There are many different head lice treatment options. You'll find a huge variety of different over-the-counter shampoos, conditioners, and even sprays for your furnishings and clothes. It also seems like everyone has some kind of home remedy for head lice, from putting mayonnaise in the hair to extremes like using rubbing alcohol on your head with a plastic bag tied around it. While some treatments are effective, others are not only extreme, but also dangerous to the health of your family.

There are steps you can take to prevent head lice in the first place, which of course is the best and cheapest way. Teach your children about the importance of not sharing hats, scarves, or jackets with their schoolmates and friends. Checking through your kid's hair at least once a week, right after their bath, is a great way to keep head lice away (as well as to prevent them from spreading). Keeping vigilant, especially if your children's school has a history of head lice infestations, is crucial for prevention.

Even if your family hasn't caught it, you should buy a good metal head lice comb. These can be purchased at any WalMart or other mass marketing outlet. They are usually square and have very tiny tines that separate even the smallest strands of hair. Wet hair is easiest. Used dry, a head lice comb may snag on hair strands and hurt your kid's head. Follow the simple instructions included with the comb.

Having a child come down with head lice is not the end of the world. Everyone is vulnerable to head lice, especially families with small children. Even people who are doing their best to keep it out of their home can still get head lice. Having coats or hats that are all put up in a group manner at school can allow these bugs to transfer from one person to another.

If you see your child scratching his/her head, or you notice bugs or nits (head lice eggs) in your child's hair, don't panic. If caught early enough, they are pretty easy to get rid of. Using your comb, go through every layer in every section of the child's hair, pulling out any lice or eggs you find there. Have a towel on hand to collect them, one that you can put in a plastic bag, or even toss immediately into the wash. Gather bedding and recently worn clothes, and wash those as well. Any stuffed animals the child sleeps with should be isolated and put into a sealed plastic bag for a week or so. The bugs won't live very long without a food source.

Head lice are also susceptible to extreme heat and cold. One popular (if dubious) home remedy is to use a blow drier, curling iron, or even a hair straightener to kill the lice. (It's possible that using these products on a regular basis may help prevent infestation.) The nits like to attach themselves on the strands of hair, near the scalp. While it is a little messy, using mayonnaise does help by dislodging the glue that attaches the nits to the hair follicles.

While it's a little drastic for many people, just cutting the kid's hair short and keeping it that way goes far in keeping head lice at bay. Shorter hair also makes it easier to use the lice comb. If you decide to buy an over-the-counter remedy, make sure that it's NON-TOXIC. Battling head lice is never worth endangering your child's health.