Nits & Lice

Mummy2 on 06/06/2015 - 14:40
Last edited 06/06/2015 - 14:41

My son - 4 year old - has nits. This is the first time in our family (his older brother hasn't had them yet - no doubt soon - and we didn't get them as kids growing up).
Any recommendations for products to get rid of them from his scalp/hair? I think we will treat the whole family as both kids ended up in our bed last night so I'm sure we will get them soon.

Also I read in another thread on this site about using tea tree oil to wash bedding to kill any lice/nits on that - how much do I need to add to a wash (in the washing machine) and does tea tree oil ome in different concentrations?
Thanks.

Health & Beauty

Comments

  • Organised Chaos on 06/06/2015 - 15:04
    +2

    Hi,

    I can recommend Moove head lice treatments. You can only get them from Chemists or Pharmacies, Chemist warehouse is always a good place to start. I've used them on my kids with great results. When there was an outbreak of nits at the school I used the 8hr guard treatment, I actually saw the nits jumping off of my daughters hair to get away hehehe.

    • red-hot on 06/06/2015 - 17:29
      +1

      The MOST effective method is the manual removal.
      That means using a calendar, & on Day 1, apply a thick conditioner or olive oil (this suffocates them) on the hair, & leave on for 6-8 hours, then comb through, checking every time, by wiping the comb on paper towel, & looking for nits on the paper towel.
      This needs to be redone every few days until there's no more nits or eggs on the comb.
      Days: 1,5,9,13,17,21.
      Here's the instructions: http://www.headliceinfo.com/freemovies/index5step.htm

      Remember, over the last several years, more and more evidence has come to light that head lice are developing resistance to pediculicidal products. This is not surprising since insects usually develop resistance to pesticides. It's just a matter of time.

      Good luck!

  • onetrickpony on 06/06/2015 - 15:07
    +1

    Oh dear, you may be in for a fight that can last years :( Full Marks is the best of the products I have found, but like all of them, only lasts until they touch hair with the next kid at childcare or school. Headlice have curved legs specifically for living on hair, and only live on humans and monkeys. They can barely move on a flat surface, but can move really fast on hair strands . From hatching until being able to reproduce is about a 12 day window, which is the time to attack!!!

    Once you have done a treatment, regular use of Redwin Teatree Shampoo from Coles or Woolworths and a headlice comb is the way to go. Frequent treatments are a very chemical thing to do to your kids hair. Teatree shampoo rubbed well in for a few minutes stuns them immobile for around 5 - 10 minutes, which is the time to go in with the comb. If he has short hair, comb it through in the shower, other wise after is fine, cleaning the comb on a cloth or dipping in a bowl as you go so you know how many are there. The tea tree also loosens the resin attaching the eggs to the hair, helping them comb out.

    Doing this regularly can remove them before they get old enough to breed at 12 days, break the cycle, and isn't toxic ( and cheap).And its a good practice to continue with, if in doubt. They seem to love some kids, and no interest in others, but they can cause your child to scratch all night , sleep poorly, and quickly become irritable. Have been battling them for many years , on the upside, like all insects, they breed less in winter, so the job is a bit easier! Best of luck!!

    • tonester on 06/06/2015 - 21:58

      Full Marks is the best

      +1 :)

  • robbyjones on 06/06/2015 - 15:08
    +1

    I used over the counter preparation from the chemist and then, with a nit comb, went through the laborious process of combing everyones hair, twice. Pay special attention to around the back of the ears and collar area. You have to do a follow up wash a week later, from memory.

    Wash all linens, towels and soft toys in hot water and dry in the clothes drier if you have one. I have 4 boys and have had to do this a lot over the years. Fun times! Good luck.

  • minniethemoocher on 06/06/2015 - 15:24
    +1

    The conditioner and comb treatment is a good chemical free way to test for lice, check using this method regularily and treat if found. I wouldn't treat the whole family unless you have found them using this method, it's a waste of time and money. The conditioner and comb treatment is also good for removing lice but you need to repeat it at least 3 times and if you miss a spot then the whole process will need to be started again as it doesn't kill the lice. Drying your and your kids hair with a hairdryer also helps kill the lice. Hopefully your sons have short hair, long girls hair is a nightmare!!

  • dylanando on 06/06/2015 - 15:25
    +1

    Whatever solution but defiantly get the metal comb brush!!

    • ozhunter on 06/06/2015 - 17:15

      definitely

    • blitz on 06/06/2015 - 21:10
      +2

      defiantly get the metal comb brush!!

      I don't care what you think!!! I'm getting the metal comb brush!!

  • Mummy2 on 06/06/2015 - 17:57

    Thanks for all the tips and advice.

    We ended up using a chemical treatment (that needs to be repeated weekly for another 2 times) and the conditioner + nit comb which apparently needs to be done daily until we see no more nits/lice.

    All the guys (my 2 sons & partner) have short hair and really hated the nit comb - the neighbours must have wondering what was going on with all the screaming from the kids. I have long hair so it was a bit of a nuisance trying to drag it through the hair but didn't find it unpleasant at all. The kids will have to be bribed to get it done again tomorrow (and the following days) - luckily us 2 adults didn't have any nits or lice.

    Despite most internet pages saying no need to wash bedding I did it anyway and added probably about 1/4 teaspoon of tea tree oil in each load in the washing machine (I couldn't find any advice on how much to use).

  • Nynaeve on 07/06/2015 - 08:42

    New chemical free method the Licesuk. Attach the Licesuk to your vacuum and suck those nits away. Also good for removing fleas off dogs. There is also a product called hair buddy which works in a similar way.

    http://www.abc.net.au/tv/newinventors/txt/s2091028.htm
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIISyVTjims

    Some great tips in this link, using vinegar to help remove the eggs and Listerine to kill the adults.

    http://www.wikihow.com/Remove-Nits-from-Hair

  • momov3 on 07/06/2015 - 14:16

    Do you mind if your kids' hair stink a bit of tea tree oil for the few days the outbreak is not contained? After their hair dries (after shampoo) run tea tree oil (the one you buy from any supermart) all thru their hair. Just leave it to dry like normal until the next wash. Keep doing until outbreak is over. Of course do the usual head lice shampoo etc thing first. With lice outbreak, the problem is preventing a repetition after the treatment. You could mix the oil with conditioner if the smell is too strong used by itself. I found using it straight from the bottle always prevented a recurrence, also didn't mind the tea tree smell.

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