Overview
The common cold is the only communicable condition more common among school kids than head lice, the Mayo Clinic states. Contrary to popular belief, lice infestations are not limited to children with bad personal hygiene habits or those who live in dirty conditions, but typically come through contact with someone who already is infected. There are various treatments, ranging from chemicals to natural substances like olive oil.
Definition
The Mayo Clinic defines head lice as small, wingless insects that live in human hair. They are parasites and feed off blood from the scalp. They are easily spread through personal contact or using items belonging to someone who is already infected. The first symptom is often intense scalp itching, followed by noticing adult lice, particularly behind the ears or on the neck, and eggs on the hair shafts.
Considerations
Olive oil works by suffocating head lice, according to the American Head Lice Information Center. They breathe through holes in the sides of their bodies and cannot get air if those holes are covered with oil. Richard J. Pollack, Ph.D., a researcher at the Harvard School of Public Health, states that a small sample of lice died within two hours when soaked in olive oil, but he warns that the experiment was not done under scientific conditions, so it does not definitively prove the effectiveness of this treatment.
Considerations
Olive oil treatment alone will not completely get rid of head lice. The oil suffocates the adult lice but does not kill the eggs, which are called nits, and the American Head Lice Information Center explains that manual nitpicking is a necessary step to solving the problem. They can only be removed by thorough combing with a nit comb. Dr. Pollack says olive oil eases the process by lubricating the hair, although he warns it can make the eggs more difficult to see.
Benefits
Olive oil treatment is natural, so does not use any drugs or chemicals, is non-toxic and will not trigger allergic reactions, the American Head Lice Information Center states. It also kills lice that might be resistance to commercial products. Dr. Pollack reports seeing resistance to pyrethrins and permethrin, two popular ingredients in commercial lice treatments, in a limited study.
Alternatives
Baby oil is sometimes used as an alternative to olive oil. It works in the same way, but the American Head Lice Information Center warns it can harm mucous membranes, as can other mineral oils. Other commonly used home remedies are petroleum jelly, butter and mayonnaise. They usually work, but they can be hard to remove from the hair.
About this Author
Based in Kissimmee, Fla., Barb Nefer is a freelance writer with more than 20 years’ experience. She is also a mental health counselor and travel agency owner. Her work has appeared in such magazines as “The Writer,” “Animal Wellness,” “SuperVision,” “Bird Talk,” “SpeciaLiving” and “Twins.”
