There are a variety of home remedies for lice that individuals say may treat head lice, but there is no scientific proof that they are useful or safe.
Many of these remedies have shown equivocal outcomes in research. Home remedies for lice are often found to be ineffective and may not satisfy safety requirements, according to scientists.
People contemplating these remedies should consult with a doctor, examine the data, and assess the advantages and disadvantages of at-home therapy.
Although physicians disagree on the effectiveness of home remedies for lice, they believe that nonmedical steps may be taken to decrease lice spread and prevent them from returning.
5 remedies for lice at home
Lice are little insects that feed on the blood of humans. Adult lice are around 2–3 millimeters long. They deposit their eggs on hair, near to the skin, and are Trusted Source in length.
They may infest pubic hair, eyelashes, and brows, although they are most frequently seen in the hair on the head.
Due to the fact that lice produce eggs that hatch fast, an infestation may swiftly grow. To get rid of lice, you have to get rid of both the insects and their eggs. Once the eggs have hatched, a person who takes a therapy that does not destroy the eggs will need to repeat it.
Many individuals think that lice, eggs, or both may be killed using home remedies. Learn about these home remedies for lice, as well as when to seek medical help and how to prevent lice from spreading, in the sections below.
1. Anise essential oil
Anise oil has the ability to cover and smother lice.
Source you can trust. Anise oil was shown to be one of the most effective natural remedies for lice in children in a 2018 research.
Anise oil was one of only two natural remedies that completely eradicated lice, despite the fact that other natural cures were often successful. Other herbal remedies usually resulted in reinfestations within a few months for those who tried them.
Anise oil may be found at health food shops and on the internet for those who want to buy it.
2. Extra virgin olive oil
Olive oil has comparable properties as anise oil in that it may suffocate lice and prevent them from returning. It was rated among the most effective remedies in the same 2018 research as anise oil. Those looking for a very efficient home cure can combine olive oil and anise oil.
Olive oil may offer further hair and scalp advantages.Olive oil may be found at many grocery shops and on the internet.
3. Virgin coconut oil
Coconut oil is widely used to heal dry skin and hair.
Researchers in Brazil conducted a study in 2010 called trusted Source that looked at the effects of various natural head lice cures and compared them to over-the-counter (OTC) medications.
The researchers discovered that pure coconut oil was the only therapy that worked out of all the remedies they tried. An average of 80% of the head lice Trusted Source was dead after 4 hours of using the oil.
In the same time period, the two most effective medicated shampoos killed 97.9% and 90.2 percent of lice, respectively.
Coconut oil is available at a variety of health food shops and online.
4. Liquid petroleum
Jelly made with petroleum
By smothering lice and potentially their eggs, Trusted Source may be able to destroy them.
Petroleum jelly is oily and filthy, and getting rid of it may require several items of washing. It may, however, be an effective alternative for individuals with treatment-resistant lice or intolerance to lice shampoos.
Petroleum jelly may be found at drugstores and on the internet.
5. Mayonnaise
The television show “The Office” in the United States may have popularised the usage of mayonnaise to cure lice.
Mayonnaise, according to proponents, smothers lice and makes it easier to comb them out of the hair. Some individuals believe that mayonnaise may help with lice itching and scalp discomfort.
Mayonnaise hasn’t been shown to kill or cure lice. While this home cure is likely to be safe, it will almost certainly be messy and unpleasant.