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How to Effectively Remove Head Lice Nits
The most difficult part of getting rid of head lice is removing their eggs, or nits. Nits are tiny yellowish white eggs that are firmly attached to the hair strand near the scalp. They are resistant to most head lice shampoos and treatments, and they are difficult to remove. However, for any head lice eradication treatment to be effective, these nits must be thoroughly removed. Some things can be done to make this process easier.
First, the hair should be thoroughly brushed or combed to remove all tangles before the nit combing procedure is begun. The head lice nit-removing comb is very, very fine toothed. Even the smallest tangle in the hair will be caught in the comb, resulting in painful pulled hair, tears and possibly even breakage of the nit comb itself.
Most nit combs included in over the counter head lice killing treatment kits are made of plastic, and while they are effective, they are more easily breakable and bendable than similar combs made of metal. These metal combs can be more readily found on the Internet or in pet stores than in supermarkets; however, it is worth the small inconvenience to have a truly good quality nit comb.
Secondly, apply a little olive oil or hair conditioner to the hair before beginning. This will help the nit comb to slide through the hair more easily. It also minimizes hair pulling and breakage. If the child has a sensitive scalp or is ‘tender headed,’ a dose of acetaminophen or ibuprofen before beginning the combing procedure can help make the nit combing much more bearable for everyone involved.
Some head lice treatment manufacturers offer a nit combing treatment that can be applied to the hair specifically for this purpose. While these work well, the added expense is not usually necessary.
Divide the hair into sections. This will help make it easier to keep track of what areas have been combed and which ones have not, especially if the affected person has long or thick hair. Comb from the scalp to the very ends of the hair and remove any debris or nits between each pass.
This can be done by rinsing the comb in a cup of water, wiping it off on a paper towel or using a special cleaning device that is sometimes included with the comb. This device fits between the thin teeth of the comb to rake any debris out.
Even when using the utmost care, it is almost impossible to remove all the head lice nits in one sitting. This means that those treating a head lice infestation should expect to repeat this procedure daily for at least ten days—the amount of time it takes a newly laid nit to incubate and hatch.
Remember to be as meticulous as possible, and thoroughly clean or boil the comb between uses to kill any nits that might remain in the comb. Following this procedure carefully will make getting rid of head lice much easier.
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Sun 6 Jul 2008 02:08:08 CST | |