Headlice at DCs preschool - what do I need to know?

[teacher1984]

Never experienced headlice before - if DC catch it what do I do? Is there any way to prevent it? Thank you!

[Ahrightsoted]

The best thing to buy is a nitty gritty comb and get into the habit of putting loads of conditioner in and then combing through. Wipe the foam onto some tissue and you'll see if there are any unwanted guests. Keep hair short or tied back and if there's an epidemic I also dab some tee tree oil behind there ears.
It's a total pain because you can't stop them being in contact with other kids but just be prepared.
You're making me itch now!!

[teacher1984]

Thank you for the advice! Fingers crossed we steer clear

[3rdrockfromthesun]

Comb every night and plait hair (and ignore the saying headline and clean hair - they do not care )

[Fooshufflewickbannanapants]

Second the nitty gritty comb. We have 6 sproglets and although it's the mightiest pain in the arse it does the job BUT you must do it regularly. It may also helps to learn about the life cycle of the licence so you can keep on top of it. I've found some of my kids were more prone than others as well 😕.

[Fooshufflewickbannanapants]

Lice not licence!

[Ditsy4]

Also agree with the nitty gritty comb. I used to wash and condition my daughter's long hair every Sunday. Comb through with condition on then back to rinse through. She only got them once and it was dealt with quickly. You could have a bottle of nit lotion in the house but combing is the most important thing. Agree with tied back hair and also explain about not sharing hair bands and bobbles. Believe me they do.

[Dancingwiththediamonddogs]

I find the anti-nit shampoo very good as a preventative. Also keeping boys hair sort, that way you can go through with the nitty gritty comb every day when they can home from school (tap the comb onto white paper and you will soon see anything).

Also I have found that what works to get rid of them on one child's hair does not work for another. If DD gets them it is a colossal pita as the nits (eggs) cling to the fine hairs at the side of her head, none of the official methods shift them. The only thing that works is to soak her hair in Listerine mouth wash and cover in cling film for a few hours (none official methods of lice removal get a berated a bit on MN, this method if good if you simply don't have the funds for all the proper stuff).

[3littlebadgers]

My dd1 is very prone to them, thanks to a certain child's mother who doesn't believe in any form of treatment. Anyway, I read on here that they hate lavender oil, which I've started using on her, and touchwood, since then she has been clear. I just pop a few drops into leave in conditioner and spray it on while I do her hair.