If you have ever been infested with head lice then you know how annoying and embarrassing they can be. From making you scratch your head crazily to bring transferred throughout the entire family, head lice is a truly an unmanageable menace. Every parent dreads a phone call from school that asks them to take their child back because they had head lice. The worst thing about having head lice is their reproduction speed and the nits which never leave your hair. Luckily, there is an all natural remedy for this. In this article, we’ll cover how to use tea tree oil for lice and how to prevent further infestation.
It is almost as though lice get transferred to your hair to just get pregnant and drop off their eggs all over our scalps. And then they transfer from the lice carrier’s head to someone else’s because there are already enough nits and lice in that head sucking the blood.
But, there is some great news if you or your child are suffering from head lice issues. This is a problem that a lot of people across the world suffer from. Children are more prone to catching lice than adults primarily because they are in close proximity of those infested with lice and are slightly careless about self-care and hygiene. Plus, they tend to ignore the reasons behind scratching their head madly leading to the lice colony being built in your delicate follicles. Does this mean a clean and hygienic would not catch lice? Not necessarily. Anyone can catch lice and they could expand rapidly, if not treated correctly. However, you must know that there are multiple products available in the market that can help you, including tea tree oil for lice.
There are myriad lice treatments available in the market. One could pick lice killing shampoos, anti-lice conditioners to oils and lotions that can help you get rid of head lice. Although, there is one problem. Lice stick to your hair strands really tight. Hence, it is impossible to get rid of them in one go.
While the lice treatments available in the market are extremely effective, it is important to ensure they don’t harm your hair after multiple uses. Fortunately, tea tree oil for lice is an all natural way to deal with the problem without damaging your hair.
So, how do we get rid of these tiny blood sucking creatures from your hair?
We recommend the use of Tea Tree Oil for lice to kill them and get rid of the infestation permanently. And believe us, not even a single strand of your hair will be harmed in this entire natural process of getting rid of head lice and their eggs.
How is tea tree essential oil so effective on head lice?
Tea tree essential oil is one of the most potent essential oils. It is loaded with biochemicals that possess the power to kill all types of germs and microbes. Two such compounds, 1,8-Cineole and Terpinen-4-ol, both found in the essential oil of tea tree, are natural insecticides. Thus, using tea tree oil for lice in your hair ensures that each louse is dealt with quickly.
What happens to the lice eggs or the nits?
The oil works for both – the mature lice as well as the nits. Nits or the lice eggs are attached to the hair shafts by the mother louse. The nits are attached to the hair via a gum that is released from the mother while ejecting the eggs out of her body. The tea tree oil melts this gum away and thus, on brushing the hair, the eggs start to fall off the hair shafts helping you get rid of the head lice.
What if you are surrounded with people who are infested with lice? Will tea tree oil still help prevent lice outbreaks?
Yes, definitely. The oil, as mentioned earlier, has potent natural ingredients that act as insecticides and repellants. It has a strong smell that deters lice from transferring from one person’s hair to another. So the next time your child goes out to play with their friends don’t worry too much. All you need to do is make sure that they wash their hair with a shampoo mixed with tea tree oil for lice at least once a week.
How to use tea tree oil to remove head lice permanently?
There are various ways in which you can use tea tree oil for lice. We have curated the list of 5 best ways concerning how to use tea tree oil for lice related issues. You can select the one that is perfect for you, your child, your family and your hair.
Also, head lice cannot be removed in one go. The frequency of usage of the essential oil remedies will be based on how strong the lice colony is in your head. Moreover, they will be removed permanently for that specific time period. However, when you discontinue using the oil for a longer duration and come in contact with a lice carrier, you are prone to catching them too.
Best ways to use tea tree oil for head lice:
1. Massaging your scalp with tea tree oil
If you are not allergic to tea tree oil and have used it before, then this is an easy and quick remedy that you can resort to. Just blend your tea tree oil in olive oil or jojoba oil and massage your head with the mixture. Apply the oil on the scalp as well as the hair shafts. Leave it on for one hour to experience the effects of tea tree oil for lice.
Next, stand on a clean and white surface and comb your hair. You will notice head lice falling out of your hair. Some would be dead while others might still be conscious. A clean and white surface would help you ensure that lice from your hair do not escape and transfer into someone else’s head after falling onto the floor. After combing your hair, take a shower with mildly hot water.
Note: If your head is full of lice, you can consider applying the oil directly on your scalp instead of using it as a blend or try remedy 2.
2. Use a spray bottle
Sometimes it may be difficult for you to reach all lice-infested areas on the head. Also, if the mother louse lays thousands of nits, you cannot possibly massage oil onto every one of them. To make sure tea tree oil shows effective results quickly this spray bottle technique is what you need.
Take a spray bottle and fill half of it with water. Add about four to five drops of tea tree oil to this. Close the bottle and shake well to mix the oil and water. Spray the mixture on your scalp and your hair and leave it on for at least 2 hours. Later, comb your hair well before rinsing for the dead lice to fall. Wash your hair with a tea tree oil-based shampoo and warm water. You can also use this technique to use tea tree oil for lice prevention if you are not already infected.
3. Cut off oxygen supply for lice and nits
Does this sound like something cruel? Unfortunately, there is absolutely no other way than killing the head lice to get rid of them. And this technique is just ideal for that. You will need 2 tablespoons of coconut oil, 3 tablespoons of shampoo and 5 to 10 drops of tea tree oil. Mix these ingredients together and apply this thick mixture on your scalp and hair.
Cover your head with a moist towel or a shower cap and leave it on for an hour. Later, comb your hair to shed off the dead lice. Wash your hair with lukewarm water, a natural shampoo, and conditioner to wrap up your tea tree oil for lice treatment.
Alternatively, you could use a mixture of lavender oil and tea tree oil instead of coconut oil and shampoo for similar results.
4. Condition your locks and remove the lice
This one technique is for those who have recently been infested with lice and the colony building hasn’t begun yet. All you need to do is buy a shampoo and a conditioner that contains tea tree oil as the main ingredient in them.
Rinse your hair with lukewarm water and use these hair care products to get rid of lice. You should leave the lather on for at least 5 to 10 minutes.
Also, if you are unsure how strong the lice colony in your hair could be, you can opt for applying the shampoo at least 2 hours prior to your head bath. Cover your hair with a shower cap post application and later, rinse your hair with warm water.
5. Vodka and the tea tree oil
If you’re wondering how to mix tea tree oil for head lice and alcohol, here is the guide to this strange remedy. For immediate relief from the constant itch and the annoying lice, you need to use this wondrous mixture. As bizarre as it sounds, the mixture works like magic on lice and its nits. All you need to do is mix 5 to 10 drops of tea tree oil in 3 tablespoons of vodka and mix well. Take a cotton swab, dip it in the mixture and apply it to your roots.
This remedy quickly aids in curbing down the itch. Leave the applied mixture in your hair overnight and rinse with lukewarm water.
Note: We recommend that you use the tea tree oil spray all around your bed, pillows, cushions, carpets and more to ensure the lice does not get transferred from you to your family members while you are asleep.
Are there any side effects of using tea tree oil for lice prevention and treatment?
There have been clinical studies conducted on children that showed tea tree oil is a strong anti-lice treatment. At this point, you’re probably ready to start using tea tree oil for lice today, but it is important to know the following points before you star implementing these natural lice prevention remedies:
- Always do a patch test on the person you intend to use the oil on. While the oil holds amazing medicinal and insecticidal properties, due to its potent nature, it does not suit everyone. A patch test will help you identify any dermatological concerns before you start using tea tree oil for head lice.
- Spray tea tree oil on hair accessories, hats, caps, scarves, and other such products to prevent lice infestation amongst children or within the family.
- Do not share hair products and hair accessories with the lice carrier.
- We strongly recommend everyone in the family to use tea tree oil based products if anyone in the house gets infested with lice. Not only will this prevent the further transfer, but it will also help the carrier to get rid of lice soon.
- Add tea tree essential oil to your laundry before washing. It can be added along with the detergent to kill lice stuck with your clothes.
- We strongly recommend that you should use 100% pure tea tree oil only for quick relief. The lower the purity, the more difficult it is to get the desired results
- The frequency of application of the above-mentioned remedies depends on the lice infestation in one’s hair. If the infestation is stronger, you might need to use the remedies more than once. However, 2 to 3 times a week should show drastic results.
- No matter what, tea tree oil should never be ingested.
- In the case of a pregnant woman or a nursing mother, it is best to take a doctor’s advice before resolving to any treatments related to tea tree oil. We strictly recommend pregnant women to not use it until prescribed by the doctor.
- You should not use more than one lice treatment at a time.
From where can I buy tea tree oil?
You can purchase tea tree oil from your local grocery store. Alternatively, you can order tea tree oil from amazon.com.
Like what you just read? Share it with someone who needs information on how to mix tea tree oil for head lice!
Leave a Reply