Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
General health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

So are we all agreed that wet combing is the best treatment for NITS?

54 replies

Enid · 16/01/2006 16:44

dd1 is infested! Not too stressed as we have managed to avoid it for 6 years. I had a feeling that the hive mind of mumsnet recommended wet combing so have duly bought nit comb and conditioner. Is it not a good idea to use chemicals?

Her best friend keeps getting them and her mum uses the dog insecticide shampoo on her

OP posts:
Original poster
Enid · 18/01/2006 08:52

never thought I would be grateful for dd1s fine dead straight hair

OP posts:
hewlettsdaughter · 18/01/2006 08:59

We have been wet-combing every 3 days or so since Dec - think we may just have sorted it (fingers crossed!)

janinlondon · 18/01/2006 09:17

We have only ever had one infestation when DD was 3 - she's now 6 - although we get regular letters from the school saying that they are about. We always tie her hair up, and every morning we spray it with Chinese Whispers Lice solution. Doesn't have any horrendous chemicals in it, smells okay, and she doesn't mind being sprayed, but the lice hate it. As always, no connection with the product or firm etc etc - just a personal recommendation.

cardy · 18/01/2006 13:19

Since I posted on Monday. I can definately confirm dd1 dd2 and I have them. I have done lots of combing and will try the wet combing (with conditioner?) tonight. Not sure whether to use the 'Top Marks' stuff that I bought.
I have told tea-tree oil left in the hair helps prevent them - any opinions?

twirlaround · 18/01/2006 13:35

You need to wet comb with stacks of conditioner every 4th day for 4 sessions with the special comb from the "bug busting kit" -(mail order)

If you do this you will not be passing any lice on as the newly hatched lice will be too small to walk to another head

the lice should reduce in size each session. If you find a big one after the first session you have been newly infected and need to carry on for 3 more sessions, as effectively you are back at the beginning of the lifecycle again.

It really does work.

Original poster
Enid · 18/01/2006 18:57

carly I use cheap tea tree conditioner from superdrug plus the nitty gritty comb

off to do the third night in a row

found about 50 on the first night

ONE last night

lets see tonight

OP posts:
fennel · 18/01/2006 19:16

none on dd2 tonight. one whopper and some associated babies on dd1. perhaps we are just constantly getting reinfected from school. but we are getting much faster at the combing schedule, at least.

oh for just 3 little boys with crew cuts... (I rarely feel like that but for this it would be a help)

Original poster
Enid · 18/01/2006 19:17

NONE tonight

did both dds and all clear

how long to go on for with dd1?

once more tomorrow night then next week sometime?

OP posts:
fennel · 18/01/2006 19:18

every 4 nights for a week or so, i'd suggest, if you think you're clear. and then regular checks.

as i said we will just go on til they leave home i think. unless they become skinheads as rebellious teens?

sunnydelight · 18/01/2006 19:59

I use a tea tree oil based shampoo and conditioner called Biz Niz - if I remember to use it a couple of times away it really does keep them away.

golds · 18/01/2006 20:19

Ive just had to de-nit dd, used nit comb and conditioner. I removed all the nits but can't seem to remove all of black bits - what are they eggs or droppings ????? YUK

rummum · 18/01/2006 20:32

the black bits are the eggs that are going to hatch... the white bits are the empty eggs...

Original poster
Enid · 19/01/2006 09:19

the nitty gritty comb gets those black bits out

OP posts:
yoyo · 19/01/2006 09:46

I saw some repellant spray in Boots yesterday (may have been called Wild Child?) - anyone used it and does it work?

twirlaround · 19/01/2006 13:47

You need to comb for a total of 4 sessions at 4 day intervals (unless you find big ones after the first time at which point you have to start again on the program at day 1 as you have new lice again)

  • anything less than a 12 day programme will leave you with some baby ones!

This is because the wet combing doesn't remove the eggs. The eggs take 10 days to hatch. So if you give up combing after 7 days there will likely still be some unhatched eggs.

iota · 19/01/2006 13:56

the loose black bits are droppings, the eggs are usually stuck to the hair shaft and are greyish

pucca · 04/02/2006 19:22

I want to scream!!! i have got 10 lice out of my dd's hair today and she has eggs too, should i buy some lotion? or just comb with the conditioner and comb?, is there any way to get the eggs out?

waterfalls · 04/02/2006 19:23

The nitty gritty comb apparently gets the eggs out.

pucca · 04/02/2006 19:23

oh and if i have them (gonna check later) can i use anything (chemical) as i am pregnant?

TIA

waterfalls · 04/02/2006 19:24

Dont waste your money on chemicals, they are all crap.

Surfermum · 04/02/2006 19:26

I was prescribed Lyclear when I had them when I was pg, but to be honest I wouldn't bother. Whenever I catch them from dsd I just wet comb every morning when I have my shower and that's just as effective.

pucca · 04/02/2006 19:26

Thank waterfalls...i though that stuff called full marks was meant to be good , can't believe dd has got them (she is 2) makes me shudder lol.

FrannyandZooey · 04/02/2006 19:27

Pucca, if you keep combing every 4 days and get all the little ones out as they hatch out, they will never get big enough to lay eggs themselves. So you have to keep combing to break the cycle. Don't use any chemicals if you are pregnant! Just keep wet combing with conditioner every 4 days until they are all gone.

pucca · 04/02/2006 19:27

So i should just use a normal nit comb? Thank s for the advice, i am a novice can you tell?

MistressMary · 04/02/2006 19:29

We are rid of them and have been for two weeks now.
All down to wet combing with Nitty Gritty and tea tree conditioner. But have to be very scrupolous (SP?)