How To Get Rid Of Head Lice (Once And For All)


If your home has ever been hit by a nit infestation, you know how difficult it can be to get rid of the little blighters. No matter how thoroughly you treat and comb your kids’ hair, the cycle of eradication and rediscovery never seems to end. Fortunately, it’s not difficult to banish them for good by following a strict procedure. We asked Aussie head lice expert, Nadine Ismiel-Nash, to share her tips.

Nadine Ismiel-Nash is an Australian mum, scientist and creator of NitWits All-In-One, a pyrethroid-free head lice treatment specifically developed for kids. (Crucially, there’s no need for vigorous combing or repeat treatments.)

According to Ismiel-Nash, it’s a myth that head lice are notoriously difficult to eradicate from human dwellings – you just need to follow the right process and stick to it. Here are a few of her tips.

Discourage head-to-head contact at school

“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,” Ismiel-Nash said. “While everyone loves to cuddle, wrestle, and get in close for a ‘selfie’, these are considered high-risk activities in the world of nits.”

Apply treatments correctly

“It’s important to carefully follow the directions on the treatment product’s pack and to observe the recommended contact times. If hair is not completely covered with the product, the lice and/or eggs may not all be killed, hence the head lice lifecycle will continue.”

Experiment with different products

“If the nits are proving difficult to eradicate, try changing to a different type of treatment. The lice may have developed a resistance to the pesticide chemicals you’re using.”

Practice due diligence!

“If the nits keep coming back, there may have been a re-infestation from untreated contacts. Unfortunately, you will need to treat again. It is important that all potential contacts from school, friends and family are informed so that they can check and treat their hair if required. This is the only way to eliminate all potential sources of infestation and to stop the lice from spreading from one person to another.”


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