to be annoyed at XH about NITS?

[AllTheFluffyAnimals]

DD2 is 6 and very active, so we've been fighting a minor nit infestation for a few weeks. She won't sit still to be combed so it has been as much as we (me and my mum) can do with bribery and even holding her still for the worst bits. She has had a really short haircut and we have tried loads of different lotions, but just when we think they have gone we find more. We treat everyone in the house, wash pillowcases etc too.

Anyway, XH knows this and I asked him to keep an eye on it as the DDs went away for a week with him to his parents.

She has come back crawling with them, with smallish bits of her scalp red raw and bleeding and I think even some small bald patches. The poor thing must have been scratching away loads. She was screaming when I combed it at first so I had to go really really slowly. This time we used Vamousse, which we haven't used before so hopefully it will be the magic cure finally.

I'm really annoyed at him. Yes, it is possible that she had them when she went - I couldn't see any but they have been coming back again and again so there were probably eggs or something. But he must have noticed the state of her head. I got them back just beofr bedtime one night, then took them for a day out the next day and immediately bought the vamousse when I spotted one crawling on her head and her scratching.

He has had to be told to make sure the girls' hair is brushed before, after he wasn't bothering (at the time they both had long hair)

Also: HELP! NITS! Any tips are welcome. I hate the little buggers.

[AllTheFluffyAnimals]

Or maybe I'm just annoyed at him for something he has no control over. I suppose he could be thinking the same about me.

Poor DD2.

[Inkymess]

She must have had eggs in there before she went. Sorry, but only persistent treatment and combing works. Maybe some one at school keeps re infecting her. Maybe you need to teach him how to spot them. We had a round of it at school recently but we in the class all used Hedrin around the same time and got rid of the lot.

[ElsaAintAsColdAsMe]

Nitty gritty comb through every day is the only thing that worked here. It takes 5 mins per day and we haven't had any for months and months.

I also use a tea tree spray as a repellent,but really comb, comb and comb again is the only thing that works.

[AllTheFluffyAnimals]

I'm terrified I'm going to get accused of neglecting her or something with them not going away but I have been trying everything I can.

It's not something that a GP can help with or something is it? I don't want to waste their time but if they have a super strong prescription only lotion or something it would be worth it.

[PrimeDirective]

If she was in that bad a state when she came home, she must have already had them when she went - it was only a week.
And if you are having so much difficulty treating them, then surely he would be too - probably more so if he's not as familiar about how to do them.
Yes he needs to keep a closer eye, but I also think you need to cut him a bit of slack.

[ilovewelshrarebit123]

A short hair cut won't make any difference for catching them. IME only thing that works is Hedrin left on for at least 10 minutes longer than the recommended time. It suffocates the blighters and is not to harsh on their little heads.

Then comb with nitty gritty comb every other day until you get nothing out. To be honest it sounds like you've not got rid of them all initially if she's come back crawling. She's probably had eggs hatch while she was away.

Then I'd have a quick comb once a week so you can catch it quickly if you find one.

[yummumto3girls]

Only loads of conditioner and a nit comb really works. Can you take her to choose a new conditioner, a frozen or Disney princess one, will she then let you comb through her hair, it has to be done thoroughly for a few days. We also use the green Timotei 3 in 1 shampoo that has added tea tree oil in it, acts as a deterrent, or just use a weak solution and spray on. Keep at it, you need to be persistent. Your exDH needs to be told what to do and check for together with a kick up the arse!!

[throwingpebbles]

Yes just keep combing all the time. I have found that far more effective that the various treatments

My ex would do the same. It's infuriating. And must be hard to see your DD like that. Hope the vamousse helps

[throwingpebbles]

Can you sit her in front of TV/ tablet or something while you comb. I still do my boys hair several times a week to keep him nit free
Am sure a school nurse or GP will happily advise if you are struggling. Don't feel embarrassed to ask!

[SarcasticAndRabidAngryHarpy]

The only thing that works here is Vamousse (fingers crossed for you) I tend to use vamousse one week, and then lyclear a week later if any evidence remains (the insecticide stuff, not the smothering one).

DD1 had brought home nits no less than 5 times since the beginning of the summer holiday. I spent 3 weeks doing the combing over the summer but all I got for it was a dose of them myself. She has mad and wild long hair. I go straight for the chemicals now.

I tie it up. When she went back to school in Sept she got them, we treated and they went but she got reinfected before half-term. She went back after that (clear of lice) with her hair in a bun, but a couple of weeks later she had them again. I ask the teacher to put the 'letter' out but someone's parents need to be reading it... I've had a chat with her closest friend's parents, asking them check AS DD1 has had them, rather than accusing them of anything.

It's costing me a small fortune. I've thought of refusing to let her do homework as she's full-time looking after the class pets. Still she's learning a lot about the life cycle of a small critter.

[AllTheFluffyAnimals]

Doesn't help that I keep having minor panic attacks about it, too. Sigh. MH problems and nits. This is not a successful household today.

[Unfairestofthemall]

You can get a shampoo. Vosene I think it has natural headlice repellent in, my mum would wash our hair with it then comb through it, barely had nits at all. She also found that when there were nits straightening our hair worked as it would fry the buggers

[StickyToffeePuddingAndCustard]

A huge dollop of hair conditioner and the 'nitty gritty' comb are really effective if a little time consuming. My DC are fascinated seeing adults come out boak

I've used other nit combs and they've all been shite I'm mainly looking at you Boots own brand grr

[Saxons]

Can you use the not shampoo each time she washes for three weeks?

The nitty gritty comb is most effective but it needs to be used thoroughly three times a week. Including brushing from the spine upwards

[NeedsAsockamnesty]

Have a read up on the life cycle of head lice.

Understanding it will really help you tackle them.

[Oswin]

We use a few drops of almond oil, tea tree oil and a dollop of conditioner.
Apply it in the evening. Wrap in cling film and leave over night. Comb in the morning with the nit comb.
Apply shampoo before washing. Do this every weekend if you can.
We tried everything for ages with repeated awful infestations, till we found this.

[Cressandra]

The nitty gritty does seem to get the eggs out a whole lot better than an old fashioned nit comb. I've been doing DD in front of the telly at bedtime, and she usually gets a later bedtime out of it so she's happy! Haven't tried chemicals yet but it sounds v expensive to be buying different stuff all the time. Brush her hair well before washing and use loads of conditioner, and there shouldn't be painful tangles. She might tolerate conditioner and nitty gritty better than the chemicals, especially if you "let" her use your grown up up conditioner.

He does need to keep on top of it, there's no reason why you should have to do it all. We read that every 3 days was ok for the nitty gritty plus conditioner. That's not too onerous and it did do the trick. Comb her hair the day before she goes to XH and the day she gets back, and you should at least limit the damage. Keep it up every 2-3 days until she is completely clear, then carry on weekly for a bit.

[RealityCheque]

Hair straighteners. Fry the little fuckers (and the eggs).

And a bit comb with conditioner.

Works within a few days, both together.

[IJustLostTheGame]

Your ex and his family will have them now.
Maybe that will kick him into gear?

Sympathies. Nits are DISGUSTING and tricky little blighters.

[Sychnant]

www.lyclear.co.uk/products/head-lice-treatments/

This worked for us. DS had them once at primary, used this, and they were gone. No combing and fussing.

[ihaterain]

Original Listerine kills headlice- or at least it killed the buggers in my waist length hair.

Dont use it on raw skin though.

[redexpat]

ihaterain how exactly did you discover that?

[mummytime]

O;ive oil can help smother them. Someone on here gave a really through 21 day plan for getting rid of nits once. Maybe if you search for it, that will help.

If her head is really red, I would go to see the GP, just to check if there is anything you can do to help heal the head.

[Bubbletree4]

Hedrin Once is expensive (and takes about half a bottle of shampoo to wash out afterwards!) but if you use that on day 1, then nitty gritty comb with conditioner on days 2-6 and then Hedrin Once on day 7 then you will definitely be rid.

Other than that, there are professional nit places that vacuum the nits out.

[Girlwhowearsglasses]

Hair straighteners!

Brilliant idea! Does it work? GHDs are so hot it must kill any eggs on the shaft of the hair - but you'd still need to do the roots