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AIBU?

How do I get rid of head lice this is getting ridiculous

59 replies

IdaBattersea · 22/12/2016 13:03

Posting here for traffic.

We had our first bout of headlice back at the end of the summer term, it was pretty bad, we used Hedrin and nitty gritty comb. Combed daily for about 3 days with conditioner then down to couple of times a week. We had several reinfections over the summer and then again this term. We now comb at least once a week with the nitty gritty comb sometimes twice and I haven't seen a louse for over a month.

Took girls to hairdresser today and hairdresser was starting blow dry she says to me sorry I can't continue your daughter has head lice. I was a bit shocked as we last combed at the weekend and explained our history and she said, the comb doesn't work it won't get rid of them it will make it worse as damages them and you don't get them out you have to use the lotion. She showed me the white flecks in her hair and said that is the eggs, there are no actual lice at the moment.

I told her the school advice said that there was no proof either way that lotion was more effective and it said combing with conditioner was supposed to be as effective, but if that wasn't the case I would go and get some lotion.

The hairdresser said lotion is the only way and I would probably need to do more than once and was adamant the comb doesn't work.

I can't believe this, we have battled with these and followed advice combing through with conditioner and now it sounds like this isn't enough. How can nitty gritty comb make the claims it does if it doesn't work, and will I ever get on top of these?

OP posts:

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KingJoffreysRestingCuntface · 22/12/2016 13:05

Garlic and garlic oil.

Pot of Easy Garlic mixed with olive oil. Cover hair. Wrap in cling film. Leave as long as possible.

Only thing that worked on DS. Hedrin is bullshit.

trixymalixy · 22/12/2016 13:05

which hedrin did you use?

The basic one has to be reapplied after a week.

I prefer hedrin once. It's expensive, but only needs one application and does the job.

MovingOnUpMovingOnOut · 22/12/2016 13:06

Are they definitely eggs?

Combing every day with conditioner does work. As does using Hedrin. You have to treat everyone all at once.

Odd she spotted them at blow dry stage.

Mamabear14 · 22/12/2016 13:06

I found the vamoose stuff way better than hedrin. It did need repeating even though it says it doesn't , and we did the nitty gritty comb, sectioning hair every single day until it was clear and then for a week after just to be sure. We now check twice a week just to see.

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 22/12/2016 13:07

If they are white they are old egg casings - how far from the root were they?

KingJoffreysRestingCuntface · 22/12/2016 13:07

Garlic oil dissolves the glue which holds the eggs to the hair, BTW.

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 22/12/2016 13:09

And combing does work as long as it is done properly.

IdaBattersea · 22/12/2016 13:09

I used Once. But DH's aunt works in social care and did a dissertation on head lice and she told me the comb was absolutely the best way.

I did say to her was she sure it was nits and not dandruff and she said yes they were....I really don't want to use the lotion again it was absolutely horrible stuff but if that is only way...

We even use the Vosene repellent I am just so shocked they are back as I thought we were being to careful.

OP posts:

IdaBattersea · 22/12/2016 13:09

will try and take a photo.

OP posts:

IdaBattersea · 22/12/2016 13:10

If they are old casings how have I not seen any actual lice when we have been combing over the last month

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ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 22/12/2016 13:11

Because they may have hatched over a month ago...

How far from the root?

Katsite · 22/12/2016 13:12

I have yet to find a comb which works to remove the eggs. I use the comb to find the eggs, but then I remove them one by one with my fingernails . that has been my experience. and I have used Licener shampoo recently which worked quite well. Still, I do not trust it to kill all eggs.

What about siblings and you and DH? I got lice from my DCs so potential for "re-infection" through this as well. I don't do the whole laundry routine either but bed linen, towels and hats. and stuffed toys in bed would also either need a break from being in bed with DCs or go in the wash.

It's a bloody nightmare and I have the feeling that they are not being taken seriously by parents of school mates either.

IdaBattersea · 22/12/2016 13:16

So they aren't right by the root but a bit down, it looks like dandruff v bad photo

How do I get rid of head lice this is getting ridiculous

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IdaBattersea · 22/12/2016 13:17

I comb my hair with a nitty gritty comb every day in the shower, I have never combed a lice out of my head, DH checks me and has never reckoned I have them. My other daughter hair looks clear...she has had them but not recently.

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MillionToOneChances · 22/12/2016 13:18

The old casings stay stuck to the hair and are really hard to comb out. I agree with PP that yours sound like empty egg casings:
www.eastampton.k12.nj.us/imageGallery/CAlderman16517/nits%20and%20lice1.jpg

If no live lice then hopefully you might have got rid of them. From my research Hedrin plus loads of wet combing with plenty of conditioner is the best way so you've been doing it right.

IdaBattersea · 22/12/2016 13:19

So if that is the case and they are old egg casings then other than those we could in theory be clear...? I actually don't know what the eggs themselves look like I have only every seen the live lice or these white things.

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Emochild · 22/12/2016 13:19

That looks like dandruff not nits

MillionToOneChances · 22/12/2016 13:20

Cross-posted. They're laid at the root so the further from the root they are the older they are. The easiest way I found to remove them was gripping the hair between my thumb nail and the pad of my thumb and drawing the nit to the end of the hair.

user1475253854 · 22/12/2016 13:20

I found using the metal comb alongside one of the plastic combs worked well. Then lots and lots of conditioner.

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 22/12/2016 13:20

If they are more than about 1/4 inch from root they are old and empty.

MillionToOneChances · 22/12/2016 13:21

If dandruff you'll be able to flick it off the hair. If a nit it'll be stuck and need pulling to top of hair as described above.

followTheyellowbrickRoad · 22/12/2016 13:21

Are they attached the the hair. If so they are from hatched eggs. Most probably from the last time they had them. Live eggs are dark.
You don't need to treat again.

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user1475253854 · 22/12/2016 13:22

Sorry have just seen pic. Yes they might just be the casings. The hairdresser could just be being extra-cautious, they probably have a blanket ban on anything that looks like head lice.

MissVictoria · 22/12/2016 13:22

I can't remember what brand i had used on me as a kid but it was brilliant stuff. I remember very clearly also sitting in the bath loaded with conditioner being combed, and the little blobs of conditioner floating in the water.

Lea060398 · 22/12/2016 13:24

From my experience (and research!) anything found on the hair shaft over 1 cm from the scalp will most likely be dead or a nut casing. For the nit to hatch it needs the warmth from the scalp

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