would i definitely spot head lice when combing dd's hair?

[EleanoraBuntingCupcake]

here has been a series of outbreaks of head lice at dd's nursery and several of her good friends have had it. i do dutifully comb her hair with conditioner and check for eggs. what would one look like if i caught it in the comb? i haven't spotted anythign but am paranoid i am missing them.

thanks

are you using a nit comb? If you are then you would def notice, they are pale brown insects, brown eggs (tiny) or white if they've already hatched and it's just empty cases.

Nitty gritty combs are the best for getting eggs out, £10 or free on pescription.

Message withdrawn

thanks! i am using a nit comb so hopefully she just hasn't had them.

boak @ yorkshirepudding's link

Message withdrawn

so far my dds have managed to avoid them - I rub neat tee trea oil into their scalps twice weekly and it seems to put the critters off!

I asked exactly same ? when dd's pre-school had a case or two. I've yet to see one, though a threadworm I have seen..[shudder]

neat tea tree oil - is that not quite harsh on their wee heads? was thinking aobut diluting some and spritzing her head in teh mornings.

Message withdrawn

dd's are like mini beetles now, they are so frigging big!
she has had them on and off for 3 WHOLE YEARS NOW, i am sick of the sight of the bastards.

not harsh at all - I am quite sparing.

I once spoke to a Polish au pair who said where she came from the mothers soaked their children's lice ridden hair in neat petrol and they were annihilated forever!

oooh, might try petrol then

There are warnings against using neat tea tree oil - see here www.guardian.co.uk/science/2007/feb/18/medicineandhealth.health

cases of boys growing breasts due to too much neat oil. There are similar cases with lavendar oil too.

Nits are a PITA (I have 3 shaggy haired daughters and nits go round and round their school) but actually they are probably more harmless than some of the "remedies" or precautions.

just don't smoke while you're doing it!

at least you're checking for them - one of my more embarrassing moments occured when taking my dd (aged about 10) for a treat haircut with the senior stylist at a local hairdressers only to be told he wouldn't be cutting her hair......I started to protest that it was just a stray fly until he showed me the evidence.....

OMG - I am quite shocked at that Guardian link, thanks for that fennel. I had better rethink my anti nit strategy.

Message withdrawn