How to use peppermint oil for lice? Well, if you really need a natural cure to get rid of lice in your or your child’s hair then this quick read is just for you.
Did you know that in the last few years, there has been an epidemic of lice outbreak in over 30 states in America? And this is lice that has mutated and evolved itself. Such parasites refuse the leave the host and do not respond to over the counter treatments available out there or the chemical treatments and methods advised by the doctors. A study says that lice infestation is a very common affair and every one in tenth child suffers from it.
Don’t believe us? Just google super lice and you would get a whole bunch of videos and posts talking about it. But, we are not here to freak you out. You do not need to be afraid of super lice or any other kind of lice for that matter. We have an answer that is better than toxic chemicals, over the counter treatments, the commercial head lice treatments and the drugs or the pharmaceutical applications developed to get rid of lice and their nits.
And this answer to your natural cure for the elimination of these blood sucking parasites is the essential oil of Peppermint for treating lice and their eggs.
Why should you use peppermint oil for lice?
Here is the amazing thing – Peppermint essential oil has shown that it can eradicate and eliminate lice and their eggs in just a few days or even 24 hours based on the number of parasites and their nits that infest a host.
Types of lice, their symptoms and the steps towards prevention
There are three main types of lice that exist — the head lice, the pubic lice, and the body lice. Out of the three, head lice are the easiest to catch from an infested host and the easiest to treat.
Typically, lice can infest on hosts who have a dirty scalp, long hair or an unclean body hygiene. Unfortunately, girls between the age of 5 years to 11 years are more prone to it. Also, kids are more prone to catching lice from their peers in school than adults. Also, lice can infest on a new host only when there is close contact with someone who is already infested with them. Lice can reproduce quickly forming a huge colony in the smallest of places on your body. And hence, the sooner they the better it is, for you can treat them quickly and control the lice outbreak within your family.
Symptoms of lice include itching on the scalp, around the ears, and the neck area. If lice has managed to build a colony on your scalp, you can experience massive itching even while you are dead asleep. It is easier to spot the blood suckers crawl on your scalp and pull them out. But it gets difficult to kill all their nits that can quickly turn into mature adults and continue to suck your blood. Hence, you need a permanent solution to the problem of lice and that permanent solution is – the peppermint oil for lice treatment and removal.
How to use peppermint oil for lice treatment?
Case 1: Child infested with head lice
Step 1: Typically, the most common form of lice infestations. The sooner you find out, the better it is. The first step towards removing lice using peppermint oil is to prepare a blend. Mix about 4 to 5 drops of peppermint oil in 2 to 3 tablespoons of coconut oil, mustard oil or olive oil. Apply this blend overnight on your child’s scalp and rinse with lukewarm water the next day.
If the lice colony is a bit too strong and the eggs have been laid all over, it is best to apply the oil an hour before shampooing the hair. But after applying the blend, cover the head completely with a towel soaked in warm water.
You will be able to see lice fall off during the head wash. Rinse the hair properly and comb out the remaining creatures using a lice comb.
Step 2: Prepare a spray of peppermint oil and water. Store this in a spray bottle. Every day spritz your child’s hair with this blend and leave it on. This will help you in getting rid of the lice eggs naturally.
Case 2: Prevent outbreak of lice in the house because of a lice infested family member
If case 1 is true, then you must ensure no one in the family catches the parasites. As family members, you are at a risk of catching the lice easily as compared to when a friend gets infested with them. This is so because you spend more time with family than with that particular friend. Always remember it is extremely easy for these creatures to hop on to new hosts if the right precautions are not taken.
Step 1: Take your shampoo and add about 3 drops of the peppermint oil to it to fight the lice outbreak. Follow the same steps with your conditioner. Leave it on for 5 minutes after the application and rinse normally.
Case 3: Colleague, friend or an acquaintance infested with the blood sucking vampires
Some on if your office or your child’s class infested with lice? Worry not. Try this technique. But before we explain the remedy, make sure you maintain distance from the infested hosts.
Step 1: Make sure you add about 3 to 4 drops of peppermint essential oil to your last rinse during head wash and shower. The strong aroma of the oil will repel these creatures from infesting on you.
Case 4: You are infested with lice and nits
In case you yourself are infested with lice and have no one to help you out, worry not. We agree it can be embarrassing to ask people for applying the blend on your scalp or to even ask them to check if you have a huge colony of nits lying in your strands.
Step 1: If you are sure they are lice, here is what you need to do. Prepare a blend of peppermint oil, lavender oil and coconut oil or mustard oil. Store this blend in a glass bottle away from the sunlight. Every time before head bath, massage this mixture on your scalp and cover it completely with a towel soaked in warm water. Rinse the blend out with your shampoo and lukewarm water. Use a lice comb to remove the dead lice and the nits from your hair. Repeat this process thrice a week.
Step 2: Also, apply a drop of peppermint oil and 4 to 5 drops of coconut oil on your wet hair as a serum. Repeat this every time your shampoo your hair.
Step 3: You can also apply a hair mask on your wet scalp. Just make sure you add 3 to 4 drops of peppermint oil to it before the application. Rinse it normally.
Precautions you must take before using peppermint oil for lice prevention and treatment:
Peppermint oil is a wondrous and a magical essential oil with myriad benefits. However, it must be used in the right amount to reap the maximum benefits.
- Pregnant women and nursing mothers are advised to stay away from all essential oils, especially the ones as potent as the peppermint oil.
- Do not use peppermint oil for lice prevention on children below the age. If no cure seems to work, consult your doctor or a medical practitioner before doing so.
- Always use 100% pure, therapeutic grade essential oils for best results.
- Never use peppermint oils without doing a patch test on the user. Not all oils are meant to soothe every one.
- Also, always dilute the peppermint oil in a carrier oil before proceeding the application on your hair.
- Always wash your hair with lukewarm water while practicing any of the above mentioned techniques to get rid of lice using peppermint oil.
- Make sure the oil does not enter your or your child’s eyes during the head wash. Rinse your eyes quickly with cold water and wait for 5 minutes for the irritation to reduce. If it does not go away, consult a doctor immediately.
Buy peppermint essential oil and get rid of lice and the lice eggs now. You can buy it from amazon.com or walmart.com. Alternatively, you could purchase the oil from your local departmental store.
Are you allergic to peppermint essential oil, here is how you can use tea tree oil for lice treatment and prevent lice outbreaks within the family.
We hope you found all the information you were looking for. Do share your thoughts in the comments section below.
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Read More: 11 Uses and Benefits Of The Magical Peppermint Essential Oil
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