10 Best Essential Oils For Head Lice Prevention

Today’s post teaches you how to eliminate those blood-sucking parasites – head lice! A popular remedy appears to be using essential oils for head lice prevention. But are these oils strong enough to extinguish stubborn head lice? Aren’t there better treatments? Most recommended chemical treatments contain highly concentrated solutions that may damage your hair and scalp. On the other hand, essential oils are a safer and healthier alternative. Their antimicrobial properties suffocate the louse. Using these oils may even prevent further lice infestations. Essential oils also help increase hair shine, keep your scalp clean, soothe inflammation, and stimulate hair growth. Keep reading to learn how to use these oils to prevent head lice from hurting your hair and scalp.

What Are Head Lice?

Head lice are parasites residing in the hair that feed on scalp blood. They lay eggs (known as nits) and cause intense itchiness. However, they are not harmful and do not spread any disease. They are highly contagious, though, and spread quickly from one scalp to another (1).

Head lice are quite a common problem among pre-schoolers and school-going children. Statistics show that an estimated 6 to 12 million lice infestations occur in the US among children between 3 and 11 years of age (2).

Essential oils are growing in popularity as treatments for head lice. Along with combing, the application of essential oils is proven to be effective in preventing head lice (3), (4). We have discussed some of the more effective essential oils in the following section.

Essential Oils For Lice Prevention

1. Peppermint Oil

Peppermint oil helps relieve chronic pruritus (itching that persists for 6 weeks) (5). The strong odor and the insecticidalⁱ  XThe property of a substance or ingredient that helps in killing insects or controlling their growth. properties of this oil could make it a strong lice deterrent (6).

You Will Need

4 tablespoons of peppermint oil
2-3 tablespoons of olive oil

Duration

30 minutes

How To Apply

1. Combine the peppermint oil with olive oil and apply this mixture to the scalp. Leave it on for at least 30 minutes.
2. Brush through your hair with a nit comb to get rid of the dead lice.
3. Try carrying out this procedure over a sink as the lice may escape quickly.

2. Lavender Oil

The insect-repelling properties of lavender oil can cut down the risk of lice. The oil suffocates the lice with its smell and prevents their proliferation (7), (8). The active ingredients of lavender oil have antibacterial and antifungal properties that soothe the scalp and halt the growth of microorganisms (9). Moreover, mice studies have shown that lavender oil may also relax the scalp and promote hair growth (10).

You Will Need

• 10 drops of lavender oil
• 3 tablespoons of any carrier oil (jojoba, coconut, or olive)

Duration

2 hours (repeat the process every alternate day for 10 days)

How To Apply

1. Mix 10 drops of lavender essential oil with any carrier oil and massage this mixture gently onto your scalp.
2. Shampoo your hair and use a nit comb to remove as many nits as possible.
3. Rinse your hair thoroughly.

3. Aniseed Oil

The strong odor and the volatile compounds of aniseed possess antimicrobial properties that could halt the growth of any pathogens and control head lice (11), (12). A study in the Israel Journal of Medical Sciences showed that natural remedies with the application of essential oils reduced lice infestations in children within 15 days (13).

You Will Need

• 3 tablespoons of coconut oil
• 4-5 drops of aniseed oil
• 3 tablespoons of tea tree oil (optional)

Duration

3 hours

How To Apply

1. Mix all the ingredients and massage the mixture onto the scalp.
2. Work this solution through the hair from the root to the tip.
3. Cover your hair with a shower cap and let the mixture sit for 3 hours. If possible, you can leave it on for the entire day.
4. Comb your hair with a nit comb and rinse thoroughly.

4. Neem Oil

Neem has insecticidal properties that destroy head lice and kill the larvae within 7-10 days of application (14). It is used in natural insect repellent products. Neem also may soothe an irritated scalp and improve hair health.

You Will Need

• 1 tablespoon of coconut oil
• 1 tablespoon of neem oil

Duration

30 minutes

How To Apply

1. Mix one tablespoon of neem oil with one tablespoon of coconut oil.
2. Massage this mixture gently onto the scalp and let it sit for at least an hour.
3. Rinse it off with a shampoo.
4. Repeat this every alternate day for a month.

5. Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil was found to show some efficacy in halting the growth of lice (15). Further research had shown that a 1% concentration of tea tree oil for 30 minutes could kill 100% of head lice (16). Another study showed that a combination of essential oils, including tea tree oil, may effectively eradicate head lice (17), (7).

You Will Need

• 3 drops of tea tree oil
• Any chemical-free shampoo

Duration

30 minutes

How To Apply

1. Squeeze a quarter-size amount of shampoo into your hand and add 2 to 3 drops of tea tree oil to it.
2. Gently massage the solution into the scalp.
3. Leave it on for a few minutes. Rinse your hair thoroughly.

Saleah, a professional lice removal expert and vlogger, conducted an experiment to see how effective tea tree oil is in killing head lice. She submerged a few lice in some tea tree oil using a petri dish. She left the lice in the dish for 20 minutes and then cleaned them and let them dry for about 10 minutes to see if they were dead or simply unconscious. She says, “Still, one of them did survive, so not a hundred percent effective on the bugs that were in the petri dish. I think it’s (the oil) one of those things that you would have to submerge your head in and still use a comb (i).”

6. Rosemary Oil

The volatile compounds in rosemary essential oil reduce head lice and relieve scalp itching (18). In combination with other essential oils, rosemary oil may also be effective in promoting hair growth (19).

You Will Need

• 8 drops of rosemary oil
• Any chemical-free shampoo

Duration

5 to 10 minutes

How To Apply

1. Add 5 to 8 drops of rosemary oil to your shampoo.
2. Make sure to soak each hair strand with this solution and scrub your scalp in and around the roots.
3. Comb your hair using a nit comb to loosen the eggs from your hair quickly.
4. Rinse thoroughly.

7. Clove Oil

The odor of clove oil can drive lice away. The two components of clove oil, eugenolⁱ  XA pale yellow, aromatic liquid present in oils, especially clove oil, that are often used in perfumery. and beta-caryophyllene, act as lice repellents (15), (20), (21).

You Will Need

• 4 drops of clove essential oil
• Any shampoo

Duration

5 minutes

How To Apply

1.  Add a few drops of clove oil to the shampoo.
2. Coat your hair with this mixture and let it stay for 4 to 5 minutes.
3. Use a nit comb to comb through your hair while the shampoo is still on.
4. If you see any lice, add a few more drops of clove oil.
5. Rinse your hair thoroughly.

8. Eucalyptus Oil

Eucalyptus oil is a potent disinfectant that fights against inflammation and soothes wounds. A study showed that Australian eucalyptus oil effectively treats head lice and provides relief from itching (22), (23).

You Will Need

• 3 drops of clove essential oil
• Any natural shampoo

Duration

10-20 minutes

How To Apply

1. Add a few drops of eucalyptus oil to the shampoo.
2. Coat your hair with this mixture and let it stay for 10-20 minutes.
3. Comb your hair with the shampoo still on.
4. If you see any lice, add a few more drops of eucalyptus oil.
5. Rinse your hair thoroughly.

9. Cinnamon Leaf Oil

Cinnamon leaf oil possesses antimicrobial and antioxidant properties (24). It also contains benzyl benzoate and cinnamaldehyde that help kill head lice and prevent other bacterial and fungal infections (25).

You Will Need

• 4-5 drops of cinnamon leaf oil
• 3 tablespoons of jojoba oil
• 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
• Shower cap

Duration

4 to 5 hours

How To Apply

1. Mix well and apply the solution to your head.
2. Cover with a shower cap for 4 to 5 hours.
3. Comb your hair with a nit comb from the root to the tip.
4. Rinse your hair twice to remove the dead nits and lice.

10. Red Thyme Oil

Red thyme oils phenols and oxides may help fight head lice (26).

You Will Need

• 10 drops of red thyme oil
• 4 tablespoons of coconut oil or olive oil

Duration

2 to 3 hours

How To Apply

1. Add 10 drops of red thyme oil to olive oil or coconut oil.
2. Massage the mixture gently into the scalp.
3. Use a nit comb to get rid of the dead lice.
4. Rinse thoroughly with a chemical-free shampoo.

Quick Tip

You can try aromatherapyⁱ  XThe use of aromatic essential oils for therapeutic benefits and to improve psychological well-being. with these essential oils to attain their hair-enriching benefits. All you need is a diffuser. You don’t have to stick to using only one essential oil – you can mix two or three different ones if you like. Just make sure the scent is not overpowering.

Kriquett Howells, a pro-natural wellness vlogger, used some essential oils to combat a lice infestation. She initially used chemical treatments from the drugstore that were effective but raised concerns about exposing them to her kids. She found natural alternatives safe and quite effective. She used a combination of essential oils, such as eucalyptus, geranium, rosemary, arborvitae, etc., mixed with a carrier oil like fractionated coconut oil. She says, “I prefer to make sure that they are completely dead, so I actually suggest just leaving it on for around 4 hours or more (ii).”

Head lice can be troublesome. But the right hair care regimen can help you get rid of them altogether. Use these essential oils to get the best results. We also have discussed a few tips for preventing head lice.

Other Tips For Head Lice Prevention

• According to the British Medical Journal, wet combing is effective in removing head lice. It makes the lice visible and differentiates them from dandruff, helping in their quick removal (27).
• Brush your hair twice daily to disrupt the movement of the lice.
• Along with essential oils, you may also use an anti-lice shampoo. It cleanses your scalp and the hair shaft. Its ingredients can also halt the growth of the nits.
• Always ensure you dilute the plant essential oils before use. You can use water or oil or even shampoos and conditioners for this purpose. Essential oils are highly concentrated and can affect your skin if used undiluted.
• Keep your scarf, comb, pillow, towels, headsets, and earbuds separate. Avoid sharing such items with others.

Quick Tip

Always perform a patch test before using essential oils on your scalp. If you notice any redness, itching, swelling, burning sensation, or any other type of inflammation, stop using the essential oil and consult a dermatologist immediately.

Infographic: 5 Essential Oils To Get Rid Of Lice

Head lice are highly contagious and cause severe itching. If you are looking for natural ways to remove head lice, you can use essential oils. They are not only a safer and healthier way of removing lice, but they also help keep the scalp clean and soothe inflammation. Check out the infographic below for a list of essential oils to help get rid of lice.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

Can coconut oil prevent lice?

No. The thick consistency of coconut oil may suffocate lice, but there is no evidence that it prevents lice from recurring.

How do you dilute tea tree oil for lice prevention?

You may use 3-5 drops of tea tree oil in 1 oz of shampoo for lice treatment. However, no scientific evidence proves that this remedy may prevent lice infestation.

Can you suffocate lice with conditioner?

Yes. Anecdotal evidence claims that conditioning your hair before using the lice comb can make it easier to remove them. The thick conditioner can stun the lice for a few minutes, making removal easier.

Is apple cider vinegar good for lice?

While various anecdotal reports suggest apple cider vinegar kills head lice, no clinical or scientific evidence supports this claim.

Can head lice live on pillows and sheets?

Yes. Head lice can live on pillows and sheets but not for very long. They need a host to feed on and survive.

Does baking soda get rid of lice?

No. Baking soda may help soothe the itching due to lice, but it doesn’t help to kill or eliminate them.

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Dr. Shruti ChavanMBBS

Dr. Shruti Chavan is a consulting dermatologist at Dr.Sheth's Skin and Hair Clinic since 6 years. She is a co-committee member of CDSI (Cosmetic dermatologist Society of India). She is highly skilled in non-surgical facial skin rejuvenation and face lift by the use of injection treatments and lasers.   Dr. Chavan is well-versed with dermatological and aesthetic procedures. Her special...more

Anjali SayeeAssociate Editor

 

Anjali is an associate editor at StyleCraze. She specializes in hairstyles and hair and skin care and has written over 200 articles in these domains. She has 7 years of experience, and her philosophy about hair and skin care is simple: if you love and care for it, it will be healthy. She has taken it upon herself to show...more

Eshna DasAssociate Editor

Eshna is an associate editor and a certified skin care coach. She has over three years of experience, a triple main bachelor’s degree in psychology, English, and journalism from Mount Carmel College, Bengaluru, and a master’s degree in psychology from Sampurna Montfort College, Bengaluru. Her passion for writing and editing and her background in psychology help her create content that...more

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Krati is an associate commerce editor, a certified skin care coach, and a beauty enthusiast. She has a master’s degree in advertising and publishing relations from DAVV University and three years of experience in writing and editing for different niches. She has also worked with a number of high-profile beauty brands on a freelance basis to upscale their businesses. Krati...more