Arrrgh Nits!

bestpud

tyllwyd wrote: »

I find that when they do have nits, once you realise there is a certain way of head scratching that is a dead giveaway!

That is so true! I'd recognise it in any child!

We just use a nitty gritty comb and lots (I mean lots!) of conditioner.

I wet and condition the hair, plonk child on a cushion in front of a DVD and sit behind them with comb, kitchen roll and bag for collecting the corpses.

Sometimes I re-dampen the hair with water from a spray bottle and add more conditioner if it drys quickly.

I usually do it 3 or 4 times over a couple of weeks, until I'm sure there is no eggs or lice left.

First time I usually get big ones but the next time there is usually only one or two teeny ones. Third and forth time is usually just for my peace of mind - I've only once found anything on the third occasion.

Not the quickest method but it works and without putting nasty pesticides on my child!

Janepig

Well, having spent about the last hour and a half combing, I can confirm it's nits and lice. I can't believe it, I feel so stupid. I honestly thought the head scratching was because of a rash/allergy. I suppose in my defence I have never encountered them before so didn't really know what I was looking for. Poor DD though.

I think I might have to try some sort of chemical treatment, there were loads of them as it turned out. I was swiping the comb on some kitchen towel after every combing, and there were loads on there. Couple of big ones too. I've put our clothes in the wash now and she's in the shower getting rid of the conditioner.

DH will be okay, he's got hardly any hair anyway. DS had his cut last weekend, so he doesn't impress his new teacher with the full buzzcut on his first day back, so I think he'll be okay, but it's a bit longer on top so I'll check him later. I'll have to get DH to check mine later, I'm itching but I think it's probably because of the "eww"ness of it. What a palarva.

When I can I take DD for a haircut now? Do I have to wait until she's clear? She loves her long hair, but it's a nightmare to have to comb so I thought if she has it cut to just past her shoulders it'll help and she says she's up for that.

Jx

peachyprice

Comb her through again in about 3 days time, if you don't get any more all is good, but you're more likely still to find them.

If they're still there 3 days after that you'll probs have to get some treatment. I've found the Hedrin to be a waste of money, it's never worked properly on mine in any form, I go for the full strength Lyclear cream rinse that you get from behind the counter, not the namby pamby one you get on the shop floor.

alias*alibi

I too second nitty gritty and conditioner. My DD has a hair wash about 3 times a week. As I used to comb through her hair with conditioner on anyway I just swapped it to the nitty gritty and use it religiously. I can guarantee any change in routine such as a holiday or just going back to using an ordinary comb results in nits again when she's been round other kids. The nitty gritty comb is fab.

merlin1

Janepig wrote: »

Well, having spent about the last hour and a half combing, I can confirm it's nits and lice. I can't believe it, I feel so stupid. I honestly thought the head scratching was because of a rash/allergy. I suppose in my defence I have never encountered them before so didn't really know what I was looking for. Poor DD though.

I think I might have to try some sort of chemical treatment, there were loads of them as it turned out. I was swiping the comb on some kitchen towel after every combing, and there were loads on there. Couple of big ones too. I've put our clothes in the wash now and she's in the shower getting rid of the conditioner.

DH will be okay, he's got hardly any hair anyway. DS had his cut last weekend, so he doesn't impress his new teacher with the full buzzcut on his first day back, so I think he'll be okay, but it's a bit longer on top so I'll check him later. I'll have to get DH to check mine later, I'm itching but I think it's probably because of the "eww"ness of it. What a palarva.

When I can I take DD for a haircut now? Do I have to wait until she's clear? She loves her long hair, but it's a nightmare to have to comb so I thought if she has it cut to just past her shoulders it'll help and she says she's up for that.

Jx

Dont feel bad!! it happens! you need to don your pit boots and camo - and head into battle!

I'm not sure about the haircut but as someone mentioned nits and eggs getting stuck in the nittygritty, a bit of conditioner and an old tooth brush when you're finished combing will sort that if you do find any stuck

check everyone everyday, if you can comb against the direction of hair growth behind the ears and nape of neck, early signs are usually there (by early i mean eggs and tiny lice) the adults i found used to sit on my son's crown.

Be prepared for them returning though, our school wouldn't ever send out a letter to warn other parents if any child had nits, if parents didnt know they didnt check and it really was nit war fare!

Miss_Money

Janepig dont feel bad it happens! i thought the same 1st time bigun got them!! Did you see any blasck spots when combing out her hair? they are eggs and attach firmly to the base of the hair. you will need to comb daily now in my experiance to make sure you get the babies and eggs out! xx

Janepig

Miss_Money wrote: »

Janepig dont feel bad it happens! i thought the same 1st time bigun got them!! Did you see any blasck spots when combing out her hair? they are eggs and attach firmly to the base of the hair. you will need to comb daily now in my experiance to make sure you get the babies and eggs out! xx

Hey, I didn't realise you were still on here too! :D

I think I'm going to have to do it daily for a while - I was just plaiting her (wet) hair to go and take DS swimming and I can see afew white spots, so it's not all gone. I'll go mad at it until next Tuesday when they go back, see how we get on.

I can't believe she's never had them from school - but gets them in the school holidays!!! Very odd!

Jx

tyllwyd

Janepig wrote: »

... When I can I take DD for a haircut now? Do I have to wait until she's clear? She loves her long hair, but it's a nightmare to have to comb so I thought if she has it cut to just past her shoulders it'll help and she says she's up for that.

I'm sure hairdressers must see plenty of headlice in their time, but I wouldn't have thought they'd be too happy about you turning up in the salon if you know she's got them. My DD has curly hair, so in desperate times I've ended up attacking it myself with a pair of scissors. If you even just trim a bit off the ends that might help when you are combing if it is a bit dry and tangly.

Miss_Money

Janepig wrote: »

Hey, I didn't realise you were still on here too! :D

Jx

i lurk xxx

samtoby

I heard the animal flea treatment does wonders for nits - not sure that is a good idea though