As a first line of defense, try a few lifestyle changes and home remedies to combat lice.

You won’t need to call pest control. The CDCTrusted Source says there is no need to fumigate your house or treat your pets for lice. Having lice has nothing to do with cleanliness or environment, as they don’t come from the outdoors or your pets.

According to Sanofi Pasteur’s 2014 survey, moms who chose prescription treatments were more likely to be satisfied (91 percent) than moms who chose over-the-counter treatments (79 percent).

There are several prescription products that kill head lice. Always start with clean hair, but avoid using a combination shampoo-and-conditioner product before lice treatment application. In addition, you shouldn’t wash your or your child’s hair one to two days after you remove the lice medicine. Keep the application on the hair and scalp only. Follow the instructions on the package.

Possible side effects of prescription treatment include:

If you’re looking at over-the-counter (OTC) treatments for lice, keep an eye out for these ingredients:

Pyrethrins: This is a natural extract from chrysanthemums. It’s safe for children age 2 years and older. But this ingredient only kills live lice, not nits. You’ll need a second treatment after nine to 10 days if existing eggs have hatched. This shouldn’t be used by any individuals allergic to chrysanthemums or ragweed.

Permethrin lotion, 1 percent (Nix): This is a synthetic treatment similar to natural pyrethrins. It kills both live lice and nits. Permethrin also leaves a residue on the hair that is designed to kill any newly hatched lice arising from eggs not killed in the initial application. Shampoos and conditioners may interfere with the effectiveness of this residue, so you may need to do a second treatment after 7-10 days if live lice are seen. Permethrin is safe for children age 2 months and older. Talk to your doctor if you still see lice after full treatment. Your doctor can prescribe something stronger.

After each treatment, you should continue checking the hair to remove nits or lice.

For people interested in natural home remedies, there are many options. Most alternative treatments, like olive oil, mayonnaise, or butter, don’t have enough evidence to indicate they work to suffocate lice. Some treatments like tea tree oil show promise, but they may require more time and more frequent applications. You can find tea tree oil on Amazon.com. Shaving the head does also get rid of lice, but it doesn’t prevent them.

If you’re looking for fast and easy results, prescription products may be a better choice. Talk to your healthcare provider to find out which treatment is the most effective, safe, and easy to use.