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Children's health

Nits- new question

11 replies

MegGriffin · 31/08/2009 16:12

DD has got nits and I am having terrible trouble shifting them. Initially I tried Hedrin but even after a few days I found loads on her. I am now doing it the old fashioned way with a nitty gritty and conditioner. My question is this. Can this be done without the whole washing and rinsing thing. DD finds having her hair washed intolerable as well as sitting for periods of time. I understand it needs to be done every few days for two weeks but it is so stressful for both of us. Is there an easier way? I can bribe her to a certain extent while she sits and I comb but the whole washing/rinsing thing is a nightmare. I normally only wash her hair once a week as she hates it so much. Please help.

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MaryBS · 31/08/2009 16:20

I dry comb DS's hair, and this works. I think it depends how long her hair is, they're obviously much easier to catch in short hair.

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MegGriffin · 31/08/2009 16:26

Thanks Mary. I dont think I would get the nitty gritty comb through her hair if it did not have conditioner on it. I wonder if there is a leave in conditioner I could use. At least that way it only needs rinsing the once.

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Clure · 31/08/2009 16:37

Meggriffin, my DD (and me!) have been plagued by them for months. DD has very long hair, I tried and tried just the combing- using the nitty gritty comb every wash (3 times a week) with loads of conditioner and I use the Vosene nit shampoo (its got tea tree and lemon I think) didn't get rid of them and we would constantly be re-infecting each other.

I resorted to "the nasty stuff" Lyclear and Hedrin didn't work then I tried Full Marks which works in the same way as Hedrin, SUCCESS!
I now use the nitty gritty every wash just to keep a check on things (touch wood we've been clear for 2 weeks!)

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ReneRusso · 31/08/2009 16:42

I agree its a nightmare. I have an almost constant battle with nits. I guess there is no reason why you have to rinse out the conditioner. You could just apply conditioner, do the comb through and leave it. But she will be very greasy. Depends if you / she can cope with the greasiness. Is she quite young? Will she not get in the shower with you?

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MegGriffin · 31/08/2009 16:58

Rene, we did actually leave the conditioner in yesterday and it left her hair a bit thick and sticky. I think you can buy actual leave in conditioner so I might look in to that. She is 6 and as much as I love her she is very strong willed and difficult when it comes to hair washing. She hates leaning over the bath while I wash her hair to do her nits. I suppose I could try and do it while she is in the bath. I have done this before but its difficult as she keeps moving her head and I do my back in leaning in to the bath to comb her.

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ReneRusso · 31/08/2009 17:00

I always do the nit checking while my DDs are in the bath. It is not greatly enjoyable for anyone as it takes ages with their long hair. But its the only way.

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seeker · 31/08/2009 17:01

Don't do it in the bath. Use lots of towels and do it in front of the TV. Say she can watch something you don't normally allow while you do it. Almost guaranteed to work - particularly if coupled with chocolate.

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Clure · 31/08/2009 17:58

I wash my dd hair in bath (she 4) then do the nit comb with a big stack of books in the bedroom. Body shop do a nice leave in conditioner

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Podrick · 31/08/2009 18:01

Only needs to be done every 4 days if that helps?

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Podrick · 31/08/2009 18:07

sorry but dry combing is ineffective - the lice run too fast - that is why you need the conditioner, to stop them running around!

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MegGriffin · 31/08/2009 20:01

Thank you everyone. I think I will buy some leave in conditioner so at least I only have to do one rinse when I wash it to start with. I will have a look in body shop tomorrow, thanks Clure.

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