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Original poster

Nits................HELP!!!!

32 replies

Helsbels4 · 01/08/2008 16:08

I am beside myself with worry, guilt, you name it. Have a DS 8yrs and a DD 3yrs. Was putting her hair up for nursery at lunchtime and noticed to my horror that she has nits!!! This wouldn't ordinarily be a problem but she has masses of shoulder length curly hair and when I say curly, it is very curly. Have seen four big live ones so far but lots of flecks and she hates anyone messing with her hair at the best of times, so how on earth am I going to get rid of them. I knew this day would come and was dreading it. Have bought some stuff from chemist which says to apply to dry hair, leave 10mins then comb through - how we can't get a comb through! Have checked DS and have found many clear cases with dark bits in but nothing moving - where are the lice that laid the eggs? I'm itching like mad and feel so that I didn't spot it sooner. We're going camping on Monday but kids usually go without bath then because they don't like showers, so how do I keep on top of the nits then or shall I just cancel the camping . Am at my nits wits end. Someone please help with some advice or kind words for kids with nits in curly hair. Was already feeling like worst mother in the world now feel even more worse. Big deep breath - and calm.

OP posts:

Podrick · 01/08/2008 16:11

IF you use the conditioner and combing method can you comb through once there is loads of conditioner on the hair?

Combing/bug busting is the only way I have found that really works but we have straight hair not curly

ExterminAitch · 01/08/2008 16:24

get to Boots and buy a Nitty Gritty comb. get Good Quality conditioner (can't stress this too highly) and a big glass jug of water. wet hair a little, blob on conditioner, wide toothed comb then nitty gritty comb.

then see what's in the jug at the end.

it's gross, isn't it? don't feel bad...

ExterminAitch · 01/08/2008 16:25

dd has curly hair, cheap conditioner had her screaming.

TurkeyLurkey · 01/08/2008 16:35

You can buy a lotion called Hedrin that a lot of people rate. It only kills live lice. Smother her hair in it and leave it in. Then 7 days later do it again as it will then kill all the hatched eggs.

It is made of natural stuff so no chemicals but alot of people swear by it.

You don't need to do any combing with it either. Plus you can just put it on her hair and go camping.

Make sure you do the whole family though.

friendlyedjit · 01/08/2008 16:39

Go with Hedrin- fantastic stuff for the curly haired LO's. Can't do combing with mine as too much hair and too painful! Thankfully only lice once on one, but Hedrin worked well and didn't stink etc or make their eyes run

ExterminAitch · 01/08/2008 16:39

hedrin's probably a good idea if you're going on hols, actually.

re the combing, however, i thought dd (2.5) would go MAD about it, but she was surprisingly good when placed in front of a dvd with a lollipop to suck on...

ExterminAitch · 01/08/2008 16:40

oh, and dd has v thick ringlets that are prone to tangling, so she hates having hair touched.

TurkeyLurkey · 01/08/2008 16:49

Helsbels4 info on HEDRIN here

Original poster

Helsbels4 · 01/08/2008 16:56

Thank you all for your replies. I've already been to chemist this afternoon and she recommended this new Full Marks one but it's so expensive isn't it? Hedrin sounds good and now I think of it, I remember seeing it advertised on tv. She just looks such an angel (acts like a devil) but I feel so bad that I didn't notice it sooner. Have been picking eggs (I think) out of DS this afternoon and it was actually quite satisfying! He has straight, short hair though so very easy. I shall close the windows this evening and prepare for world war three to break out in the bathroom!

OP posts:

ExterminAitch · 01/08/2008 16:59

you should get it free cos it's for your kids. or at least we do in bonnie scotland.

Original poster

Helsbels4 · 01/08/2008 18:38

Do you really??? Well if I can't shift them then maybe I'll take her to GP and ask. Would that be ok do you think? ExterminAitch, you've been a great help. I feel a bit lost with all this as we've never had nits before and my dear mum died three years ago so can't even ask her for advice and don't know who else to turn to. Feel stupidly ashamed that dc's have nits so don't want to talk to any school mums that I know.

OP posts:

SlartyBartFast · 01/08/2008 18:39

interesting article here, giving a diferent take on it

castlesintheair · 01/08/2008 18:45

Get a long toothed nit comb and use lots of conditioner. Do it every 4 days until they have gone. Chemical treatments are a waste of money imo. And they damage the hair - as confirmed by a pharmacist.

twoluvlykids · 01/08/2008 18:53

once they've gone,get some coal tar-type shampoo from LUSH,can't remenber it's real name,sorry.but the smell is repellent to the lice so they don't want to come back.also let the nursery know,cos otherwise she'll only get them again!and again!

ExterminAitch · 01/08/2008 20:46

don't feel lost or ashamed... seriously, i bet loads of kids at your dcs school are hoaching with them right now, everyone's dealing with it.

btw i only learned about all this a wee while ago, dd's nursery had a bout. i was HORRIFIED but actually got used to it pretty quickly (with help of MN, of course). i think it's just a fact of life nowadays, that it's worth running through your kids' hair once a week with a nitty gritty comb whatever happens.

NoLongerMyFirstPost · 01/08/2008 21:09

Another vote here for Hedrin. My DD has really thick, really long and really curly hair (lots and lots of ringlets) and after trying many other treatments, Hedrin came out tops in our house.

I left the lotion overnight and then after washing out the next day, I used the Nitty Gritty comb to comb through her hair while it was wet. It wasn't easy and there were lots of tears but I found bribery worked....watch a dvd, have a lolly, chocolate etc.... anything to keep her still while I combed her hair!

And make sure you do the repeat treatment 7 days later. It was costly but definitely worked.

Good luck and happy camping!

Original poster

Helsbels4 · 01/08/2008 21:29

Thank-you everyone for all your replies, I feel a lot calmer about it all now. SlartyBartFast, the nit orgy piece was really funny! We had lots of tears and screaming and mad hair-combing and I even resorted to lopping the ends of cos they were so tangled but she is now settled and in bed! If this Full Marks treatment that the chemist suggested doesn't work then I shall definitely try the Hedrin. DH studied my hair but couldn't find anything but I've been itching like mad all afternoon!!! It was actually quite satisfying to comb the dead ba**ards out of her hair!!!

OP posts:

devonsmummy · 01/08/2008 21:35

get a Nitty Gritty nit comb - my brothers little girl hates her hair being combed but didn't make a sound when he used this on her.

He used a extra thick conditioner and spent about an hour combing it but was amazed at how well it worked.

He said he felt that he should stand in Boots and recommend the Nitty Gritty to all parents it was that good

DontNeedAnything · 01/08/2008 21:37

HelsBels.

You need to get a Nitty Gritty comb to check your own (and your DS's) hair with. A visual inspection is not enough - unless you are swarming you won't find any. Do it as Aitch says by rinsing in a jug of water and then check what has settled to the bottom 5 minutes after you have finished. If you are itching it is likely that you have been infected too.

Original poster

Helsbels4 · 01/08/2008 21:44

Well me being the paranoid numpty that I am, didn't trust DH to look properly so I have since combed conditioner all through my hair with the Full Marks nit comb that came with the treatment. I didn't find anything but am still itching. Checked DS and he had eggs and two live ones after doing the nit comb. Also did the electric zapper nit thingy but not sure how effective that was. Will definitely be doing "the jug test" on us all tomorrow.

OP posts:

ExterminAitch · 01/08/2008 22:03

apparently the electric zapper is shite, the NG is only thing that works. generalist nit combs also keech.

my friend told me that men NEVER see lice. it's like they're blind to them. she says all her mates agree, and most have picked them up from their school age children at some time or other. it's the price we pay for cuddles...

Guadalupe · 01/08/2008 22:05

they are such a nuisance, but they can be got rid of with regular combing and conditioner. I use Hedrin when I'm knackered and can't face days of the brush but combiing does work.

Original poster

Helsbels4 · 02/08/2008 11:52

LOL at men never see lice - they don't see dirt and mess either! I'll go in town and look for the nitty gritty comb as I've never heard of that in particular but it sounds good. Have checked DS this morning and fingers crossed, didn't find anything but still picking odd eggs out of DD because her hair is impossible to comb completely. I am on a mission now though and I will destroy them!! (the nits that is, not the kids) Hedrin also seems a good road to go down. I'll be an expert on nits by the end of all this!

OP posts:

amicissima · 02/08/2008 12:28

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

KatieScarlett2833 · 02/08/2008 12:35

My house was nit central until I ordered a nitty gritty. I must have spent hundreds on lotions, none of them totally cleared up the problem. My DCs have very thick and long hair. Conditioner or olive oil and a nitty gritty is all you need.

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