Your head is itching uncontrollably and you fear the worst-case scenario: you have lice. Upon further investigation, you discover that you have, in fact, been invaded by these parasites.
Lice are small parasites that attach themselves to human hair and feed off of blood. Though lice can affect any part of the body that is covered with hair, the most common spot these parasites take up residence is on the head. That’s because this part of the body usually has the most hair. An infestation of head lice is medically referred to as Pediculosis capitals.
Head lice are extremely contagious. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 12 million people are affected by head lice every year in the United States.
Though it is believed that people who do not exercise proper hygiene are the most at risk for head lice, anyone can get them. They are particularly common among school children, though they can easily spread through office spaces, and any other public location, such as movie theaters, public transportation, and libraries.
If you have head lice, there’s no doubt that you are going to want to eradicate those nasty pests as quickly as possible. Here’s a look at 14 home remedies that are proven to offer effective results.
1. Oil from coconuts
Coconut oil is has been found to be an effective home remedy for removing head lice. It is a highly viscous substance, which means that it can easily suffocate and smother the parasites. Coconut oil also has excellent antiseptic and antibacterial properties, which can effectively kill lice. Using coconut oil to remove head lice will also offer great benefits for your hair and scalp, as it’s highly moisturizing. In fact, your hair may look lusher after using this home remedy to remove head lice. For the best results, apply coconut oil directly to the head, working it into the scalp and throughout the strands of your hair. Comb through your hair with a fine-tooth comb and wash it out. Repeat the process until the head lice have been completely removed.
