How to get rid of head lice with olive oil
Head lice, a common infestation in children, is a harmless but annoying and embarrassing condition. However, there is anecdotal evidence supporting the use of olive oil against head lice. So how does it work against this contagious but harmless disease? Does this natural ingredient kill these tiny parasites or just help with removal? Can olive oil be an effective alternative to over-the-counter lice treatments that have multiple side effects? Well, this article answers all of those questions and explores the best ways to use olive oil to get rid of head lice. Read on to find out.
Does Olive Oil Kill Lice?
No, olive oil does not kill head lice. But it lubricates the hair and makes it easy to remove lice and nits (louse eggs) from the hair and scalp (1). It is widely believed that the oil has a suffocating effect and can drown the lice. Further research is needed to verify this theory (2).
The exact mechanism of how olive oil can help eliminate head lice has yet to be studied. However, several testimonials advocate the use of olive oil for this purpose. Read on to learn how to use olive oil to treat a lice infestation.
1. Olive oil and shampoo
What you need
olive oil
Clarifying Shampoo
Comb for nit removal
paper towels
garbage bag
hairdryer
What to do
Wash your hair with a clarifying shampoo to remove any product residue from your hair. This step is crucial because otherwise the residue could affect the potency of the olive oil.
Apply olive oil generously to your hair and scalp. Sectioning your hair into several sections can make this process easier.
Tie your hair in a bun and put on your shower cap. Make sure the shower cap’s elastic is tight enough so that it sits securely on your head (to keep the lice from escaping).
Leave the shower cap on for 4 to 6 hours.
Remove the shower cap and comb out the lice with a nit comb. Clean the comb regularly with paper towels. Discard the paper towels when you’re done.
Wash and shampoo your hair twice after you are done.
Divide your hair into sections and blow dry close to the scalp on medium heat. This will kill the nits.
Follow this routine two to three times a week until your hair is head lice free.
A study conducted with a total of 11,223 head lice infestations found that the use of physical treatments and carrier oils such as olive oil and bitter almond oil along with the use of 1% permethrin shampoo can increase head lice treatment success. The infected participants used 1% permethrin shampoo twice a week apart and other recommended therapies such as using fine-toothed wooden combs impregnated with a mixture of water and white vinegar on the hair for 30 minutes. and second, carrier oils such as olive and bitter almond oils on affected hair over a period of therapy. The results showed an 82% success in the cases using permethrin shampoo and a combing treatment and an 87.31% success in those using permethrin shampoo and carrier oil. In summary, 94.33% of participants who received all of the above categories of therapy achieved a full recovery.
2. Olive oil and eucalyptus oil
What you need
4 tablespoons olive oil
15 to 20 drops of eucalyptus oil
shower cap
Comb for nit removal
What to do
Mix olive and eucalyptus oil in a bowl.
Apply the mixture to your hair and scalp.
Tie your hair back and put on the shower cap. Leave it on for 2 to 3 hours.
Take off the shower cap and comb out any lice and nits.
Wash and shampoo your hair.
Follow this routine three times a week.
3. Olive oil, coconut oil and white vinegar
Olive oil and coconut oil suffocate the lice and restrict their movement. Anecdotal evidence suggests that white vinegar can dissolve the glue that keeps nits from sticking to your hair shaft.
What you need
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons coconut oil
white wine vinegar
shower cap
Comb for nit removal
Anti-Lice Shampoo
What to do
Mix olive and coconut oil in a bowl.
Apply the mixture to your hair and scalp.
Put on a shower cap and leave it on for an hour.
Take off the shower cap and comb out any lice and eggs.
Wash and shampoo your hair.
Apply the white vinegar to your hair and scalp and leave it on for an hour.
Comb out any nits and wash your hair with the anti-lice shampoo.
Follow this routine twice a week.
4. Olive oil and tea tree oil
A blend of olive and tea tree oil helps fight head lice. Tea tree oil has insecticidal and insect repellent properties (4).
What you need
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon tea tree oil
2 tablespoons herbal shampoo (to dilute the otherwise harsh tea tree oil that can cause skin irritation)
shower cap
Comb for nit removal
What to do
Mix olive oil, tea tree oil, and shampoo in a bowl.
Apply the mixture to your hair and scalp and put on a shower cap.
Leave on for 30 minutes.
Wash your hair with hot water and the herbal shampoo.
Comb out any dead lice and nits while your hair is still wet.
Follow this routine twice a week.
5. Olive oil and sesame oil
Sesame oil has antibacterial and insecticidal properties (5). When combined with olive oil, it can help get rid of head lice and their eggs.
What you need
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons sesame oil
shower cap
Comb for nit removal
What to do
Mix the olive and sesame oil and apply the mixture to your hair and scalp.
Put on a shower cap and leave it on overnight.
Comb out any dead lice the next morning.
Wash and shampoo your hair.
Follow this routine every day.
Infographic: 3 ways to use olive oil to fight head lice
Head lice infestation can be a threat and lead to serious hair and scalp health problems if not treated in time. It commonly affects young children, is highly contagious, and spreads quickly through direct contact. There are many home remedies to get rid of head lice naturally.
Learn how to effectively get rid of head lice and itchy scalp with olive oil from the infographic below.
In summary, while olive oil does not kill head lice, it can be an effective way to help remove lice and nits from your hair and scalp. The oil lubricates the hair, making it easier to comb out the parasites. Additionally, a suffocating effect of the oil on lice has been suggested, although more research is needed to confirm this.
Using olive oil in combination with other ingredients like eucalyptus oil, coconut oil, white vinegar, or tea tree oil can increase its effectiveness in controlling head lice. These mixtures can suffocate the lice, dissolve the glue that holds the nits to the hair shaft, and have insecticidal properties.
It is important to note that head lice infestations can spread quickly and can lead to serious hair and scalp health problems if not treated promptly. Although olive oil and other home remedies can be helpful, it is important to follow proper application methods, such as: B. Leave the treatment on for a set amount of time and comb out the lice and nits regularly.
For head lice, it is advisable to consult a doctor or dermatologist to determine the best course of action and ensure safe and effective treatment.
