Lice are a terrible nuisance, and most people feel helpless when confronted with a stubborn case within the family. It can be difficult to treat lice, to the point of terrible frustration. There are many types of treatments on the market, some very effective and some less so. No matter what type of lice treatment you choose, certain things will have to be addressed for the treatment to be successful.

Many people want a product that will treat lice by simply applying it to the head, but of course this not possible. Any lice treatment must not only kill the adults but address removal of the eggs, or nits. When lice infest a new person’s head, they immediately begin laying their eggs at the base of the hair shaft. These tiny white eggs may not be visible, except at the hairline or other places where hair is thin, although they tend to show up better against darker hair due to their whitish color. If these eggs are not removed, they will simply hatch into new lice in a week to ten days. The eggs are very tough and extremely resistant to chemical treatments.

Treating lice must, therefore, address the eggs as well as the adults. Many people buy harsh, chemical products, believing that the stronger the product, the more likely it is to kill the lice. While this may be true, most of these products do absolutely nothing about the nits, and in a week to ten days, the person is reinfested. This can begin a terrible cycle within families and children who were just treated for lice are re-exposed and reinfested.

Further, long-term use of harsh pesticide-based solutions as a treatment for lice is ill-advised if the product will be used over and over. Lindane and malathion, the two most common ingredients in these products, are both strong toxins that can affect the nervous system. Repeated use of these products is not recommended; even the American Medical Association advises that users discontinue these products at the first sign of reinfestation and choose an alternative method.

Lice Treatment

Treatments for lice do not have to use harsh chemicals. Natural, plant-based products, such as those sold by Head Lice Doctors, are far less dangerous and just as effective.

Even when using an all-natural lice remedy, treatments for lice must address all phases of the insect’s life style, including the egg phase. The use of an initial treatment and a follow-up preventative oil will make nits easy to remove and ensure that reinfestation does not occur.

Successful treatment of lice also includes addressing the environment. Children should never share hats or hair brushes. Floors and bedding must be vacuumed or washed, especially in sleeping areas. Clothing should be washed or sealed in an airtight bag for a week to ensure removal of all lice.