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When you think about head lice you may feel pain and dread. It's scary if you or someone you know get lice. But - if you are chilled by the thought of being yourself infected with lice - you are not the only one, and there is hope. Despite the starting shock, head lice treatment can be quite easy. You may choose between various methods, and they are usually quite successful in removing lice from your hair.

The first step in treating hair lice is actually the determination of whether you've contracted the infection at all. If you are infected, the first symptom you'd most likely experience is scalp itch. This is caused by the lice biting your scalp. Also, you should look for lice eggs, or nits, which may be visible in your hair. They look like dandruff, but are not as easy to dislodge.

If you have lice, you need a head lice treatment. Though various treatments exist, not all of them are thoroughly tested and/or scientifically proven. For best results, however, you are better off sticking to the tried-and-true methods that are luckily plenty.

Probably the simplest head lice treatment one can try is to shave the whole scalp. Left with no strands to attach themselves to, lice suddenly find it difficult to linger and just disappear. But not everyone will find a shaved pate aesthetically pleasing. If you are one of these people, don't despair. More benign solutions are in the horizon.

It can be very effective to comb our hair for lice. To do this, you need to buy a special lice comb. Using this comb, you are able to remove both young and adult lice from the hair. There are some combs which allow you also to remove nits. If you comb your hair for lice, it's better to oil the comb before, so that it can glide easily through your hair.

Head lice treatment may be found in the form of lotions or shampoos. Most contain permethrin, a chemical that kills the lice and their nits. A mild formula, easily purchased over the counter in many stores, is the only strength normally recommended for very young children. However, for older children, a stronger formula may be obtained with a doctor's prescription.

Getting infected with head lice can be very frightening. As soon as you learn how to get rid of lice, this fear should abate. A proper head lice treatment should take care of the problem within a couple of weeks. After that, an occasional check to make sure the lice are still gone is all you'll need.

How to get rid of lice: First, determine if you have hair lice. Signs include itchy scalp, nits, or eggs. Next, choose a treatment. One (drastic) option is to shave your head. Another head lice treatment is to comb your hair with a head lice comb. Make sure to oil the comb before using. Finally, a chemical treatment can be used, and if that is not enough, a doctor can prescribe something stronger. This final treatment is not recommended for children. Effective treatments should take no longer than about two weeks.