Lice and nits in your hair make your scalp itchy. These little creepy creatures generally make inroads through school where somebody is already infected.
Once lice reach home through a child, it doesn't differentiate between adults and children. They are contagious and spread through sharing combs, pillow covers, bed sheets, towels and other clothings.
Head lice take a long time to leave you as they multiply fast. You have to be careful to not pass on to others in the family. Essential Oil such as tea tree oil is an excellent remedy to get rid of lice.
You can use diluted tea tree oil alone or with other natural ingredients to make your scalp free of lice and healthy again
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Does Tea Tree Oil Removes Head Lice?
The answer is yes but not so easily. Yet it remains one of the best remedies for lice.
There was a time when tea tree oil used to kill head lice, but not any more. That is because head lice has developed resistance to its active compound anticholinesterase which is used in almost every commercially available head lice treatment.
But tea tree oil is still very useful in prevention of head lice. It can even kill the lice in early stages of infestation.
Tea tree oil also known as melaleuca oil is an essential oil obtained from distillation of Australian melaleuca alternifolia tree. It is specifically effective on nits. Nits are lice eggs but in many countries nits and lice are both used to describe head lice.
You can also use tea tree oil with other ingredients to remove lice from your head.
So if you hear about an outbreak in school, protect your child by using tea tree oil. Or if any one in the family has already got the outbreak then others can prevent it by proactively using it.
And if you doubt that you may have been affected by head lice although symptoms may not have yet developed, then tea tree oil is one of your best weapons to fight the possible outbreak before it begins to hurt.
Head lice can spread by contact. So pillows, towels, hats, jackets and other clothing can become the carriers to pass on to others.
Remember if one child in your house gets it then there are very high chances that the other children may also get it. Even adults may get affected.
How to Use Tea Tree Oil for Lice?
You can use one or more of the following 7 ways to remove head lice with tea tree oil.
1. Diluted Tea Tree Oil for Lice
Items:
- 1 teaspoon water
- 10 drops of tea tree oil
- Cotton balls
How to apply?
- Mix 10 drops of tea tree oil in a teaspoon of water
- Apply on the entire scalp with the help of cotton ball
- Prepare more mixture if 1 teaspoon is not enough
- Leave it overnight
Do it 2-3 times a week and continue to do it until you get rid of lice completely.
2. Tea Tree Oil Spray for Head Lice
Items:
- Water
- Tea tree oil
- 100ml spray bottle
How to apply?
- Pour water in the 100ml spray bottle
- Add 10-15 drops of tea tree oil and put spray cap
- Shake well
- Spritz the mix on the scalp
- Leave it for 30 minutes
- Rinse your hair
Do it 2-3 times a week until head lice is completely removed.
3. Apple Cider Vinegar and Tea Tree Oil for Lice
Items:
- 50 ml apple cider vinegar
- 50 ml water
- 20 drops tea tree oil
How to apply?
- Pour all the items in a 100ml spray bottle
- Apply the spray cap
- Shake well
- Spray on your scalp and hair
- Leave it for 30-60 minutes
- Rinse your hair with water
- Do it 2-3 times a week.
4. Tea Tree Oil and Coconut Oil for Lice
Items:
- 1 teaspoon coconut oil
- 5-6 drops tea tree oil
How to apply?
- Mix coconut oil and tea tree oil well
- Apply on your scalp and hair
- Leave it for 30-60 minutes
- Rinse your hair with water
Do it 2-3 times a week and you would see that within a few weeks your scalp is free of lice.
5. Tea Tree Oil and Lavender Oil for Head Lice
Though this combination is very effective but do not use it on boys as researchers have found unwanted hormonal changes in boys. No adverse hormonal effect on girls.
Items:
- 3 drops tea tree oil
- 3 drops lavender oil
- 1 teaspoon coconut oil
How to apply?
- Mix all oils well
- Apply on your scalp
- Add more quantity if the above is not sufficient
- Leave it overnight
- Rinse your hair in the morning
Do it 2-3 nights a week until lice is removed.
6. Surgical spirit and Tea Tree Oil for Lice
Surgical spirit is isopropyl alcohol or ethanol based liquid. It is undrinkable.
Items:
- 100ml surgical spirit
- 15-20 drops of tea tree oil
- 100ml spray bottle
How to apply?
- Pour surgical spirit in spray bottle
- Add 15-20 drops of tea tree oil
- Put the spray cap
- Shake well and spiritz on your scalp
- Leave it overnight
- Rinse your hair in the morning
- Do it 2-3 nights a week.
7. Tea Tree Oil and Shampoo for Lice
Items:
- Any shampoo if your preference
- 5 drops of tea tree oil
- Water
How to apply?
- Wet it wash your hair with water
- Take usual amount if shampoo in your hand
- Add 5 drops of tea tree oil and mix well
- Shampoo your hair with this mix in normal way
- Rinse your hair with water.
- Apply conditioner and rinse your hair after 2 Minutes
- Do it 2-3 times a week for a few weeks until lice is completely removed.
Precautions and Tips
Tea tree oil is generally a very safe item for topical use on human skin. But, if not properly used then it can irritate and burn skin as it is a highly concentrated liquid. So, be careful and do not use it without diluting it. Tea tree oil is safe for children also.
- Always keep a bottle of tea tree oil at home. It can be used to treat acne, fungal infections, lice, dandruff and scores of other health conditions.
- Reproduction capabilities of head lice is very high as they mature and multiply quickly. It is almost impossible to get rid of them fast. Continue to use tea tree oil and have patience. It takes about a couple of weeks or more to completely remove head lice.
- Oral consumption of tea tree oil can be unsafe. It can cause rash, burns, confusion and in some cases you may not able to walk
So, if anyone in your family had head lice or your children's school had an outbreak then you can safely use tea tree oil to prevent and get rid of head lice.