The treatment of human head lice is a process that has been debated and studied for centuries.

Hunting lice by candlelight by Andries Both, ca 1630 (National Gallery, Budapest)

17th Century Boxwood Lice Comb

Combs

For a treatment with the louse comb alone, it is recommended to comb the hair for 3–10 minutes (depending the length and type of the hair) daily or every second day for 14 days. Wetting the hair with water and especially with water and shampoo or conditioner will facilitate the combing and the removal of lice, eggs and nits.

A special finetooth comb that can pick out lice is used. The space between the teeth of the comb should be no more than 0.3 millimetres (0.012 in). Plastic combs are effective for very short-term use, but the spacing between the teeth will quickly spread out after repeated usage. Metal combs, being less flexible, are more effective for multiple uses.

Shaving the head

Shaving the head or cutting the hair extremely short can be used to control lice infestation. Short hair, baldness, or a shaven scalp are generally seen as a preventative measure against lice infestation. However, it is not recommended that children be suddenly shorn due to the psychological effects the child might experience.

It is not recommended that children's heads be shaved or even be given a short haircut for prevention or control of lice due to the psychological effects children might experience. Infestation with lice is not a disease and the medical symptoms are normally minimal. In any case, health providers and parents should try not to create emotional problems for children during examination and treatment.[27] Shaving of the area above and behind the ears and the upper part of the neck while leaving the crown of the head with hair is commonly used a prevention of lice among tribes in Africa, Asia and America (in America - Mohawk style).