Treating Afro Hair for Headlice - HELP NEEDED!!

[Tryharder]

I am desperate for any advice that anyone on here can offer.

I have 3 mixed race children (black/white) and discovered (to my horror) that we have all got headlice. Obviously, I went to the chemist and got some stuff to treat myself but my 2 older boys have both got very thick, natural dreadlocks that are not combable. When I told the pharamcist that I couldn't comb their hair, she said, well use lots of conditioner, but it really is not combable unless of course you broke all the hair off and tortured the kids in the process.

My other problem is that my daughter is only 5 months old and none of the stuff at the chemist was recommended for babies. I have got some live lice out of her hair with the nitcomb and conditioner (her hair is softer)but I am scared that there's still eggs and lice in there. I am heartbroken at my gorgeous little girl being lice-ridden!!

I am going to ring the GP tomorrow to ask if he has any idea what to with my sons's hair but I have asked HCPs before about this subject and got nothing constructive. I will as a last resort cut all their hair off but it's beautiful and I don't really want to!

Any advice from mums of black or mixed race kids welcome. I know lots of mixed race families but without exception their hair is softer than my children's and thus combable and all the black kids I know have such short hair that headlice isn't a massive issue.

[lisad123isasnuttyasaboxoffrogs]

DDs have thick curls and DD2 is horrible hair (DH has italian thick hair). It takes hours to get a nit comb in her hair and alot of conditioner. I also plait her hair so less likely to get nits.
Could you get a comb in with oils??

[Tryharder]

I couldn't Lisa. The hair is properly knotted into dreadlocks. I have spent so much time and money (on products) to make their hair look fab and I really don;t want to get it cut. But it's looking increasingly likely that it will come to that. Bloody headlice!

[FiveColdRingsForSolo]

My Dd is mixed race black/white too, but she has softer, European type hair, though it is a nightmare at times if I don't keep it plaited (like now).

I would think you'll have to consider the cutting option tbh and I would also recommend to phone through an order for Nitmix. It is sensational stuff. I will link in a moment.

[FiveColdRingsForSolo]

here

Last time I phoned them, they were extremely helpful and talked me through the tight curl scenario/problem. I also got my order through the next day! though it was September, not Christmas week.

[jonicomelately]

You should probably be able to get the lice and eggs out of your dd's hair using conditioner. What about using baby oil? That would probably work as well.

Don't know what to suggest for the boys. There is no easy answer. Even if you could kill all the lice and eggs using Headrin or similar would you shake off the feeling the debris (so to speak) is all out without getting a comb through it?

[Tryharder]

Thanks all for support. FiveColdRings, what did they say about tight curl scenario? Have just had a look at the website and am going to order some products if they're as good as you say....

Yes, Joni, when I did my own hair this evening and got some big lice out, I actually cried. It was so disgusting. I never had headlice as a child, not once and my kids have never had it before to my knowledge. I've been itching for a week or so but didnt really think anything of it.

The sad thing is, is that they have probably had it for ages. DS2 was scratching at his head weeks and weeks ago. We suspected headlice but I couldn't see anything so asked the HV to have a look and she said there wassnt anything there. I also rang the school nurse and she said she couldn;t check for me and that I had to comb his hair {why won't people believe me when I say I can't comb their hair!!!}. I have also noticed that pink mark around DS2's neck that is in the Nitmix website but hadn;t thought anything of it.

[FiveColdRingsForSolo]

It really is that good.

For the combing out of tight curls, it was a case of gentle piece by piece combing through, but I really do recommend a chat with the man at the end of the phone; he was fab! also, I don't think that combing advice was aimed at dreadlocks.

My Dd got them aged 6 months the first time and gave them to me. I never got them at school as a child either, so it was a shock.
Dd has had them 3 times in all (she's 4), and usually when I've forgotten to use the everyday spray that you make up in a bottle. I really do try not to forget now and usually give her a final rinse in it after washing.