Almost all of us are aware of the irritant itch caused by headlice. These parasites which look like mini ants infest human hair and live there. The word Headlice refers only to those lice which infect and live in scalp and neck hairs only. There are some other types of lice which live on humans such as pubic lice and body lice.

Even though these creatures are smaller in size, if observed carefully they can be seen with naked human eye. They appear generally in bronze to gray-white in color. The common misconception and belief of these lice are that they jump from a person to another person's hair, but in reality these lice can't do this because they lack hind legs to hop or either wings to fly. From, this we can assume that it is not viable for these lice to jump from person to person.

These small parasites exist on human blood. With their large front legs they hold onto human hair follicles, then use their teeth to make a small incision in the scalp, through which they suck blood. This is what causes the itch commonly associated with headlice. Apart from this constant itchiness, headlice are mostly harmless to humans. However, scratching the scalp excessively can lead to bleeding, which in turn increases the risk of microbial infection.

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.

Good personal hygiene includes hair-care and hair requires protection from infection and infestation arising from parasites such as lice. "Active" or "inert" ingredients can do the Lice removal. In active method, ingredients target the lice and destroy or kill them whereas in inert method, ingredients are solvents that are used to carry the active ingredients. The solvents aggravate the toxic power of the active ingredients. The choice of treatment varies from individual to individual depending on several factors and it is advisable to use a natural remedy for destroying the lice.