Not having a good day....

[Mermaid02]

...2 weeks ago my ds's daycare called. They had lice. We made it through unscathed. He hasn't been back there since the phone call (we were able to make other arrangements). Today he was diagnosed with strep throat and the NP wanted to do an ekg because he's complaining of chest pain and there's a strong family history of problems... no feedback from that yet. BUT I get home to a phone call from the our friend who we were camping with this past weekend- their dd's daycare called and she (along with her entire class!) has lice. So this time we were all exposed. I'm itching all over since the phone call. I said, "Well, I'll take your gnits and raise you a strep throat." We are using some heating oil today- it may be 85 degrees, but everything we own is getting washed in hot water!

 

[BuzzBoyMom]

Sorry 'bout your woes. Don't ya just love having kids....they share EVERYTHING!!!!!!!!!

 

[Pam]

Oh yuck!! I am itching right along side you!!

My son had a classmate get lice years ago when he was in preschool. She got it from a riding helmet of all things. Thankfully no one else got it.

This weather has been the absolute worse for sinus infections and colds. I hope the EKG comes back showing nothing. I get bronchitis rather frequently and my chest feels like cinder blocks are on it - maybe he has a touch of brochitis as well. Hope he feels better soon!

 

[Sparx]

oh dear! I'm sympathy itching.

I got lice in preschool and I had long, thick, curly hair. it was murder trying to get rid of them. I remember just sitting and crying while my mom raked that comb through my hair. it wasn't tanlged, it just just really thick and really curly.

 

[need_a_Disney_fix]

Sending cyber hugs and cyber sympathies to you. A little pixie dust may not hurt either. Hang in there, Mom!

 

[hellokitty86]

Yikes! Lice and Strep Throat are NOT a good combination!!!

I had lice when I was in Elementary School..Every time I went to this one girls house, I would get it again. It got to the point where my mom just wouldn't let me hang out with her anymore, because her mom wouldn't do anything about it. I feel for you! I have long thick hair and it was VERY HARD to get rid of. Hopefullly you get it under control quickly!!! And I hope your son is feeling better soon.

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

hang in there!!!! Hope things clear up soon!!!

I made it through school and college without getting lice - hoping DD8 is the same way....keeping my fingers crossed!!!!!

 

[TheDisneyTraveler06]

Oh Man! Hope the rest of you stay clear of it! Hope your DS feels better!

 

[justjulie]

Don't quote me but I've heard that if you coat the hair in olive oil and then wrap it with plastic wrap the lice are suffocated ....

 

[justjulie]

The Packard Children's Health Services Pediatric Hotline at Stanford is hailing another popular treatment. It uses regular shampoo and three ingredients that can be found at most health-food stores:

Shampoo (use an inexpensive brand such as Prell -- these seem to mix more easily with the oils).
3 tbsp olive oil.
1 tsp tea tree oil.
1 tsp rosemary or eucalyptus oil.

Add the oils to a small amount of shampoo and mix well. Work into hair and leave on for half an hour with a tight-fitting shower cap. This mixture has a strong smell. The fumes may burn the eyes, so don't lean forward. Wash hair two or three times to get the oil out. Repeat the procedure if necessary.

I'm hearing positive reports about this nontoxic treatment, though to my knowledge, no medical studies have been conducted to establish the efficacy or possible side effects of this treatment.

 

[Anjiebaby]

Hi I have what is probably a totally un-needed word of caution. I only say it because I wish someone had told me.
My son had strep throat last year, then developed what was diagnosed as Scarlet Fever. Scarlet fever is a reaction that some children develop to the strep bacteria in their body. Classic symptoms are Fever, rash and strawberry tongue.
His Fever lasted 5+ days and the Rash lasted a long while and his hands and feet were swollen and then started to peel. When we went back to the doctors they realized that it might be Kawasaki Disease. This is a more dangerous disease as it causes swelling to the blood vessels and this can affect the coronary arteries. He had to go for an Electro Cardiograph and an Ultrasound on his heart. Luckily he came out of this without any permanent damage to his heart. The unfortunate part is we will have to have him checked every two years because damage can develop later. Also the peeling of the hands and feet still happens periodically.
If he had been diagnosed earlier he could have been treated with intravenous gamma globulin and high dose aspirin. The treatment must start within the first two weeks of the disease before the peeling starts as this is too late.
Basically Kawasaki disease is rare but it does occur and is often confused with other diseases. I only pass on this word of caution as you mentioned you already had concerns with your son's heart. Good luck with everything. If you need to insist on tests.