Head lice - what to use and can school sort it at all?

Not so I'm afraid. My 34 yr old DD is a teacher and she gets them periodically, it's part of the job. Main thing to do is to treat the whole family at once, wash all bedding on that same day, and repeat next week.

I think failure to treat could be construed as a safeguarding concern (neglect). Worth putting it in those terms. Poor child, it must be so humiliating

Hedrin 8 hour stuff. Treat again in 7 days, and between have a good conditioner+nit comb session to get out as many eggs as possible.

Home Bargains does a good nit repellant spray containing tea tree and I think eucalyptus - you can also get a Vosene one that smells strongly of citronella.

Going forward, aim to smother your kid's head with conditioner and nit comb every weekend, just to check. You can do it while they're in the bath, it means that you'll be able to catch any infestation at an early stage, and if you have to treat them, they can go to school on Monday without the telltale greasy look from nit treatment.

My DD’s have very thick hair, I used to use olive oil and then a comb to remove what I could and use a lotion, then repeat the comb process in tiny sections. I’d always treat the whole family “just in case”, I caught them loads of times (either from my own kids or working in schools). Whatever you do, do it quick so she doesn’t get infested or they spread to the rest of you. Tea tree oil was a great repellent. Also keep her hair up, luckily at the school I now teach this is a rule so I haven’t had any in years.

It ruined my hair and DC2’s hair too.

What did you use instead?

My son has had nits a couple of times. I’ve used Sainsbury’s nit spray, followed by conditioner combing with a nitty gritty comb, followed on by vosene nit shampoo and leave in conditioner.

I’ve followed it u with conditioner combing and the vosene shampoo and it’s worked no problems.

We had week after week of having to treat. School sent multiple emails and letters, including 'targeted' ones to the class with the one child whose parent was insisting she didn't need to treat despite her poor child crawling and spreading them back to Everyone repeatedly. In the end a group of mums cornered the mum in question, who eventually conceded to treat, and problem solved.

*Worzel Gummidge

The Nitty Gritty comb ripped my hair to shreds. I had to have 6 inches trimmed off as it ended up like worse gummidge

This is absolute nonsense! Who on earth told you adults can’t get lice? I've spent the past year having lice on & off & on & off. Loads of adults get lice. Teachers usually have a supply of Hedrin at home

Use tea tree shampoo once gone all the time as lice hate the smell

When mine were at primary my eldest was in a class with a girl who had nots constantly. She had 5 siblings and the mum just shrugged and said she couldn't afford to treat them. We couldn't get rid of them from the class till the girl moved schools sadly.

They don't, forget about he school. You'll just have to get into the habit of checking your kids every couple of days.

Pressed send too early.

When you have finished, section the hair into small sections 6/8 and literally separate lines of hair and check scalp and hair for lice/eggs.

It takes a while but is worth it.

Exactly this.
Use a metal comb too.

Only addition to this (my kids have named me the queen of nitty hair) cos I can get them out in 3 days. <~~~ Weird boast

Get a table of treats, books, electronics or their favourite thing. Get them comfy. Comb and keep combing.

When you

You don’t have to use the pesticide shampoos. I wouldn’t if you’re very sensitive to allergens We never used the pesticides growing up. Comb through wet hair with a nit comb every night till they’re all gone, then two or three times a week for another week or so to catch any hatchlings then once a week just to make sure you catch it quick if your kids ever pick them up again. Conditioner helps get the comb through long hair.

The school can only inform
people. Sadly some parents will not treat adequately or at all.
You can catch them too. I did.
Bedclothes, coats, hoodies, hairbrushes, towels need to be washed at a high temperature. . Combing every second night for weeks.

Only to receive another email three months later with the same thing.

Welcome to the trials of primary school.

Why wouldn't you flat iron them after shampooing?

Silver neame conditioner is quite good for combing through. I preferred the white plastic nit combs, you could see what you were dealing with better than nitty gritty

Veet removal cream works wonders - is this an option for you?

Best thing is a NittyGritty comb and cheap conditioner. And dedication to the cause. Do the whole household for one week. Keep going for anyone affected for another few days. Then do it again about once a month to check for/limit reinfestation.

It's tedious but it works.

I haven't read the whole thread so someone may have recommended already, but the only thing that worked for us was NitWits. You can get it from Amazon. Squirt in, leave for 20 minutes, comb through and wash out. No need to repeat. Kills lice and eggs. Only thing that got rid of the buggers

Immune systems don't keep them at bay - they are headlice not flu!

Adults are less likely to get infested because they keep more of a distance from others.

Definitely get the Nitty Gritty comb, simple plastic nit combs will miss some.

I did swear by the slathers of conditioner and Nitty gritty comb. Rinse or wipe the comb after each "sweep". Take it from the hairline all the way to the ends. Pay particular attention around the ears/ hairline / back of scalp, they love those areas. Get comfy in front of the TV and then when you're done, straight into the bath to rinse.

The real key is to keep it up for at least a fortnight, and for a week after you've seen the last one. They lay eggs which hatch after 7 days so if you don't keep going you'll miss all the new young ones.

DD had very thick and long hair so many times we did also use Vamousse on her - and then still comb with conditioner every 2 days or so.

If you want to avoid the harsh chemicals just go for the conditioner and Nitty gritty comb - and time.

Yes to combing through everyone in the household.

When we were in the main nit years we often used to do a comb through just to check, on the slightest suspicion.

Nitty gritty comb, cheap conditioner. Comb everyone every 2-3 days until clear.
Hair up at school.
Once clear we sprayed daily with Nitty Gritty defence spray.
Once a week comb through during a regular hair wash.
Straighteners over their hair as well, I think that helps!

Adults DO get infested, honestly 😂Ive had them several times as they were rife in DS's class and he was a very cuddly child!