Table of contents
- Special shampoo and combing: The most effective method against lice
- What to do against head lice? These home remedies help
- How can I prevent head lice?
Lice are probably one of the most annoying insects of all. An infestation is practically inevitable at some point, especially among children, because the little pests spread particularly quickly in community facilities such as daycare centers and schools.
In order to get rid of the infestation, it is important to act quickly and use the right means to prevent the lice from laying further eggs (so-called nits). In addition to treatments such as combing out and special shampoos, many home remedies are also suitable for this.
We'll tell you which home remedies help against lice and which tricks you can use to efficiently remove the annoying insects.
Reading tip:
Special shampoo and combing: The most effective method against lice
One thing in advance: The best method to get rid of lice is a combination of lice shampoo or lice treatment and combing. Both are available at the pharmacy. The lice treatment should be the basis of the therapy and only be supplemented with home remedies.
The lice treatment is applied to the scalp and must work there well. It is then rinsed out and the damp hair is combed through with the lice comb. This means that the majority of head lice are “fished out”.
Since head lice lay eggs from which young lice hatch after around a week, the lice treatment must be applied again after 8 - 10 days (depending on the product) in order to achieve the best possible effect. You should comb out over a period of timetwo weeksallthree to four daysrepeat.
Shopping-Tipp: A complete set with lice treatment and comb is available here on Amazon for under 20 euros*.
Wash your hair properly if you have lice
In addition to using the right products, there are a few things to consider when washing your hair:
- After washing, rinse your hair with a mixture of lukewarmwater and vinegarout of. These home remedies will help loosen the nits so that you can comb them out more easily afterwards.
- Avoid blow-drying your hair. This encourages the nits to hatch, which can prolong the duration of the infestation.
- Use strong hair after washing your hairHairspray. Head lice don’t like the chemical fumes from the home remedy!
Reading tip:
What to do against head lice? These home remedies help
The special remedies from the pharmacy should always be the basis of lice therapy. If you would like to further advance the treatment, you can also use a few home remedies against the lice.
Mix essential oils into your shampoo
Fill yourself with some of your normal shampoo and add 4 drops to eachEukalyptusöl*,Rosemary beer* andLavender oil* added. These oils are said to be particularly effective against lice. Let the shampoo work for a few minutes and then rinse well.
Make a hair mask with baking soda
Baking soda (sodium carbonate) can also be used to combat head lice. Because the home remedy dissolves the body’s own “glue” of nits.
Mix to applyBaking soda (shop here on Amazon*) with a little warm water until you get a paste. Apply it all over your head and leave it on for around 20 minutes. Then rinse well and comb out your hair.
Color your hair
We know that hair color isn't exactly gentle - after all, dyeing it too often damages our hair. The positive downside: head lice cannot tolerate the chemical bomb either.
If you color your hair regularly anyway, you can use the tube of color with a clear conscience on a day when you don't need to treat it with lice treatment.
But first, observe how your scalp is doing. Washing your hair a lot and using lice medicine can irritate them a lot. If you then smear hair dye on your head, it may be too much for your scalp.
Do a thyme hair treatment
Thyme is also said to be a very effective home remedy against lice. Add 100 g of fresh or dried thyme to 1 liter of water and cook for 15 minutes. Then put the mixture through a sieve and (cooled!) apply to your head like a hair treatment after the shampoo.
How can I prevent head lice?
Even though lice are basically harmless and treatment is usually very effective, fighting lice is annoying and takes some time. Luckily, there are a few ways to prevent lice infestation.
Anti-lice hair ties
Anti-lice hair ties are ideal for children (and adults) with long hair. They are treated with an anti-lice agent and are intended to ensure that head lice do not settle in the hair in the first place. You can get hair ties like this hereOrder in a set of 20 on Amazon*.
Note:The effect of the hair ties wears off after a few hours or days (depending on the model). The hair tie should then be replaced to ensure adequate protection against lice.
Essential oil behind the ears
Just as you can mix essential oils into shampoo for treatment, you can also use them as home remedies to ward off lice. Simply put a few drops (e.g. lavender oil) behind your ears and on the back of your neck. This should help to effectively keep the head lice at a distance.
Tipp:Make sure that the essential oils are suitable for use on the skin. Otherwise, unpleasant skin irritations may occur.
Always use your own helmet
If possible, avoid borrowing helmets for yourself or your child. No matter whether it's a ski, bicycle or riding helmet... Especially if many people have already worn the helmet and it is not cleaned regularly, the risk of lice is very high.
Those: Federal Center for Health Education
Important note: This article is for informational purposes only. If you have any uncertainties, urgent questions or complaints, you should contact your doctor.
