When there is an outbreak of head lice in their child's school, many parents find themselves looking for advice. Most people do not realize it is possible to take some simple but effective steps to protect their family. Contacting a local lice removal service or going on line for information is the best plan.

Parents often feel quite helpless in the face of these tiny insects. They are barely bigger than a pin head, yet manage to instill fear, dread and even panic in many otherwise rational adults. The social implication to having nits is huge. Children face endless ridicule and teasing. This is way so many parents hesitate to spread the word when they find their child is infected.

Services exist to inform and educate parents and schools. They can offer tips on the best combs to use, how to spot signs of an infestation and how to treat an outbreak without resorting to harsh shampoos and potentially dangerous chemicals. For many years the standard treatment was with very strong shampoos that did kill the lice. However, decades of routine over use have made these shampoos much less effective.

When the first shampoo they use does not do the trick, many parents try something different and stronger. This is not a good idea. The problem is more effectively handled without any chemical intervention. Simply a comb and lots of time is the best way to really deal with lice. They have to be thoroughly and carefully removed from the hair over a period of days.

Girls are particularly prone to catching lice because of their long hair. It is a good idea for them to wear their hair up or in braids. Some girls like the look of a bright or patterned head scarf. Not only is it a fashion statement but also offers some protection during an outbreak.

Once the hair has been thoroughly washed it should be saturated with conditioner. This makes it easier to see both the adult pests and the eggs. The fine toothed comb should then be held at a forty five degree angle and combed from the scalp downwards, all the way along the hair shaft. Although it takes some time and repeated treatments, this is the best way to deal with the problem.

A good website is really helpful as it will show picture of the lice in every stage of their life cycle. This helps parents with identification and how to spot symptoms. The immature adults are very tiny and difficult to find. They can easily be mistaken for tiny specks of dirt and overlooked. This is where the fine tooth comb comes in very handy.

Families should treat this problem for what it is. An ages old human affliction. People have been struggling with these tiny pests for thousands of years. The advantage today is that we have the benefits of a professional lice removal service to help deal with the stress and itching of this embarrassing problem.