Help! DD has lice

[lfeikert]

Didn't know which smilie fit so I used them all! I'm almost afraid to post this, but I know if anyone will have suggestions and support for me it will be here!! I discovered it on DD5s head this morning. I have washed everything treated her hair, treated DS2 even though I don't think he has it, spent 3 hours picking nits from long curly thick brown hair. I've used the spray that comes with the shampoo on the furniture and the floors. What else can I do????? It seems like an impossible task to get all the nits out of her hair, but that's what they tell me to do. This girl has A LOT of hair! If she was a boy, she'd be bald by now!! In fact, I think DS might be in for a buzz cut tomorrow just in case!

Someone told me to put throw pillows, stuffed animals, etc. outside because they will freeze. How long??

I'm a teacher so I'm not new to the whole lice thing, but I've just never had to deal with it myself. Any ideas will be GREATLY appreciated. I just want them out of my house

 

[ChristmasElf]

I would just start with a good lice removal shampoo and make sure to repeat it in a few days just to be sure.

I know that if you use things like mousse and hair gels and hairspray on your child it helps in keeping lice away.

Good Luck!

 

[goofinoff]

Ugh!! Haven't had that experience yet but heard it's a nightmare....Good luck! Let us know how you make out!!

 

[Tracy Savage]

Didn't know which smilie fit so I used them all! I'm almost afraid to post this, but I know if anyone will have suggestions and support for me it will be here!! I discovered it on DD5s head this morning. I have washed everything treated her hair, treated DS2 even though I don't think he has it, spent 3 hours picking nits from long curly thick brown hair. I've used the spray that comes with the shampoo on the furniture and the floors. What else can I do????? It seems like an impossible task to get all the nits out of her hair, but that's what they tell me to do. This girl has A LOT of hair! If she was a boy, she'd be bald by now!! In fact, I think DS might be in for a buzz cut tomorrow just in case!

Someone told me to put throw pillows, stuffed animals, etc. outside because they will freeze. How long??

I'm a teacher so I'm not new to the whole lice thing, but I've just never had to deal with it myself. Any ideas will be GREATLY appreciated. I just want them out of my house

You can put the pillows and stuff in sealed garbage bags for 2 weeks. Not sure how long if you put them outside. Good Luck!

 

[lfeikert]

You can put the pillows and stuff in sealed garbage bags for 2 weeks. Not sure how long if you put them outside. Good Luck!

Then what do you do?? Nothing?? After two weeks they are just good to go again or do I need to do something else to them to treat them? I'm wondering the same thing about the stuffed animals. Are they just OK after a week or so? It was horrible tonight when she had to go to bed without her favorite stuffed animal and her American Girl doll. I was hoping 24 hours would be good enough. It will be a good way to get her to give up some of those stuffed animals, but there are others that even I would never make her part with!

 

[Tracy Savage]

Then what do you do?? Nothing?? After two weeks they are just good to go again or do I need to do something else to them to treat them? I'm wondering the same thing about the stuffed animals. Are they just OK after a week or so? It was horrible tonight when she had to go to bed without her favorite stuffed animal and her American Girl doll. I was hoping 24 hours would be good enough. It will be a good way to get her to give up some of those stuffed animals, but there are others that even I would never make her part with!

Wash what you can. The bugs will die if you close the bags. You don't have to throw them out.

 

[SueM in MN]

Here's a good website:
www.headlice.org
One thing to keep in mind is that the shampoo and the sprays are insecticides, so you don't want to overdo them.

Here's another webpage from the Centers for Disease Control:
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/lice/factsht_head_lice_treating.htm

 

[Tracy Savage]

Here's some info ----

Wash all bed linens and clothing that's been recently worn by anyone in your home who's infested in very hot water (130 degrees Fahrenheit, or 54.4 degrees Celsius) then put them in the hot cycle of the dryer for at least 20 minutes.
Dry clean any clothing that isn't machine washable.
Have bed linens, clothing, and stuffed animals and plush toys that can't be washed dry-cleaned. Or, put them in airtight bags for 2 weeks.
Vacuum carpets and any upholstered furniture (in your home or car).
Soak hair-care items like combs, barrettes, hair ties or bands, headbands, and brushes in rubbing alcohol or medicated shampoo for 1 hour. You can also wash them in hot water or just throw them away.
Because lice are easily passed from person to person in the same house, other infested family members will also need treatment to prevent the lice from coming back.

In your efforts to get rid of the bugs, there are some things you shouldn't do. Some don'ts of head lice treatment include:

Don't use a hair dryer on your child's hair after applying any of the currently available scalp treatments, because some contain flammable ingredients.
Don't use a cream rinse or shampoo/conditioner combination before applying lice medication.
Don't wash your child's hair for 1 to 2 days after using a medicated treatment.
Don't use sprays or hire a pest control company to try to get rid of the lice, as they can be harmful.
Don't use the same medication more than three times on one person. If it doesn't seem to be working, your child's doctor may recommend another medication.
Don't use more than one head lice medication at a

 

[lajones81]

Lice sucks!

 

[lfeikert]

Thank you so much! Those websites were great and actually make me feel much better. I'm doing everything they suggest so I guess I shouldn't panic. We just often have families at school who have chronic cases and I don't want that to be us! It just took me by such surprise that I didnt' even think to sit down and do an internet search! That's why I knew I could count on the DIS

 

[Tracy Savage]

Thank you so much! Those websites were great and actually make me feel much better. I'm doing everything they suggest so I guess I shouldn't panic. We just often have families at school who have chronic cases and I don't want that to be us! It just took me by such surprise that I didnt' even think to sit down and do an internet search! That's why I knew I could count on the DIS

Can I just mention I am a hair stylist and I just want you to know that it is against the cosmetology laws to service someone with lice- Check DS well before taking him for a cut- I don't get creeped out by it, I have seen it enough, but it's embarrassing for the kids and everyone involved when we have to say we can't do them because of it. I always feel bad for them . They don't always understand.

 

[lfeikert]

Thanks for that info. I actually ran into my stylist today so I asked her about it because I have an appointment on Thursday. If I cut DSs hair, it will be here at home. My BIL has actually become quite skilled in the art of a buzz cut and often does my husband and a lot of his friends. I don't usually let him do DS, but this might by my one exception!

 

[Tracy Savage]

Thanks for that info. I actually ran into my stylist today so I asked her about it because I have an appointment on Thursday. If I cut DSs hair, it will be here at home. My BIL has actually become quite skilled in the art of a buzz cut and often does my husband and a lot of his friends. I don't usually let him do DS, but this might by my one exception!

UH OH!!! I have FIXED many of those!!!!! It always seems to involve men with clippers in the garage with beer.....hhhmmmmm.....GOOD LUCK!

 

[daisyduck123]

Don't forget about your car.

She sits in there & I'm sure, leans her head on the headrest...great way to pass it from person to person.

Sorry you have to go thru this.

 

[rkwells]

Here's a previous thread on the subject...Maybe this will help!

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1316998

 

[ohiominnie]

Dh (pediatrician) wrote a blog entry about lice and other creepy crawlies you might be interested in"

http://www.pediascribe.com/20060713/ringworm-and-scabies-and-lice-oh-my/

and his latest podcast talked about a new treatment for lice. Interesting stuff.

http://www.pediascribe.com/podcast/...t-death-cold-air-lice-treatment-347-404-5437/

 

[KerriSue]

There was a time when no matter what I did I could not get rid of those buggers. The day finally came and we have been lice free now for a good few years. I know how you feel with dealing with it. I have to say that Im the lice expert now, you can call me the Lice Slayer

Anyway, for a time I washed the kids hair with tea-tree shampoo and I would put a drop of the tea tree oil on the crown of their heads before leaving for school. Now, this could be an old wives tale, but Im sticking to it. That stuff works.

Good luck and to you.

Kerri

 

[wickedwitchoware]

i sympathize with you my dd 5 had lice forever i swear..she had very long and curly hair and we tried the shampoos spray etc... what worked for us was slathering her entire head of dry hair with mayo (it suffocates the little buggers) put a shower cap over the hair for an hour or more.then rinse the mayo out which is tricky then use white vinegar as a rinse (removes the glue from the nits) then after rinsing with the vinegar put the cap back on keep it on for as long as your dd can tolerate ,rinse the hair and comb out the nits. good luck!!

 

[maelcu]

The only thing that worked for my daughter when she got them was a robi comb. ZAPPED them. I got mine at walmart. I also noticed that it zapped the nits.

 

[lfeikert]

Thanks for all the suggestions. The school nurse checked her out today and said I did a really good job, but she still has some nits. MIL found a shampoo today that is all natural called Lice R Gone (original, huh!) that says it removes lice and nits. Since it's natural, I could use it now even after the medicated shampoo. It really seemed to work well. I used it on DS, too, even though I still don't think he has them. I went over her whole head again tonight and didn't see too many nits. There were some though so I guess I have to just keep doing this every night. They did head checks in her classroom today and two other girls were sent home. I think I'll buy her a shower cap to wear to school for the rest of the year!

Our nurse told me that as long as we don't get live bugs again that I don't have to wash everything again. I still will, but just not every night like I thought I was going to have to do!