How to offer Self care treatment
If you prefer not to use a medication for treating head lice, you may consider a home treatment. However, there's little to no clinical evidence that home treatments are effective.
Wet-combing
Combing wet hair with a fine-toothed nit comb may remove lice and some nits. Studies show that wet-combing results vary.
Start by wetting the hair and lubricating it with hair conditioner or olive oil. Comb the entire head from the scalp to the end of the hair at least twice during a session. The process typically should be repeated every 3 to 4 days for several weeks — at least two weeks after no more lice are found.
Essential oils
Small clinical studies have suggested that some natural plant oils may kill lice by depriving them of air, but effectiveness is uncertain. These products include:
Tea tree oil
Anise oil
Ylang-ylang oil
Essential oils aren't required to meet safety, efficacy and manufacturing standards used for drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and can sometimes cause allergic reactions.
Smothering agents
A number of household products are used to treat head lice. These products are thought to deprive the lice of air when generous amounts are applied to the hair, covered with a shower cap and left on overnight. Products used for this purpose include:
Mayonnaise
Olive oil
Margarine or butter
Petroleum jelly
However, it's unclear if these treatments are effective.
Dehydration
Another option is a machine that uses one application of hot air to kill head lice and their eggs through dehydration. The machine requires special training and is currently available only at professional lice treatment centers.
The machine uses air that is cooler than most hair dryers and at a much higher flow rate to kill the lice by drying them out. Don't use a regular hair dryer to accomplish this result as it's too hot and could burn the scalp.
Dangerous products to avoid
Flammable products, such as kerosene or gasoline, should never be used to kill lice or to remove nits.
Household cleaning
Lice usually don't live past one day without feeding from a human scalp. And eggs can't survive without the temperature near the scalp. Therefore, the chance of lice surviving on household items is small.
As a precaution, you may clean items that the affected person has used in the previous two days. Cleaning recommendations include the following:
Wash items in hot water. Wash bedding, stuffed animals and clothing in hot, soapy water — at least 130 degrees Fahrenheit (54.4 degrees Celsius) — and dry at high heat.
Clean hair care items. Clean combs, brushes and hair accessories by soaking them in hot, soapy water for 5 to 10 minutes.
Seal items in plastic bags. Seal items that can't be washed in plastic bags for two weeks.
Vacuum. Give the floor and upholstered furniture a good vacuuming.
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