Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 2: Using vinegar
• Method 2 of 2: Other head lice remedies
• Tips

Head lice are small insects that live on the human scalp and feed on blood. Lice can crawl but cannot fly, so they are spread from person to person through close contact. Due to joint contact games, children suffer from this disease more often. It is estimated that about 6-12 million children in American schools are infected with head lice every year. Vinegar is an old remedy traditionally used to combat head lice. Vinegar is effective because it prevents the lice eggs (nits) from attaching to the hair. Other treatments, both natural and pharmaceutical, tend to kill the lice. A combination of protection and control is probably the best treatment for head lice.

Steps

Method 1 of 2: Using vinegar

1. 1 Benefits of using vinegar and possible limitations. Vinegar is a common folk remedy for head lice, but some people mistakenly think that vinegar kills both adult lice and their eggs, called nits. In reality, vinegar cannot kill lice directly because it is not toxic to them. However, vinegar can help remove nits stuck in your hair and prevent new lice from coming out. More specifically, the acetic acid dissolves the protective membranes surrounding the nits and prevents them from attaching to the hair.
   • After applying the vinegar, the nits either fall off or become much easier to remove with a fine-toothed comb (comb).
   • Although vinegar cannot kill adult lice, it can kill newly hatched lice called nymphs. To date, there have not been sufficiently detailed studies on the effects of vinegar or acetic acid on head lice.
2. 2 Vinegar selection. All types of vinegar contain acetic acid, but some types and brands of vinegar are more concentrated than others. Try to choose vinegar that has about 5% acetic acid - enough to dissolve the nits' shells, but not enough to irritate the skin in most people. White vinegar is common acetic acid dissolved in water. This vinegar is often inexpensive. Red wine vinegar is more expensive and often contains 5 to 7% acetic acid. Apple cider vinegar is also effective, but when shopping for this type of vinegar, be sure to choose the unfiltered, pasteurized variety, as it is more likely to have a higher concentration (around 5% acetic acid).
   • High concentrations of acetic acid (over 7%) can irritate the scalp, while lower concentrations may not dissolve nits that have adhered to hair. Choose vinegar that has a concentration of about 5-7%.
   • Itching with head lice is caused by an allergic reaction to lice saliva. Not all people have an allergic reaction and itch.
3. 3 Apply vinegar while showering or bathing. If you purchased vinegar, you can start the procedure. This is best done while showering or bathing. First, dampen your hair with water (but not too much, hair should not be very wet), and then apply several glasses of vinegar directly to the scalp. Rub vinegar into your scalp and try to cover as much of your hair as possible - this may not be so easy if you have long hair. Wait 5-10 minutes, this is usually enough time to dissolve the exoskeletons (coatings) of the nits.
   • Remember to close your eyes while applying the vinegar. Diluted acetic acid won't hurt your eyes, but they will certainly sting for a while.
   • Avoid getting vinegar, especially vinegar or apple cider vinegar, on clothing, as it can stain it.
4. 4 Comb through your hair with a fine-toothed comb. After applying the vinegar, comb thoroughly with a fine-toothed comb for at least 5 minutes. Brushing this hard will help remove some loose nits and adult lice.For best results, consider purchasing a special comb (plastic or metal with very fine teeth) - you can usually get one at the pharmacy or online. After brushing your hair for a few minutes, rinse off the remaining vinegar and dry your hair with a towel. Important: But don't share your towel with anyone while you have lice!
   • Vinegar is great for removing nits from hair, but not for killing mature lice - so don't be surprised if you still see lice after using the vinegar.
   • Vinegar treatments can be done daily as long as small nits remain attached to the hair. Acetic acid also removes oil from the hair, so hair may look dry or frizzy after these treatments.
   • Nits hatch within 7-9 days after laying, and mature lice can live up to 3-4 weeks. So, if you are using vinegar to fight head lice, the treatment can take about a month.

Method 2 of 2: Other head lice remedies

1. 1 Ask your doctor what over-the-counter shampoos you can use. Make an appointment with your doctor or dermatologist for a diagnosis. Find out about the most effective over-the-counter lice shampoos or ointments available at your local pharmacy. Your doctor will likely recommend an over-the-counter pyrethrin-based medication mixed with chrysanthemum flowers, which are toxic to lice. Popular brands of these shampoos are Nix (a synthetic version of pyrethrin) and Rid (pyrethrin mixed with other compounds that are toxic to lice).
   • Peritrin-based shampoos are usually effective in killing lice, but not nits. You can use these shampoos in combination with vinegar to get rid of lice and their nits more effectively.
   • Side effects of using pyrethrin shampoos can include scalp irritation, redness, and itching (especially in children allergic to ragweed or chrysanthemum).
   • Lice do not spread disease (bacterial or viral), but itchy scalp can trigger scratching, leading to infected sores in some people.
2. 2 Talk to your doctor about prescription medications. If a head lice infestation cannot be controlled with vinegar and / or over-the-counter shampoos, then you should talk with your doctor about using stronger medications. In some regions, head lice have developed resistance to peritrin shampoos, so prescription drugs are the only thing that might work. The most common medicines recommended for treating head lice are benzyl alcohol (Ulesfia), malathion (Ovide), and hexachlorane (Lindane). Collectively, the means for removing lice are called pediculicidal drugs. They should be used with extreme caution, especially in children.
   • Benzyl alcohol kills the lice on the scalp by depriving them of oxygen. It is effective, but side effects can include skin irritation, allergic reactions and seizures, so it is not recommended for use in children under 6 months of age.
   • Malathion is a shampoo that is only recommended for use in children over 6 years of age due to possible serious side effects. Be careful not to expose this shampoo to a hot hair dryer or use it near fires due to its high alcohol content.
   • Lindane is a shampoo considered to be something of a "desperate remedy" for the treatment of head lice due to the high risk of serious side effects (including seizures). This remedy is not recommended for use in children of any age or in pregnant women.
3. 3 Consider using natural herbal remedies. Some research suggests that certain vegetable oils can be toxic to lice and their eggs (nits).Tea tree oil, anise oil, ylang-ylang essential oil and nerolidol (a chemical compound that is present in many plants) are most effective in the fight against head lice. While these vegetable oils have not been officially approved for the treatment of head lice, they are quite safe and probably worth a try if your budget allows it.
   • Plant oils like tea tree oil are often found in natural medicated shampoos to treat dandruff and psoriasis. Such shampoos can also help in the fight against head lice.
   • Although these herbal remedies are intended for adults, they are safe for children as well, as no serious side effects have been reported from their use.
   • Other natural remedies that can kill lice by "strangling" (depriving them of oxygen) are olive oil and butter. Apply to scalp for 5-10 minutes, then rinse with water and medicated shampoo for best results.
   • Lice cannot jump or fly, so they spread to other people usually through head-to-head contact. However, indirect distribution methods are possible through the exchange of hats, brushes, combs, towels, pillows, scarves, hair accessories, and stereo headphones.

Tips

• Sometimes a person may not be aware of the presence of lice, although the most common symptoms of head lice are itching of the scalp and ears, the appearance of a large number of grayish specks (the size of a sesame seed) on the scalp that mimic dandruff or sunburn, and darker spots on the hair.
• Head lice (scientifically called pediculus humanus capitis) is usually not a sign of poor hygiene or unclean living — it is most often associated with close, direct contact with someone who already has lice.
• If at least one family member has lice, then all family members should check themselves carefully. Checking for lice or nits is done by parting the hair in several places, using bright light and a magnifying glass at the same time to see any signs of lice.
• Nits look like dandruff in appearance, but unlike dandruff, they are firmly attached to the hair and do not flake off like dandruff.
• After using a comb or hairbrush, soak it in hot water (at least 55 ° C) for 5 minutes to help kill the lice.
• Do not use insecticidal sprays - they can be toxic if inhaled or absorbed through the scalp.
• Teach children to avoid head-to-head contact at school or on the playground to reduce the risk of catching head lice.
• Keep in mind that you cannot get lice from your pets (dog or cat) because human lice feed exclusively on human blood and prefer the temperature and conditions of the human scalp.