Every year, between six to twelve million kids, get head lice. Prescription insecticides contain toxic ingredients while natural treatments work well without toxic chemicals and are easy to implement.

Whether you use prescription or natural solutions, you will need to be diligent in your approach as both the adult lice and their tiny eggs (nits) need to be targeted. Nits glue themselves to the hair shaft making them difficult to remove. Treatments that are targeted to nits can often leave the adults intact and vice versa, so a varied approach is key.

Some tried and true natural head lice treatments include

1.Nitpicking and combing – This is necessary for lice treatment as it helps to release the nits that are attached to the hair shaft. You can purchase the comb at drugstores and you comb the hair section by section.

2.Olive oil has been used for years to suffocate lice for easy removal. You will need to coat the hair and scalp with olive oil and let your child sleep with a shower cap on. In the morning use the nit comb to remove dead lice. Shampoo hair as you normally would once complete. Repeat as needed.

3.Hair Dryers[i] - Direct heat from a hair dryer was effective against 98% of units and 55% of lice, so using a hair dryer (particularly after shampooing from the olive oil treatment) can be an effective lice treatment. One word of caution, if you do use an over the counter chemical treatment – DO NOT use a hair dryer as some of the chemicals contained in them are flammable.

4.Essential Oil Combination - The Archives of Dermatological Research published a study demonstrating the effectiveness of essential oils on head lice and compared them to commercially available products marketed to treat lice. A lotion combination of lavender, peppermint, and eucalyptus provided the best results and was comparable to the best commercial product available on the market. Consult your homeopath if you are using homeopathy as some of the essential oils may antidote the prescribed remedies.

5.Tea Tree Oil - One study[ii] found tea tree oil to be extremely effective against adult lice, killing 100% of them after just one 30 minute treatment. For this treatment, you will need to mix together one teaspoon of tea tree oil, one ounce of natural shampoo and three tablespoons of olive oil. Apply throughout your hair and cover head with a shower cap. After one half hour, rinse hair thoroughly with hot water. Use your special nit comb while hair is still wet to remove dead lice. Again, you should consult your homeopath as tea tree can antidote homeopathic remedies.

Another important aspect to remember is the prevention of spreading lice to siblings. Lice usually do not live past one day without feeding on a scalp, and eggs do not survive if they aren't incubated at the temperature near the scalp. However, as a precaution, the Mayo Clinic recommends:

• Wash items in hot water. Wash bedding, stuffed animals and clothing in hot, soapy water — at least 130 F (54.4 C) — and dry at high heat.
• Clean hair care items. Clean combs, brushes and hair accessories in hot, soapy water.
• Seal items in plastic bags. Seal items that cannot be washed in plastic bags for two weeks.
• Vacuum. Give the floor and upholstered furniture a good vacuuming.

If you need further help, do not hesitate to phone us at 310-738-8878 for an appointment.