Do Home Remedies for Lice Removal Really Work?

Lice infestation affects millions of kids and adults in the United States every year – 6 to 12 million according to CDC statistics.At some point in time, out of sheer desperation, we’ve allturned to home remedies for lice removal. From oiling, fine-combing, toothpaste, mayonnaise – we’ve tried them all.

Are They Effective?

There have been many who have advocated home remedies for lice removal. Products are appliedto the scalp, covering every aspect of the hair, and left for hours. However, even with theirpopularity, it has been proven that these remedies do nothing to kill the lice; rather, they only stunthem. The lice and nits (lice eggs) are still alive. Take a look at some of the most common home remedies:

Oiling and Massaging

Oiling and massaging is among the top home remedies people seek for head lice removal. According to this treatment, oils such as olive oil or coconut oil are massaged onto hair and left overnight to suffocate head lice. Thehair and scalp are then shampooed thoroughly to wash out suffocated lice. This is an ineffective method because it does not remove nits, which then develop to be head lice.

Use of Petroleum jelly

Slathering petroleum jellyall over the hair for quick suffocation, and then washing, is believed to be a swift way of getting rid of head lice. However, this method will only cause damage to your hair, also leaving the nits behind. Moreover, most of the time petroleum jellyis not adequately washed out of hair, which gives a greasy and unkempt appearance to your child.

Chemical Treatments

Chemical treatments, such as over-the-counter shampoos, are widely bought, as these treatments claim to guarantee effective results. These shampoos and serums contain compounds such as pyrethrins. These compounds are observed to have drying and damaging effect on hair. Some shampoo treatments contain even harsher chemicals, which can actively diffuse into the blood stream via the skin and can be quite harmful to your child. In the end, it’s a waste as these products are rarely effective in removing lice.

What Should You Do?

Battling a case of head lice is frustrating andthe scratching that results can lead to painful skin conditions. This is why you should seek help as soon as you observe the first signs of a head lice infestation. Removing lice by employing pesticide free methods, such as combing, is effective and guarantees 100% head lice removal. This treatment is also free of any harmful chemicals, which can be damaging to your health. This is why, at Lice Troopers, we have comprehensive lice removal plans for schools and homes. We are a certified and physician-recommended facility, offering non-toxic and pesticide free head lice eradication options. We clear up the infestation in one sitting, and provide you with information you need to eliminate any chances of a relapse. To schedule an appointment, please call us at1.800.403.5423, and our helpful customer service representative will be glad to help you.