Most of us hold unpleasant memories of head lice checks in school. With the summer months approaching and kids getting back to schools (especially the 3-11-year-olds), the chances of them returning with lice infestations have increased. Hence, you must figure out how to get rid of lice naturally in one day to ease the discomfort of it all. We have brought you the answers to this and more!
As you scroll down this post, you will get a detailed idea about the natural ways to remove lice infestations in one day, as well as the follow-ups that you need to do to protect your hair. We will also update you on some tidbits about nits and their facts that will assist you in preventing an infestation in the future. Let us explore the ways out –
Table of Contents
How to get rid of lice naturally in one day?
In the section mentioned below, you will see some natural techniques to get rid of lice in one day –
1. Wet combing format
This is one of the traditional and easiest ways to pick out the nits and prevent them from maturing. You already know that once you take a shower or wet your head, the lice tend to get stuck in the shaft of your hair. Removing it from there is quite an easy job. This technique is mainly used with kids to remove lice. Let us show you what to do –
Method:
- You can either wash your hair (use a hairspray to wet it) or use olive oil/coconut oil/or any other anti-dandruff hair oils to wet your scalp and hair.
- After that, untangle your hair correctly with a hairbrush.
- After that, take a fine-toothed comb and divide your hair into small sections.
- Take each section and comb down firmly from the scalp to the end of the hair. Comb one set of hair multiple times to wholly and evenly remove the nits.
- You must do this thrice a day to receive immediate results. However, use less oil than what you used for the first time.
2. Using essential oils
Are you surprised to see essential oils on this list? Well, let us show you correctly how to get rid of lice naturally in one day by using these oils.
For the unversed, you can pick any of the essential oils like – lavender, tea tree, or eucalyptus oils. Always ensure that you mix these oils with carrier oil (coconut oil/olive oil) to prevent it from harming your scalp.
Method:
- Take around 50 ml of coconut/olive/any other carrier or base oil. Mix 3-4 drops of the chosen essential oil onto that. Mix well.
- If you are comfortable, you can add either apple cider vinegar or ylang-ylang oil to it. Mix thoroughly.
- Apply the mixture on your scalp and keep it for 20 minutes. Tie up your hair tightly.
- After that, comb your hair straight – from the scalp to its bottom lengths 4-5 times.
- Shampoo your hair, but do not apply serum/conditioner, as it could potentially harm your hair more.
- Follow this process twice a day to see the change.
3. A neem extract mask is of great help
As they say, neem is one of the best anti-bacterial/fungal medicines that can solve all your problems. Keeping that record intact, you can also use either neem oil/neem extracts on your hair to remove lice. Here is the correct way of using it –
Method:
- Start by boiling a cup of neem leaves and then blend it into a paste. You can also use neem oil in place of the neem paste.
- Use it on your scalp and hair and keep it for 2 hours.
- Divide your hair into small portions and comb it well, from the scalp to the ends of your hair.
- Wash your hair with warm water. Follow this schedule twice a day.
4. Try out the onion paste
You have heard multiple times about the benefit of the sulphur content in onion for your hair. But how to get rid of lice naturally in one day by using an onion mask is a hack you will learn now.
Method:
- Take an onion and chop it into small pieces. After that, blend it to create a paste.
- Apply the paste onto your scalp and leave it for 30-40 minutes.
- Comb your hair well after that, and take a shower with warm water.
- Repeat this step twice a day to see effective results.
5. Vinegar and salt mask
For the unaware, both vinegar and salt have desiccating properties that extract the moisture that is there in your scalp. Additionally, the acetic acid reduces the adhesive element that is natural to your hair. As a result, the environment conducive to the lice is negated, which results in de-infestation.
Method:
- Take apple cider vinegar/distilled vinegar and common salt in a 2:1 ratio.
- Apply it on your scalp and leave it for 30-40 minutes. During that time, comb your hair multiple times.
- Wash your hair with a good shampoo. Repeat this process thrice to see the desired results.
6. Mayonnaise mask
Are you surprised to see this name on the list of how to get rid of lice naturally in one day? Well, we, too, have seen The Office(US Version)!! Mayonnaise is used chiefly as a conditioner for your hair, and in the process, it helps smother the adult lice, giving you luscious hair! The only thing to remember is that you must choose oil-based mayonnaise to make this pack.
Method:
- Take only that much mayonnaise according to the length of your hair.
- Apply it to your scalp, from the top of your hair down to the ends of your hair as well. Keep it for 10-12 minutes.
- Take the fine-toothed comb and run it from your scalp to the ends of your hair. You will see the nits falling out all by itself.
- Repeat this process twice a day for best results.
7. Using heat on your hair
Those of you who would still like to know another of the alternatives to how to get rid of lice naturally in one day – can surely try the heat method. You need to note that to survive, lice require a temperature below 130 degrees C. However, if you raise the temperature of your hair (its infestation spot), then it will die. Here is how to use this method –
Method:
- Start by washing your hair thoroughly (you may use a regular shampoo for the same).
- Now, take a hair dryer and set its speed at the highest. Lift the hair from various portions and spray the scalp from multiple angles.
- The extra heat spray on your scalp will raise the temperature levels of the scalp and kill the lice.
These are some of the easiest methods to kill lice in one day. However, you must continue the treatment for a couple of days to prevent its re-infestation.
How long to continue with these treatments?
The natural treatments mentioned above are extremely beneficial and show results overnight. However, to sustain these results, you must continue with these treatments for a couple of more days (a month at least). Use these techniques thrice a week to give you sustained results and restore your luscious locks!
What are the symptoms of head lice infestation?
Some of the most common symptoms of lice infestation are –
- Severe itching to start with. Constant head scratching and a stinging feel
- A sore in your head due to tearing of the scalp
- Scalp lesions
- Visible lice eggs
If you notice any of the symptoms, you can be assured that it is a lice infestation that you are dealing with.
How to prevent future infestations?
Assuming you have read this post well, you have understood how to get rid of lice naturally in one day. But what do we do to prevent it from coming back? Here are some tips that you can try out –
Tip 1 – Do not share your comb/hair bands/hair accessories with others in the future. Also, be careful about your towels, bedsheets, and pillow covers.
Tip 2 – You must not keep your hair wet for a long time. That could create breathing space for head lice. Dry up your hair after a wash.
Tip 3 – Avoid keeping your hair dirty or greasy for a significant period. Wash your hair twice a week, and do not use conditioner on your scalp.
Tip 4 – Lastly, keep your house clean. Wash bedsheets and linens in warm water (128-130 degrees C), and also maintain a basic sense of hygiene throughout.
What must you avoid to get rid of lice infestation?
Here are some steps you must note about lice infestation –
- You must never use ‘excessive’ of any of the mentioned lice treatment formats since it can be dangerous, leading to severe damage.
- After you are done washing your hair, during the time you are treating lice, do not use conditioner since that could act as a barrier for lice.
- Do not use more than 1 treatment format at a time since that could harm your chances of healing.
Conclusive thoughts
Head lice infestations can become a bothersome affair if not handled properly and on time. Additionally, in most cases, OTC shampoos end up harming the hair follicles more than easing the issue. Hence, it is better to rely on natural ways since they are mostly harmless (when used singularly and within limits) and also provide results overnight. Now that you know how to get rid of lice naturally in one day, assuredly you can handle things in a better manner and get rid of this issue once and for all. Also, you will be able to prevent them from making a comeback, which is another of the critical problems in maximum cases.
For more tips and tricks like these, keep following HeAndSheFitness, and let us know your valuable comments in the space below!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is alcohol good for removing lice from hair?
There is no evidence of removing lice from rubbing alcohol on your scalp. Hence, this is not a technique that you can use.
2. When should you consider a doctor for this issue?
You have seen for yourself how to get rid of lice naturally in one day. Assuming that you have tried out 2/3 methods at different times and none of them worked for you, that is when you must see a medical professional. It is a severe condition that requires deeper care.
3. Can I get rid of hair lice completely?
At an initial stage, yes, you can. However, if you are not careful, your surroundings are unclean and unhygienic, or you continue going around with people who have head lice, you might once again get a lice infestation in your head.
4. Can head lice go away on its own?
There is no such way by which lice goes away on its own. Instead, head lice feed on the blood, and unless you deal with it naturally or medically, it will continue infesting your scalp, leading to further issues whatsoever.