For Getting Rid Of Lice: Tea tree oil for hair can help get rid of lice, mix about 7-8 drops with a spoon of any vegetable oil and leave it overnight. Wear a shower cap for better absorption into the hair. Next morning, comb your hair with a fine comb before washing it off.
Tea tree oil contains two major constituents with insecticidal activity: 1,8-cineole and terpinen-4-ol. A study in Parisitology Research has found that a 1 percent tea tree oil solution is capable of killing 100 percent of head lice within 30 minutes.
A study by Parasitology Research found that it takes about 30 minutes for the tea tree oil solution to effectively kill the lice.
The experts agree that tea tree oil is safe for all hair types and textures, as it has little to no effect on the hair itself. Tea tree oil can be used to treat scalp conditions, such as dandruff, but it is important to note that it has the potential for irritation.
Lice treated with tea tree oil at 1 % of concentration (A4), caused 100 % mortality after 30 min of washing (Fig. 3a).
Tea tree oil appears to be able to kill some live lice (at least when used in conjunction with lavender oil), however we know that over-the-counter lice treatments are far more effective at killing live lice and getting rid of the eggs once an infestation has occurred.
Tea tree oil plays a crucial role in fighting head lice and is often cited as a great ingredient to find in kids hair products. It's completely safe and 100% natural, so it soothes the scalp without causing any skin irritations.
Leave the oil on for 24 hours. If you notice any burning, redness or irritation over the course of the 24 hours, wash the area with mild soap and water. If you do not experience any kind of allergic reaction, you are safe to use diluted tea tree oil on the skin and scalp.
Side effects from topical applications
Applying tea tree oil to the skin can cause irritation, particularly if it's not diluted properly and is used in higher concentrations. Symptoms of skin irritation from tea tree oil can include: redness. dry or scaly skin.
Tea tree oil is not meant to be used at full strength directly on your skin or scalp as it may cause irritation or itching. An Australian study indicated that a small percentage of people are allergic to tea tree oil.
Petroleum jelly (Vaseline).
The thick jelly supposedly suffocates lice by clogging their breathing holes. For best results, coat the hair and scalp, cover it overnight with a shower cap, and wash out the next morning. Comb for nits. Repeat the treatment one week later.
Suffocate the Lice
Soak your child's head in olive oil or coconut oil. Cover with a shower cap for at least 2 hours (or preferably overnight). When ready, remove the shower cap, and separate the hair into small sections, then use a metal nit comb to carefully remove the lice and eggs. Rinse the hair well with shampoo.
Use neem oil on your hair before going for a hair wash and let it rest for 20-30 minutes. Use a nit comb to remove lice and then rinse hair thoroughly. You can also infuse your shampoo with a few drops of neem oil if you'd like.
In the meantime, some early studies suggest that tea tree oil may be useful for treating head lice. For example, one study published in Parasitology Research suggests that it can kill lice in the nymph and adult stages of life. Tea tree oil treatments also reduced the number of lice eggs that hatched.
Vinegar contains properties that kill and get rid of nits and lice. This mixture should be applied directly to the whole scalp. Mix 1 cup of vinegar with 1 cup of warm water. Next, distribute this mixture onto the scalp and cover your hair with a hair cap.
Olive Oil smothers and kills active head lice, making nit removal easier and moisturizing the hair and scalp. Part hair and apply the oil directly onto the scalp. Massage into the entire scalp making sure to saturate the hair. Apply a shower cap.
The combination of olive and tea tree oils nourishes the scalp and reduces head lice. Lavender oil, vodka, or rubbing alcohol mixed with tea tree oil work best for head lice. However, there are a few side effects, like allergic reactions, associated with tea tree oil.
A good rule of thumb is to add eight to ten drops of tea tree oil for every 250 ml of shampoo.
For tea tree oil to have any effect on your skin, it is supposed to be left on for at least a couple of hours. Therefore, it is completely fine to leave it on overnight.
Leaving oil on your hair everyday for too long can cause product build-up on your scalp. It may also clog your pores, attract dirt and accumulate dandruff. Oiling your hair everyday also means that you have to wash it with shampoo everyday. This is not ideal to achieve healthy, lustrous and soft hair.
Eucalyptus oil is believed to be an ideal treatment because it kills lice as well as their eggs. One study determined that eucalyptus oil kills 100% of lice and their eggs in just one hour.
Coconut, tea tree oil, lavender, eucalyptus, rosemary, lemon grass, and peppermint are scents popularly believed to repel lice. Using any coconut scented shampoo and conditioner is an easy way to increase your defense.
Permethrin lotion, 1%;
Permethrin lotion 1% is approved by the FDA for the treatment of head lice. Permethrin is safe and effective when used as directed. Permethrin kills live lice but not unhatched eggs. Permethrin may continue to kill newly hatched lice for several days after treatment.
Heat Method:
Products such as Lousebuster are very effective but even a home hairdryer can successfully treat lice. DO NOT USE HAIRDRYER WITH MEDICATED TREATMENTS OR TREATMENTS THAT CONTAIN ALCOHOL--THESE PRODUCTS CAN CAUSE FIRE AND SEVERE BURNS TO YOUR CHILD!