Head Lice

Head lice are tiny insects that live in human hair. They are usually firmly glued

to the hair strands and are highly contagious.

Symptoms that you have hair lice

When you constantly scratch your head

You have sores on your scalp

You find it difficult to sleep

You have rashed all over your back

Treatment of hair lice

The best treatment of hair lice is preventing it since lice is very difficult to completely get rid of. They lay too many eggs and will keep spreading.

Some parents have used regular home insect killer sprays directly on the hair of their children but this is usually a desperate remedy which is not recommended since insecticides are toxic to humans especially when sprayed so close to the face.

1. Mix equal amount of the following oils together as a regular hair cream to prevent hair lice

1. Extra virgin olive oil

2. Eucalyptus essential oil

3. Peppermint essential oil

4. Lavender essential oil

5. Rosemary essential oil

6. Tea tree essential oil (considered the most effective)

2. Here is another local treatment:

The infected person must wear a face mask

Before you start, ensure you are also wearing a face mask. Protect your hands with gloves.

Mix 1 cup of kerosene and ground  camphor. Apply on hair and scalp. Use your hands to massage the concoction into the hair properly so that the eggs can be eliminated too. Cover the treated hair with a shower cap.

Leave it on hair for 20 minutes

Wash off with warm water and shampoo

Use a hand dryer to dry the hair

3. Another recipe to treat hair lice

Crush one quarter cup of almond seeds and squeez in the juice of fresh lemon to form a paste.

Apply on scalp

Leave for 30 minutes

Wash of with warm water

4. Treatment with onions

Crush 1 onions and squeeze out the juice without adding water.

Massage properly on hair  and scalp

Leave it on your hair for 1 hour then wash off thoroughly

Mistake people make that cause re-infection of hair lice

They have treated the hair but the bed, pillows, hair nets, clothes, sofas, bags, combs are not disinfected  to prevent re-infection.

Clothes should be washed with hot water and salt.

More preventive measures

After treatment, apply the hair oil mixture above to the hair on daily basis to prevent re-infection.

Alternatively, you can use hair cream that contains menthol. Use 3 times a week.

Avoid sharing hair combs, nets and bands

Maintain good hygiene