Irritant itch caused by headlice is something most of us have experienced. They look like miniature ants with the difference that they infest only human hair. It is to be noted that the term headlice refers to the lice that infect the scalp and neck hairs only. Pubic lice (infest pubic hair) and body lice (infest human skin) are the two other type of lice. There can be many more varities like these.

Though small in size, these creatures can be seen with naked human eye if observed carefully. They are generally bronze to gray-white in color. There is a common misconception that such lice can jump from one person's hair to another. In reality, these lice don't have hind legs to jump or hop. They also don't have wings to fly. Therefore, it can be assumed that these lice can't "jump" from one person to another.

These creatures survive on human blood. With their big front legs, they grab hair follicles and dig their teeth in the human scalp to make a small incision for sucking blood. This is how they cause the infamous irritant itch. Headlice don't cause much harm to humans, barring the irritation that generates a constant urge to itch. That said, the probability of acquiring microbial infection due to bleeding of scalp in case we scratch the scalp too much, is quite high.

How do headlice spread, is a question that has baffled many researchers for long. Most researchers are of the opinion that if one's hair comes into direct physical contact with another man's/woman's hair which has lice, the chances of getting these lice is significantly higher. Sharing personal use articles which come into physical contact with hair such as towels, combs, helmets, pillows etc. can also help in the spread of headlice.

There are many treatments for the annoying itchiness and other problems these parasites cause people. Lice shampoo, aromatherapy, lice combs, and lice removal oils are helpful, and so are medications such as malathion, lindane, permethrin, pyethrins, and others.

Lice removal treatments include two distinct kinds of ingredients: active ingredients and passive ingredients. Thos ingredients which actually kill the headlice are called active ingredients. These contain chemical like malathion, lindane, permethrin, pyethrins etc. On the other hand, ingredients which help active ingredients perform their desired function, and increase the kill power of active ingredients are called inert ingredients. It goes without saying that natural remedies are definitely better than chemical formulations from health perspective. For permanent lice removal, good hair care is a must.