Head lice, the small, grayish-brown insects that infect human head hair, are an annoying problem that has plagued human beings for centuries. These tiny insects are passed from one person to another through close contact, including hugging, sharing of combs or brushes, or sharing of headgear or hair accessories, such as bobby pins or barrettes. Head lice do not “jump” from one host to another, but they can travel to another person’s head with surprising speed if the heads are close together.

Head lice survive by biting the host’s scalp and ingesting blood from the bite. These tiny bites are usually not visible and do not bleed profusely, but they can be very itchy and cause flaking, red skin on the scalp. If left untreated, lymph node swelling may also occur in the neck area from infections caused by the continued biting and possible injection of bacteria into the broken skin, or from infections from scratching. The adult lice ingest blood and lay eggs along the hair shaft of a host’s scalp. These yellow-white eggs are called “nits,” and are often visible in thin areas of the hair, such as at the hairline. In fact, due to the speed with which lice move, they are often the first sign of an infestation.

Natural Treatment for Lice

There are several methods available for treating lice, such as over-the-counter or prescription pesticide liquids applied to the hair. However, these often contain potent and toxic chemicals that can be dangerous, especially to young children. A better option may be natural lice treatments, such as that offered by Head Lice Doctors. A natural lice treatment uses only botanical extracts that do not contain pesticides, but act on the nervous system of the adult louse, making it easier to kill.

Children tend to be at higher risk for infestation with lice, due to their tendency to share hair products and clothing and their natural closeness to other children. However, everyone in a family can become infested from contact with one person with lice. Using a natural treatment for lice must include environmental controls, as well. This means vacuuming all carpets, furniture, and mattresses which are in contact with infected persons, and washing all clothing and bedding in hot water. Comforters and other bedding which cannot be washed can be sealed in plastic bags for up to a week to kill existing insects. Even after natural treatments for lice, it is also necessary to monitor for recurrences and to treat any appearance of lice or nits immediately to prevent further infestations.