Lice - how to discuss it with another Mum?

[BerylStreep]

My DD's class has been having an ongoing problem with lice infection since the start of the school year in September. My DD (6) picked it up at Christmas, and I was horrified, but I treated everyone in the family, and have been very watchful since then.

However we have been receiving notes from school, on a regular basis, advising that the infection is continuing in this class, and asking all parents to be vigilant.

At the weekend we were at a party for the whole class. One of the girls asked me to put her clip in for her, and when I did so, I saw that her her was absolutely full of nits - I have never seen so many - her hair was almost matted there were so many.

I spoke with the teacher today, to ask if she was aware if the girl in question had been treated for lice, and that these may be empty egg casings? The teacher advised that she had also noticed the problem, but that the head teacher had instructed her not to approach individual parents, just to send the general notes out asking for parents to be alert. She was not aware of the parents stating they had treated for lice, but said the mum had said she was having problems with severe dandruff. I think she may be mistaking the nits for dandruff.

If it was me, I would want to know, but I appreciate that it needs to be handled in a delicate way.

I know the mum reasonably well, but just don't know how to approach it.


Any suggestions?

[whomovedmychocolate]

I would suggest you offer to lend the mum a nitty gritty comb to check her DD and say you thought you saw something moving in her hair at the party.

So what if she is embarrassed her poor DD is probably itchy as hell.

[BerylStreep]

Ok, so what about saying, I saw that her DD had a lot of egg cases, and does she know they can be combed out? i.e. assume she has treated the problem, but that just the empty cases are still there.

[lisad123]

I would approach her and say that you noticed one or two in her DD hair, and you know the school have a problem.

[BerylStreep]

I have finally plucked up the courage to have the conversation - she said she has had it checked out and that it is dandruff.

Having had a nasty case of lice, I know the difference between nits and dandruff - and these were definitely nits, but she was adamant, and I didn't really want to start contradicting her. All I could do was share my experience, and tell her that Hedrin really worked for us, but tbh I don't think the Mum is going to do anything.

2 other girls caught lice last week - the notes keep coming, but obviously not all parents are checking.

My DD sits next to this little girl, and I am hyper-vigilant. Thank goodness term is nearly over.

I don't understand why the school can't address it. Bring back nit nurses, that's what I say.