A tedious thing for parents when school starts is lice outbreaks. Here we give 7 tips on what you can consider and do.
The more thorough you are in treating a lice outbreak, the less likely it is to become a recurring problem.
1. Treatment and combing with oil
Rub the entire hair thoroughly with an oil such as coconut oil, neem oil, and/or sesame oil. See recipe tips further down.
Note, neem does not smell good but is very effective.
The oils suffocate the lice. Comb through the hair and cover the head with a disposable shower cap or plastic wrap and leave it on for at least 2-4 hours or overnight. Discard the shower cap.
You can then use hair clips to divide the hair into manageable sections to comb through the hair thoroughly with a lice comb.
Rinse the comb often under very hot water while you work. When you have combed out all the hair, shampoo and rinse the hair twice in a row.
This treatment is recommended to be done every day for a week.
2. More combing
After the treatment, it is important to comb the hair every day for another week.
Yes, you need to comb the hair every day for 14 days after a lice outbreak.
Wet the entire hair and use a little conditioner if you want. Comb through the hair carefully with a fine-toothed nit comb from the scalp to the tips.
NOTE! Wash the towels you use.
3. Lice-killing essential oils
Specific essential oils can have a toxic effect on lice and lice eggs.
Some of the top choices of essential oils against lice are tea tree, ylang ylang, lavender, eucalyptus, rosemary, lemongrass, and anise.
You can combine these essential oils with, for example, coconut oil for a natural treatment and suffocation of lice.
DIY Treatment Recipe:
Ingredients:
- 2 tbsp coconut oil
- 1 tbsp neem oil
- 1 tsp essential oils – ylang ylang, tea tree, lavender, rosemary, and eucalyptus, or a blend of them.
- 5 dl apple cider vinegar
- 3 dl water
How do you do it?
- Apply the oil blend all over the scalp, massage it in thoroughly, and run it through the ends.
- Comb through the hair with a fine-toothed lice comb.
- Cover the head with a disposable shower cap or plastic wrap and leave on for at least 2-4 hours or overnight.
- Carefully remove the shower cap and discard.
- Comb through the hair with a lice comb before washing and rinse thoroughly, twice.
- While the hair is still wet, mix 5 dl apple cider vinegar and 3 dl water in a spray bottle. Saturate the hair and spray half the bottle on the scalp and hair.
- Pour the remaining mixture over the hair and massage in gently.
- Rinse thoroughly and comb the hair once more.
- You can now optionally follow up with a light application of coconut oil as a leave-in conditioner. Let it work in the hair until the next wash.
- Wash all towels immediately.
4. Disinfect brushes and combs
Clean all combs, brushes, and hair accessories in hot water – at least 65 °C.
Also wash all hats, scarves, pillowcases, and stuffed animals in very hot water and then put them in the dryer for at least 15 minutes.
Wash all items that have contact with hair, such as hair clips, hair ties, headbands, etc.
Put all non-washable items that may have come into contact with lice in an airtight plastic bag for a few days.
5. Get the vacuum cleaner & wash bedding
You should give all carpets and furniture in your home a good and thorough vacuuming.
It is also important to avoid lying on bedding, pillows, and even carpets that have been used by someone with lice in the last 48 hours. Wash all bedding!
6. Talk to the children
Make sure your children understand to avoid head-to-head contact.
This applies both on the playground and when playing at home.
Also explain that they should avoid sharing hair accessories, hats, combs, or brushes.
Tie long hair back during a lice outbreak at school or daycare.
7. Prevent lice in the future
- Repeat the process with the oil and essential oils every five to ten days for a couple of weeks. This helps ensure you really eliminate all lice and eggs.
- Feel free to use coconut oil as an overnight hair mask, then wash the hair in the morning.
- Feel free to use coconut oil as a leave-in conditioner. Since coconut oil both repels and kills lice, you can use it as a leave-in conditioner.
- Spray the hair with water mixed with essential oils like tea tree or lavender every morning.
What home remedies do you have for children with lice? Share in a comment so we can all be lice-free!
