Say nuts to nits
Try simple home remedies before taking the harsh chemical route
EEEEK! Your child has come home with nits and head lice. It happens to most of us. Luckily, although they are a pain, there are a few easy ways of getting rid of nits and lice using products from your cupboard at home.
A good thing all parents should have at home at all times is a lice comb. They are available from your local pharmacy for just a few dollars.
Most nits and lice seem to like the nape of the neck and infect there first, so check there first.
The best description of the critters I can think of is “large white pepper’’ in the hair. But you will see the lice actually crawling around.
If your child has them at school then usually the school will give you a call to come and collect your child.
Don’t worry, they have seen it all before.
Ask them to show you so you can see what you are looking for – most schools are happy to work with parents on this issue, so don’t feel icky about it.
If nits are going around it is a good idea to check your children’s hair regularly.
There are some home remedies for nits and lice. When the kids are in the bath, pour plain white vinegar through their hair (be careful you don’t get it in their eyes, it will sting).
Leave it in overnight and wash it out in the morning and comb through with a nit comb.
You will need to repeat this method three to four days later. Use a cheap conditioner and cover the kids’ hair with a shower cap and leave it for a few hours.
Then comb through with a nit comb to remove eggs.
You will have to repeat three or four days later in case you missed any eggs. Mayonnaise is meant to work in the same way as the conditioner method above – and it makes your hair lovely and shiny.
Olive oil also works by smothering the lice and the eggs. Massage through to the scalp – leave for a few hours if you can – and then wash thoroughly.
Use a comb to remove what’s left.
If you have Selsun Blue or Selsun Gold (anti-dandruff shampoos), wash your child’s hair with the Selsun and leave in the hair for 30 minutes (place a shower cap on to prevent the soap getting into their eyes), then wash out, condition and use a lice comb.