Lice are tiny insects that feed on a person’s blood. A person typically becomes infested through close personal contact and by sharing personal belongings. Lice can inhabit on the scalp, the body, clothing, pubic or other hair on the body. Lice can be up to 1/8 inch in size.

There are several different types of lice:

Head lice - These lice develop on the scalp and are most noticeable at the nape of the neck and over the ears. Lice produce small eggs called nits that attach to the hair shaft and then hatch in about a week’s time, resulting in more lice.

Body lice - Body lice inhabit the seams and folds of a person’s clothing and are often spread by direct contact with infected clothing or with an infected person. Body lice may carry diseases but this is rare.

Pubic lice - Also known as crabs, these lice inhabit the skin and hair of the pubic area as well as the eyelashes. Public lice are typically spread through sexual contact or contact with infected clothing, bedding or even toilet seats.

Typical signs and symptoms of lice include:

- Intense itching

- Small, red bumps on the scalp, neck and shoulders.

A person can get lice by coming into contact with either lice or their eggs. Some common causes include:

- Head-to-head or body-to-body contact

- Close proximity of stored belongings

- Sharing items

- Contact with contaminated furniture

- Sexual contact

A person who maintains good personal hygiene habits can still get lice. Lice need immediate treatment or they cab progress into a recurring problem.

If you have lice, see a professional health care practitioner immediately.

Some natural, holistic treatments for head lice include using oils such as anise and ylang ylang.

Anise and ylang ylang contain essential oils, which have been shown to have antibacterial, antifungal, and insecticidal effects. In one study, the essential oil of an African plant, Lippia multiflora, was shown to be more effective against head and body lice than the conventional treatment, which usually involves lotions and shampoos made from malathion, pyrethrins, permethrins, lindane and other insecticides. Some of these insecticides can result in problems such as minor rashes and skin irritations in some people. Aside from that, they are also known to be toxic to the nervous system and the immune system.

Another safe technique to remove head lice is through the use of a fine-tooth comb. All you need to do is wet the hair once every 3 days with a fine tooth “nit”comb. Lice can also be treated by placing drops of tea tree oil on a fine toothed comb, and comb the hair thoroughly every day for two weeks. Tea tree oil holds antibacterial, antifungal, and healing properties.

A simple wet combing of the hair -- performed by parents once every 3 days with the use of a fine-tooth 'nit' comb -- may be just as effective as insecticide use in removing head lice in children.