Tea tree oil is one of the finest essential oils that played a vital role in eliminating head lice. According to research, it was found that it may impact on lice growth and able to kill lice at the nymph and adult stages of the lifecycle. But sometimes it appears to be controversial either it’s genuinely impactful as it’s said or a myth, all this compulsive us to think about the question - does tea tree oil kill lice? Now we can go for more discussion to see the properties of tea tree oils, but before it let’s explore a few other points.
Tea tree essential oil is obtained through the distillation process where the leaves of the Melaleuca alternifolia plant are taken for this purpose. This small tree is native to Australia, where its countrymen use leaves for oil and further inhaled to treat coughs and colds issues. Tea tree essential oils contain the following properties like antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antifungal, which make it a robust natural product.
Now if go more in detail we see that tea tree essential oil is very helpful for the skin, where it’s good for eczema, oily and dry skin, moreover for treating bronchial congestion, and pulmonary inflammation. Because of antiseptic property, it’s Minor Cuts and Scrapes. These days everyone wants healthy hair, and for this, they try different sorts of products, but tea tree oil is stunning one that removes dandruff by removing chemicals and dead skin cells. But even doing all this discussion we’re still in the status of a dilemma does tea tree oil kill lice?
What is Head Lice?
Head lice are tiny wingless parasites spend their entire lives on the human scalp and depends exclusively on human blood. They lived in human hair and considered as one of the most common problems which are highly contagious. If we don’t take proper precautions removing steps, it may cause lice infestation. It’s interesting to know that it infects other parts of the body.
“Head lice are oviparous, as females lay eggs near the base of the hair shaft. Generally, females lay approximately four to five eggs per day. It’s worth noted that egg-laying behavior depends upon the temperature. One important term needs to discuss “nits,” it refers to a louse egg or young louse.”
According to CDC, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the kids, mostly school-age suffers from head lice, and most common situation for transferring of lice are sitting close to lice infected person, sleeping in the same bed, sharing of combs, brushes or towels.
Side Effects of Head Lice
Having head lice may cause several problems for you, and these problems can’t be ignored. Let’s find out a few side effects due to the presence of head lice.
It causes ticklish feeling on neck or scalp, difficulty in sleeping, irritation, small red bumps on the neck, shoulders, and scalp. And sometimes it may lead to an allergic reaction because of lice’s saliva. It’s found that some people affected with sores on their scalp and it’s due to bacteria invade from a person’s body due to scratching.
Research on Tea Tree Oil & Head Lice
According to a study on Parasitology Research, it’s found that tea tree oil could be more effective in treating head lice. It’s found that tea tree oil kills head lice at nymph and adult stages of life. But it’ll be good if the scientist community conducts more trials on tea tree essential oils and learn how this may be helpful to prevent lice outbreaks.
Tea Tree Oil Kill Head Lice
Now it’s time to know about the study on tea tree essential oil and its impact on head lice. In this study, researchers conducted a test on children who were infected from head lice. They treated children by a product having tea tree oil and lavender oil composition. After a few days, it was found that the children were free from lice, the product worked efficiently by eliminating lice and nits. The result obtained is “Tea tree oil kill head lice.” Now we have the answer to our question, does tea tree oil kill lice?
But what about safety and harmless, the ideal treatment is defined as completely safe, free from harmful chemicals, easy to use, and less expensive whenever you’ll use tea tree essential oil for treating a head lice infestation.
Tea Tree Oil & Peppermint Oil: Repelling Lice
A report published in the International Journal of Dermatology reveals that tea tree oil, peppermint, and lavender are very useful in preventing lice in kids. As per trials conducted by a team of scientists, doctors, biologists, it resulted that tea tree essential oil and peppermint essential oil are most powerful for repelling lice. And conclusively tea tree essential oil kills lice.
Risks of using Tea Tree Essential Oil
As per NCCIH, it’s considered safe for most adults to use perfectly blended tea tree oil on their skin but having some risk of side effects. It contains a compound that may cause irritation of your skin and allergic reaction. On frequent application, this may prompt to enlarged breast tissue in prepubescent boys.
According to the NCCIH, we should use tea tree oil topically, never swallow it. It’s toxic when swallowed and could lead to drowsiness, disorientation rash, loss of muscle control, including legs, etc. Sometimes may cause coma or complete damage of the central nervous system, if taken orally or swallowed.
As you’ve seen that tea tree oil kill head lice, and for using this you must know that no proper dose has been approved for using tea tree oil but it’s recommended to use 1-10 percent of tea tree essential oil mix with shampoo or gel. You can use this mixture once a day up to 4 weeks. Or even can take the advice of a doctor or registered medical practitioner.
Take precautionary steps
As early research shows that tea tree oil kill head lice. and can be more advantageous for treating head lice, either with other natural products such as lavender oil. But still, a comprehensive or exploratory study needs to be conducted for a safe and perfect treatment.
If someone suffers from lice effect, It’s advisable to discuss treatment alternatives with your doctor as they can help you to use the best remedies either tea tree oil or else. Now you’ve got the answer, does tea tree oil kill lice?