How to Treat Head Lice with Coconut Oil

In this article we’ll cover the following:

• Why try coconut oil for treating head lice?
• How to treat head lice with coconut oil
• Coconut Oil and Apple Cider Vinegar

Imagine feeling the creepy crawlers on your head and the itchiness they bring, that’s what lice do. It’s uncomfortable, itchy, and easily transfers from one hair to the other. It’s embarrassing to have this kind of tiny parasites dwelling in your head.

They multiply quickly, and you’ll find yourself scratching your head here and there. Though it’s more common in children, it can still get to your head especially if you’re living with an infected person. We suffer from lice infestation for once in our lives.

A person infested with lice can’t be treated with one wash. I grew up using a fine-toothed comb way back in primary school. Now my nieces use shampoos that are supposed to wash them all away with regular washes. Even though they may be washed away, the nits (eggs) can stay and lay a new generation of lice.

Because of the inconvenience it brings, we never stopped finding ways to treat them efficiently, and one way is treating head lice with coconut oil.

Why try coconut oil for treating head lice?

Coconut oil is known to help manage and maintain our hair, face, skin and others.

• Coconut oil is organic. It doesn’t contain any chemicals that might dry your scalp and damage your hair. Moreover, it doesn’t have any potential side effects like what chemical-based products may do.
• Coconut oil’s medium-chain fatty acids help suffocate the lice.
• Coconut oil’s oily or greasy consistency makes it harder for lice to hold grip into the hair follicles. Lice don’t like an oily environment.
• Coconut oil’s antibacterial properties may help treat scalp infections caused by lice bites.
• Coconut oil’s lubricating property helps immobilize lice and may also contribute to preventing its growth.
• Coconut oil helps keep the scalp and hair healthy.

How to treat head lice with coconut oil

After knowing how coconut oil can probably help you treat head lice whether personally or a family member, here are some ways:

You’ll need: warm coconut oil, towel or shower cap, fine-toothed comb, shampoo and conditioner
How often: 1-2 times a week

Time: Daytime

1. Apply the warm oil (the temperature should be tolerable) on the scalp and hair.
2. Massage it thoroughly to cover the head with coconut oil.
3. After spreading the coconut oil, cover it using a shower cap or a towel. Whichever way makes you comfortable.
4. Leave it for at least 3 to 4 hours.
5. Using a fine-toothed comb, brush your hair to remove the dead lice and nits.
6. After being satisfied, shampoo and condition your hair like you usually do

Time: Night

1. Massage warm oil through your scalp and hair.
2. Conceal it with a shower cap or towel.
3. Leave it overnight.
4. Using a fine-toothed comb, brush your hair to remove the dead lice and nits.
5. Shampoo and condition your hair regularly.

You can also pair coconut oil with other essentials to further enhance its effects and help treat head lice.

Coconut Oil and Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar helps coconut oil in treating head lice. It can remove the glue the nits use to grasp in the hair follicles by dissolving it. So a combination of coconut oil and apple cider vinegar can be useful to get rid of those tiny parasites.

You’ll need: apple cider vinegar, coconut oil, shower cap or towel, fine-toothed comb, shampoo and conditioner

How often: 3-4 times a week

1. Rinse your hair with apple cider vinegar. Just enough to coat your scalp and hair.
2. Let it dry naturally.
3. After the hair is dried, coat it with coconut oil.
4. Massage it thoroughly through your hair and scalp.
5. Conceal it with a shower cap or towel.
6. Leave it for 3-5 hours (daytime) or overnight (nighttime)
7. Using a fine-toothed comb, brush your hair to remove the dead lice and nits.
8. Shampoo and moisturize your hair with a conditioner.

Head lice are pretty embarrassing and itchy, so we need to attend to this the most efficient way. If using coconut oil helps you treat head lice, then why would still use chemical-based products? You can go completely louse-free with organic coconut oil! Plus, this gift of nature can give you countless benefits. Check out more of our articles and see other benefits of coconut oil.