Reviews of tar soap for lice and nits indicate effective healing of affected skin areas. Tar has long been used as an antiseptic in the treatment of skin lesions. This substance is used for these purposes and is included in various ointments, soaps against lice and nits.
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Many people are skeptical about “traditional medicine”; tar soap actually has advantages, which include affordable price and ease of use, almost a complete absence of contraindications and various side effects.
It effectively restores damaged areas of the scalp. Many, especially representatives of older generations, consider tar soap to be an excellent means of killing lice.
But this is not a panacea, although it serves as a good tool for combating lice. To completely defeat parasites, you will need to work hard, following the instructions for its use.
Composition of tar soap
Tar has been known for a long time as a healing agent. Soap based on it is highly valued for its amazing composition, in which:
- • salt protects the skin from aggressive environmental influences;
- • citric acid repels parasites;
- • sodium chloride, alkali, phenols have a detrimental effect on parasites;
- • tar affects the nervous system of lice and nits and leads to their paralysis and death.
The soap contains fragrances and emollients that are designed to provide gentle cleansing and the most gentle effect on the skin. It effectively copes with pollution, successfully kills germs and has an antiseptic effect.
Today, tar soap is produced in two forms: solid and liquid. Solid is familiar and often found in bathrooms as an excellent cleanser and anti-acne product. Liquid soap is convenient for application and distribution throughout the hair. Therefore, if you plan to use this remedy to combat head lice, this form will most likely be preferable
General information
A parasitic disease of the skin and hair caused by lice is called pediculosis. Head lice affects the scalp, the back of the head, neck, skin behind the ear and temples suffer the most. The first signs of pediculosis, which indicate infection, appear after 2–3 weeks.
Symptoms caused by head lice: severe itching and rashes, on which pustules develop when infected, the appearance of nits and scratches at the bite sites.
Attention! The female louse lays up to 50 eggs at a time and begins to produce offspring within 9 days after emergence. If the number of individuals living on a human body increases to 75 thousand, this can lead to death.
The fight against head lice is comprehensive and includes:
- treatment;
- maintaining personal hygiene;
- sanitizing things.
It is better to prevent any disease than to subsequently waste time and money on treatment. This also applies to pediculosis. Although it does not threaten incurable diseases, a person may experience problems of a social nature.
We recommend reading: why lice are dangerous, the consequences of lice.
You can successfully remove head lice using tar soap at home.
Tar is a dark-colored oily liquid with a strong specific odor. It is produced by distilling the young bark (birch bark) of trees, most often birch. In its pure form, tar is rarely used for personal hygiene; it is added to various products - shampoos, creams, ointments and soaps.
Hypoallergenic tar soap against lice has a pronounced insecticidal and disinfectant effect. It is produced industrially in liquid form and in the form of bars. People suffering from an allergic reaction to synthetic components of medications willingly use it.
Is tar soap effective against lice and nits?
We have figured out the composition of this amazing product, now it’s worth talking about its effectiveness.
Tar soap paralyzes and kills most parasites. However, not all, including it is not effective enough against nits. In addition, it must be used only in combination with a mechanical tool, that is, a comb.
It will take at least 10 daily sessions of hair treatment followed by combing to talk about a complete cure for lice. This is due to the fact that after treatment you need to comb out the nits and the larvae that have recently hatched from them.
Disease prevention
Until more research proves the effectiveness of head lice prevention products, you can take simple steps to minimize your risk of head lice:
- Ask your child to avoid direct contact with classmates during games and other activities.
- Instruct your child not to share personal items such as hats, scarves, coats, combs, brushes, hair accessories and headphones.
Pediculosis is a serious disease that should not be ignored. Recently, it has been spreading especially actively, which is associated with poor awareness of the disease, untimely or incorrect treatment and high population density in many cities.
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How to properly use tar soap for lice and nits
This remedy is often chosen as natural and natural, that is, approved for use among pregnant and lactating women and young children. However, in this case, one should not forget about the sharp, repulsive aroma, which can cause rejection and even lead to headaches and nausea.
Another nuance is individual intolerance. That is why before use you should conduct an allergy test - apply a small drop of the product to the crook of your elbow and wait at least 10 minutes. If no reaction occurs, the product can be used.
Tar soap is applied as follows:
- • hair is washed;
- • liquid tar soap is dripped onto wet strands
- • foam soap;
- • cover the hair for 30-40 minutes with a plastic cap or bag;
- • wash off the product.
After this, you will need to arm yourself with a special fine-tooth comb and thoroughly comb your hair over a bathtub or cloth. You need to repeat the procedure for at least 10 days in a row every day. Leave the soap on your hair for at least 30 minutes
To get rid of the strong aroma, you will need to wash your hair with your usual shampoo. Tar soap has a pronounced drying effect, so it is advisable to moisturize your hair with conditioner.
Contraindications to the use of tar soap
Despite the fact that tar soap has good effectiveness in the fight against parasites, there are a number of contraindications and restrictions to its use
The use of this product is not recommended for:
- • excessive dry skin;
- • presence of extensive wounds or other damage to the skin;
- • individual intolerance to the active components of the product, in particular the specific smell of tar.
If you decide to use this product to remove lice, you should follow some restrictions. Before treating your child's scalp, it is advisable to consult a doctor.
During use, you need to ensure that the soap does not get into your eyes, as this can cause irritation of the mucous membranes.
If there is a risk of an allergic reaction, a simple sensitivity test can be performed. A small area of skin (preferably in the bend of the elbow) needs to be lathered and wait a few minutes. If there is no irritation, redness or peeling of the skin, this means that the product can be used without fear.
Customer Reviews
Irina, 38 years old, Moscow: “My daughter brought lice from kindergarten. I was desperate and didn't know what to do. A neighbor advised me to buy tar soap. When I applied it, my daughter cried a lot, began to be afraid, and said that her eyes were burning. I quickly washed it and wrapped my hair in a towel. So my daughter walked for 40 minutes every day. The course of treatment will be 10 days, we got rid of the insects.”
Natasha, 29 years old, Klin: “When I had head lice, I had to get acquainted with this soap. The smell of tar is unpleasant, but you can tolerate it. The treatment was carried out for 2 weeks. The result was surprising - not only was she able to get rid of lice, but she also returned shine and softness to her hair, and the dandruff disappeared.”
Irina, 22 years old, Tver: “My son got lice, my grandmother recommended proven methods, which included treating with tar soap. We processed the hair and kept it under cling film. The child endured only 15 minutes because he complained of a severe burning sensation on his head. The parasites were removed, but only after 18 days, using soap daily.”
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Pros and cons of tar soap
The benefits of using the product include:
- • good efficiency – the use of soap in complex treatment allows you to get rid of parasites;
- • improvement of hair condition;
- • helps eliminate itching and rapid healing of bite sites;
- • can be used at any age;
- • providing an antibacterial effect;
- • strengthening hair follicles;
- • availability – low cost, the product can be purchased at any pharmacy or hardware store.
Like other products, tar soap has a number of disadvantages. The main one is the presence of a specific smell; in some people it even causes headaches and nausea. After use, soap is difficult to wash out of hair: it remains greasy and sticky for a long time.
There is a certain risk of developing allergies. This may include irritation and peeling of the skin, nausea and dizziness.
This remedy is not effective with a single use. To remove lice and nits without leaving them a chance, you will need several treatments on the scalp and hair. It is not always possible to achieve 100% effectiveness; tar soap destroys lice, but does not cope with nits.
Some women noted that the use of tar soap caused a change in the color of dyed hair.
Operating principle
Birch tar helps cope with many diseases. It has long been used against eczema, dermatitis, parasites living in the body, and other ailments. The fact that it has become the main component of soap only proves its medicinal value.
Frequent spreaders of pediculosis are children of any age from disadvantaged families whose homes have unsanitary conditions. Schoolchildren and preschoolers can become infected with lice through direct contact with peers, and since schools and kindergartens are public places with large crowds of people, the likelihood of lice is high. Parents have to discover the problem after some time, when the entire scalp is already infected. Children scratch their heads until they bleed. In this case, using soap against lice will be a salvation for many people. It helps to cope with the following problems:
- kills parasites, their eggs, larvae,
- has a calming effect on the scalp,
- heals wounds, scratches,
- essential oils of coconut and palm nourish the patient’s skin and hair,
- eliminates burning, itching.
The principle of operation is based on the penetration of the active components of tar into the nervous system of the insect and nits (eggs), thereby paralyzing it, and phenols burn organic tissue, causing the protein to coagulate and death occurs. It is necessary to understand that a one-time use of tar soap will not give positive results. Insects can only be removed after repeated applications.
Important! Washing your hair with soap does not mean getting rid of nits! Lice eggs are less sensitive to the drug, although some may die. It is best to use soap as an addition to the main treatment of head lice, this will increase the effectiveness
Combine regular treatment with thoroughly combing your hair with a fine-toothed comb so that empty egg cocoons can be easily removed from your hair.
Combs for combing out adults and nits are different. They can be metal, wood, plastic. Such characteristics do not affect the procedure. The main thing is that the interval between the teeth should be as small as possible. A hair comb will not work in this case. If you don't have a scallop at home, you can buy one at the pharmacy. Sometimes a comb is included with the pediculicide package.
Important! After the next combing, the comb must be disinfected! It is enough to keep it in boiling water after use for at least 10 minutes.
Nevertheless, scientists claim that it is possible to get rid of severe lice using tar soap only when used together with other insecticides.
Proven means
An alternative to folk remedies is modern pharmaceuticals. And among them today it is easy to find safe and effective products that are suitable for children and adults. Shampoo, spray, and lotion “PARANIT” help get rid of lice without damaging your hair. "PARANIT Sensitive" is approved for use in children over one year old, pregnant and lactating women. The preparations are easy to apply, do not have an unpleasant aroma and effectively kill lice and nits. At the same time, the parasites do not develop resistance, that is, the products, even with repeated use, help to successfully fight lice and nits.
Choose convenient and safe means to combat head lice!
General description of the disease
Pediculosis and scabies are caused by parasites. The disease is common, especially among children. Itchy skin is the most common symptom. The disease can affect the head and pubic area, in some cases it can be mixed due to simultaneous damage to these forms of the disease. Diagnosed by visualization of live lice. The detection of nits (the membranes of the ovaries) itself indicates an infection.
The main factors that provoke the disease are:
- tourism;
- stress;
- lack of sanitary conditions;
- migration.
However, anyone can get lice, regardless of whether you practice good personal hygiene or not. They can be picked up in transport, public places, shops, or brought on clothing. Fortunately, at the present stage of development, this disease can be quickly eliminated using unconventional means, such as treatment with hydrogen peroxide, or pharmaceutical drugs.
