So your kid comes home scratching his head like there was no tomorrow. You take a closer look and you get a view of the head lice infestation on your child’s head. Don’t panic! You can beat this with the proper tools… or the proper combs.

It's imperative to use the correct comb when trying to remove head lice from your child's hair. The absolute perfect kind of comb is one that is metal, has long teeth, which are finely spaced. Also, the space between the handle and the teeth should be sealed to prevent live lice from hiding inside. Since the lice eggs are attached to the hair shaft, many plastic combs are simply not strong enough to be effective. However, they could work well as long as you’re diligent in combing the hair through the base of the comb. Some people use tweezers to remove the lice and nits, but lice combs are much easier and more effective. The major difference being with tweezers, you have to individually spot and remove the lice, which isn't always possible.

Individually removing the insects and nits (the eggs lice lay), is the only way to cure your child completely. Nits are yellow, tan or brown specks on the shaft of the hair. After the eggs have hatched they will look white or clear. Having your child's hair wet makes it easier to remove the lice and nits. Dividing the hair into one inch sections, use the lice comb starting from the base of the hair follicle all the way to the end. Make sure you wipe off or rinse off the comb after each pass. Continue the process until you get through all the hair. Some lice or nits may be missed, so in seven to ten days when those eggs hatch, repeat the process.

Head lice do not have wings so they can’t fly and spread through direct person to person contact or through borrowed items that are usually used on the hair (like combs or hats). It's bothersome and frustrating when faced with an infestation. These nasty parasites survive by drawing a tiny amount of blood from the scalp, which causes itchy red bumps.

An electric comb is another alternative to using a comb. The electronic lice comb is powered by a single AA battery and will detect and destroy lice on contact simply by combing it through dry hair. When the comb's metal teeth stroke lice, the lice get zapped and they die. Then they must be removed from the hair through combing. An electric comb can be used as often as you like, unlike the chemical treatments which will damage your scalp and hair as it kills the lice. You can also store it for future use.

These combs are the tools of the trade in combating an infestation. You will do well to get to know them and how they are used so that, in the event of an infestation, you and your child are prepared.