PEPPERMINT OIL FOR LICE: CAN PEPPERMINT OIL KILL LICE?

The most basic question that families dealing with head lice ask is what can kill lice. Another question is what can prevent lice. We will tackle the second question first. While there is no guarantee that despite your best efforts your family will never have to deal with a case of lice, there are a few things you can do to lessen your chances of contracting lice. Peppermint oil for lice prevention can be very effective.

DOES PEPPERMINT OIL PREVENT LICE?

Peppermint essential oil for lice prevention is one option families can use. Some studies have shown that peppermint and tea tree oil for lice may be an effective repellent against lice. We prefer keeping it simple and just using the peppermint-scented products as repellents. Peppermint extract for lice, when applied regularly, can and does repel lice - thus reducing the chances of contracting lice when exposed to a person with an active lice infestation. LiceDoctors offers a Peppermint Repellent Spray on our online store which helps to ward off lice.

CAN PEPPERMINT OIL KILL LICE?

If peppermint extract for lice prevention is effective at reducing the chances of getting a case of lice, does peppermint oil kill lice? Unfortunately, the answer is no. While peppermint extract for lice has been proven to be a powerful tool against lice infestation, it has not shown effectiveness when treating lice or killing lice bugs. This is a common misconception as some all-natural lice treatments include peppermint oil in their solution, however, it is not effective at killing live bugs on the head. Lice do not like the scent of peppermint, hence its role as a deterrent, however, there is nothing lethal about peppermint for lice. In order for a product to kill lice, it has to get in the breathing apparatus and stay there for hours to suffocate lice. There are more viscous options for that that work better than peppermint oil with fewer chances of side effects.

DOES PEPPERMINT OIL KILL LICE EGGS?

If peppermint oil for lice prevention can be used, it is reasonable to question if peppermint oil can have any effect on the lice eggs. Again, peppermint oil for head lice is not an effective treatment against an active infestation. This includes the lice eggs. Nothing penetrates the shell of the lice egg to kill the unhatched nymph, so peppermint oil, including peppermint oil spray for lice, is not able to kill lice eggs.

PEPPERMINT AND TEA TREE OIL FOR LICE

Many home remedies tout the effectiveness of using peppermint and tea tree oil in conjunction with one another as an effective treatment option for head lice. This, however, is not effective. The only 100% effective method that is proven to get rid of lice is the removal of all live bugs and eggs from the hair. With these remedies, you will find that peppermint and tea tree oil are added to a carrier oil that is used to lubricate the hair to aid in the removal of lice and their eggs from the hair. So while these oils can be used as a lice treatment, they are not effective on their own at killing lice and eggs. The viscous carrier oil is the key to killing the lice, not the other scented oils. In addition, the mixture of peppermint oil and tea tree oil may cause scalp irritation or other reactions.

SOME CAUTIONS BEFORE USING PEPPERMINT OIL

With the rise of home remedies for head lice, many families after doing research and finding that peppermint for lice prevention is effective will attempt to concoct peppermint lice spray recipes that can be used. Be alert to any reaction your family may have to any treatment, including those using essential oils like peppermint oil, especially in young children. If mixed in too potent of a concoction, serious reactions can occur. To avoid this, try finding a pre-mixed repellent spray, like LiceDoctors Peppermint Repellent Spray, that can be applied and may reduce the chances of any undesirable side effects.

CONCLUSION

Peppermint oil can be an effective tool in your lice prevention tool kit. However, if despite your best efforts, your family finds itself plagued by a case of head lice, consider professional lice treatment by LiceDoctors. The treatment is all-natural, effective, and safe for everyone. Appointments are available day or night, 365 days a year!