Help with Lice Infestation

Lice is one of those equal opportunity situations. Every parent will deal with this one at least once in their lifetimes.
Last fall, when the little critters visited my kids again, I did some research and wrote in my blog about it. You'll find a couple of good "recipes" along with some philosophy about the whole lice thing:
http://drsusanrubin.blogspot.com/2007/11/parenting-can-be...

Good luck!

Don't forget to treat bed linens, pillows, all clothing worn or in contact with worn clothing, etc.

For things that cannot be washed put them in a sealed plastic bag for 1 or 2 days.

Use the hottest wash water possible for laundry.

The products from the stores work pretty well. Just make sure you are follow the directions and treat every inch of your child's head. These little buggers are tough!

Check yourself any other family members.

It is a very annoying and inconvenient thing to deal with so make sure you do every thing right the first time to lessen your chance of re-infestation.

Good luck.
A.

Oh my gosh...let me tell you...i've been a mom for 15 yrs,will be 16 in sept,and never once in that whole time did i have to deal with lice and i have 5 children altogether.well,my husband and i moved to a lil one horse town last year,and we tried bein nice by letting kids spend the night so my kids could make new friend...................big mistake!!!!!!! After a few days my daughter started itching like crazy,i thought maybe it was because she has sensative skin and i had let her go swimming at a neighbors so i let it go by.i have no clue about lice,never dealt with it,didn't know what it looked like,so after 2 weeks she came to me cryin saying mom,it hurts real bad,she was itching it raw,i looked,i almost fainted,there was millions of these nasty critters crawling.i paniced,and got on the internet with the help of a friend,this really works i swear....i would do it again if i had to..god hope i dont..anyway,use this,they will be gone instantly,do one more treatment if you feel unsure.i did it because i have 5 kids and i wasnt paying $20 a box for the store stuff and the doctor said that the lice is so immune to it it really doesnt work...anyway,here it..sounds a lil gross but works like magic!
Mix in a bowl some mayo,vinegar,tee tree oil,a dab of thick conditioner and a dab of salt...work it in,i plopped a shower cap on all their heads even though they all didnt have it,i was taking any chances,it has to sit on there for 2 hrs,i made popcorn,popped in a movie and even my 2 and 3 yr old thought it was funny to have it on their heads,so that made it alot easier.the oily stuff suffocates the lice,you also need to comb through after with a fine tooth comb or lice comb,wash everything,dry it,the heat kills them off clothes and bedding,put all non washables in a garbage bag,leave it in there for 2 wks,spray mattresses and furniture,even car seats with lysol.it's amazing,good luck

F. LOOK HERE!!!!!!! Last summer my 2 step girls brought lice home from the cousins house in georgia. they came home at the beginning of july with there little friends!!! we finally got rid of them at the beginning of september! ugh! for two months i had the fight of my life. my husband(there father) and i have a 2 yr old also. we treated the older girls with the rid and did all of the combing out, but if you miss one egg and it didnt get treated and die, it starts all over again. my baby cought it and i wound up with them as well. we went through 200.00 in product, for the three girls. combing was a 8 hour process every two weeks, but we were treating them every week, except the baby, the chemical is really strong so i didnt want to put her little self throught that everyweek. we wound up cutting the babys hair to the shortest bob you have ever seen, she was getting really sick of having her hair combed. finally after about 7 treatments on each girl i found the magic that worked in the first try. the lice were becoming imune to the rid. i did not do this on the baby and you will see why. but on the older two i only had to do it two times in the two week period and they were finally gone. olive oil.. saturate their hair with it, wrap there heads in a plastic bag,whether store or a small garbage bag, use a winter hat to hold the bag on, i found the towels were too bulky for them to sleep in, and then they have to sleep with this on overnight. in the morning wash there hair(this should be done in a kitchen sink) with DAWN, because it" cuts the grease out" and it does. then comb out there hair with regular comb or brush, just to get the snarels out, then use vinegar and saturate there hair with that, then use the lice comb to comb there hair. i used hair clips to seperate there hair into sections so i knew what i did and didnt do the vinegar breaks down the "glue" that holds the eggs to the hair and they will come out so fast. i was so happy with finally getting rid of those little things.. if this ever happens again i am going to do this method first. and yes dont forget to do this two weeks after the first time and use the hottest water you can to wash EVERTHING. i also used the spray rid to do the stuffed animals( put them in bags for a while) and dont forget the carseats!!! couches ex... good luck

Buy the lice treatment from the pharmacy and/or supermarket. Treat right away following the instructions. In addition, wash his/her hair with vinegar, that kills them too. Hope it helps.

Dear F.,
There are many products on the market that deal with lice. They are shampoos that you put on your child's head, wrap their hair in a towel for as long as they recommend, and then rinse. Explain that lice come from sharing hats, combs, etc.
But the main reason I'm answering your question is that I was told by the school nurse that my daughter had lice. I did the shampoo and the explanation. A few weeks later I was told the same thing, her doctor agreed, and put her through the same procedure. By the third time I was told this, I realized something was not right. Come to find out, the conditioner I was using on her long hair was causing lice-looking residue on her hair. She actually never had lice and yet I put this child through hell. After that I watched with each product she used, and later on, another product caused the same reaction. I threw it out immediately.
If your child does have lice, then take action.

First of all...don't feel bad. Lots perfectly clean kids from well cared for homes get lice.
I'd say just wash everything...all bedding. Get some over the counter treatments and spend a long time combing your child's hair. Treat everyone in the house to be safe.
I think that the most important thing to do is to make sure that your child doesn't feel like they have done anything wrong or that they are bad or dirty. Just tell him/her that you are cleaning the hair for Spring!

good luck there is a lady in Brooklyn but I don't have her info but she is know as the lice lady? she will come to your house and rid you of the lice. My friend used her because her daughter had long hair! She used a citrus oil to put around her scalp as they don't like the smell! Our school now has a company come in so may times a year to check and it has helped. I have boys so I shave thier heads! Also remember they LIKE CLEAN hair so if there is an outbreak don't wash the kids hair and tie back long hair. good luck

hi. You got lots of great advice. I have had lice 3 times as a first grade teacher. Those little kids love to get close! In my opinion Laura M and Simone M had the best advice. I did not use a drugstore product for myself or my family (who go tit from me). I used an oil solution from an internet site. Our school nurse advises 30 days for the soft items in the double-bagged plastic bags. Put them in the garage. Don't forget chair and sofa cushions and your drapes if they are long enough to touch a head.. One additional caution - do not allow your child's coat or bookbag to touch another one in the coat area or at the gym/YMCA or ballet class, etc. Definitely buy the fine nit comb. We did have a party so the kids would not be to upset. Movies, charades, Daddy did card tricks, pizza, lip-syncing to fav songs, etc. while Mom nit-picked. So sorry.

They Sell NIX or lice shampoo at CVS,

and you should wash all bed linen,
and hats, coats,

SPRAY the BED, PILLOW, and CArpeting, CARSEAT
and sofas with the DE LICE SPRAYS they sell in the store,

Lysol spray the toys,

Thats about all you can Do.

____

Now tell your daughter, NOT to sit next to anyone, on the bus, OR too close at school,

I would ASk the teacher to monitor the children whom have lice and separate them from the group.

Explain your child has been treated thouroughly.

Good luck its a real pain,

M

#1) don't freak out, I know it's annoying, the stuff you buy from the store's work great, but you need to follow instructions very very closely!!!!! Wash everything in the HOTTEST water possible, those that can't be washed buy the spray that you can get in the stores, put them into a garbage bag, tie it tight, spray the opening, then flip it over and put it into another bag and repeat the above steps. Store them out side if at all possible. If you noticed that you didn't get all of them out and it is to soon for another app. of shampoo from the store, spread cooking oil ( yes I said cooking oil) through your childs hair and wrap it up in a shower cap over night. Lice are skin breather's ( another wards they breath air through their skin) the oil coats their skin and they die. It's messy and a pain to wash the oil out, but it does work ( if it's a boy, you can always opt to shave his head down). Good luck and know that your not the first one to have to go through this!!!!!!!

Go to the drug store and get the stuff to wash the childs hair with. That will get rid of the lice. However you must make sure to tell the child that they didn't do anything wrong and that it was not their fault that they got lice. Explain to the child that anyone can get lice and being in school it is very common that lice will be around.

Dear F. S,

I've read all the responds so far and I think Laura M's advice is the best so far. I would like to add a few suggests to hers.

We've had Head lice three times in the past four years, the out break usually happens after the summer break (sleep away camp) and in the spring when spring sports start(shared helmets). It starts with one kid and spreads fast thru school, piling coats on top of each others, dress up, sharing hats, hair brushes, laying on carpeted floors hugging their friends etc...
You must be very diligent, they are hard to get rid of if you are not!

First step is to check everyones head in the house even Dads, if the males have it they can shave their heads. Look behind the ears at the nap of the neck, you may not see any with the naked eye so use a strong light and a magnified glass. Once you have determined you have the little buggers go out and buy
Crisco solid shortening, the white stuff your grandmother use to bake with. Put it in every head effected for 6 hours it's very messy but works by smothering them. Get a nit picking comb and at the end of 6hours comb through the hair and wipe of on white paper towel, you will be able to to see them. keep a pot of warm water to dip the comb in in will loosen soften the Crisco and make it easier to comb. You will be surprise at how many bugs and nits (eggs) come out.
Now while you are waiting for the 6 hour to end you must clean your house from top to bottom. If you can close off parts of your house for one to two weeks that would help cleaning them everyday, I am serious about this!! Wash everything in hot water bag the stuffed animals and loose pillows, extra blankets etc... for two weeks. put other things in the drier for 20 minutes, just as Laura M suggested.

Put hair brushes in the freezer for 24 hours, hair ties, clip or throw it out and start new and label everyones hairbrush. each time you use it put in a bag into the freezer, until you know you are lice free about 2 weeks.

Why do I sound so crazy? Because it only takes one egg to start the nightmare again, believe me I know!

Ok so the house is clean the crisco is washed out (dishwashing liquid cuts the grease, then shampoo) now you must hand pick the nits (eggs) out. They are very tiny and need to be pulled out by hand. use a magnified glass and a bright light or sun light. If you don't know what they look like google it. You must do this every two days crisco and nit pick for 10 to 14 days. Why because the nits/eggs take that long to hatch.

I know it's embarrassing but you must inform the school and friends you and your children have been close too. For their benefit and because you do not want the lice back! Drill your kids not to share hats hug friend roll on carpet etc... until the lice have gone away. Believe me they got it somewhere and most people will not be as diligent!

Lice is a fact of of our lives now and we need everyone to be diligent!

Are you exhausted yet?

It is very exhausting, now it you work and can spare $75 to $100 an hour you can contact a nit picker. Remember it takes hours! (google it) My friends have done that but I prefer to do it myself.

A few more things.

Rid is a pesticide you really don't want to use it!
Lice love clean hair, lice out breaks are everywhere Just google it!
Good luck.
G. A

Hi F., I remember how I felt when one of mine came home with head lice. Just go to the drug store and get A200 or what ever brand name they have. It seems embarrasing but it happens all the time. Not your fault. Follow directions and they will be gone. You may need more than one application. Kids can't go back until clear. Good luck. Grandma Mary

Hi F.,
Arbonne makes a tea tree oil shampoo that has been shown to fight lice outbreaks check out www.theskinyourin.myarbonne.com for more info! Email me for more info & on how to get 35% off

:)
A.

You seem to have plenty good advice but let your children know not to share anyones hat,comb or brush and also inform the school that they have to check the kids periodically. I would make a big stink to the school and also watch how your children have as friend or a sleepover. I have know very clean people that had this problem it is just that it can be very annoying. aslo you have to treat your hair and your husband as well as all the bedding. A. R

F.,

RID works and you can purchase it at your local supermarket but it is full of harsh chemicals. If you have to repeat the treatment, the poisons may get into your child's scalp. I work with a wonderful company that has safer products that will take care of the lice and not harm your child. Send me an email. Don't forget to wash all the bed linens as well. Good luck!

Sanitation Instructions: Lice are highly contagious and it is extremely important that they are eliminated as fast and completely as possible.

When lice are first detected, it is wise to launder everything with which the infected person has come in contact.

Bed clothes (including pillows), jackets (and any jackets that may be hanging close to the infested person's jacket), clothing (everything in the laundry basket), hair combs, brushes, ribbons and doodads, rugs and mats should be laundered in hot water at least 140 degrees. It is best to soak laundry in "pre-wash" for at least 30 minutes.

Items that are not washable, such as stuffed animals and sofa pillows, may be placed in a plastic bag and sealed for 30 days, causing the lice to suffocate. Carpets, furniture and car seats should be vacuumed twice. After each vacuuming, the vacuums bags should immediately be removed from the vacuum cleaner, sealed in a plastic bag and disposed of outside of the house. After vacuuming, those same areas should be steam-cleaned, if possible. Do not spray with any pesticide sprays. This will only compromise the immune systems of those living in the house.

Air fresheners contain the same pesticide that is in the over-the-counter head lice products and so should also not be used.

http://www.licesolution.com/instructions.html

Get "Nix" from the drug store. Wash everyone's hair, everyone in the house that is, even if you don't think they have lice. Use the comb to comb child's hair. Strip all bedding, wash in HOT water. Remove all curtains, draps, etc., wash in HOT water. Shampoo rugs. Vacuum and then wash floors. Wash all clothing anyone has come in contact with, including all clothing that's out on chairs, floors, etc. it's a really big job to get rid of lice. But if you do this, it will work. Dust all furniture with pledge or the like. I believe that you have to repeat the hair washing in 7 days, but read the package it will say. Good Luck. I've been there, it's no fun. Oh, yeah and make sure that all of your child's classmates are aware of the lice problem. Unfortunately, if they don't do all of this, your child will get it again. Talk to your child's teacher and let them know, it's in the school. They must advise parents.

Hey F.
You got some great advice,and I went through this a month ago,with 3 kids and myself,eventually my husband as well.We used tea tree oil,both in a shampoo and some diluted with water in a spray bottle.It is so much safer than the store treatments which are chemicals.It worked for us,no chemicals were used.Of course,we did like all the other moms,washed,vacuumed,and out away soft stuff in plastic bags for 2 weeks.Good luck,I plan on using tea tree oil shampoo monthly to help prevent them from taking hold ever again.
S.

You vaccum cleaner is your new best friend. Vaccum all sofas, pillows, beds etc., anywhere hair has fallen out that might still have a viable egg on it, which is pretty much everywhere in your home. This is one of the best ways to keep it from happening again.

The smother treatment works wonders and will have no nasty side effects for your children.

Place beloved stuffed animals in plastic bags in the freezer for 2 days. If not, they need to stay in a sealed plastic bag for 2 weeks.

The nit comb is easiest to use if you spread some conditioner onto your children`s dry hair first. This will help remove eggs and any new hatchlings.

And last but not least: If you have girls with long hair, braid their hair before school. Have your kids wear a head scarf or hat during an infestation. Lice like to swing off the loose hair of infected children and will land on the head of your kids, unless those heads are covered.

Hi Francine!

I can feel for you! My daughter had it last year and gave it to me and my 2 sons. I did the over the counter shampoo for me and my boys and it worked. But for her, it was tougher. She has long wavy hair and it was brutal. It seemed that I could not get rid of them! I got on the internet and tried many different remedies because I had used the over the counter shampoo twice on her and I was afraid to keep using it. It is so toxic. the best home remedy I found was to saturate her hair with Listerine. Then put a tight shower cap on. Keep it on for a few hours. Then rinse out. Worked unbelievably well! From now on, I don't think I would even bother with the shampoo, I would just go straight for the Listerine! Hope this helps1 Feel free to e-mail me with any questions1 Where do you live? I am in Guilford, CT

Take Care!

S. B.