Tea tree oil, often known as Melaleuca alternifolia, has performed a vital function in preventing head lice through the years and is commonly cited as a fantastic residence treatment. Whereas we agree that it has some distinctive and precious advantages, its efficacy as a standalone remedy has been hampered by the overuse of pesticides (e.g. Permethrin, typically offered as Nix and Elimite) and plenty of over-the-counter merchandise through the years, inflicting lice to construct up a resistance.
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Prevention vs. Therapy
There is a crucial distinction to make between the usage of tea tree oil as a safety measure and its usefulness in treating head lice.
Reading: How to use tea tree oil for lice
As a repellent, tea tree oil is nice to maintain within the medication cupboard and use within the occasion of an outbreak. It’s 100% pure, soothing on the scalp, and fully secure when utilizing just some drops. In actual fact, due to its pure qualities, lots of Hair Fairies’ personal lice merchandise comprise tea tree oil as a key ingredient for the prevention of head lice!
In a latest section on Dr. Oz, we defined how tea tree oil can be utilized to “ward out” lice throughout an outbreak:
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Sadly, though head lice discover the scent of tea tree oil repulsive, it’s not sufficient to make them go away their cozy new residence in your scalp.
The explanation tea tree oil doesn’t work as a standalone lice remedy is twofold:
- It does nothing to suffocate current lice
- Its lively lice-fighting ingredient, anticholinesterase, has been rendered virtually irrelevant as a consequence of lice having already developed a resistance to widespread pesticides (e.g. Permethrin) and numerous over-the-counter therapies
So, whereas not one of the best ways to deal with an lively outbreak, it does work effectively as a deterrent within the occasion of an outbreak.
When to Use Tea Tree Oil for Lice
- While you hear about an outbreak at college or camp
- When one member of the family has an lively outbreak or has been uncovered to an outbreak
- For those who really feel you could have been personally uncovered to a lice outbreak
Additional Analysis
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For those who suspect a member of the family has head lice, display screen everybody within the household. If one baby has lice, the siblings have an 80% likelihood of getting them, too. Examine the entrance of the hairline, behind the ears, the crown, and the again of the neck.
Begin by separating the hair. Use a plastic comb to press down on the hair to assist nits (eggs) turn out to be seen. Subsequent, use our “looping” technique to loop hair across the comb and additional enhance the visibility of nits and lice. Watch the video beneath for an illustration.
Study the complete head. This course of ought to take about quarter-hour.
Conclusion
- Does tea tree oil kill lice?No, not by itself.
- Does tea tree oil stop lice?Sure, it helps.
Because of lice having already constructed a resistance to over-the-counter lice therapies, tea tree oil’s lively lice-fighting ingredient, anticholinesterase, has misplaced its efficacy as a standalone lice remedy. Mixed with different pure, non-toxic elements, nevertheless, tea tree oil stays a robust contributor.
At Hair Fairies, our merchandise mix tea tree oil with further therapeutic oils (lavender, peppermint, sage) and herbs and vegetation akin to yarrow, cucumber, marshmallow root, lemongrass, mint, sage, and aloe vera. Our plant-based recipes are secure for you and your baby, and have confirmed efficient in treating head lice and eggs and stopping their return. Have a look! We’re right here in case you have any questions.
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