Nits again!!

[Clure]

My poor DD (4) has been plagued by headlice for the past month, she's got really long hair aswell!
I've treated her using "Hedrin" twice (horrid oily stuff which didn't work) and lyclear. I'm now putting on conditioner and using the nitcomb every 3-4 days. I'm really loathe to use anymore "lotions"
Anyone have any suggestions? Either natural or over the counter stuff that actually works? Thanks

NittyGritty comb - best thing ever, only nitcomb worth using IME (mother of 4 long haired dds)

Thanks cargirl, I had a quick look on a website and it looks just the job. There's also a lotion and repellent in the same line - have you tried those?

not tried the lotion or repellent as fortunately nits haven't been constantly doind the rounds at their shcool & nursery so once I got rid of the critters that has been it for quite some time.

I put normal condition on dry hair (in front of the TV) lots of nittygritty combing then rinse it all off. Less messy & stressful. The nitty gritty is very good at get the eggs and tiny lice out so they never mature enough to lay eggs again that is why it works so well.

Nitty Gritty repellent spray is good, but you can also buy Vosene repellent spray which, tbh, seems to dry on my dd's hair without showing whereas the NG one makes her hair look weird after a day or two. Not sure about the price comparison, either - but they contain much the same ingredients.

I spray dd's hair every morning, then plait it - no nits so far, and they have done the rounds of her class (including two best friends!). No idea if its luck or spray, but till I know otherwise.....

thanks to you both. Will look at the vosene spray. I usually condition when wet then comb with normal nit comb, I think this is where ordinary nit comb falls down as I can still see eggs in DD's hair. Am now going to order the nittygritty! ~ and fingers crossed

there is a letter you can print off from the nitty gritty website to get one free on the NHS - they are £10 otherwise

add a few drops of tea tree and/or lavendar oil to a kitchen spitzer bottle of water and use that - much much cheaper than bought versions. or add a few drops onto a nit comb and run through their hair before school. use tea tree/mint conditioner routinely, not just when when wet combing

I also swear by eating lots of garlic to keep them away (well if it works on vampires.....)

(I am serious about the garlic though!)

spritzer, that should be....like a plant or oil spray thingy

Thanks loobey thats good tip, I seem to remember a tip about the tea tree from a while back and had forgotten.

We eat loads of garlic!

Tea tree is fab - they hate that. Also, if the nits hatch, dilute vinegar in water, rinse hair over bath and watch the little suckers dive for cover. . child will smell a bit afterwards but it works.

The nitty gritty is FAB.

My tip is to use a pint glass of water to rinse the comb between sections. All the lice and eggs sink to the bottom so you can see that you are making progress and when you are rid.

I'm waiting impatiently for my nittygritty comb to come in the post (sorry Cargirl I'd orderd it from amazon before I'd seen your advice about getting it on prescription!) My ~DD has been scratching like mad this morning. I've got in some Tea tree oil and am going out late to get some of the vosene shampoo and repellent as its very reasonably priced.
Exterminate (said in best darlek voice)

My poor ds!
He has been scratching for ages - I had looked quickly, but didn't see anything- didn't suspect nits. He now has a serious case of nits. Poor guy!

Is the NittyGritty comb good for eggs? I just pick them out, but they seem too small to get caught in a comb...?

Nitty gritty is the only comb which will remove eggs. The teeth are like a corkscrew so they effectively tough each other.

You can also get it at Boots and Tesco if you want to get it on the high street.

Nittygritter comb and tea-tree shampoo and conditioner, apply LOTS of conditioner to hair and comb through and again and again until you get the little feckers out.

Make sure you are washing pillow-covers frequently.

Our local school has an infestion of them atm.

[shudder emoticon]

It is driving me nuts!!!! I'm not finding the nitty gritty comb that great tbh, may be I'm doing it wrong, am rising it out very time, conditioner, etc etc. its been weeks, two chemical treatments, tea tree conditioner etc and they are still coming.
Long hair and lots of screetching makes for very stressful situation. I feel so sorry for her.
DS has not got one single critter on him!

Franni - how long do you spend combing. I find that it takes me 30mins+ - carefully sectioning the hair.

It is also useful to use the comb at different angles so that it comes into contact with teh nits that are stuck to the different angles of the hair shaft.

It is also critical to get the comb in as close to teh scalp.

Of course the other quite possible explaination is that she is repeatedly being infected at school because seomeone else isn't treating.

Nitty Gritty does work well when used properly. I almost always remove 100% of the lice/eggs in 1-2 combs. (I always comb for a full 2 weeks though to ensure that I haven't missed any).

hi I've just used the nittygritty for the first time on DD. Combed for nearly 30 mins and am amazed at how many eggs it gets out. Worth every penny - thanks to all those who recommended it. Will continue to use it for next few washes.

Good stuff Clure it's a bit yucky realising how many of the critters are still in there isn't it!