Kerryn Boogaard Kerryn Boogaard
Beverly Goldsmith Beverly Goldsmith
Zoe Bingley-Pullin Zoe Bingley-Pullin

The Reason Why Nits Are Not Hard to Ditch:

Australia's head lice expert reveals how to manage nits easily and 10 things you never knew about them
By Expert Tips
Date: April 19 2017
Editor Rating:
Nit-wits-cover

Did you know it’s a complete myth that head lice are notoriously difficult to eradicate from your home? There’s actually an easy process to follow, with many families successfully reducing the risk of infestation time and time again. Effectively getting rid of head lice from the hair is only part of the solution and understanding how it is spread and where else they may live is a step towards annihilating this unwelcome critter.

These miniscule blood-suckers have a terrible reputation and can often make people feel gross but nits carry no diseases and have no bearing on your personal hygiene.

There is a myth that they only like dirty hair but the truth is, they are not fussy. If you have hair, be it clean, dirty, coloured and gelled, you are at risk.

More than 95 per cent of head lice infestations are picked up at school through hair-to-hair contact with someone who already has lice. While everyone loves to cuddle, wrestle, and get in close for a ‘selfie’, these are considered high-risk activities in the world of nits. This is why if one person in your family is infested with nits, the entire family must be checked and potentially treated or you may be at risk of re-infestation.

Once you have detected head lice in your home you must be fastidious in treating them. Head lice can only survive on the scalp, close to their favourite food source – your blood. The female louse can lay between 50 and 100 eggs (nits) in her 35-day life span. That’s a lot of babies in a very short time, all living in your child’s (or your) hair.

If you miss some eggs in your treatment, and they hatch, you may have to go through the entire process again.

Nadine Ismiel-Nash, the mum and scientist who created Australia’s #1 Head Lice treatment NitWits All-In-One, is urging Australian parents to remember that early detection and treatment of head lice will minimise the spread.

“For any child in school, including preschool and high school, weekly head lice checks are a MUST. Don’t forget to do a good check behind the ears and at the base of the neck. Preventing head lice is easier and more pleasant for kids and parents, and a good routine will make it much less likely that your child will be affected.

“Secure long hair in a bun or a plait to minimise ’hair-to-hair’ contact. Apply a repellent like the NitWits Anti-Lice & Detangling Spray to deter and defend against lice daily.”

Nadine is the Head of Research and Development at Sue Ismiel & Daughters, the company that created the NitWits Head Lice range, which is pyrethroid-free. She says there are four types of head lice treatments available in Australia which work in all different ways, and knowing what these treatments do and what is most suitable for your child is important.

“For example, NitWits offers three different types of treatments: physically-acting treatments which work differently to chemically-acting treatments through a non-poisonous method to kill head lice and eggs; wet combing which involves a combing solution and lice comb to comb out the lice and eggs; and natural treatments that use natural actives such as tea tree and eucalyptus oils to treat lice by entering the louse’s central nervous system, paralysing and killing the lice,” she explains.

But to ensure they don’t come back, you need to ensure everyone around your child has the all-clear too.

“It’s incredibly important for you to communicate with your child’s school if head lice are discovered in your child’s hair. Also, inform friends and family so they can check for head lice as well. This is the only way all potential sources of infestation can be eliminated,” adds Nadine.

10 THINGS YOU NEVER KNEW ABOUT NITS

  1. They are very fast crawlers; you may not see them doing a ‘dry’ head check.
  2. They cannot live away from the scalp. They dehydrate and die within 24 hrs.
  3. They cannot be transmitted through linen and towels.
  4. Head lice need to feed approximately 6 times a day.
  5. Louse eggs (nits) cannot develop below approximately 28oC, i.e. away from the scalp.
  6. Head lice cannot jump, fly or swim; instead they crawl from your hair.
  7. Not everyone gets a head itch.
  8. Adult lice can grow to 4mm long but the nits may be as small as a grain of salt.
  9. Female lice lay between 50 and 100 eggs in their lifetime.
  10. NitWits All-In-One is Australia’s #1 head lice treatment that kills lice and their eggs in one treatment.

For more information about NitWits All-in-One Head Lice Treatment - an effective, pyrethroid-free treatment that is Australia’s #1 Head Lice product - visit www.nitwitsforkids.com.

Share This Tweet This Email To Friend
Recent Comments
2 Total Comments
MTMTT says: 2020 09 17
Rating:

먹튀검증 First of all, thank you for letting me see this information.먹튀검증 I think this article can give me a lot of inspiration.안전놀이터 I would appreciate it 토토사이트if you could post more good contents in the future. 꽁머니There are also many good articles on my site. 꽁머니I would appreciate it if you could visit once and enjoy it.안전놀이터 Thank you. Have a nice day!스포츠중계

MTMTT says: 2020 10 07
Rating:

가장 확실한 먹튀검증 커뮤니티 I finally found 먹튀검증 what I was looking for! 먹튀신고 I’m so happy. 먹튀 Your article is something 먹튀검증업체 I’ve been looking for a long time. 먹튀커뮤니티 I’m happy to 먹튀사이트검증 find you like this. 먹튀사이트 I actually live in 메이저놀이터 a different country from you. 메이저안전놀이터추천 The country I live in is 메이저놀이터추천. I think this post will be very helpful in 메이저놀이터. It’s worth the effort. 사설토토 Thank you. 메이저사설토토 I also run a website. 사설토토사이트추천 I’m still lacking a lot, 사설토토사이트 but I’m still working hard. 사설놀이터 Could you visit me 안전놀이터 if you have time? 토토안전놀이터 I’m sure 안전놀이터 you’ll find a post of 토토사이트 interest that you’ll find interesting. 토토추천 Nowadays, 메이저토토사이트 COVID-19 problem is getting serious all over the world. 먹튀없는토토사이트 Is your country okay? I’m worried. 토토사이트추천 I hope nothing happens. Take care of yourself and I hope you always have a happy day. 토토사이트 Thank you. In addition, 먹튀검증 COVID-19 is becoming a problem all over the world these days. 안전놀이터 I hope there’s no harm to you and your family. 토토사이트

View All Comments
Post a Comment
* your email address will not appear

Please enter the word you see in the image below:


Post a Comment
* your email address will not appear

Please enter the word you see in the image below:33343


Your Comment has been posted
Related Articles
Nitwit cover
NitWits reminds parents of pyrethroid-free options
Read more
Cry babies

Dry your eyes!
The newest additions are on their way from the Babies who cry real tears!

Shipping-containers-freight-wallpaper-preview

Latest Tech Used In Shipping Containers
Read how the shipping industry has revolutionised

Motherpedia cover-2

Win 1 set of a 4-book hardcover illustrated boxed set
Barbara Murray’s new 4-book Sound Stories is perfect for parents and educators and could assist with NAPLAN results

Motherpedia cover (4)

Where to celebrate Oktoberfest Australia
Get ready for this celebration!

Motherpedia cover-4

A Fortnight of Foodie Experiences at East Village
A taste of East Village. What's in it for me?

Globber my too fix up cover

We Try: Globber My TOO Fix Up
A scooter that grows with your child

Throw a winning cricket pitch

3 Steps to a Winning Backyard Cricket Pitch
Ex-Adelaide Oval legend curator Les Burdett shares his tips for getting your backyard cricket pitch test match ready this summer

A bike that follows your kids life cycle - motherpedia - cover

A Bike That Follows Your Kids Life Cycle
Check out the Bunzi 2-in-1 gradual balance bike!

Moonlight lifestyle

Moonlight Cinema to bring…
Moonlight Cinema announces brand new Western Sydney venue

Screen shot 2019-11-26 at 8.29.12 am

Your Magical Christmas Wonderland…
Adventure park is about to light up the night sky with its "Christmas Festival of Lights"

Screen shot 2019-11-21 at 11.11.36 am

The Preston Market Gets…
It's time to feel pumped up for the holiday season!

Bruno-kelzer-zqzuigxcvrq-unsplash

Bunnings team members get…
Help raise funds by buying a snag or donating at your local store.