best things to get rid of nits

[Astrid]

I have heard that a mixture of tea tree oil, eucalyptus and olive oil slathered into the hair, left for a while (as long as they can stand it) and then combed through then washed works.

I do something similar, but use lavender instead of eucalyptus. They will try to escape the head! As with any treatments though you have to do it regularly till you know they are gone.

[nothing2lose]

You poor thing!!

I can totally relate. When DD was younger she was constantly coming home with them from childcare. It almost drove me insane.

I agree with all the previous posters re: conditioner, vinegar and nit comb, but wanted to add that you need to wash all the bedding (inc pillow, doona, etc) in HOT water then dry in the hot sun for the eggs to be killed. Cold or warm water wont do the job. A dash of tea tree oil in the wash is good too.
Unfortunately, it pays to wash everyone's bedding and towels this way.

best of luck!!!!

n2l

[Nai]

A hair straightener - the heat kills them

[Janie]

Well that's a new one Nai! Haven't heard that before!

I second the thick conditioner and nit comb. It's a pain, but it works well. (Straightening iron sounds easier )

[Cranky Kitten]

Actually it's been proven that head lice do not survive long away from the human head, so other than pillowcases, brushes, hats etc you shouldn't need to go overboard with washing sheets/towels etc.

Thank goodness!!

[nothing2lose]

Lice dont but eggs do...and they will keep hatching and re-infecting.

That's why I hate them!!

n2l

[Janie]

But lice need to be near the warmth of the scalp to survive........so how do they last long enough to hatch eggs on a pillowcase?

[Anila]

Actually it's been proven that head lice do not survive long away from the human head, so other than pillowcases, brushes, hats etc you shouldn't need to go overboard with washing sheets/towels etc.

Thank goodness!!

I was just about to post something similar, i spoke to a chemist lady who had just come back from a conference about nits, this was last year, what she told me was that the new studys are, that they dont have knees so cant jump from head to head and once off the head they dont survive past 24 hours, so she said, u dont need to wash everything, just shake ur pillows and doonas, and vacume the floor.

When i dont have any moov in the house, we do the conditioner treatment as well, and vinager.

[nothing2lose]

I forgot to add that hair scrunchies and ties, ribbons etc and even soft toys are breeding grounds for the little buggers. You should probably treat them too...

ps. my head has just started itching reading about the little critters!!