a school aged child, a head lice | | | | apply the coconut oil again and leave it in overnight. |
| prevention strategy should be routine. It is a fact | | | | After this the hair must be combed again to remove |
| however, that despite our best efforts, children may | | | | any adult lice or eggs (known as nits) that may have |
| still contract this irritating condition. While there are a | | | | been left behind. This process may need to be |
| number of over-the-counter treatment options | | | | repeated a few times for best results. |
| available, there are also natural remedies which have | | | | Essential Oils: Eucalyptus oil, tea tree oil and olive oil |
| been shown to be effective. Lice are not known to | | | | can be mixed with ordinary shampoo in order to turn |
| be disease carriers, but it pays to make children | | | | it into an effective lice removal treatment. After |
| aware of what can lead to infestation. | | | | lathering the hair with the mixture, leave it in for |
| Methods of Head Lice Prevention | | | | about half an hour with a shower cap on before |
| A case of head lice infestation does not indicate poor | | | | washing the hair. |
| hygiene so there is no need to feel ashamed. In fact, | | | | After Natural Head Lice Treatment |
| lice tend to prefer clean hair to lay their eggs in. If | | | | If some eggs remain in the hair after treatment, |
| your child or you get lice and you are reluctant to | | | | make a solution of equal parts water and vinegar and |
| use any medication or pesticide for removal, try | | | | soak a towel in the solution. Vinegar dissolves the |
| some natural solutions instead. | | | | glue-like substance that holds eggs to the hair. Wrap |
| Preventative measures may include: | | | | the towel around the head and leave it there for an |
| Discourage children from sharing personal items such | | | | hour or two. If possible, blow dry the hair on a warm |
| as combs, brushes hats and scarves. | | | | setting before washing. This treatment may need to |
| Don't let children get their hair in the sandbox at | | | | be repeated to improve success rate. |
| playgrounds. | | | | Natural head lice treatment does not have to be |
| Check the hair of children periodically for any sign of | | | | expensive, but it can be time consuming. Oils such as |
| infestation. | | | | tea tree oil, olive oil, eucalyptus oil and rosemary oil |
| Some known natural head lice treatments are: | | | | are not only effective when applied to the hair, but |
| Vaseline: Apply Vaseline generously to the hair, and | | | | can also be used to treat areas the infected person |
| then cover it with a shower cap. Leave it in overnight | | | | has been in contact with. These include sheets, |
| then wash it out the next day. It may take repeated | | | | pillows, carpets, scarves and hats. These products |
| washes to get all of the Vaseline out. | | | | can be combined with a small amount of water and |
| Mayonnaise: Cover the hair with mayonnaise and then | | | | used as a spray as well. This spray can be used for |
| put on a shower cap. This will smother the lice in a | | | | helmets and beds. |
| similar fashion to the Vaseline. Leave the mayonnaise | | | | The success of some of these methods has been |
| in only for a few hours then wash the hair with | | | | disputed, but this may be due to not following |
| ordinary shampoo and warm water. | | | | instructions or hoping for immediate results. The best |
| Coconut Oil: Apply virgin coconut oil to the hair and | | | | thing is to try one or a combination of methods |
| scalp lightly, then use a lice comb to go through the | | | | when treating head lice infestation. No matter how |
| hair. Rinse of the comb repeatedly during the | | | | successful a course of treatment the risk of getting |
| process. Wash the hair with ordinary shampoo then | | | | lice is always present. |