Tea Tree Oil For Lice: How Does It Work?

Tea tree oil is normally under the spotlight for its peel, hair, and medicinal properties. Recently, some individuals merits to accept used tea tree oil for lice emptying. Just how true are these tall claims? Do they have any scientific evidence? Here, we explore the possibility of using tea tree oil as a remedy for head lice and if it can really soothe an irritated and infested scalp. Keep reading to learn more about the oil'southward efficacy in killing caput lice and promoting scalp wellness.

What Does Research Say?

According to a 2012 study, tea tree oil may help impale lice in the nymph and adult stages of their life (1). Tea tree oil treatments may also keep the lice eggs from hatching.

Another 2010 report showed promising results while using tea tree oil for treating lice (2). In the study, researchers used three types of treatments to treat children with head lice. I of the treatments contained a mix of tea tree and lavender oils, which showed the greatest benefit to those with head lice.

In another written report, researchers compared certain botanical and synthetic substances that can be used to foreclose lice in kids (3). Tea tree oil was the most constructive handling of all. This oil, when used with peppermint, could as well help repel lice. However, long-term of apply of tea tree oil for removing caput lice is yet to be studied.

In the post-obit section, nosotros have discussed the different ways you can use tea tree oil for reducing head lice.

How To Use Tea Tree Oil To Impale Caput Lice?

1. Tea Tree Essential Oil

Why This Works

As nosotros saw, tea tree can help kill lice. Information technology also works every bit a lice repellent.

You Will Demand

• five to 6 drops of tea tree essential oil
• A cotton fiber ball
• A caput towel

What You Have To Do

1. Dip the cotton brawl in the oil.
2. Utilize the brawl to the scalp.
3. Wrap your hair in a towel and leave it on overnight.
4. Wash every bit usual the following morning.

How Often Yous Should Do This

Do this twice a calendar week, till yous discover total relief from lice.

2. Tea Tree Oil Shampoo

Why This Works

The lice-repelling properties of tea tree oil can help.

You lot Volition Demand

• Shampoo
• Few drops of tea tree oil

What You lot Have To Practise

1. Take some shampoo in your palm.
2. Add a few drops of tea tree oil.
3. Mix together and make clean your hair equally usual.

How Oftentimes You Should Practise This

You may use this remedy one time every week for a few weeks.

3. Tea Tree Oil Spray

You Will Need

• 100 ml of water
• vii to 8 drops of tea tree oil
• A spray bottle

What You Take To Do

1. Pour the h2o into the spray bottle.
2. Add the essential oil to the bottle and shake well.
3. Spritz the mixture on your hair and scalp.
4. Get out information technology on for half an hour and wash your pilus every bit usual.

How Often Y'all Should Do This

Apply this spray two to 3 times a calendar week.

4. Coconut Oil And Tea Tree Oil

Why This Works

Coconut oil may help nourish the scalp and hair. It too may assist fight inflammation acquired due to lice (4).

You Will Need

• 2 to 3 tablespoons of coconut oil
• vi to 7 drops of tea tree oil

What You Have To Do

• Mix the tea tree oil with coconut oil.
• Apply the mixture to your scalp and hair.
• Leave information technology on for an hour.
• Wash your pilus with a shampoo and conditioner.

How Ofttimes You lot Should Practice This

Practise this twice a week.

5. Olive Oil And Tea Tree Oil

Why This Works

Anecdotal prove suggests that olive oil may have moisturizing backdrop that may soothe the scalp.

You lot Will Demand

• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• 5 to half dozen drops of tea tree oil

What You Have To Do

• Mix the two oils together
• Employ to the mixture to the scalp and pilus.
• Leave it on for at to the lowest degree an hour.
• Rinse your hair as usual.

How Often You Should Practice This

Do this twice a week, for a few weeks.

6. Lavender And Tea Tree Oil

Why This Works

The aroma of lavender oil may help y'all overcome the potent odour of tea tree oil. Also, lavender oil is claimed to salve insect bites, and may have the same effect on lice too (5).

You Will Demand

• three to 4 drops of lavender oil
• 5 to 6 drops of tea tree oil
• ii tablespoons of coconut or olive oil

What You Accept To Practice

• Mix the oils.
• Apply the mixture to the scalp and hair.
• Go out it on overnight.
• Wash your hair in the morning.

How Oft Yous Should Do This

Practise this once or twice a calendar week, for a few weeks.

7. Tea Tree Oil And Vodka Or Rubbing Alcohol

Why This Works

Anecdotal show suggests that vodka or rubbing alcohol may aid cleanse the hair. Its alcoholic content may help kill the lice.

You Will Need

• 3 tablespoons of vodka or rubbing alcohol
• 5 to 10 drops of tea tree oil
• Cotton brawl

What You Have To Practise

• Add the oil to the vodka or rubbing alcohol and mix well.
• Apply the mixture to your hair and scalp using a cotton wool ball.
• Leave information technology on overnight.
• Rinse your hair in the morning with shampoo.

How Ofttimes Y'all Should Practice This

Do this twice a week.

The furnishings of tea tree oil on lice are yet to be widely studied. While the oil is mostly safe and can exist used on the scalp, it may crusade sure adverse effects too. Exist wary of those.

Side Effects Of Tea Tree Oil

• Tea tree oil may skin irritation and allergies in a few people. It has been identified equally a contact allergen (vi).

• There is no show stating that tea tree oil is rubber for meaning and breastfeeding women. Hence, stay safety and avoid utilise.

• Tea tree oil tin can exist toxic if ingested in high doses. Hence, employ information technology for topical application alone (7).

Takeaway

Tea tree oil is known for its many benefits. Though sure studies back up the efficacy of the oil to kill head lice, more inquiry is warranted. You however may use the oil for eliminating lice and boosting overall scalp wellness. Just be wary of any adverse effects. Consult your doctor as and when needed.

References:

Stylecraze has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, bookish inquiry institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You tin acquire more near how nosotros ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

1. 1. Activity of tea tree oil and nerolidol alone or in combination against Pediculus capitis (head lice) and its eggs.
      https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22847279/
   2. A randomised, assessor blind, parallel group comparative efficacy trial of three products for the treatment of head lice in children–melaleuca oil and lavender oil, pyrethrins and piperonyl butoxide, and a "suffocation" production.
      https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20727129/
   3. A comparison of botanical and synthetic substances commonly used to prevent head lice (Pediculus humanus var. capitis) infestation.
      https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17442090/
   4. Anti-Inflammatory and Skin Bulwark Repair Effects of Topical Awarding of Some Plant Oils.
      https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5796020/
   5. Biological activities of lavander essential oil.
      https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12112282/
   6. Antiseptics and Disinfectants: Activity, Action, and Resistance.
      https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC88911/
   7. Tea tree oil: contact allergy and chemical limerick.
      https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27173437/
   8. A review of the toxicity of Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) oil.
      https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16243420/

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Anjali specializes in hairstyles and pilus and skin care and has written over 200 manufactures in these domains. Her philosophy... more than

Dr. Shruti Chavan is a consulting dermatologist at DocSheth'due south Peel and Hair Dispensary since 6 years. She is a co-commission... more

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