To eliminate lice effectively, it is important to wash your hair with suitable shampoos, which should be recommended by your doctor, and it is recommended to give preference to shampoos that contain permethrin in their formula, because this substance is capable of promoting the death of lice.
Application varies greatly depending on the shampoo used, which is why it is recommended to first read the shampoo label to identify the most appropriate method of use.
In addition to shampoos, there are also antiparasitic medications, in tablet form, that can promote the death of lice, such as Ivermectin, for example. However, its use must be recommended by a dermatologist or pediatrician to avoid possible side effects related to high doses of this medication.
How to use lice shampoos
In general, the use of shampoo should be as follows:
- Apply the product to dry hair, this is because in this way it is possible to promote the death of the louse by suffocation. If the product is applied to wet hair, the louse can close its breathing holes and protect itself from the action of the product. Despite this, some shampoos may indicate application to wet hair and, therefore, it is important that the label is read before application;
- Spread the product well over the hair and leave to act for 10 to 20 minutes or according to the manufacturer’s instructions;
- Rinse your head, completely removing the shampoo, and combing with a fine-toothed comb to remove dead lice and nits. To make things easier, you can divide your hair into sections, as this way you can be sure that the comb will be passed through all of your hair;
- Then wash your head normallyusing your preferred shampoo and conditioner.
As lice can live up to 30 days, changing from a nit to an adult louse in about 12 days, it is recommended to reapply the lice shampoo a second time 7 days after the first application.
Check out these and other tips in the video below:
Lice shampoo options
Some examples of shampoos to get rid of lice that can be easily found in pharmacies are:
- Kwell;
- Sanasar
- Escabin;
- Deltacid;
- Stop lice;
- Del-lend;
- Pedider;
- Ferry.
It is important that lice shampoos are used according to the instructions of your dermatologist or pediatrician.
Natural remedies for lice
To combat the infestation of lice and nits, you can also use natural ingredients such as essential oils, but it is also possible to kill lice with a cornmeal porridge that is placed on the scalp, preventing the lice from breathing. Another natural solution against lice and nits is to use thyme oil, which must be mixed into the shampoo.
See how to prepare each of these recipes:
1. With essential oils
A great natural remedy to get rid of lice and nits once and for all is to wash your hair with essential oils and olive oil, because the oil prevents the lice from sticking to the hair, making them easier to remove with a fine-toothed comb.
Furthermore, tea tree essential oil has repellent properties that prevent a new lice infestation. Rosemary and lavender essential oils are used to complement the treatment, calming scalp irritation and relieving itching.
Ingredients
- 30 ml of olive oil;
- 10 drops of rosemary essential oil;
- 10 drops of lavender essential oil;
- 10 drops of tea tree essential oil.
Preparation mode
Mix the ingredients in a container until you obtain a homogeneous mixture. Then, using a cotton pad, apply the medicine over the entire scalp, rubbing well, especially at the hair roots. Then, cover with a cap and wait for 2 to 3 hours, to kill all lice and nits, before washing your hair with a shampoo for oily hair.
After washing your hair, use a fine comb, section by section. Between each pass of the comb it is very important to check whether there are lice stuck to the comb and, if so, they must be removed before passing the comb through the hair again.
Attention: This home remedy should only be used after 2 years of age, as tea tree essential oil should not be used on babies. Since lice eggs can take up to 7 days to hatch, it is important to use this natural remedy every 3 days for at least 4 weeks.
2. With cornmeal
An excellent natural treatment for lice in the hair is a mixture of cornmeal and rue, as they are medicinal plants with properties that help kill worms, such as lice, and soothe the scalp, reducing itching.
Ingredients
- 1 handful of rue;
- 1 handful of cornmeal;
- 4 cups of water.
Preparation mode
Add the rue to the boiling water and let it boil for approximately 5 minutes. Then add the cornmeal and mix well, avoiding lumps from forming. When the mixture has the consistency of porridge, it is ready to be used.
Let the mixture cool and apply along the hair and scalp. Then, wrap your hair with a cap and let the medicine act for approximately one hour. After the set time, the hair must be washed with plenty of water and neutral shampoo. For better effectiveness, it is recommended to use a fine comb to remove dead lice and nits.
3. With thyme
Another excellent natural solution for lice and nits is homemade shampoo made from thyme, as it is a medicinal plant with powerful insecticidal properties.
Ingredients
- Thyme essential oil;
- Shampoo with neem.
Preparation mode
Add 3 drops of thyme essential oil to the neem shampoo and mix well. Then, apply the mixture to wet hair with a light massage, leaving it to act for 5 minutes. After the set time, rinse your hair well with warm water and use a fine comb to remove dead lice and nits.
Thyme can be irritating to the skin of the scalp, and you should never exceed the recommended amount, nor use it undiluted.
