Head Lice Causes, Symptoms and Home Remedies

Causes and Symptoms of Head Lice

Head lice are insects that thrive on the scalps of people and feed off from the blood extracted from the scalp. They are very small in size and the eggs laid by adult lice are called nits. Head lice are very contagious and very easily spread from one individual to another. This can occur from close contact with someone infected with lice. Sharing of personal items such as combs and hats can also cause the spread of lice. Children between the ages of three and eleven years are the most prone to head lice. This later spreads to the families of the children as well. In some cases, head lice can also live on the eyebrows and eyelashes of a person.

The lice can usually be detected above the years and the neck. The nits appear like dandruff flakes and can survive beyond two weeks on the head of a human. Head lice are not associated with personal hygiene at all and they do not transmit any other diseases. The symptoms arising from head lice usually begin with a great deal of itching on the scalp. Tiny red bumps may also appear on the scalp and around the neck and shoulders. Due to continuous scratching, the bumps may rupture and ooze and form crusts later. The eggs are visible on each hair strand and are difficult to remove from the hair.

Home Remedies For Head Lice

There are many effective remedies for the removal of head lice. Lemon juice may be mixed with garlic paste and applied on the scalp. Leave it on for about half an hour and then wash with cool water. Applying olive oil on the scalp and hair will also serve to get rid of head lice. The oil can be left on in the hair overnight by covering the head with a shower cap. In the morning, the hair must be combed with a fine comb to remove the lice and nits. A mixture of vinegar, egg yolk and lime juice can be applied to the scalp to treat head lice. You may also make a paste of almonds and water, add a few drops of lemon juice to it and apply all over the scalp. Keep it on for an hour and then wash with cool water. Another effective remedy for treating head lice is the application of apple cider vinegar, garlic juice and lemon juice. If applied daily for a month, it will bring positive results.