How To Make Nit Combing Easier

It happened. Your child came home from school with a note that one of their classmates has head lice. So you frantically start checking your child’s head and find that they have head lice too.

Nit combing is an important part of the lice treatment process. To successfully eliminate lice by combing, you need a good nit comb, good technique, and a little persistence.

The good thing is, if you catch lice early, you can stop the infestation quickly. In this article, we will explain what nits are, how to get rid of them, and give you tips on making nit combing easier and more effective so that you can get rid of lice as quickly as possible.

Let’s understand nits

Nits are lice eggs. They are tiny, teardrop-shaped sacs that are white or yellowish. They are often mistaken for dandruff or hair product flakes. The difference is that a nit will stick to the hair shaft, and dandruff or other flakes can be easily removed from the hair.  So, remember, nits stick and dandruff dances.

You will find nits that haven’t hatched about a quarter of an inch from the scalp (they are laid near the scalp where it is warm). After they hatch, the empty egg will remain on the hair follicle and grow out with the hair.  So, if you find nits further than a quarter of an inch from the scalp, and do not see any active lice, it is not considered an active infestation.

Symptoms of head lice

It can be hard to spot head lice since they are so tiny, and nits are even smaller. Symptoms you should look for include:

• Itching or tickling on the scalp
• A feeling like something is moving in the hair
• Sores on the head that are caused by scratching
• Irritability or moodiness
• Having trouble sleeping (lice are more active at night)

If you notice any of these symptoms, it is a good idea to examine hair for visual signs of head lice and nits. If you see signs of head lice, starting treatment as soon as possible can help contain the problem.

The nit combing process

After you’ve completed the lice treatment of your choice, you will need to begin combing out the lice, also known as nitpicking. Nit combing pulls out head lice as well as their eggs.

Before starting, make sure you have a nit comb, a hairbrush, a leave-in conditioner, and paper towels. You will also want to make sure you have a well-lit area to work in.

Make sure to use a nit comb and not a regular comb. The teeth on a regular comb are too far apart to pick up nits and lice. A high-quality nit comb, like the one included in Licefreee treatments, has long, fine metal teeth that are very close together and small enough to trap lice and nits.

To start, apply the leave-in conditioner to your child’s hair and brush out any tangles. The conditioner will help the nit comb go through the hair easier.

Next, separate your child’s hair into one-inch sections. Then, working section by section, start the comb as close to the scalp as you can and comb out to the end of their hair. Wipe the comb on a paper towel or rinse in water to remove lice and nits.

The length of time needed to complete this process will depend on how long, thick, or curly your child’s hair is. Keeping kids occupied during this process can help. Reading a book, watching TV, or doing crafts while you are nit combing can make it less painful for you and your child.

How long should you continue nit combing?

You should continue combing daily or every couple of days until you see no lice or nits. After the first attempt, you should notice that most of the lice are gone.

Get rid of head lice fast with Licefreee

If you find that your child has head lice, you should also check everyone in the household for head lice. Note that head lice do not jump, fly, or hop. Instead, they crawl and can be spread through close contact with someone who is infected.

If you find head lice in your household, Licefreee can help:

• Licefreee Spray makes head lice treatment easy killing lice and nits in the first application.
• Licefreee Home can be used on furniture and bedding to help prevent spreading of head lice.
• Licefreee Everyday Shampoo can be used daily to help avoid a second lice infestation.

With persistence and the right tools, you can successfully banish head lice and get back to normal.