Head Lice

I found all these issues with lice were of zero importance when I went bald. Funnily enough, they became a lot more important when my daughter came home with an infestation last winter!

I just love the school larger trips....always a bonus gift on kids return. This time nice itchy headlice!

So, any good tips.

1. am washing all sheets and put matress in the sun.

2. Chemical shampoo? Vinegar?

3 what about cushions and sofa cushions?

4. Put brushes and combs in steamer - good idea?

Finally, we have a cat. Do you think we could have given it to him? Any tips or do you think they prefer humans?

Not fun in this great weather! Just washing ....at 60 or is 90 better?

We thankfully avoided it so far! Had a note from the school teacher, various kids in 1P had the lice.. Please check etc..

Went to the pharmacy and spoke to them, they checked with the special comb and nothing found, so sold us the comb and some spray to deter the lice, smells like citronella and so far - so good, no lice!

Don't forget, you could just iron the clothes and bedding, that should kill 'em.

We found using a Lice comb dipped in a strong solution of disinfectant (Dettol) worked well enough, just like the old nit nurse at school.

Can headlice be transferred from humans to cats? Son has headlice and likes to cuddle face to für with the poor cat!

Lice are species specific so the cat is not at risk of catching them from your son.

I found that washing my daughter's hair and applying a great amount of conditioner works wonder to get them out. I then repeat every second day to get the eggs missed and the one born in between the washing. This way, we get over it pretty quickly without using any chemicals. It's a pain and time consuming but it is very efficient.

Ugh, I had problems with headlice during my daughter's first year at school in the UK. I kept buying the lotion, putting it on, combing them out, and getting rid of them. But they just kept coming back. I asked the school to send out letters to parents to check their kids' hair but they didn't (too "sensitive" apparently!) I was convinced she was getting re-infested by whichever kid did not have their hair checked/treated and ended up going into the school office to complain, as I was spending too much time and money on treatments and was getting fed up.

I was told to invest in the "Nitty Gritty" comb. It is not like normal nit combs, the teeth are spiralled. I didnt expect any better results than I'd had, I only bought it so I could tell the secretary that I'd tried everything INCLUDING her suggestion.

But you know what it's the best £11 I ever spent. It pulls out all the eggs that normal nit combs missed. And I know this because I had combed her hair with a normal nit comb first, until the insects were out and the tissue was clear. I used the Nitty Gritty and with every wipe there was at least 20 little orange/brown specks on the tissue. Eventually when the tissues were looking clear, I washed the comb and since that day she has not had nits or lice once I use it every now and then to check but it's been clear ever since then. That was over 2 years ago!!!

I can only conclude that all the time I'd thought she was getting re-infested at school, in actual fact the treatments were killing the bugs but leaving some eggs and they were just hatching as soon as I'd gotten rid of the previous generation and cycling like that again and again!

I highly recommend the Nitty Gritty!!!!

So happy they are selective with their hosts. Don't fancy decontaminating the cat!.

I have two lice combs. One metal and one plastic. But the nitty gritty sounds good am going to check it out on the web!

I've used Hedrin several time with my kids and it's been effective every time. You don't have to repeat it a week later and there is now an Express version that you only have to leave on for 15 minutes. Good luck!

Keep her hair tied back in a plait when at school for a while ... This helps a little to stop re-infestation! Good luck

This thread reminded me of a video I saw recently. This poor little girl must have been so itchy...

Sadly his hair isn't long enough but thanks anyway

The parents should be ashamed.

Oh my gosh! Poor girl I'd thought my girl was "riddled" with them because sometimes I would get more than one out in the same sweep. That is one extreme case there!!!!