Question please, a cheap way for dealing with head lice in my two granddaughters long hair. I’ve just bought yet another expensive product to try and break this cycle. Even after 10 days at the beach swimming in salt water, still the nits are there. This is war. – C.S, Auckland
12
Jul
10 Comments
Mum of Two, Auckland. Add 1-2 drops of tea tree oil to a bit of shampoo in the palm of your hand at bath time and wash hair as normal and rinse out. Repeat 2-3 times weekly, & comb hair with a nit comb to remove dead lice. Watch it doesn’t get into the eyes as it can sting, and smells quite strongly.
A.M. from Wainiuomata replies: With regards to nits, I found the best way to control them was to buy the daughter a hair straightner, killed the little suckers instantly. wash and condition as normal then do one hundred strokes with a nit comb to get dead lice out. for younger children ensure you supervise or do it for them. $80 for a good straightner that lasts almost forever, compared to at least $80+ each term for chemical insecticides.
N.R. from Auckland replies: I tried lots of things to get rid of nits, didn’t really want to go chemical but found a hair dye got rid of the lot all at once.
1h from Waitakere City replies: Vinegar is the way to go, but not just once. 50/50 every night and comb with a fine toothed comb.Be gentle on the scalp, though ensure that you touch it. Check carefully behind the ears and around collar line. As a teacher, I’ve had to deal with this a number of times on kids and myself too! They love clean hair, but unwashed hair suits them just as well. Not too proud, those nits.
Kathryn from Masterton replies: “As a mother of 8 year old twins I can’t tell you how much time and MONEY I have spent attempting to rid my family of Nits, with commercial products that either don’t work or burn the scalp. I was at my wits end two years ago, having treated the children (one with hair to her waist) about 5 times in one term, when I decided to have a go at solving the problem myself. To 500mls of cooking oil I added 20 drops of Lavender Essential oil, 15 drops of Tea Tree EO and 10 drops of eucalyptus EO. Apply to hair with a nozzle bottle (I saved one from a commercial product tried earlier). Make sure every inch of the scalp and hair is covered, then wrap in gladwrap and leave for a good half hour. Comb through with nit comb then wash hair with shampoo. I often have to shampoo twice. I have since discovered that there are many other essential oils that will work so use whatever you can get, but herb oils work best. Tea Tree oil can be bought from the supermarket and also work well as a household cleaner, removing gummy, sticky or oily mess from surfaces. Use sparingly.”
Sam from Auckland replies: “My mum used to use vinegar to do our heads and a plain nit comb. I also heard regular combing when there is conditioner in the hair helps remove the eggs.”
Viv from Manurewa replies: “50/50 normal cooking oil and malt vinegar mix together rub on hair well comb through and shampoo as normal do this for about a week or when the nits have gone. Nits hate malt vinegar this is a real saving on your pocket and it works. See the nits on the comb.”
John from Gore replies: “About head lice. They prefer clean hair to dirty – nice!! Could try coloidal silver, brushing Listerine mouth wash through the hair is good or boiling up some thyme leaves and brushing the cool liquid is good. Same chemical in the thyme leaves as is in Listerine.”
TVNZ have a good article about this. See it at http://tvnz.co.nz/good-morning/hairdressing-nits-14-may-1117829
I found conditioner works best. Completely cover the hair from roots to end with conditioner, put a shower cap on and leave for 10 minutes. Rinse with warm water while combing out the hair gently with a nit comb. Repeat the next day and the next-continue until all nits and lice are removed.