Head Lice - Children's Health Message Board

*SoccerMom* · 05-20-2003, 10:44 PM

Hi Everyone~
I am so frustrated right now. My (almost) 5 yr old daughter has head lice. I run a family home afterschool program and I pretty much know where it came from. When another child had it, she was treated and came back when she was "lice/nit free". I even sprayed my entire home with the room sprays and cleaned linens, throw pillows and etc.

WELL, now my daughter has it. I found nits and a live lice (what is the singular form, anyway?! A lie?

) It has been about 3 weeks since we were exposed and I had about gotten over the fear of any of us getting them. I treated my daughter's very long hair with the lice killing shampoo three days ago, resprayed the house, vacuumed, cleaned linens, pillow and etc. I combed all the nits out and was looking forward to just shampooing in 7-10 days to complete it and get it over with. I constantly combed out the nits that I had missed and I presumed that they were dead! I was horrified last night to see 3 teeny, tiny live ones in her hair. I reapplied the shampoo and blow-dried her hair....more linens in laundry, stuffed animals sealed in plastic bags, more vacuuming......AND, Lo and behold, tonight I found ANOTHER live one in her hair! How in the world is this possible? What can I do to kill these things!? By the way, no one else in the house has them. I feel like a mother monkey constantly picking her child's hair. HELP!! I have never heard of the shampoos or sprays not working.

Lindarella · 05-21-2003, 08:00 AM

Here's a link to a site that tells you how to get rid of them. Good luck.
[url="http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/lice/factsht_head_lice_treating.htm"]http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/lice/factsht_head_lice_treating.htm[/url]

The only thing I could see that you may need to consider is that the shampoo you've used isn't going to work. A doctor can give you a prescription medication that is stronger than you can buy over the counter.

mlgable · 05-21-2003, 11:45 PM

A shampoo with tea tree oil will help get rid of them. You can also wash your linens in a tea tree oil laundry soap or add tea tree oil to the wash and use it to clean everything else.

kippy6 · 05-22-2003, 05:31 AM

Hi Soccermom - I feel for you. We've never gotten lice before, but I'm sure it's just a matter of time. You might look online, as at my old house I had a neighbor whose daughter got them. There is a preventative solution you can put in their hair too. I don't remember the name of it. She was so freaked out by the lice, that she used that preventative solution for a very, very, long time.

I'd also call your pediatrician if you want a fast answer. They'd probably be able to prescribe something that will just knock it out. I'm sure you are sick of dealing with this! Best wishes.

BTW - Don't cut your daughter's hair because of this. I bet it is beautiful. Sounds like they are almost gone anyway.

*SoccerMom* · 05-22-2003, 06:06 AM

Hi Everyone~
Thanks for the suggestions. I had called our doctor but we have to wait it out for about 8 days since I had already used an OTC medication twice (and earlier than I was supposed too!). I was told that I could "poison" her because of the insecticide if I do it too often and add the precription strength on top of it! Her hair is very long and has always been so shiny and beautiful....but now it is dry and dull. It is heartbreaking! She is so tired of the lice and says, "Mommy, why do those bugs have to like me so much?" The doc recommended using Olive Oil to suffocate them and just wash out after several hours. It sounded safe and so I tried that all day yesterday (combed out a few teeny dead ones) and washed her hair at bedtime. She fell asleep so I don't know the results yet. Sure helped with the dry and dullness though

Do you know where I can get the tea tree oil/soap? Do you know the name of the preventative solution?

My children haven't ever had it before. I have known of nieces & nephews having them, kids at school, and other kids at daycare but I HAVE NEVER been so infuriated by bugs in my life!

Thanks for the help, everyone! I appreciate it so much. Just "waiting it out" is killing me and the fear of the rest of us getting them is horrible!