Head lice have been around as long as there have been human beings. Lice are a parasite that live off their human host. They can lay their eggs, called nits, anywhere on the body that there is hair, although head hair is the most common place, and must be combed out of the hair using a special head lice comb. A shampoo lice treatment is also beneficial to kill the mature head lice.

The first thing someone should do if they have lice is to take away the outside sources of lice. Pillow cases, sheets, combs and other items that touch the affected area should be removed. Anything that can be washed should be. Other items should be put in an air-tight container for a minimum of 2 weeks. Next, the actual head must be treated.

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.

Concern over harmful side effects leads Naturalists to avoid pesticide treatments in favor of more natural, less radical approaches to lice treatment. However, natural solutions are normally less effective. For example, using a lice comb can help remove the nits, but rarely solves the problem without further treatment. Because governmental regulation of natural products for medical uses is generally not required, sometimes the natural solution is also the less safe option.

The doctor preferred treatment would be the application of a chemical solution of 1% permethrin or pyrethrin. These pesticides kill lice by impairing their ability to breathe. The solution is applied for approximately two weeks. It is important to supplement the treatment with daily removal of any eggs with a lice comb. A doctor should be consulted before you begin treatment with any pesticide. The pesticides should be applied on in the scalp area only to dry hair.

Less common methods of treating head lice may also work. By weakening the lice's hold and making the nits more visible, ordinary hair conditioner may be an effective treatment when combed through the hair, and allowed to set for four hours or more. Electric combs advertised for lice treatment are also available. Some anecdotal evidence suggests that people with shorter hairstyles are at reduced risk of contracting lice, and that lice infested in shorter hair is easier to treat. These alternative methods, as yet unproven, require more research.

Since there are so many treatment options available it best to seek the advice of a doctor. A doctor will help evaluate the level of treatment required. A doctor will also only suggest what he or she believes is healthy.