headlice!

[frangale]

I have daughters, 8,6,4 & 2. Since eldest went to school have had several cases of headlice, cured by either wet combing or an electronic headlice comb. But, 6 yr old has very curly hair and it is causing us dreadful problems. Am having to wet comb it for nearly 2 hours to do it properly and as her hair is curly, it's really tangly. It's getting very distressing for both of us, as it hurts her and she cries and screams. Have tried conditioner and detangling sprays. Anyone got any ideas or product suggestions?

[Chessman]

My daudhter goes to a day centre, and gets them constantly, they are harmless, but a pain to get rid of, we tend to use 'Full Marks', and Coconut conditioner spray, to make it hard for them to get a grip. It can take a long time to be 100% clear, These things can only be passed from head to head, they don't fly, and are slow moving, but as I said, my daughter keeps getting them, so I'm considering drastic action, and thats having her hair cut really short, hopefully it would be for only the once, because that would make it easier to clear them, maybe you could consider that. Good luck.

[woofgang]

was going to suggest the same thing, a nice short haircut...why would you want to put a littlie through all that stress?

[kags]

Have a look at this site

http://www.nittygritty.co.uk/ng/index.jsp

unfortunately all cures involve combing, but they sell a repellent which might help prevent future infestations.

[frangale]

Thanks everyone, her hair is not long (just below ears) and suggesting getting it cut any shorter is upsetting for her too (doesn't want to look like a boy!)

The idea of a repellent sounds good though.

Sod's law that the little blighters are attracted to the daughter with the hardest hair to remove them from!

[Goodsoulette]

For the actual prevention I would really recommend delacet its a natural remedy its ideal for children. I always get it.As a rule headlice dont like curly hair I have very curly hair and when my kids get them i dont. A good prevention again is leave in conditioner esp ones that contain lavender (they hate this too). Dont cut her hair thats just mean, horrible horrible suggestion.

[mycatis]

My son had nits constantly for years! (well it felt like it) Are you making sure that you are doing your own hair as well? He had really long hair, right down his back, and the nursery teacher told me to get his hair cut, I was really angry about that cause she never told the girls to get theirs cut.

[frangale]

I check everyone's hair religiously each day when I comb it so I can get them asap! I would never get hair cut short as I feel this is not the answer (for us anyway) besides they'll just come back when hair grows again. Thanks for your support and ideas. I do use Tea Tree but will also give lavender and coconut a try.

[mimififi]

tea tree oil is also very good for nits hate it. You can comb it through and it might go through relatively easily as it is oily. When all nits are gone, you can wash as normal. You could try putting some on her collar too when she is at school it might help as a repellent, maybe on her pillow aswell just in case you miss one.

Maybe, instead of cutting her hair, you could just tie it up in really cute little bunchies and then twirl each bunchie into a little bun and secure with some bobby pins and a bun cap? I know this sounds a pain, but don't cut her hair, she'll never forgive you and will grow up with a "I had to have short hair as a child as mum just couldn't comb it" You know how kids misremember things...!!! Also, it's not fair if the other girls dont have their hair cut and get nits and she does....A cut for all or none I say. You may find it sorts itself out in a few months time. These things go in cycles, with the colder weather coming, there maybe less cases anyways.

Look on the bright side, at least its lice and not threadworms!!!!!!

[spudqueen]

I always used to use the Avon leave in conditioner and comb through their hair regularly (thankfully kids now in secondary school and the nits seem to have stopped).

[WelshLady]

My sister has twin boys aged 11 and they have never had nits. It probably helps that they have short hair, however she swears by Tea Tree shampoo and conditioner. Apparently, nits don't like Tea Tree! My long-haired four year old has recently started school and I'm off out to stock up.................

[schmeeges]

I don't know if they're available where you are, but here in Australia, you can buy 'scrunchies' and hairbands of fabric that are impregnated with some type of anti-headlice stuff.

When you comb, have you tried using masses of cheap white conditioner on dry hair? I buy a big bottle at the $2 shop, slather it on their dry hair and comb it through after it's had a chance to suffocate the lice. My daughter has a really tender scalp but handles this better than rinsed off lotions and ordinary wet-combing.

good luck!

(pesky international critters)

[loopey]

i used to put a few drops of tea tree oil in a little water and comb it through their hair before they went to school, it really works.

[Doodah71]

I have 5 daughters (1 to 14 yrs) .

The lotions and potions on the market are no good because the lice build up an immunity to them over time. Chemists are supposed to rotate the stock every few months to a different type to help prevent this...I still don't think it works though.

Anyway, I have found the best way to get over this is to wash and condition their hair every other day, whether they have lice or not. Then comb it through when it is VERY wet in the bath.

Make sure you get right down to the roots and don't just comb downward as you would if just brushing normally. Lift up sections of hair and move the nit comb from root to tip.

By doing this you catch the baby ones before they bacome mature enough to lay (10 days) and obviously you catch the bigger ones before they have chance to lay alot of nits and infest the childs head.

With my older children (who lock the bathroom door now!) I get them to check their hair themselves and then come straight downstairs to me afterwards, where I double check it.

HTH.

[sarahrogers]

i always find with my 4yr old daughter that sitting her down and going through her hair piece by piece gets rid of lice succesfully without using any methods of nit lotion etc. i dont it today and they are all gone and yes it takes hours but hey it worth it! x

[emaaron]

hi , i have found a nit repellent shampoo and conditioner for children in morrisons and that contains tea tree , there is also a repellent spray it is made by ' escenti ' so may be available in other shops too . I have been told that you can buy it in savers cheaper , hope this helps my little girl hasn't had nits yet touch wood !