Head lice are parasites that cling to the hair and scalp. They lay eggs or nits at the base of the hair shafts. Common infestations of head lice occur in children. To get rid of lice immediately in one day using home remedies, it is essential to destruct their habitat by using wet combing, massaging essential oils, and using vinegar, onion masks, etc.
Highlights
- Lice are parasitic insects that affect the scalp, especially in children resulting in blocked hair follicles and scalp sores
- To get rid of lice instantly, home remedies including wet combing, onion, neem, and essential oil massage are highly beneficial
- Consult a dermatologist for severe head sores that spread to the neck and rest of the body.
Home Remedies to get rid of Lice Immediately Overnight
There are plenty of effective home remedies to remove lice instantly. The primary key is to destruct their habitat and later remove the nits mechanically. Some of the best natural remedies to get rid of lice permanently at home include;
Wet combing Method
Comb out is one of the best natural ways to get rid of lice in one day. It is a mechanical treatment that removes the adult insects and their nits as well to prevent their maturation.
The wet combing method for lice is used especially in children as it is the most convenient method.
The wet combing method works effectively for getting rid of head lice as they stick to the shaft when hair is wet. The restricted movement of lice assisted by combing helps remove them permanently.
Method
- Wet your hair using a spray or take a shower. You can also use hair oil to wet the hair
- Untangle the hair using the hairbrush
- Use a fine-toothed comb specially designed for hair lice in a periodic manner
- Take a small portion of hair every time and run the comb from the scalp to the bottom
- Repeat the process at least 2 times daily for 10-14 days
Although the wet combing process to get rid of lice naturally is time-consuming and demands effort it is a highly effective remedy as it removes even the smallest eggs as well.
Also Read: Reasons for Head Sores
Onion Water Mask
Onion water is another helpful method if you are searching that how to get rid of lice immediately in one day. Onion is studied as an antibacterial, and antifungal hence it is effective in removing head lice. Onion water keeps the scalp fresh and clean. The irritating properties of onion soothe the head itching caused by lice.
Topical shampoos containing onion are also employed to get rid of lice overnight. Onion juice also nourishes the hair and assists in hair growth
- Take an onion and remove its skin
- Slice it into small pieces
- Blend the onion in juice or blender with only 2-3ml of water
- Strain the concentrate to get a clean and clear onion extract. You can mix onion juice with any hair oil as well
- Use a spray bottle to apply the juice to the hair or a cotton swab to apply the juice to the scalp
- Leave the onion juice mask for at least 30-40 minutes
- Wash your hair with an anti-lice shampoo
Hair Oil Massage
Different types of essential oils are effective to get rid of lice overnight. Coconut oil is used for hair massage for a long. It contains lauric acid which is a strong anti-viral agent. Coconut oil also has antimicrobial properties. A Brazilian study evaluated that using coconut oil for head lice killed almost 80% of them.
Tea tree oil is another antiparasitic oil with a reported 100% lice mortality rate. Lavender oil, olive oil, etc are also used widely as they can destruct the habitat of lice. Some oils may cause mild irritation which soothes the itchy scalp.
Method
- Take any hair oil of your choice and warm it a little
- Apply the oil or combination of oils to your hair and massage gently
- Wet combing can impart additional benefits to getting rid of lice
- Leave the oil on the hair for 1-2 hours.
- Wash with anti-lice shampoo
- Repeat the procedure for 10-14 days
Read more about the lice infestation
Salt Vinegar Solution
Vinegar and salt solution are used to get rid of lice. Sodium chloride (salt) and acetic acid (vinegar). They both have desiccating properties which extract the moisture from the scalp. This helps prevent the maturation of eggs into adults. Acetic acid also halts the clinging of lice to hair as it diminishes the natural adhesive essential for them to stick to the shaft.
Salt and vinegar solution also prevents the hatching of nits.
Method of Preparation
- Take distilled vinegar and mix one part salt into it
- Spray the mixture on the hair. Use a fine-toothed comb occasionally
- Leave the mixture for 30-40 mins on the hair and wash thoroughly
- Apple cider vinegar can be used in place of distilled vinegar
- Mix it with an equal quantity of water and apply it to the hair
- Wash the hair thoroughly after 40 mins
- Repeat the process until the lice are removed completely.
Mayonnaise Mask
Mayonnaise is used as a conditioner for hair. It also helps to get rid of lice instantly in one hour as it makes hair smooth and movement becomes difficult for lice. Lice eggs and adult lice both can easily be removed then by using a comb. The oil-based mayonnaise works by suffocating the lice and they die as a result.
However, this is a home remedy to get rid of lice immediately overnight and little clinical data is available to support its effectiveness.
Method of Application
- Take mayonnaise in quantity based on your hair length and thickness
- Apply it with your hands starting from the scalp to the bottom
- Massage it properly and avoid applying excessive amounts
- Use special lice comb and run it through the hair
- Repeat the process until all of the lice and their nits are removed.
Neem Extract
Neem tree leaves are a worldly known antibacterial and antiseptic agent. Clinical data shows the in vitro effectiveness of neem shampoo to get rid of lice. The high anti-head lice properties of neem make it suitable to clean the head. The mild irritation on the scalp caused by the neem paste acts as a soothing agent and provided relief from an itchy scalp.
Method of Preparation
- Wash the neem leaves and boil them in water
- Crush them until a paste is formed
- Apply the neem paste on the hair and leave for at least 2 hours
- Wash the hair thoroughly
Use of Heat on Hair
Lice are small parasites that need an optimal temperature below 130℃ for their growth and egg-laying. The application of heat on hair kills the head lice and prevents the hatching of eggs.
Method of Application
- Wash your hair thoroughly
- Use the hair dryer at the maximum available speed keeping it close to your hair
- Expose the scalp from different areas by lifting various hair sections
- Repeat the process for 5-7 days
However, constant heat application on hair can result in the weakening of hair and damage. Hence, avoid using this remedy for long periods of time
Medical treatment to get rid of lice immediately
Constant untreated invasion of the scalp with lice can become dangerous. These insects suck blood causing scalp scratching and lesions. This increases the risks of secondary infections. Medical treatment involves the use of anti-lice shampoos and topical lotions containing pyrethrins which is a toxic chemical for insects. Permethrin lotion 1% is also an insect killer which is an approved treatment choice for head lice.
Head lice if left untreated also affect the whole of the body resulting in severe itch, rash, and blood lesions. Consult a skin specialist for the timely treatment of head lice.
Symptoms of Head Lice
The signs and symptoms indicating head lice include;
- Head scratching
- Severe scalp itching
- Scalp lesions
- Stinging feel
- Visible lice or eggs
Consult a dermatologist to avoid the risk of other infections associated with head lice.
Prevention of Lice
The following factors can contribute significantly to the prevention of head lice;
- Hygiene: Take regular baths, especially in summers
- Personal Habits: Avoid sharing a hairbrush with anyone
- Cleanliness: Wash hair brush every week. Change your bedding regularly
- Clothes: Wash clothes in warm water as lice can’t survive the temperature above 128-130 ℃
- Moisture: Dry the hair properly. Avoid covering wet hair as moisture aids in the growth of parasites like lice
- Contact: Avoid unnecessary close contact with anybody as lice spread through head-to-head contact.
Conclusion
Lice are parasites that invade the human scalp, especially affecting children. To get rid of lice naturally in one day, certain home remedies including antibacterial and antifungal agents like onion, neem, and essential oils are used. Medication is used for severe scalp sores and blocked hair follicles as they affect scalp health and hair growth.
Consult a dermatologist to get prescription anti-lice shampoos and lotions to prevent the risk of secondary skin infections.
FAQs
1. How do you kill lice in your hair?
An FDA-approved treatment for head lice includes permethrin lotion 1%. It is a safe and effective remedy for adult lice but does not remove the unhatched eggs
2. Can lice die on their own?
Lice require an optimum temperature and conditions to grow. They die on their own in 1-2 days if they fall off the scalp. Lice nits do not hatch if they do not get the ideal conditions.
3. How to get rid of lice overnight?
Thin-toothed comb on untangled hair is a highly effective mechanical method to remove the lice immediately. The application of essential oils can help smoothen the hair and restrict the movement of the lice which can then be easily removed with a lice comb.