Nits

[bednobs]

Errrgghhh, we have nits :(
1) do you have to treat everyone in the household, or just those that you can see have them
2) how long can they live if left on pillows and so on?
3) anyone got any non-chemical remedies?

[Tilly2]

Everyone has to be treated, bednobs. Wash all the bedding.

Conditioner and a nit comb. Slather hair with conditioner and comb through. They will slide off. Tea tree shampoo works wonders too.

[rockyracoon]

Argh, my heads itching now. When the kids used to get it I only treated myself and other half if I thought we'd caught them, I always used Hedrin, seemed to work well, and killed the little suckers in the first application.

[bednobs]

can you prevent nits climbing on by regularly using tea tree conditioner?

[Tilly2]

I use tea tree shampoo all the time and I have never had nits, despite working with children for forty years.

[rockyracoon]

I used to use a tea tree spray every morning before the kids went to school, I think it did prevent them.

[nungate]

When there was an invasion of nits in my daughters school. I used to massage tea tree oil along her hairline at the back of her head and up around her ears, we never had them after the first and only time. Her hair was almost waist length and was a nightmare to comb the "stuff" through. The tea tree oil seemed to do the business and kept the little beggars away from her hair and I never had to treat her for them again.

[Sycamore3House]

My daughter used to get them regularly from starting infant school right up to when she started secondary school. Tea tree shampoo & oil helps. Use nit comb & conditioner. Just became a routine. I used to get the odd one but they never seemed to breed on me. Son & hubby were never affected. It is to do with hormones apparently.

[mintymow]

Having worked with children for over 20 years I saw lots of cases of head lice as I was the one that teachers sent children to. Nits are the eggs and they are glued to the hair. They are generally found close to the scalp for the warmth. Regular use of a fine toothed comb and conditioner after every wash, will first help dispose of the lice and make it more difficult of any remaining to attach the eggs to the hair. Treat everyone in the household. Use the chemicals only as a last resort.