Gaby’s Top Tips for Nits

 

How and why do children get head lice?

Lice spread via head-to-head contact and via sharing hairbrushes, hats etc. 

Kids get nits because they put their heads together when playing.

They whisper in each other’s ears, lock heads when wrestling, huddle together for a chat around the activity table, share hairbrushes, hairbands, hats and helmets.

 

How do you know if your child has head lice?

Lice bites cause itching, so the first indication of head lice usually starts with a child scratching his or her head.

(But please note, not all children find lice bites itchy!!)

There may be red bumps or sores on the scalp, little clear or white eggs, and/or wingless insects around the size of a grain of rice. The insects are translucent in colour but become grey or reddish-brown once they’ve fed (nice!).

Look carefully – do not confuse nits with dandruff or dry skin. Both can itch but dandruff will come out easily, whereas lice and nits both stick. And of course, lice will move!

 

Gaby’s Nit Prescription

I used to treat nits a lot in clinic, including a well-known London salon hairdresser’s daughter!

Please note: I am not paid by any of the suppliers.

Right, this is what I used:- 

  • Twice a day for a week:

Combination remedy containing…

Staphysagria 6c, Nux Vomica 30c, Berberis Aquifolium 3x, Carduus 3x, Cheladonium 3x

  • Once a week:

Tuberculinum 30c

  • Plus, as per directions on the label:

Delacet (Herbal Head Lice Solution). Delacet is my first choice but it’s not always available.

My second choice would be Nitty Gritty solution and comb.

 

That’s alot! Why do I need all this?!

 

Well, the homeopathic medicine encourages the head lice to leave their host and stay away thereafter.

The nit solution kills the lice and eggs in one go, if it’s Delacet. Removes the lice and eggs if it’s Nitty Gritty.

If your child is just getting this once, then just get the nit solution.

If your child is getting nits repeatedly, then get the homeopathic medicine too and put an end to it!

Stockists 

Homeopathic pharmacies:

Combination formula should be available from any reputable homeopathic pharmacist, such as Nelsons 0207 079 1288, Ainsworth’s 0207 935 5330 or Helios 01892 537 254. They all deliver. You may have a local homeopathic chemist too who can make it up for you.

Delacet (Herbal Head Lice Solution):

Made from a herbal tincture (suitable for children).

Needs 1 treatment only. No comb required!

Leave on hair wrapped in an old towel for 2-3 hours then shampoo out.

It will kill lice and eggs.

For more info, www.delacet.com 

Order Delacet direct, or from:

Helios Pharmacy 01892 537 254

RRP £9.99 

Or,

Nitty Gritty products:

Use the battery-free comb along with the aromatherapy head lice solution

(There is also a preventative spray.)

Requires two treatments, 10 days apart.

Shampoo out after 20 minutes.

Pregnant women, breast-feeding mums or children under 2 – seek GP advice before use.

Order Nitty Gritty from:

www.nittygritty.co.uk

Buy Comb for £8.99 (£2 discount) by quoting kidz in discount code

RRP £9.99 (solution), £10.99 (comb). Buy both for £18.99

How to Take Homeopathic Medicines 

Avoid touching the pills – this is because the medicine usually coats the outside only.

So.. Use a clean, dry spoon to fish them out of their packets.

Leave about 5 minutes before you eat/drink anything.

Avoid coffee/toothpaste/mints/curry/strong tastes for 10 minutes.

Store out of sunlight.

Keep cool, preferably away from computers/mobile phones/ovens etc.

Why Use Dalacet (Herbal Head Lice Solution)? 

  • kills head lice and nits (eggs) in one application
  • 100% natural formula – no organophosphates 
  • quick, simple, safe and effective for all types of hair (including dreadlocks and Afro-hair)
  • no need to use a nit comb

Ingredients: Tincture of Larkspur, Acetic Acid – AND NOTHING ELSE!

Acetic acid is the acid found in vinegar, and also in wine.   
For more information contact: e-mail:info@delacet.com

What the Papers Say about Delacet

  • “It’s excellent…” Woman’s Own
  • “It worked” The Sun
  • “Best Head Lice Product” – PRIMA magazine, Sept. 2003  
  • “…it beats any chemical shampoo!”   Top Sante
  • “…no need for gruelling combing…”  Sunday Express

Why Use Nitty Gritty Products?

 The Award-Winning Nitty Gritty NitFree Comb

  • Doesn’t need batteries
  • One comb does the whole family
  • RRP £10.99

Nitty Gritty Aromatherapy Head Lice Solution

  • Safe, simple, pesticide-free to remove headlice
  • Nut-free base with neem and wheatgerm 
  • RRP £9.99 

What the Papers Say about Nitty Gritty

  • “Jonathan Ross loves his” Flying Start Magazine
  • “Innovative design creates a new comb that tackles head lice and eggs without any pesticides” Pharmacy In Focus
  • “… Latest research is set to boost nit comb sales” Health Matters
  • “What you need is the Nitty Gritty NitFree comb” She Magazine


Head Lice Prevention

1.      Do not share combs, brushes, clips, hair bands, hats, scarves, coats, brushes or towels.

2.      Do not try on other people’s hats, wigs or helmets.

3.      Do not touch head to head with another person.

4.      If nits are found – thoroughly wash bedding linen, pillows, towels, coats, scarves, hats, brushes, combs, etc. in hot water with tea tree oil or dettol added.

5.      Keep your child’s hair short. Lice do not thrive in short hair (less than 1 cm). Failing that, tie your child’s hair back.

 

Head Lice Facts

Nits are small, clear or white head lice eggs.

Nits stick better to clean hair than oily hair. 

Nits hatch after 7-10 days and another 7-10 days after that, the females mature and lay their own eggs.

Head lice like sweet-smelling hair shampoos and conditioners but will cling to dirty hair just the same.

Head lice have 6 legs with claws to cling onto human hair.

Head lice crawl but cannot hop, jump, or fly. 

Head lice are small, wingless insects – they can grow up to 3mm

Head lice are parasites

Head lice feed on human blood (preferably sweet blood – so kids who eat lots of sweets or fruit, beware!!)

Head lice need human blood to survive (pets don’t have head lice!)

Head lice live for approximately 30 days.

Head lice can live for a few days off their hosts (and do not die after 24 hours, as originally believed).

A female head louse can lay up to 100 nits (eggs). 

Head lice spread by direct physical contact with an infected person and by using their personal things like comb, hair brush, towels, bed linen.