These common hair issues can be challenging, but with the right tips and products, you can keep your child’s hair healthy. From managing head lice to tackling tough tangles and soothing a dry scalp, we have easy, effective solutions to make haircare stress-free.
Nits
What are nits?
Nits (aka head lice) are small, flat insects that live on the scalp and lay their eggs on strands of hair. Anyone can get nits, and it doesn’t matter whether their hair is clean or dirty. Nits spread by crawling from one person’s hair to another’s, usually between people who are in close proximity, like family members or classmates. They are often found in the hair at the back of the neck or behind the ears.
Eggs
Female head lice lay about 10 eggs each night. The eggs are small and hard (like a grain of salt), pale grey in colour, laid close to the scalp, and seem to be firmly “glued” to strands of hair. After hatching, the empty egg cases are white. Eggs hatch in nine days, and nits live for 40 days.
Checking for nits
Scratching, scratch marks, or a rash can be a sign that your child has head lice, but not all children complain of itching, so it’s important to check regularly. Nits need to be treated straightaway, as ordinary shampoo or soap will not kill them. Chemical treatments or wet-combing are the usual ways to treat head lice. Talk to your chemist or GP for advice. Never use kerosene, fly spray, or animal treatments, as these are dangerous if used on people.
Stop the spread
It’s not possible to completely prevent nits, but there are things you can do to stop them from spreading:
- Brush hair every day. This may help kill or injure head lice and stop them from laying eggs.
- Don’t share brushes, combs, headbands, ribbons, hairclips, helmets, or hats – anything that touches someone’s head.
- Having short hair – or wearing hair in a plait or ponytail if it’s long – makes it less likely you or your child will catch head lice.
- Children should hang their clothes on their own hook at school, and keep their clothes apart from other children’s in swimming or sport changing rooms.
Chemical treatments
Chemical treatments use a special shampoo or lotion to kill head lice and eggs. Follow the instructions that are supplied with the chemical treatments. Always do a second treatment a week to 10 days after the first to kill any nits that may have hatched after the first treatment.
Wet-combing
Wet the hair and scalp with conditioner. Use a fine-toothed metal comb or nit comb (ask your chemist) to check for nits and to comb them out. Comb the full length of the hair, from the scalp to the ends, and work your way around the head. If you see any nits, wipe the comb on a tissue or rinse it before you use it again. After you have combed all of the hair, rinse out the conditioner. Repeat each week until you don’t find any more nits.
Knots
Dealing with knots in your child’s hair can be a challenge, but there are some things you can do to make the process easier and less stressful for you both.
Detangle
Knots are easier to detangle when the hair is slightly damp, so either mist your child’s hair with water using a spray bottle, or work on it right after a bath. Apply a detangling spray, leave-in conditioner, or a small amount of regular conditioner to the tangled areas to make it easier to work through the knots. Separate the hair into small sections to make it more manageable and starting from the ends of the hair, use a wide-tooth comb to work up towards the roots – this minimises breakage.
Gently does it
Sometimes using your fingers to gently separate the hair can be the most gentle and effective method, especially for tougher knots. To reduce pain or discomfort, hold the hair firmly near the scalp as you work through the knots. This prevents pulling on the roots, which can be painful. And don’t rush! Gently work through each knot with patience to avoid causing pain or damaging the hair.
Prevention
Brush or comb your child’s hair regularly, especially before bed and after activities that can cause tangles, like playing or swimming. Plaits, ponytails or buns can minimise tangling, especially overnight or during active play and using a satin pillowcase or a soft hair wrap at night can prevent knots from forming while your child sleeps.
DID YOU KNOW?
Children’s hair grows faster than adult hair and is usually finer and softer than adult hair because their hair strands are thinner.
A child’s hair colour can change as they grow. Babies often have lighter hair at birth, which can darken over time due to changes in melanin production, the pigment responsible for hair colour.
The direction in which a child’s hair grows, including cowlicks, is determined in the womb and often stays with them for life.
Each person’s hair growth pattern is unique. Your child’s hair not only provides warmth but also serves as a natural protector against the sun’s UV rays, helping to prevent sunburn on the scalp.
Dandruff
What is dandruff?
Dandruff in children, much like in adults, is a common scalp condition where dead skin cells shed from the scalp. While it’s generally harmless, it can cause discomfort, itching, and embarrassment for the child.
Causes
The most common cause of dandruff is dry skin, especially in cold, dry weather, but other causes include…
Seborrheic dermatitis: A more severe form of dandruff, where the scalp becomes oily, red, and covered with flaky white or yellow scales.
Fungal infection (malassezia): A yeast-like fungus that naturally lives on the scalp but can sometimes overgrow, leading to dandruff.
Skin conditions: Conditions like eczema or psoriasis can cause dandruff-like symptoms in children.
Product sensitivity: Some hair care products may irritate the scalp and cause it to flake.
Poor hair hygiene: Infrequent washing can lead to an accumulation of oil and dead skin cells, contributing to dandruff.
Treatment
It’s important to wash your child’s hair regularly, using a gentle, moisturising shampoo to reduce oil build-up and remove dead skin cells. If normal shampoo isn’t effective, try a dandruff shampoo designed for children. Look for shampoos containing zinc pyrithione, selenium sulfide, or ketoconazole but use as directed by a healthcare professional. Gently brushing your child’s hair before washing can help loosen flakes from the scalp.
Gently brushing your child’s hair before washing can help loosen flakes from the scalp.
When to see a doctor
If the dandruff is severe, persistent, or accompanied by redness, swelling, or sores on the scalp; or if you notice signs of a fungal infection, such as thick, crusty patches or hair loss in affected areas, take your child to see a GP.
Gum attack!
Chewing gum in the hair is every parent’s nightmare. Not only is it gross, it’s so sticky and seems impossible to get out. But don’t panic! Here’s what to do…
Stay calm
While your first reaction might be to freak out, try to reassure your child that you won’t have to cut out a chunk of their hair!
Supplies
Here’s what you need to perform chewing gum hair surgery: cooking oil and a fine-tooth comb. Your second option is ice cubes!
Oil it up
Gently work a generous amount oil into the chewing gum and the hair around it – this will help break down the gum’s stickiness. Massage the oil into the gum for a few minutes to loosen it and use a fine-tooth comb or your fingers to gently pull the gum out of the hair, starting from the ends and working towards the roots. After removing the gum, wash the hair thoroughly with shampoo to remove any residue.
Ice is nice
Rub ice cubes on the gum to harden it. The cold makes the gum brittle, which can help it break apart. Once the gum is hard, carefully break it into pieces and gently pull it out of the hair. Use a comb to remove any small remaining pieces.
