View Full Version : The Headlice are Coming
AJoifulNoise
November 29th, 2008, 02:40 PM
I've just been informed that my neice has headlice. Aww, that's too bad. I can relate.
... what's that? She's still coming to dinner tomorrow?! I've been told the following: "I can't tell her she can't come just because she has headlice! Besides, she won't be sharing your brush or anything..."
:shocked:
I had headlice as a kid... Over and over. We couldn't kill the little buggers. The combs and the chemicals and the washing of everything. My stuffed animals and pillows trapped in plastic trash bags... The itching, the stigma, the CRITTERS. I just can't face the horror of all that and at least another foot of hair!
Granted, they are doing the lice treatment tonight. But, that is no comfort to me if they are coming tomorrow... I wish I had more time to prepare... But, I don't.
My plan is to twist my wet, heavily oiled hair into a tight cinnabun and act like a hermit in my room. Not sure which oil I should use... I have coconut and jojoba. I might have a chance to stop by Wal*Mart tomorrow for some tea tree oil, but that's only a slim chance.
Anyone have any other defensive suggestions?
lora410
November 29th, 2008, 02:44 PM
eekkk what other eo's do you have?
jojo
November 29th, 2008, 02:44 PM
tea tree oil added in your oil, headlice hate the smell!
AJoifulNoise
November 29th, 2008, 02:46 PM
eekkk what other eo's do you have?
That's really all I have. Once I found that coconut worked for me, I stopped trying oils. :rolleyes: When I make it out of this I am going to be stocking up on Tea Tree Oil for the future...
Sunshine69
November 29th, 2008, 02:48 PM
I think you're overreacting a little. Lice can't jump or fly. They'll only make it onto your head if you have direct contact with her head, hat or brush, and they can only live for a day or so off a human's head. Relax.
Carina
November 29th, 2008, 02:49 PM
If you have acv at home then use it.When my kids had lice I rinsed with acv and I never got them.
jojo
November 29th, 2008, 02:51 PM
you could always wear a shower hat!
AJoifulNoise
November 29th, 2008, 02:52 PM
I think you're overreacting a little. Lice can't jump or fly. They'll only make it onto your head if you have direct contact with her head, hat or brush, and they can only live for a day or so off a human's head. Relax.
My main point of concern was the living room furniture- pillows, throws... That kind of thing. I can avoid her- as in not touch her like you say- but I can't really avoid what she touches. I know I'm freaking out majorly and it's not that big of a deal... I just don't want to do it again. :(
Sunshine69
November 29th, 2008, 02:57 PM
I don't think that contact with furniture is a very common way that lice are spread. You could always vacuum everything after she leaves.
wendyg
November 29th, 2008, 03:24 PM
In fact, lice *can* jump, and in any case the bigger concern is that they lay eggs that stick to textiles. AJoifulNoise, if you're really concerned I'd suggest either putting covers over the sofa pillows or taking the covers off afterwards and freezing them for a week or two, then washing.
Personally, *I* wouldn't take a kid with lice to someone else's house. I think it's inconsiderate.
It is true, however, that when my friends' kid had lice while I was staying with them no one else in the house got them, so you probably really will be OK. But we were all creeped out, and of course her head was treated the night we found out.
wg
Isilme
November 29th, 2008, 03:42 PM
If you live by your own, cancel the dinner, it's your house, right? If not, don't let her enter your room, keep your hair up and cover furniture. Sounds cruel, but I think it's very unpolite to bring a kid to dinner when the kid has lice.
Alaia
November 29th, 2008, 03:45 PM
The reason you probably had them over and over again, is that they get resistant to the headlice treatments (something to bear in mind since she is being treated tonight).
I've had them many times (and in truth they really are just something that everyone gets and nothing to be ashamed of, even though they are annoying).
Keep your hair up, vacuum/wash/freeze sofa cushion covers etc, maybe have a hat for her and make her wear it to cover her hair, but if you get them they can be dealt with :flowers:
Elphie
November 29th, 2008, 04:05 PM
Can you ask the family to put a buff or something over her hair? Might help with not transferring the lice to any other objects in the house.
Dianyla
November 29th, 2008, 04:17 PM
I think it's incredibly stupid of them to think it's ok to bring a child with a highly contagious condition over to anyone's home. :crazyq:
If her staying home is not an option, she should have her hair heavily oiled, bunned and completely covered. That would probably be the least dangerous option. I don't recall you mentioning how old she is? An older mature child would probably be able to be mindful of what she touches. Young kids have a very difficult time practicing good hygiene and infection control practices.
BlackfootHair
November 29th, 2008, 04:21 PM
I've been told the following: "I can't tell her she can't come just because she has headlice! Besides, she won't be sharing your brush or anything..."
:shocked:
Like hell they can't! I would tell them they cannot come. I mean, if you had a bout of the flu, it's not like you'd be sharing the same glass, so would they want you to come over there?? I'd be firm and tell them that once her head lice clears she's more than welcome. Until then, you don't want to take the chance!!
I'd be mad.
Lady Lilya
November 29th, 2008, 04:22 PM
Beware of her coat and hat being put in the closet with yours. I guess they will put all of their coats and hats in your family's closet, so if I were you I would find a new home for yours for a while.
Isilme
November 29th, 2008, 04:24 PM
btw, sometime the kid has to learn that she can't be with other people if she has something contagious, better do it early than later.
AJoifulNoise
November 29th, 2008, 04:35 PM
If you live by your own, cancel the dinner, it's your house, right? If not, don't let her enter your room, keep your hair up and cover furniture. Sounds cruel, but I think it's very unpolite to bring a kid to dinner when the kid has lice.
I live with my parents who think it's not a big deal. They both have short hair, so maybe it's not. I can't imagine combing all of my hair with a lice comb....
None of them will be coming in my room. Not the girl, not her brother, or my stepbrother. Keep your cooties out of here!
Can you ask the family to put a buff or something over her hair? Might help with not transferring the lice to any other objects in the house.
I think it's incredibly stupid of them to think it's ok to bring a child with a highly contagious condition over to anyone's home. :crazyq:
If her staying home is not an option, she should have her hair heavily oiled, bunned and completely covered. That would probably be the least dangerous option. I don't recall you mentioning how old she is? An older mature child would probably be able to be mindful of what she touches. Young kids have a very difficult time practicing good hygiene and infection control practices.
Like hell they can't! I would tell them they cannot come. I mean, if you had a bout of the flu, it's not like you'd be sharing the same glass, so would they want you to come over there?? I'd be firm and tell them that once her head lice clears she's more than welcome. Until then, you don't want to take the chance!!
I'd be mad.
The girl is nearly 13, but with the mental age of about 7. I could ask them to treat her hair (oils, coverings, etc), but I know they won't. They'll all just look at me like I'm an over-reacting hothead. Like my stepmom looked at me earlier. :rolleyes:
I find it very inconsiderate that they are even bringing her at all. It makes me angry. When you know your child is sick, you keep the child home. Same procedure here, if you ask me.
Beware of her coat and hat being put in the closet with yours. I guess they will put all of their coats and hats in your family's closet, so if I were you I would find a new home for yours for a while.
I keep my coats and hats (and everything else I own) in my bedroom. I do this because my stepmom smokes and I got tired of smelling like a smoker. So, my clothing is safe. Theirs may not be, but that is their own problem.
btw, sometime the kid has to learn that she can't be with other people if she has something contagious, better do it early than later.
Honestly. I understood when I had them that it wasn't personal. I had bugs, and no one else wanted them. I knew that if the roles were reversed, I would want the other person quarentined, too!
Alia
November 29th, 2008, 04:36 PM
This being your niece, one of her parents witnessed the horror you went through and should know better than to take a newly-treated kid to your home. A dinner can be canceled, rescheduled, whatever. Having been traumatized by lice as a child, it is one of my worst nightmares.:shake:
Alana2000
November 29th, 2008, 04:38 PM
Check headlice.org for all lice questions. I thought all my life that lice could jump great distances.. turns out I am wrong, and happily so. Check the facts before you make your neice feel like a complete dope.
AJoifulNoise
November 29th, 2008, 04:46 PM
This being your niece, one of her parents witnessed the horror you went through and should know better than to take a newly-treated kid to your home. A dinner can be canceled, rescheduled, whatever. Having been traumatized by lice as a child, it is one of my worst nightmares.:shake:
Well, technically she's my stepneice. Her dad is my stepmom's son. So, he's heard tales, but he didn't see it.
Honey39
November 29th, 2008, 04:46 PM
Just don't hug her, keep your hair up, and it'll be fine! If she's being treated tonight, she should be fine. They are not that easy to catch, it's kids who normally catch them from each other, you should be absolutely okay. I've never heard of people catching them from furnishings, to be honest - they usually are by hopping from head to head!
MadHatter
November 29th, 2008, 04:49 PM
I had a nasty bout of headlice when I was a kid, too. I was miserable. But you know, I'm glad nobody treated me like I had leprosy. It's one thing to take precautions to ensure that one doesn't catch them, it's quite another to treat someone like they're carrying a life-threatening disease. I understand the unease, believe me, but I think one can also get a bit carried away. I second Alana2000's suggestion.
Copasetic
November 29th, 2008, 04:54 PM
there was a topic similar to this a little while ago, and someone posted in the thread that lice really dont like dirty hair. so putting pretty much anything in it will help keep the buggers away.
MadHatter
November 29th, 2008, 05:01 PM
I'll bet any over-the-counter treatments they use on her will only make the lice laugh. Perhaps you could suggest this (http://www.headlice.org/licemeister/index.htm) to her parents?
Philomela
November 29th, 2008, 05:04 PM
Wearing a bicycle helmet around her would be highly recommended:D.
BlackfootHair
November 29th, 2008, 05:06 PM
When head lice was going around at school my mom would give me a super high pony tail, braid it, then bun it around the top of the ponytail. She'd secure it in place with bobby pins and shellac the heck out of it. My head was stiff with hair spray. If a louse ever jumped on my head it would have had to eat through the thick layer of hairspray before it could have ever reached the scalp. I've never had head lice luckily.
Isilme
November 29th, 2008, 05:10 PM
well, then just don't be at home:) And lock the door to your room. Make other plans for the night.
AJoifulNoise
November 29th, 2008, 05:15 PM
I am pretty sure they are using one of those combs on her. Well, her dad is, at least. Her mom would let her be a colony for lice... Her dad's the one that has her this weekend, so I know she's better off.
I really hope that you all understand that I'm not trying to hurt her feelings. But, I do think it'd be best if she were kept home. No, she doesn't have a flesh-eating disease. But, she does have an infestation. If we were talking about her coming next weekend, or even sometime mid-week, I wouldn't mind so much. I might still wear my hair up, I just wouldn't be freaking as much. But, the day after treatment is a bit much for me to handle. Not that I have much choice.
And, it's not like I'll be treating her much differently... I always hide in my room when company shows up. So, she's not going to be crying about a lack of attention from her crazy Auntie Lisa.
wendyg
November 29th, 2008, 05:25 PM
Alaia: it's within my lifetime that lice have become "something everybody gets". When I was a kid in school *no one* had them that I knew. I've certainly never had them.
wg
Starr
November 29th, 2008, 05:37 PM
It's so rude to take with lice over to someone elses home and in fact it's down right selfish. It give offs the impression that they're more concerned with their own wants than about the wellbeing of others. Would they feel the same way if it were chicken pox?
MadHatter
November 29th, 2008, 05:38 PM
Alaia: it's within my lifetime that lice have become "something everybody gets". When I was a kid in school *no one* had them that I knew. I've certainly never had them.
wg
What was the norm for hair-washing when you were a kid? Were people as OMG-must-wash-every-day as they are now? They say that lice prefer "clean" heads..
Alley Cat
November 29th, 2008, 06:24 PM
If a child is being treated for head lice the treatment kills them instantly and if she is having the lice combed out they will all be gone . When she comes to your place she won't have head lice so your problem is solved :blossom:
Even kids going to school are allowed back to school once treatment has been started .
Head lice doesn't make you dirty anyone can get it and if the child is being treated her parents are doing the right thing and are also doing the right thing by telling you. :flower:
My experience with head lice and yes my children have had them is that I put the treatment in it killed them , I combed the dead lice out and they were gone and I would be quite happy to visit relatives or send them to school as there is nothing else you can do . :flower:
HairColoredHair
November 29th, 2008, 06:27 PM
Get some tea tree oil and wear it like perfume for a few days during and after the visit.
Modern lice soaps do a fairly decent job if used correctly, so she may not even be contagious. :)
jojo
November 29th, 2008, 06:35 PM
What was the norm for hair-washing when you were a kid? Were people as OMG-must-wash-every-day as they are now? They say that lice prefer "clean" heads..
:whistle: I never got them as a kid but both my kids had them and past them to me, i actually got a sadistic pleasure from cracking their backs:eyebrows: the lice that is not my kids!
julya
November 29th, 2008, 06:51 PM
I had head lice once as a kid. I ended up with a short haircut afterward.
marajade
November 29th, 2008, 06:53 PM
I feel your pain!!!! Hugs :grouphug: I know you will get through this! :smile: I would keep your hair up and oiled and do a deep cleaning after she leaves. . . .
happymommy
November 29th, 2008, 07:05 PM
Walmart sells something called "Bedding Spray" usually found with the lice treatments. We had to use it when I was a camp counsilor to spray the mattresses and horse riding helmets inbetween children.
It will kill lice, mites, and other little buggies on hard surfaces and textiles. While it isn't 100% it does help. I don't think it is preventative, but it can and should be used after she leaves for all the surfaces she comes into contact with.
Pierre
November 29th, 2008, 09:01 PM
One if by hat and two if by scarf ;)
Magicknthenight
November 29th, 2008, 09:11 PM
I don't think you are over-reacting at all! The thought of going through your wet hair with some harsh treatment on with a tiny comb doesn't sound fun at all. I have had lice as a kid. Mostly when i went over to a certain friends house. I was at my moms house one time and found out they had gotten lice. They did the treatments and they went away. I was kinda scared to be too close to them. But i never got anything. Even sitting in the same room. As long as you heavily oil i don't think they'll get you ;) especially when she is doing a treatment
good luck!
Sunshine69
November 29th, 2008, 09:57 PM
In fact, lice *can* jump, and in any case the bigger concern is that they lay eggs that stick to textiles. AJoifulNoise, if you're really concerned I'd suggest either putting covers over the sofa pillows or taking the covers off afterwards and freezing them for a week or two, then washing.
Personally, *I* wouldn't take a kid with lice to someone else's house. I think it's inconsiderate.
It is true, however, that when my friends' kid had lice while I was staying with them no one else in the house got them, so you probably really will be OK. But we were all creeped out, and of course her head was treated the night we found out.
wg
I respectfully disagree. Lice cannot jump.
head lice FAQ (http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/ent/notes/Urban/lice-faq.htm)
Darkhorse1
November 29th, 2008, 10:36 PM
That's kind of...risky to have a child over with something that transmittable. It only takes 1 lice to crawl off her and onto something and then transfer to your home.
Lice don't jump or fly, but still, if she's laying on bedding, guarentee it will get onto your bedding etc.
I NEVER got lice in school and I was the one who had long hair growing. My mother gave me these tips, and NEVER had a problem:
1. Keep hair dirty--they have a harder time attaching to greasy hair
2. Keep hair tied back--harder for them to attach to scalp
3. ACV rinses keep them at bay--we used this and NEVER had a problem.
Nevermore
November 30th, 2008, 12:40 AM
If you do get lice, and I hope you don't, you can use one of the natural treatments for them that were mentioned here in threads before, including olive oil and mayo. The comb will go through much more easily with something like that on your hair. While it would still be a very unpleasant experience, it doesn't have to be hair-murder :)
For what it's worth though, I sat between three chronically-infested children all through fifth grade and never got lice. I didn't ever wear my hair up or anything either. While I'm sure some people are much more likely to get them, being around someone with lice isn't an automatic louse sentence. However, as her parents, I would keep her home. Make it fun, with movies or something, but definitely keep her home until she's louse-free. As your parents, I would have to draw a hard line about this. No, she doesn't have ebola, but she does have contagious creepy critters.
winter_star
November 30th, 2008, 01:32 AM
Yes I have heard they dislike dirty hair too. Use tea tree or eucalyptus oil and braid and bun your hair.
Alun
November 30th, 2008, 02:07 AM
I've never had lice, and the thought of them totally freaks me out! Yes, I did have long hair in school, although not really very long, and I was a teenager by then.
This is making me scratch right now, just thinking about it.
I don't think it's over-reacting to say that they shouldn't take her out to dinner at someone's house until she's clear. However, this decision is out of your hands.
Different people have had different experiences with lice, from what I have read, ranging from one treatment killing them off, to people who have been stuck with them for months and have had to try loads of different things and do them repeatedly before the lice were gone. The former might think that lice are no big deal, but evidently they can be.
I reckon that one reason for this is that pest treatments rarely if ever kill off the eggs, so if the problem goes after one treatment it can only be because by a stroke of luck the treatment was done at the right time in the life cycle of the pest. That's like rolling the dice. It seems way more likely that more than one treatment would be needed for most cases of infestation, and I don't see any reason why lice should be any different from any other creepy crawly in that respect. Treatments that do kill eggs are definitely worth paying more for, but even if such a thing exists for lice, you aren't the one buying it, so this too is out of your hands.
However, I would guess that immediately after treatment is probably the safest time, because at least in theory she should have no live lice, only eggs. It could be worse if they waited a little and the eggs started to hatch on the day they came, if that is any consolation.
It sounds like you have a good plan. Why can't you just go out that evening, though? Would someone construe that as a bigger insult than hiding in your room?
In your position I would be tempted to buy that bedding spray and sneak 'round spraying the furniture after the visit, when your stepmum isn't looking! That could presumably cause a row if she catches you doing it, though!
AJoifulNoise
November 30th, 2008, 11:14 AM
Well, false alarm. It turns out that they can't come for an unrelated reason. Relief, I have it. I was just about to dump oil on my head when I got the news.
She will probably be here next weekend, which is better. Though, I will probably still take some precautions as she will be spending the week with her mother who will not be on lice patrol.
marajade
November 30th, 2008, 11:43 AM
Well, false alarm. It turns out that they can't come for an unrelated reason. Relief, I have it. I was just about to dump oil on my head when I got the news.
She will probably be here next weekend, which is better. Though, I will probably still take some precautions as she will be spending the week with her mother who will not be on lice patrol.
Yay!!! We are breathing a sigh of relief for you!!! :cheese:
Periwinkle
November 30th, 2008, 11:49 AM
Glad it's turned out okay :)
Speaking to people from the States, it seems that there's a big difference between the Brit attitude and the Yank attitude. I remember seeing in another thread about lice at schools that almost everyone who posted from the US said they keep their children/were kept home from school when they had lice, but that's not something I've ever heard of here and I can't recall someone from the UK posting about it either, even though several UKers posted.
Given that that's how I've always viewed lice (tie your hair up and get on with life), I would say that it's overreacting to keep her home just because she has them. She can tie her hair up, as can anyone else with long hair, and you can avoid contact as much as possible. As for furniture - I understand that there's conflicting messages about this, but I've always thought lice die very quickly without heat (i.e. a head) so just leaving the furniture alone or maybe spraying it with some of the spray that's been mentioend before would be fine. :/
Lady Lilya
November 30th, 2008, 04:30 PM
I was kept home for a month due to lice in the 5th grade. (Along with my sister and her best friend.) The lice and eggs were killed off after the first washing, but the eggs clung to the hair. You could see that the eggs were dead. They looked different.
Every morning we went to school the usual time, and went straight to the office where we were inspected. Then every day they sent us home. My father waited outside for us. Then we combed and combed and combed trying to get the eggs out. It took a month before they let us back in.
wendyg
November 30th, 2008, 05:20 PM
madhatter: I was born in 1954, so no. I have never in my life washed my hair every day.
wg
Laila23
November 30th, 2008, 09:12 PM
I'm glad that everything worked out for you in the end. :)
sahiba
December 1st, 2008, 02:41 AM
Yay!!! We are breathing a sigh of relief for you!!! :cheese:
Same here. I was constantly in touch with this thread but had nothing to write , for I felt you can do nothing about these 'head pests'.From this thread I got a lot of information on lice and am genuinely relieved for you.
Alley Cat
December 1st, 2008, 02:54 AM
I was kept home for a month due to lice in the 5th grade. (Along with my sister and her best friend.) The lice and eggs were killed off after the first washing, but the eggs clung to the hair. You could see that the eggs were dead. They looked different.
Every morning we went to school the usual time, and went straight to the office where we were inspected. Then every day they sent us home. My father waited outside for us. Then we combed and combed and combed trying to get the eggs out. It took a month before they let us back in.
That's appalling .:shake:
AJoifulNoise I am glad everything has worked out for you .:flower:
heidi w.
December 1st, 2008, 09:51 AM
I think it's incredibly stupid of them to think it's ok to bring a child with a highly contagious condition over to anyone's home. :crazyq:
If her staying home is not an option, she should have her hair heavily oiled, bunned and completely covered. That would probably be the least dangerous option. I don't recall you mentioning how old she is? An older mature child would probably be able to be mindful of what she touches. Young kids have a very difficult time practicing good hygiene and infection control practices.
This would be like taking your dog infested with fleas to go visiting other doggies in other homes!
Beyond rude. It's called a health problem.
There's a reason why schools dismiss kids with lice until it's under some control.
And uh, lice can survive longer than many realize, in couches, anything the head touches, pillows of a rocking chair.....the carpet! (kid rolls around on the carpet)
REALLY INCONSIDERATE. I think there is a way to say no thank you.
It's claimed that dirty hair resists lice. Clean hair, it's claimed, is a haven for lice.
heidi w.
ETA: Glad to see you got a reprieve. My experience is it took a while for the lice to go away. Longer than a week! (It was awful to deal with.)
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/lice/article_em.htm
Head lice
The head louse is a grey-white animal about 2-3 mm in length (about the size of a sesame seed). The life span of the female louse is about one month. During this time, she will produce between seven to 10 eggs ("nits") per day and attach them firmly to the hair shaft region close to the scalp or body. These nits, which resemble dandruff, are attached with a gluelike, water-insoluble substance that makes them difficult to remove. After six to 10 days, the nits hatch as nymphs and become adults in 10 days.
Head lice are the most common form of lice infestation. The CDC reports that 6-12 million people in the United States are infested each year. Children aged 3-10 years in preschool, elementary school, and day-care centers are most likely to have lice. All socioeconomic classes are affected. Girls are more commonly infested, but hair length or personal hygiene are not predictive factors. Due to unique hair characteristics, African Americans are less commonly bothered by head lice.
Head-lice transmission is most commonly via direct head-to-head contact. Sharing pillows, caps, headphones, and combs/brushes are notorious ways to transmit head lice. Since the head louse dies due to dehydration within two days if not feeding on their human host, contact with carpeting and couches is less commonly seen as a route of transmission. Most lice infestations are asymptomatic (meaning they cause no symptoms). However, itching of the scalp, neck, and behind the ears are characteristic symptoms. Intense scratching may lead to secondary skin infections (for example, impetigo) and associated enlargement of the lymph nodes of the neck and scalp regions.
The diagnosis is made by demonstration of the louse or nits. Nits are more easily seen when examined using a Wood's light ("black light") that causes them to fluoresce as pale blue objects attached to the hair shafts near the scalp. A fine-tooth comb run through the hair will also demonstrate adult lice and nits.
neon-dream
December 1st, 2008, 09:52 AM
ughh!!!
I had headlice 14 times when I was in primary!!!
Nightmare
AJoifulNoise
December 7th, 2008, 10:46 AM
Well, the head lice are here. It was just delayed until now. Her dad actually completely wiped out the infestation before, but her mother didn't do anything to help (they are divorced). She didn't clean anything in the house. Nor did she check her daughter's hair to see if they were gone/returning. So, the critters came right back. I'm so mad at her I could... Do and say very unjoyful things. :angry::hatchet:
We went out before they (my neice and her dad) got here and got a new lice removal/killer package, some fabric spray, and tea tree oil. I've already smeared some of the oil on my hair. Kinda wish I'd had it before I put my hair up this morning, but that's okay. I got an extra bottle for her to take home with her. I'm going to try to teach her how to put just a dab on her hands and smooth it through her wet hair. Any little thing to help her avoid these pests in the future.
My stepmom's going to call social services in the morning about the messy house and lack of cleaning up after the incident. Also, about other neglect. Their mother is passively abusive. She just doesn't care for them, especially my neice. But, everytime someone calls her out about it she gets away with it because "there's food, a roof over her head, and clothes." It's a very sad situation...
patissegrietje
December 7th, 2008, 12:29 PM
:( I feel sorry for your niece! And for you as well, i can understand your concern; however, i think 'catching' lice would just be bad luck! I had 2 interns running around my office, it turned out they both had lice for at least a month (they found out about it quite late, they had itches on the head but the doctor told them it was eczema!)
Our coats probably hung on the same hanger etc. but i never got them! (ruined my hair looking for the critters though)
Maybe it's because of the acv rinses?
AJoifulNoise
December 7th, 2008, 12:42 PM
Turns out everyone living at her mom's house (which is a lot of people... too many) has lice. And it's spread to my other brother's family, too. When asked why she hadn't done anything she said "there's nothing I can do..." Bull sh!t!
I did show my neice and her dad how to use the tea tree oil. Sent a bottle home with her. Hopefully she'll use it, but I have a feeling it won't help against what she's heading back into.
She was so infested with them that they could see them dropping off of her when they used the lice-killing shampoo. They could see all the dead bugs in the tub. I didn't go look for myself.
After they left I sprayed everything down and threw what I could in the washer. I'll be wearing my hair up for a few days (nothing unusual there) and using the tea tree oil. If I get lice I'm calling her mother and giving her a piece of my mind!
zen_oven
December 7th, 2008, 01:01 PM
Man, poor kid. A friend of mine's daughter ALWAYS came back from her dad's with lice (the daughter's stepmom's kids constantly had them and dad and stepmom never did anything about it). My friend would pick her kid up from the airport and a lice-killing kit would be waiting for them in the bathroom at home.
I don't think you were freaking out to much. I'd feel the same.
Lady Lilya
December 8th, 2008, 03:47 PM
There was a time when I was about 12 that lice was going around so bad in our neighborhood that my parents would only let my friends over if they went right away into our shower and washed their hair with the lice-killing shampoo. They all willingly consented. It ended up being a kind of fun ritual for everyone.
burns_erin
December 8th, 2008, 04:14 PM
You might try reporting to the kids schools that so and so has a lice problem because ....
Then they have to are at least are supposed to check and report. CPS tends to take school officials a little more seriously than the average JoeBob off the street.
You might also alert any other of the mandatory reporters in her life. Mandatory Reporters are doctors and lawyers and teachers, etc.
Elphie
December 8th, 2008, 04:14 PM
Youngest son just came home with a note that someone in the class has it. Thank goodness it's not him!
Alia
December 8th, 2008, 06:01 PM
God, your poor niece! Doesn't her mom care that she, herself, has lice? :confused: Definitely report the heck out of this. An infestation of that magnitude can cause anemia, not to mention being a disease vector...typhus, anyone? Her mom should be ashamed.:mad:
NeilTheFuzz
December 8th, 2008, 06:05 PM
I'd keep well away. :p I've never had headlice but just the thought of them makes my head itch! Ever since my girl friend started working in the kiddies section of the shoe store she works at I've been a paranoid wuss. Everytime she scratches her head I start thinking about the gits.
suicides_eve
December 8th, 2008, 07:10 PM
in our family we did a courtesy by not showing up until our lice was clear. Sure we missed out on Sunday dinner or two but to not have given it to the whole family tree was worth it.
I would try if you could to postpone the event. Lice can spread. Your not a bad person for suggesting have a get together after the little lice problem has been taken care of
rileysmama32208
December 8th, 2008, 07:29 PM
#1 I feel so bad for your niece to have such an uncaring mother. And to have lice on top of it, ugh.
#2 I would NEVER, in 1928474520929847 years take my kid to someone elses house if they had lice. I just think thats inconsiderate.
I hope your brother is able to keep those bugs off your poor niece :(
NebraskaChick84
December 8th, 2008, 10:34 PM
what you described with your niece? that was me. I had really long pretty hair (I believe it was waist) and I had it so bad that whenever I would turn my head I flung lice all over the place.
I must have shampoo'd with every thing on the market and just kept getting them back. finally we tried mayo. and ya know...I have never had them since. we bought a huge jar in the bulk section at walmart for something like $10 and a thing of saran wrap and everyone's hair got mayo'd and wrapped.
I'm so going to start oiling my hair though...I'd prefer to prevent rather than treat. hugs
Jami
ktani
December 21st, 2008, 07:46 AM
Just sharing this. I found it while searching for other information.
http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showpost.php?p=388720&postcount=11
PHOENIX MOON
December 21st, 2008, 09:48 AM
Hey all,
Firstly, I feel that it is the person you are dealing with that is the important thing. Your step niece will probably get stick from school if they go to a public school. Shouldnt her family treat her with support? If you have throws and are really worried, get a waterproof lining for the throws if you are worried to prevent the lice burrying into the sofa etc. Then boil wash them or throw them out. If you wear lots of leave in conditioner and keep your hair plaited and then in a bun the lice technically are less likely to spread to your hair/grip to the hair. Then before you wash the conditioner out comb your hair.
Maybe you can help your step niece by getting some cheap conditioner and fine comb out her head lice. Get to be known as the long haired step auntie! Hehe!
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