A challenging issue for parents when school starts is lice outbreaks. Here we provide 7 tips on what to consider and do. The more thoroughly you treat a lice outbreak, the less likely it is to become a recurring problem.
1. Treatment and combing with oil
Thoroughly coat the entire hair with an oil such as coconut oil, neem oil and/or sesame oil. See tips for recipes further down. Note, neem doesn't 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.Throw away 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 frequently under very hot water while you work. When you have combed through all the hair, shampoo and rinse your hair twice in a row. This treatment is recommended to be done every day for a week.
2. More combing
After the treatment, it's important to comb the hair every day for up to a week. Yes, you need to comb the hair every day for 14 days after a lice infestation. Wet the entire hair and use a little conditioner if you wish. Comb through the hair thoroughly with a fine-toothed nit comb from the scalp to the hair tips. NOTE! Wash the towels you use.
3. Lice-killing essential oils
Specific essential oils can have a toxic effect against lice and lice eggs. Some of the best choices of essential oils against lice are tea tree, ylang ylang, lavender, eucalyptus, rosemary, lemongrass, and anise. You can combine these essential oils with coconut oil, for example, for a natural treatment and suffocation of lice.
DIY Treatment Recipe:
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons coconut oil
1 tablespoon neem oil
1 teaspoon essential oils – ylang ylang, tea tree, lavender, rosemary and eucalyptus, or a mixture of them.
5 dl apple cider vinegar
3 dl water
How to do it?
Apply the oil mixture over the entire scalp, massage thoroughly and pull through to 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 throw it away.
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 of 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.
Optionally, you can 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 come in contact with hair, e.g., hair clips, hair ties, headbands, etc. Place all non-washable items that may have come in contact with lice in an airtight plastic bag for a few days.
5.Get out the vacuum cleaner & wash bedding
You should give all carpets and furniture in your home a good and thorough vacuuming. It's also important to avoid lying on bedding, pillows, and even carpets that have been used by someone with lice during the past 48 hours. Wash all bedding!
6. Talk to your children
Make sure your children understand that they should 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 fifth to tenth day for a couple of weeks. This helps ensure you've truly eliminated all lice and eggs.
Consider using coconut oil as a hair mask overnight, washing the hair in the morning.
Consider using coconut oil as a leave-in conditioner. Since coconut oil both repels and kills lice, you can use coconut oil as a leave-in conditioner.
Spray hair with water mixed with essential oils such as tea tree or lavender every morning.
What home remedies do you have for children with lice? Share in a comment so we can all become lice-free!
