Natural Remedies for Head Lice

When analyzing the hair and scalps of Egyptian mummies, it has been proven that head lice have been around for many centuries. Since the beginning of time, head lice were probably quite the nuisance for humans. Today, an estimated 12 million people will face the condition on a yearly basis, which is especially brutal on the younger population. While there are chemical treatments to rid the head of lice, many parents prefer a natural remedy.

What is Head Lice?

The head louse (Pediculus humanus capitis) can thrive on many different animals and is one of the most known of sucking lice [1]. Head lice find shelter within the hair located on top of the human head and are also known to even move down to the hairs situated on the neck of their host. When lice are present on other parts of the body, they are considered a different species of pest. Examples include public lice (Pthirus pubis) and body lice (Pediculus humanus humanus).

An active infestation in the hair is often seen through the presence of louse eggs, where a female is able to lay up to between 50 and 150 eggs in its lifetime. Within a period of 30 days, up to 100 eggs are possible. Louse eggs are very small and often described as the size of a period. They may appear white, yellowish, brownish, or grayish, but are almost always light in color. Before developing into a baby nymph, an egg undergoes a 7 to 9 day incubation process. Head lice possess no wings and travel by crawling. Unlike fleas and other pests, they are unable to jump.

Life Cycle of Head Lice

Head lice make a home on a human host and may live for about 30 days. When off of their host, they typically expire within 24 hours. A female louse generally lays about 3 to 5 eggs per day. When the eggs hatch (within 7 to 10 days), it takes an additional 7 to 10 days for the louse to become an adult capable of laying their own eggs [2]. Head lice undergo a life cycle consisting of three main stages. They include:

a) Nit:

Head lice eggs are called nits. They are oval in shape; yellow to white in color; and hard to detect. Nits are located firmly attached to the hair shaft. Overall, nits take on the average of one week to hatch.

b) Nymph:

When the nit hatches, it becomes a baby louse and is called a nymph. While similar in looks to adult lice, they are smaller in size. In about 7 days, nymphs will mature after feeding on blood. Before reaching the adult stage, the nymph will undergo metamorphosis about three times. During this stage, most head lice are nearly transparent until they feast upon their first taste of blood. The meal (red or brown blood) permits the louse to become visible.

c) Adult:

Once a louse becomes an adult, they require blood to live. The females are often larger than the males, and almost immediately begin laying several nits per day. It is not uncommon to see females laying eggs on materials similar to the construction of hair, including stuffed animals with long , thin pieces of material.

Symptoms & Diagnosis

While the most common symptoms associated with head lice include itching of the scalp, there are many other signs of the condition caused by louse bites. It is important to also know that even with large infestations, a person with head lice may experience no symptoms. Nonetheless, a victim may endure:

a) Bleeding Scalp:

As head lice sufferers seek relief through scratching, they may cause their scalp to bleed.

b) Infection:

When scratching causes the scalp to bleed, one faces the threat of developing a microbial infection [3].

c) Hair Loss:

Excessive scratching of the scalp may lead to loss of hair.

d) Scalp Sensations:

A sensation similar to something moving through your hair and on your scalp may occur. Some people describe this feeling as “unnerving,” “tingling,” or “ticklish.”

e) Irritability:

Sometimes, people showcase a decreased attention span or a short temper when dealing with head lice.

f) Red Bumps:

Small, red bumps may develop on the scalp, neck and shoulders of a person with head lice. The cause of this reaction is allergic, as some respond to the saliva that lice inject into their host during a feeding [4]. Intense itching is also caused by the bumps.

g) Louse Sightings:

Lice may appear at the base of the neck, behind the ears, and on clothing. While they are tiny in size, some are noticeable, as they are able to grow up to 1/8 inch (the same size as a strawberry seed).

h) Mistaken Dandruff:

It is not uncommon for nits (lice eggs) to become mistaken for dandruff, which show through as head lice when “flakes” are not easily brushed out of the hair.

A doctor will diagnose head lice by using a special light (referred to as Wood’s light), which causes nits to appear pale blue in color. At home, individuals may detect lice by running a fine-toothed comb from the crown of their head down towards the entire scalp. This should be repeated at least two times. If nits should appear, this does not always mean an active infestation is present. The best sign of an active infection is to spot a louse on the move.

Causes and Risk Factors of Head Lice

Since head lice are quite common, it is important to familiarize yourself with some of the ways people come in contact with adult lice and their eggs. A common misconception is that head lice fly, jump, or walk on the ground to find their hosts [5]. Additionally, pets do not transmit lice. While they are not spread in these manners, they are passed on through:

a) Head-to-Head Contact:

When the heads or bodies of individuals come in close contact with infected parties, lice transmission is seen. This is the most common way head lice are transferred. An example of this cause is seen in elementary schoolchildren playing closely with one another in their classroom. They may also contract lice during naptime when close contact with bedding and pillows takes place.

b) Sharing Storage Space:

When you store items in closets next to a person’s belongings infected with head lice, you run the risk of infecting your possessions. Common items include blankets, pillows, combs, and stuffed animals, which often takes place within the school setting.

c) Sharing Items:

The risk of catching lice also comes through the sharing of towels, clothes, and other personal items with someone who already has lice. Additional objects that encourage the spread of head lice include headphones, brushes, and hair decorations.

d) Contaminated Furniture:

When lying or sitting on a bed or piece of furniture that someone infected with lice has come in contact with – you face the risk of becoming contaminated.

e) Pillows and Furniture:

Sometimes, lice are left behind on a pillow or headrest, where an unsuspecting individual may place their head in the same place – picking up the lice.

f) Close Contact:

It is important to remember that being clean or observing exceptional personal hygiene habits does not directly affect your chances of contracting head lice, but your level of contact with someone who already has lice is the key. This is why young children are prime candidates for infestation (especially preschool through elementary age), who then bring the critters home, unknowingly placing family members at risk.

g) Gender:

Females of all ages are more prone to head lice than males. This is because they tend to have longer hair, which is the perfect nesting ground for the pests.

Negative Effects of Head Lice

a) Highly Contagious:

While anyone can get head lice, the problem is very common amongst children, who come in close contact with one another and help spread this contagious condition.

b) Sign of Uncleanliness:

Despite the fact that head lice are the result of coming in contact with an infected individual, many people associate the condition with being unclean. Lice are attracted to people for their blood (not filth, dirt, or grime), which is their source of nourishment.

c) Embarrassment and Anger:

Many people are embarrassed to seek help and admit they have contracted lice. Parents are often embarrassed in the same manner when their child becomes affected. Anger is also a common emotion in parents when they find their child(ren) have come home with head lice.

d) Interruption in Schooling:

When head lice affect children, they are sent home from school and cannot return until they have gotten rid of their problem. This interruption in school not only causes confusion for young children, but also disrupts their daily schedule.

e) Wrong Treatment:

Administering the wrong treatment for head lice may result in scalp irritation.

f) Open Sores:

When lice cause one to continuously scratch his or her head, they face the risk of creating abrasions and open sores, which may become infected.

g) Drastic Measures:

Out of complete frustration, a parent may have to shave their child’s head to put an end to lice. This is frequently seen in young males.

Natural Remedies for Head Lice

Avoiding the use of chemical head lice treatments is a decision many people (especially parents) are interested in. Some frustrated parents will shave off the hair of their little boys to rid locks of lice. While some people believe a complete shave is necessary, the hair responds well when cut to 1 inch or less. Shaving the head gives lice less of a stronghold on the head and lowers the temperature of the scalp. This short haircut method also works in females, but is a much undesirable approach. Before desperate measures (shaving off all hair) are taken, it is suggested to consider the following natural remedies for head lice:

a) Tea Tree Shampoo:

To side with natural lice repellant, regularly use a shampoo that contains tea tree oil, which comes from the melaleuca tree – known to combat lice. This remedy aids in avoiding reinfestation. You may prepare your own tea tree oil remedy by placing 2 ounces of tea tree oil and 12 ½ ounces of Dawn Dishwashing Liquid (required), and 4 ounces of white vinegar together. You must shake the ingredients together in another bottle. This remedy should be used like a regular shampoo, where all lice and nits are said to disappear within a week.

b) Olive Oil and White Vinegar [6]:

When saturating the hair with olive oil, you will be able to kill head lice, as well as make removing nits much easier. Simply cover the head and hair in the oil, cover with a shower cap, and let set for two hours. It is important to avoid spreading the remedy into your eyes, nose, and mouth. After the two hours, a rinse made of white vinegar helps individuals comb out the nits using a specialized comb. Vegetable oil is also known to work in the same fashion as olive oil.

c) Neem:

The bark of neem is known for its antiparasitic and antimicrobial properties, which makes a strong and effective herbal insecticide [7]. A powerful decoction should be prepared as a final rinse, which is made by infusing neem bark in a soap-based shampoo for two weeks and then applying to hair. Some individuals have combined an equal amount of almond oil with neem, to prepare massage oil that is placed on the scalp during the night. This natural remedy for head lice should be used with caution in regards to very young children.

d) Combination of Herbal Oils:

Many studies have been conducted using a mixture of varying herbal oils. For instance, one trial comprised of anise, coconut, and ylang ylang oils, which showed to effectively treat patients and did not create any toxic effects in children.

e) Aromatherapy:

While this has not been concluded as a viable treatment, some people have turned to aromatherapy as an alternative treatment for lice.

f) Mayonnaise:

Place mayonnaise in the hair until it becomes saturated, covering every strand. A plastic bag or shower cap should cover the head and be left on for at least one hour. Once the plastic bag is removed, a quick blow dry follows for at least 10 minutes. Next, wash out the treatment and then saturate the hair using white vinegar. A simple hair gel will help gather lice and their eggs when using a comb as a tool of removal.

g) Salt:

One of the easiest methods of remedying head lice is to use salt. In a bottle of regular shower gel, remove the lid and add three tablespoons of salt. Saturate the hair and scalp with the mixture and leave on for ½ hour. Wash out the hair like normal.

h) Manual Removal:

With a bright light, magnifying glass, fine-toothed comb, and pair of tweezers, manually removing lice and eggs is a tedious yet effective method of treatment. First, you will use the light and magnifying glass to located lice and eggs with a fine-toothed comb. Rinse the comb after each comb-through, which removes lice and eggs. The comb-through should start very close to the scalp (in order to reach eggs). The tweezers are used to pick out the lice that the comb misses. The procedure should be repeated every day for several days to make sure all lice are eliminated. In another seven days, the process is repeated to retrieve any missed eggs or any newly hatched pests.

i) Essential Oil Rubs:

When adding essential oils to vegetable oil, you will be able to effectively treat head lice. A suggested recipe is to combine ¼ cup of vegetable or olive oil; 20 drops of tea tree essential oil; and 10 drops of lavender essential oil. Mix all of the ingredients and apply to the scalp and hair. Cover with a shower cap and leave on for two hours. Next, shampoo thoroughly to remove all oil, and follow with combing and a common lice-picking technique.

Resources
[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Head_lice
[2] http://www.headlice.org/faq/questions.htm
[3] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Head_lice#Symptoms
[4] http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/head-lice/DS00953/DSECTION=2
[5] http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/head-lice/DS00953/DSECTION=3
[6] Joey Green’s Amazing Kitchen Cures by Joey Green (pg. 222)
[7] Natural Health Complete Guide to Medicinal Herbs by Penelope Ody (pg. 218)