Head lice and olive oil

Head lice are annoying little pests that, aside from itching and discomfort, cause a significant amount of embarrassment. The market today offers many brands of shampoos that aim to kill and exterminate head lice, but unfortunately, not all of them are equally effective. If the shampoo treatment fails, there is always another option-olive oil treatment.

Olive oil has been used against lice long before shampoos were discovered. Some strains of lice have even become resistant to shampoos and over-the-counter treatment and this has turned many people to more natural and definitely safer option, the use of home remedies. One of the most effective is olive oil, which aside from killing the bugs, also soothes and nourishes both the hair and the scalp.

How to use olive oil against head lice

This home treatment against rice is not just one of the most effective; it is also one of the simplest. It just requires a high-quality olive oil, a plastic wrap and a clean towel.

An amble amount of olive oil should be applied liberally to the hair, from the roots to the tips. The hair is then wrapped in plastic and then in a towel. It is best to do this before bedtime and to leave it on overnight. In the morning, the head is unwrapped and the hair is combed thoroughly using a plastic disposable comb. More combing means more lice removed from the hair. It is best to comb the hair over a sink or a bathtub, which should then be thoroughly cleaned.

After combing, the hair should be washed with a mild shampoo. The procedure should be repeated three nights in a row.

Head lice can contaminate not just the hair, but all the personal objects and items too. After the olive oil treatment, it is recommended to wash all the clothes, linen, towels, hats, coats, scarves and anything else that may have come in contact with the lice.

Other home remedies against head lice

Even though olive oil is probably the best, there are other natural home remedies that can help in the battle against head lice. Freshly squeezed onion juice works well too, and so does garlic paste mixed with lemon juice.

An effective home-made shampoo against lice can be made from five teaspoons of pure olive carrier oil, five drops of tea tree, rosemary, lavender and eucalyptus and peppermint essential oils.

Applying a solution of six spoons of water and two spoons of vinegar is another recommended remedy for eliminating the lice from the hair.