Does Hair Dye Kill Head Lice? How About Henna Paste?

If you're at the end of your rope trying to remove head lice, you may be wondering, "does hair dye kill head lice?" This is not exactly a natural remedy, but since the question does come up, we should at least explore why it may work. You may be familiar with henna, which is a natural body and hair dye used for centuries in Northern Africa and the Middle East. Surprisingly enough, henna is also a traditional remedy used to remove head lice. Read on to find out how both hair dye and henna paste can be effective in killing lice. Hair Dye As A Hair Lice Treatment Many people who dye their hair never end up with unwanted guests living on their heads. Why? Because commercial dyes for hair usually contain ammonia and alcohol. Both these substances are toxic to lice. The problem is that the dyes don't kill nits. So it's still necessary to use a nit comb to remove the eggs, even if you color your hair, or you'll be right back to square one with these nasty little things. Coloring your hair can be pretty hard on it, as it tends to dry out the hair. Should you use commercial dye on a child's hair? It depends on how desperate you are. Some hair dyes contain aspirin, which can be dangerous for kids, so check the label if you should decide to give this a try. Henna Paste For Killing Lice Henna comes as a powder. To use it, you mix it with something acidic, like orange or lemon juice, or vinegar. Try to find body art quality henna, as the cheaper grades may turn your hair a flaming orange. Even the best quality henna produces a pretty bright hair color, but it does fade a bit over time. For the best lice killing power, mix 25 grams of artemesia powder (wormwood seed) or powdered fenugreek seed with 100 grams of henna powder. A note of caution: do NOT use artemesia if you're pregnant or breastfeeding. Add lemon juice to this mixture to make a greenish-looking mud. Apply this to your hair, covering it completely. Wrap your head in plastic wrap to seal out the air. Leave it in for three hours. Now shampoo it out. Henna WILL dye your hair, so don't use it if you don't want red hair. The color does not wash out. Henna does leave your hair soft and silky. Does it kill nits? Some sources say it does, some don't really say. So be prepared to go over your head with a nit comb, just in case. Is Henna Safe To Use On Kids? It's not recommended for use on kids under 12, but since it's been used in the Middle East for thousands of years, it's your decision. Some people are allergic to it, so try it on a small area first to be safe. Also, if your child has a glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PD deficiency), don't use henna on him or her, as it can cause hemolytic anemia in kids with this condition.