Lice infests as many as 12 million people around the globe each year. Children age 3 to 10 are more commonly infested than the adult population. However, no one is immune to the bloodsuckers. When you notice that your child has lice, your first instinct is to get rid of the bugs, but that's not as easy as it seems. Many children undergo several treatments before they are considered free of lice. The reasons why lice stay around after a treatment varies. Following are four reasons why your lice treatment may not be working. 

Human Error

Getting rid of lice is complex, and there are numerous mistakes you can make along the way. If you don't saturate all of the hair, for example, the lice can hide out until the treatment is over. What's more, many treatments don't kill lice eggs called nits. Nits are extremely small and they stick to the hair. In order for a treatment to be successful, you must remove all of them. This is a painstaking process that takes time, diligence, and a great pair of eyes.

Subsequent Infestation

Sometimes it seems like you didn't get rid of the lice when you actually did. Your child just caught them again. This happens a lot when school is in session. Not all of the children get treated at the same time, so they just keep passing the critters around. Nits and bugs can also live for some time off of a host. For this reason, you must vacuum and clean everything in your home when you treat your child to prevent subsequent infestation. 

Inadequate Product

In about 25 states, lice are immune to over-the-counter lice treatments. If you treat your child with an inadequate product, you won't get rid of the lice. If you live in an area where lice have built up resistance, you have to use a product that will kill them. You often have to do some research or ask your pediatrician to find a product that will work. 

Natural Remedy

There are a lot of natural or home remedies circulating. Many of them, such as cholesterol, work by suffocating the lice. While these treatments can work, you have to be meticulous. Since they don't kill eggs, you can't miss even one. You really have to saturate the hair as well. If you don't, you won't get rid of the lice. 

As you can see, there are several reasons why your child may still have lice after treatment. Don't worry, though. Your child won't have lice forever. All you have to do is choose a better treatment option and meticulously apply it.