Information: wetcombing
This information comes from the botanicals head lice kit (right). But the same instructions can be used with any shampoo, conditioner and nit comb.
Click here to download a pdf (500K) of the full instruction leaflet, which also includes useful facts and information.
Wet combing
Wet combing (also known as 'bug-busting') relies on the fact that head lice remain still when their breathing pores are blocked by moisture – making them far easier to catch and remove.
Careful and methodical combing with a fine-toothed 'nit-comb' when the hair is thoroughly wet hair removes the inactive lice.
But it may not remove the nits, which often remain firmly glued to the hair. Wet-combing needs to be done on three further occasions – four full days apart – to catch any lice which may have hatched since the last treatment.
Wet combing with botanicals
- Wash the hair with botanicals neem & tea tree shampoo and then rinse.
- Apply a liberal quantity of botanicals neem & tea tree conditioner. (As well as blocking their breathing holes, the conditioner makes it easier to spot lice when fine-combing.)
- Comb through the hair using the large detangling comb.
- Use the fine-tooth nit comb to thoroughly check for lice (see more detailed instructions on the right).
- Rinse the hair in clean water and rub gently with a towel to remove excess water.
- Spray hair with botanicals 'leave in' herbal hair spritz.
- Comb through again with wide-tooth comb to remove tangles.
- Check again for lice using the nit comb.
- The hair spritz can be used between shampoos.
Using the nit comb
Checking the hair for lice needs to be done carefully and methodically. It can take between 15 and 30 minutes, depending on the length and type of hair.
Place the nit comb right up to the scalp, and then draw it through to the ends of the hair.
Check the comb after each stroke. Lice can be very small (at most 2-3mm) and may only appear as a dark spot in the conditioner, or on the teeth of the comb.
If anything is found, wipe it on a piece of white tissue or kitchen towel. It may be just a speck of dirt, so you might need a magnifying glass to check whether it really is a louse.
If you're not sure, sellotape it to a sheet of paper and ask your GP surgery (or school nurse) to check it.
Comb through in all directions until all the hair has been completely checked.
If any egg cases are found, these can be pulled off using finger nails. Alternatively, use a pair of nail scissors to snip off the hair.
Empty nit cases are soft and shrunken. Unhatched eggs will be hard and plump.
If any lice – or unhatched nits – are found, it's important to repeat the wet-combing process three further times, four days apart. This will ensure that any newly hatched lice are caught and removed before they can breed.
If any more lice or unhatched eggs are found during these subsequent checks, you will need to keep repeating the wet combing until the hair is completely clear on three separate sessions.
Finally, if live lice are found, all family members and any close friends should be checked. This helps prevent lice from being passed around yet again.
