Do-It-Yourself treatments use plant oils (such as olive oil, eucalyptus, tea-tree, geranium & lavender oils), which make the hair shaft slippery and difficult for the lice to cling to. The aromatic properties of these oils also repel the lice.
Whatever method you use, it is essential to have good lice comb. Follow the same method as for other headlice treatments - saturate the hair to the roots, leave for 20 minutes, comb through with a lice comb, wipe combings onto a tissue to examine lice, rinse with warm water, re-treat after seven days.
The oils help remove the lice eggs and may kill the lice. Alternatively, boil two tablespoons of “Quassia chips” (available from some chemists and health food shops) with one cup of water. To wash your hair with this solution, scrub it into hair and scalp, leave it on hair and cover with shower cap for half an hour; rinse; shampoo hair in usual way. Castor oil left on the hair overnight is also recommended.
How effective are the alternative treatments, and do they have any risks? The commercially available products above claim to be effective against insecticide-resistant lice after 2 treatments. (Lice Buster Trial 27 Feb 1998) This claim has been verified by Professor Speare of James Cook University, author of the current health fact sheet on head louse. Sensitive people are advised to use caution if using essential plant oils.
A preliminary test for sensitivity is recommended before saturating the head. Normal hair conditioner can also be substituted for plant oils, but may not kill the lice.
What can I do to prevent my child getting headlice, and what home remedy for head louse is available? Be vigilant and check your children’s hair regularly, using a lice comb. Rinse the hair using a diluted solution with tea-tree, eucalyptus or lavender oil. Chemical Awareness in Schools is a non-profit community network, aiming to raise awareness of hazardous chemicals in children’s environments, and provide information about safer alternatives to a range of commonly used chemical-based products.