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AS children return to school, parents are urged to be aware of the increased risk of head lice. But there is a simple solution that you can find right in your kitchen.
Many of us remember the head lice checks that were carried out in schools, and now, as parents, many find the idea of dealing with the little bugs quite disturbing.
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Figures from NHS England last year showed that visits to the health advice page about head lice and nits increased in September.
Lice infestations can be itchy and cause a lot of discomfort. However, there are various treatments available to eliminate these tiny parasites, some of which cost as little as 95p.
And if you have tried store-bought medications and treatments before, but without results, then you have come to the right place.
Wet combing
According to the experts at K-HealthThere is a solution to repel the blood-sucking insects without it costing you a cent: wet combing.
This method is the only way to combat lice in children under two months. It works because the lice cannot move thanks to the wet hair, because they cling to the hair follicles.
If you find your hair difficult to brush, it is best to use oil or leave-in conditioner.
Use a fine lice comb to remove larvae, nymphs and nits while the hair is still wet. Then wipe the comb clean after running it through the hair.
This will prevent you from accidentally putting nits or larvae back on the scalp, experts warn.
For best results, it is recommended to repeat the process every 2-3 days for a period of 9 days to two weeks.
Although this alternative can be time consuming, it is an effective way to address the problem without relying on medicinal treatments.
Mayonnaise
Perfect for dipping your chips in, mayonnaise appears to work wonders against lice, according to the team at Monadnock Community Hospital.
This pantry staple is known to suffocate pesky parasites due to its thick consistency, so it’s best to avoid the fat-free alternatives as they aren’t as effective.
Using 100% mayonnaise, saturate the hair and scalp with a thick layer of the sauce and cover the hair with clear plastic wrap or a shower cap for at least three hours.
Once the time is up, the mayonnaise – available from Aldi for 95p – can be removed first with kitchen paper and then with a lice comb, before jumping in the shower to shampoo your hair.
Although some swear by this hack, there is no solid evidence that this method works. the experts at Health Line reported.
They explained that ‘you may see a temporary decrease in activity in your scalp, but the lice will likely return’.
How do you recognize head lice?
Because lice are often found on the scalp, one of the biggest signs of head lice is itching,
Itching can occur on the scalp, neck and ears and is the most common sign that lice are present, Dr. Grant says.
He added: “Other telltale signs of head lice include: a tickling or crawling sensation, visible lice on the hair and red bumps on the scalp or neck.
“Head lice can also affect sleep, as the lice become more active in the dark, making it uncomfortable for people to sleep.”
Olive oil
Another affordable lice remedy is olive oil, a cheaper alternative to chemical-laden treatments.
Its consistency makes the hair smoother, making lice and nits easier to remove with a comb.
Furthermore, when a generous amount is left on for an extended period of time, usually about eight hours, the rich salad suffocates the lice.
However, it is worth noting that the affordable treatment will not kill the eggs, Lice Doctors warned.
”Nothing penetrates the hard shell of the nit, not even olive oil. The nit, the egg that houses the baby bug, has an impenetrable shell.
”Once the baby insect, also called a nymph, reaches maturity, it will break out of its shell.”
Coconut oil
Coconut oil has long been hailed as a miracle cure for long, healthy hair. But can it also help with an itch on your head?
To combat lice using this method, you will need a plastic shower cap, enough coconut oil to cover your hair, and a fine-toothed comb.
Start by rinsing your hair with hot water and let it dry. The oil should be at room temperature so that it is liquid. This makes it easier to apply.
After applying it liberally all over your hair, leave the cap on for eight hours (or longer) to suffocate the lice.
When the time is up, use the fine-toothed comb to remove any dead head lice and nits you can find. However, you may need to repeat this treatment several times.
If you’re looking for natural remedies to tackle those pesky parasites, there’s good news as there’s been some promising research into how coconut oil can treat lice, Healthline reported.
A study Studies conducted in Brazil, for example, showed that the rich oil is more effective than more aggressive chemical treatments.
