Lice have caused many problems for humans since the dawn of time. The lice feed on the skin and blood on any location on the body that has hair including the scalp. They feed in these areas and attach their eggs, called nits onto strands of hair. Removing these eggs is not an easy process and requires the use of a special lice treatment. However, there are many different choices for lice treatment.

The first step to take if someone has lice is to eliminate the external sources of the lice. Anything that comes into contact with the affected area, like sheets, combs, and pillow cases, should be removed. If the items are washable, they should be washed. If not, they should be placed in an air-tight container for at least two weeks. Then, you can begin treating the actual head.

The simplest way of treating head lice is simply to shave the hair. The hair must be shaved completely, not just trimmed short. This is easier to do when the hair is not located on the head. Since it is not socially acceptable to shave one's head, other treatments are advisable.

Less dramatic methods for treatment of head lice also exist. It's helpful to use a lice comb to get nits out of the hair, but that treatment alone usually isn't wholly effective. If you feel more comfortable with natural remedies, you're in good company. Many people are concerned about the possible side effects of chemical solutions; however, the chemical treatments are almost always the best. All-natural solutions minimize the problem but rarely completely eradicate it. Some natural solutions may actually be more harmful than their chemical counterparts because they aren't required to have government regulation!

Applying a physician-approved chemical pesticide is the most popular option. In these solutions, a 1% mixture of permethrin or pyrethrin is dispersed into the lungs of the lice and kills them. Always check with your doctor before trying one of these methods, because they are pesticides and must be used with caution. Chemical solutions like this require re-application for several weeks and hair must be thoroughly combed through with a lice comb for effective egg removal. They are massaged into the scalp only of a person with dried hair.

Less traditional options are also available. Some contend that combing standard conditioner through the infested hair and leaving it in place for four or more hours can be effective since it lessens the ability of the lice to cling to the hair and makes their nits easier to see. Electric combs designed to treat lice are also commercially available. People with high risk of exposure to lice may wish to keep their hair cut fairly short, since some believe that lice are attracted to long hair. These methods of treating head lice are relatively new and have not been subjected to rigorous scientific testing to determine their effectiveness.

Seeking the advice of a doctor is recommended due to the numerous treatments available. Having a doctor can best judge the treatment required, or give suggestions as to what he or she believes is healthy.