Head lice in children!
Discussion
A bit of random one maybe but any help would be appreciated!
My daughter (age 3.5) came home from nursery with some head lice about 2 months ago and we have been trying a lot of the high street treatments to little avail. They seem to clear but come back again, I don't know if they are always there or if she picks them up off other children at the nursery. She has just had chicken pox and has had a terrible time of it.
Although I am by no means a particularly sensitive person the though of using chemicals repeatedly to treat this (unsuccessfully) especially with wounds from the chicken pox is far from appealing on her tender scalp!
The head lice are particularly visible today (although I understand that her case probably isn't that bad compared to some), I saw 2 as I did her hair this morning.
The nursery has told us that a large number of children have them at the moment so not feeling very positive about a solution!
Any input greatly appreciated!
My daughter (age 3.5) came home from nursery with some head lice about 2 months ago and we have been trying a lot of the high street treatments to little avail. They seem to clear but come back again, I don't know if they are always there or if she picks them up off other children at the nursery. She has just had chicken pox and has had a terrible time of it.
Although I am by no means a particularly sensitive person the though of using chemicals repeatedly to treat this (unsuccessfully) especially with wounds from the chicken pox is far from appealing on her tender scalp!
The head lice are particularly visible today (although I understand that her case probably isn't that bad compared to some), I saw 2 as I did her hair this morning.
The nursery has told us that a large number of children have them at the moment so not feeling very positive about a solution!
Any input greatly appreciated!
You have my sympathies...
My ten year old has had 3-4 episodes this year....
Problem is that you get rid of them but they go round in circles from other kids.
The treatments we use (Hedrin) seems to work, but you must follow up with a 2nd treatment in 7 days to remove any that have hatched since the last time.
My ten year old has had 3-4 episodes this year....
Problem is that you get rid of them but they go round in circles from other kids.
The treatments we use (Hedrin) seems to work, but you must follow up with a 2nd treatment in 7 days to remove any that have hatched since the last time.
Forget over the counter shampoo's they do not kill the eggs even if they say they do.
You need to get a really narrow toothed metal comb, not the ones you can currently buy as the gap between the teeth is too big - you need something like this Derbac vintage head lice comb. Put conditioner in her hair and comb from front to back keeping the comb on the scalp the whole time from fringe to nape of the neck and wipe comb clean after each swipe. Do it daily for the first week and every other day for another two weeks to get rid of hatching lice before they start to lay more eggs.
Having been through this with my 2 kids its the only real effect way to get rid of them. I'd also recommend you do this once a fortnight/month just to keep checking for new infestations from other kids. Unfortunately you cannot make other parents clear their kids heads of them so expect to catch them back on a regular basis. Keep your heads away from hers and do not let her into your bed until she is clear unless you wish to treat yourselves too. Harsh but you have to stop passing them on to each other.
Good luck, my now 13 & 19 years old hate the sight of that comb but agree it worked.
https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=i&source=image...
You need to get a really narrow toothed metal comb, not the ones you can currently buy as the gap between the teeth is too big - you need something like this Derbac vintage head lice comb. Put conditioner in her hair and comb from front to back keeping the comb on the scalp the whole time from fringe to nape of the neck and wipe comb clean after each swipe. Do it daily for the first week and every other day for another two weeks to get rid of hatching lice before they start to lay more eggs.
Having been through this with my 2 kids its the only real effect way to get rid of them. I'd also recommend you do this once a fortnight/month just to keep checking for new infestations from other kids. Unfortunately you cannot make other parents clear their kids heads of them so expect to catch them back on a regular basis. Keep your heads away from hers and do not let her into your bed until she is clear unless you wish to treat yourselves too. Harsh but you have to stop passing them on to each other.
Good luck, my now 13 & 19 years old hate the sight of that comb but agree it worked.
https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=i&source=image...
What's the nursery doing to combat it?
My son goes to pre-school, any sign of head lice and the parents get a call, have to collect the kid and not allowed back until treated.
It's a bit draconian, but it seems to work well and keep the outbreaks down to a very low level, we've fortunately managed to dodge the bullet so far. I encourage my son to only play with the kids who look like they have a bath every day! (joke)
I guess nurseries are different though? They can't really rinse you for the big bucks they charge and refuse to let your kid attend, so a more active environment for cross-infection.
My son goes to pre-school, any sign of head lice and the parents get a call, have to collect the kid and not allowed back until treated.
It's a bit draconian, but it seems to work well and keep the outbreaks down to a very low level, we've fortunately managed to dodge the bullet so far. I encourage my son to only play with the kids who look like they have a bath every day! (joke)
I guess nurseries are different though? They can't really rinse you for the big bucks they charge and refuse to let your kid attend, so a more active environment for cross-infection.
Coin Slot. said:
Lots of conditioner and then section their hair off for brushing and for re-inspection is what my wife did with our two kids.
Yes, exactly that.Use a "nitty-gritty" comb which has upturned ends that remove the eggs and nits very effectively. Think Boots do them for about a tenner.
My 7 year old son has had them repeatedly for about a month. My good lady tried the olive oil remedy and it did work although it is a bit of a faff as you have to leave it in overnight with a shower cap on. It works by suffocation but it needs to be done a couple of times. No bad chemicals though. Use cheap olive oil!!
Thank you for all the responses didn't quite expect so much!
I will pick up a better nit comb today and the conditioner use seems a good route followed by another treatment I think!
Off the record the nursery have said that its "probably" down to a (few) parent(s) who aren't treating properly.
Someone above mentioned refusal of the child's entry to the nursery with head lice, until they have been treated, I have discussed this with the nursery who have said they aren't allowed to do this. I checked and it appears correct although I'm not sure why. We are in Scotland and its a private nursery whether the rules are different I don't know but it would be the best option to route out the cause!
I feel really bad for my daughter because she has beautiful long hair which she loves, its quite hard work to keep nice and I've had to add hair care to my skill set as it needs tending every night (although she can now successfully hand me most sockets / tools in the garage cabinet upon request so it goes both ways) I don't think cutting it much would help.
I will pick up a better nit comb today and the conditioner use seems a good route followed by another treatment I think!
Off the record the nursery have said that its "probably" down to a (few) parent(s) who aren't treating properly.
Someone above mentioned refusal of the child's entry to the nursery with head lice, until they have been treated, I have discussed this with the nursery who have said they aren't allowed to do this. I checked and it appears correct although I'm not sure why. We are in Scotland and its a private nursery whether the rules are different I don't know but it would be the best option to route out the cause!
I feel really bad for my daughter because she has beautiful long hair which she loves, its quite hard work to keep nice and I've had to add hair care to my skill set as it needs tending every night (although she can now successfully hand me most sockets / tools in the garage cabinet upon request so it goes both ways) I don't think cutting it much would help.
Brings back memories, my youngest (now 20) always seemed to have them, I would spend what seemed like hours, combing through her hair with a nit comb and conditioner trying to get the buggers gone.
Problem is, all you need is one child who's parents don't give a toss and the buggers never go away.
Problem is, all you need is one child who's parents don't give a toss and the buggers never go away.
strath44 said:
Thank you for all the responses didn't quite expect so much!
I will pick up a better nit comb today and the conditioner use seems a good route followed by another treatment I think!
Off the record the nursery have said that its "probably" down to a (few) parent(s) who aren't treating properly.
Someone above mentioned refusal of the child's entry to the nursery with head lice, until they have been treated, I have discussed this with the nursery who have said they aren't allowed to do this. I checked and it appears correct although I'm not sure why. We are in Scotland and its a private nursery whether the rules are different I don't know but it would be the best option to route out the cause!
I feel really bad for my daughter because she has beautiful long hair which she loves, its quite hard work to keep nice and I've had to add hair care to my skill set as it needs tending every night (although she can now successfully hand me most sockets / tools in the garage cabinet upon request so it goes both ways) I don't think cutting it much would help.
I would imagine it's a case of: private nursery, their rules.I will pick up a better nit comb today and the conditioner use seems a good route followed by another treatment I think!
Off the record the nursery have said that its "probably" down to a (few) parent(s) who aren't treating properly.
Someone above mentioned refusal of the child's entry to the nursery with head lice, until they have been treated, I have discussed this with the nursery who have said they aren't allowed to do this. I checked and it appears correct although I'm not sure why. We are in Scotland and its a private nursery whether the rules are different I don't know but it would be the best option to route out the cause!
I feel really bad for my daughter because she has beautiful long hair which she loves, its quite hard work to keep nice and I've had to add hair care to my skill set as it needs tending every night (although she can now successfully hand me most sockets / tools in the garage cabinet upon request so it goes both ways) I don't think cutting it much would help.
There was an outbreak at our daughter's nursery we went preventative.... bought the comb and combed every night, sprayed heads with lavender water.
Neither child got them that time.
Frustrating that - at our nursery at least - if they have a temperature, vomit or have 3 loose poos they have to be kept off for 48 hours but with head lice the kids are allowed in.
Hedrin / Hedcin is OK but £15 a pop for the two treatments last we got it from our local chemist.
Our girls were hard to brush for a long period for other reasons, so in between baths with Hedrin / Hedcin (I'm wondering if one of these was a knock off al a Aldi Lidl brand as we definitely have Hedcin in the cupboard) then other baths we used a teaspoon of tea-tree oil (the dilute stuff, £1.99 for a 50mL bottle in your corner tat shop) with 20 mL coal tar shampoo. Works a treat. Think the smell puts off the little beasties.
Oh, and if you spend any time in bed with the kids reading them stories etc, make sure you use some yourself. Pillows are great places to pick the little buggies off - boil wash the covers whenever you get kids infected.
Our girls were hard to brush for a long period for other reasons, so in between baths with Hedrin / Hedcin (I'm wondering if one of these was a knock off al a Aldi Lidl brand as we definitely have Hedcin in the cupboard) then other baths we used a teaspoon of tea-tree oil (the dilute stuff, £1.99 for a 50mL bottle in your corner tat shop) with 20 mL coal tar shampoo. Works a treat. Think the smell puts off the little beasties.
Oh, and if you spend any time in bed with the kids reading them stories etc, make sure you use some yourself. Pillows are great places to pick the little buggies off - boil wash the covers whenever you get kids infected.
So picked up a nitty gritty comb and used a fair bit of conditioner to work through the hair and removed quite a lot! Probably took over an hour!
The nitty gritty comb is very good as unlike the ones that come with treatments it has serrated teeth which catch and pull off the little buggers!
Will keep repeating this week.
Going to try spraying her hair with tea tree for nursery tomorrow as a repellent!
Wife and I are also feeling an itch like never before but no signs in our hair urgh!
Yes it is pretty funny that our nursery has the kids off at the drop of a hat but a child can be riddled with head lice and let in!!!
The nitty gritty comb is very good as unlike the ones that come with treatments it has serrated teeth which catch and pull off the little buggers!
Will keep repeating this week.
Going to try spraying her hair with tea tree for nursery tomorrow as a repellent!
Wife and I are also feeling an itch like never before but no signs in our hair urgh!
Yes it is pretty funny that our nursery has the kids off at the drop of a hat but a child can be riddled with head lice and let in!!!
strath44 said:
So picked up a nitty gritty comb and used a fair bit of conditioner to work through the hair and removed quite a lot! Probably took over an hour!
The nitty gritty comb is very good as unlike the ones that come with treatments it has serrated teeth which catch and pull off the little buggers!
Will keep repeating this week.
Going to try spraying her hair with tea tree for nursery tomorrow as a repellent!
Wife and I are also feeling an itch like never before but no signs in our hair urgh!
Yes it is pretty funny that our nursery has the kids off at the drop of a hat but a child can be riddled with head lice and let in!!!
You need to repeat this process every night for a week or soThe nitty gritty comb is very good as unlike the ones that come with treatments it has serrated teeth which catch and pull off the little buggers!
Will keep repeating this week.
Going to try spraying her hair with tea tree for nursery tomorrow as a repellent!
Wife and I are also feeling an itch like never before but no signs in our hair urgh!
Yes it is pretty funny that our nursery has the kids off at the drop of a hat but a child can be riddled with head lice and let in!!!
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