where to buy a robi comb for head lice?

[monstermon]

Can anyone point me to an australian website that sells these...?

we've had our first case of headlice in the family, and I'm thinking I might get one, depending on how much they are...

Also, has anyone used them? any comments or feedback on them?

Thanks!
Monique

[Nyree]

I just found this (robi comb now called licetec):

http://www.homepharmacy.com.au/produ...ywords=licetec
http://www.licetec.com.au/ (says available at most pharmacies / Priceline stores)

[Marguerite]

I hope you have some luck with the comb. We just picked up the nads one from the pharmacy. The girls loved using the little magnifying glass to look at the lice after I combed them out. (great fun for the whole family!)

[kermi]

The (original) robicomb actually zapped the lice while using it and therefore needs batteries - it didn't kill the eggs however. I enquired about them at 2 pharmacies around 9 mths ago and was told that they refused to stock them anymore as they were returned as not effective way too often.

The licetec one uses a gel to "capture" the lice in as you comb... nice idea, but I haven't found it as effective as the old conditioner and fine tooth comb on my DD's fine hair. :(

[hanabi]

We just bought ours at the local pharmacy, a few years ago now. I found it *very* effective at getting full-sized lice, but you have to be diligent to get them all as they hatch, or combine with combing for nits. Still, it was easier than doing the conditioner and comb treatment for us.

They do rust after a time - especially if unused - which renders them ineffective.

[monstermon]

thanks for all the replies...

we have just bought the Nads metal comb with magnifying glass, and after about 5 minutes of combing DS refused to let me touch him with it anymore. He complained that it was hurting and pulling his hair. I tried it on my own last night with conditioner, and found it a but uncomfortable, but I think my scalp is a bit more seasoned to rough treatment.

I'm not really sure what the best method is for us yet, since this is our first outbreak in the family, but I'm finding everything we have tried so far to be very time consuming, especially cause we're doing 5 heads.

The treatment we bought from the chemist says do once and then again on day 7 and day 14, but we are only up to day 5, and I just can't wait til day 7 cause I can't stand seeing the lice in the kids hair, and they are making their heads itch too, so I want to do something every other day in between days 1, 7 and 14, IYKWIM?

I have actually retreated DS twice now, once with original goop, and once with conditioner (yesterday) and still finding new hatchlings every day....

Anyone know how long it takes for the eggs to hatch?

[Marguerite]

This is from the head lice website

Head lice can survive on a human host for approximately 30 days. They generally cannot survive longer than 24 hours off the host.

A female louse lays 3-5 eggs a day. The eggs hatch in 7-10 days and it takes another 7-10 day for the louse to mature and lay their own eggs.

When they first hatch, lice are hard to see on light hair as they are almost white until they grow older.

My DD (age 3 at the time) resisted treatment at first, but soon accepted it. I made sure that she was occupied when I was combing her hair in the early days too. She would sit at her little table and draw or do craft.

[Mum_Greenwood]

I went through the headlice problem when DD was at school and when she was homeschooled. The thing I found was that most parents just weren't vigilant or thought that chemical poison was the only way and would then say that they couldn't afford it.

When she was homeschooled, it was right through our little group, because one family, thought that prayer would make it go away (not insulting peoples religion). But, they at first, refused to admit that they had a problem, and so their (at the time) 5 kids kept giving it back to everyone. Very annoying!!!!

I was told of many many chemical (insecticide) free methods. Including plastering hair with olive oil. Whilst it works, DD has hair that is prone to tanglings and she almost got dreadlocks. We tried various combs and when they won't stay still for long enough for you to comb, it's annoying, no end.

What worked the best for us (and then the family that initially did nothing) was: 1litre bottle of cheap hair conditioner- pour off about 3/4- 1 cup and leave the rest in the bottle. Add
50mls lavender oil, 50mls ti-tree oil, 50mls eucalyptus oil.

Screw the lid back on and shake until well mixed. Cover their heads with it, making sure that it's through their hair. Leave on for 10mins and rinse out. Do this everyday, for 4-5 days and problem is solved.

I am allergic to headlice, so if DS gets them (he goes to childcare one day a week), I will use this method again.

Yes, some complain about having their hair washed, but it takes about 2-3 mins to wash it out, and ages to comb if they won't keep still. The hair conditioner method, needs NO combs.

You need to do all the family. Because headlice like everyones head. Short hair, long hair etc.,

Headlice are white, when they haven't had a feed. They are darker when they are full of blood. I grew up around medical scientists and pathologists (and read their magazines and periodicals).

If the problem re-curs, someone, in your child's social circle still has headlice. It's very very annoying when you know that someone is not doing their job and you are, vigilantly.

We last had headlice, in 2004. We caught them from the family with 5kids, but we were in the process of moving. So, as soon as we set foot in our current place. (was pregnant with DS), I used the hair conditioner method, and no more itchy scalp.

[Marguerite]

That is so good to hear your family has been headlice free for such a long time.

Originally Posted by Mum_Greenwood

Add
50mls lavender oil, 50mls ti-tree oil, 50mls eucalyptus oil.

Is that diluted oil like at the supermarket?

Did you need to do it again after the inital 4-5 days to catch any eggs that hatched after treatment?

[Nyree]

Is that diluted oil like at the supermarket?

You'd want 100% oils for this, but all should be available at the supermarket - just read the labels

Thyme oil is a good louse deterrent, too.