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Original poster

Is this nits??

44 replies

TopazQuartz · 25/08/2023 12:46

Me and my son moved to a new property about 8 weeks ago. I'm wondering if anyone can tell me what they think is going on because I'm pretty anxious right now.

Basically I have been itching pretty much since the move. I wondered if my son had picked up nits from school but he said his head wasn't itching and I've never been able to find anything on his head. I regularly use tea tree and do a twice weekly comb through of his hair as a prevention and he's never had nits. I don't do that with my own hair..

Anyway a few weeks into the move I'm suddenly feeling itchy. I put it down to nerves and anxiety. Decided just to be on the safe side to do the regular nit comb on me that week and thought no more of it. I went to a number of pharmacies just to check re scabies, none of them thought I had it.

Then one night last week my scalp was very itchy, as it was mainly the scalp I covered my head in conditioner and have been doing so every night, leaving it on and combing out in the shower every morning. My head is no longer itchy, but then I was getting body itches (despite showering daily). Always worse at night and then I would see tiny black flecks or specks on my skin. I figured it was evidence of lice, so have treated my whole body to neem soap, moisturiser and have taken our bedding, all of it, and clothes that we've worn, daily, to the launderette as we don't have a dryer here and I wanted to get them washed and then dried on a very high heat (I've now read that's not necessary for head lice, but with my body itching, I'm so grossed out and just want it all to stop).

Meanwhile my son, still no problems, no itching, he's fine.

A pharmacist told me the best thing is to use permethrin or malathion but unfortunately neither of these are available. He said to continue my regime as my itching has lessened a lot over the last few days and so far my son unaffected.

This morning I woke up and there were a few black specs in the bed but no where near like the last couple of days. Unfortunately there was like a rusty brown few marks on the pillow. Sorry to be gross but I'm so anxious about this as because I've moved I fear bed bugs. It's probably irrational but it's how I am. I know they leave a 'blood' type mark if you lie on them during the night. There has been no other evidence of bed bugs and neither of us have bites. So I looked to see what else this could be and I'm a little ashamed to say that I was working late last night and found some dark chocolate in my desk drawer and in my shattered and dopey state by then, ate a square of it and fell into bed in the early hours. I'm working a second job which is admin from home, so with that and the move, just stressed and that's bad I know, but that's kind of an explanation. Wondering if I did drool in my sleep and cause those marks.

I know I'm not going to know. I'm just about to head off to the launderette anyway as I'm going to keep up this routine for a few more days. If it's blood it will stain won't it? And if it's saliva / chocolate (sorry!) it should come out?

Sorry for the essay I'm just feeling so grossed out and ocd about it all now and I don't want anything like that getting near my son :-( We've never had anything like this, or lice. I'm hoping it's lice now because bed bugs would even more disgusting. I read on here last night that Hedrin doesn't contain chemicals, I didn't know that, having pharmacists telling me there's no product but hopefully there is that one and I can treat myself and son and then see how things go. Can children 'carry' these things sometimes and give to someone else but not be affected themselves? I know I should be clued up on all this but I'm not, sorry, I just thought it would be a lot easier, would appear on son and that I could go to a pharmacy and get sorted out but it's been way more complicated than that.

Thanks for any advice.

OP posts:
Original poster
TopazQuartz · 25/08/2023 12:53

I think I need parenting myself atm, lol. A calm voice of wisdom. My anxiety is through the roof but I know that's just because of the stress of the move, I'm seen as quite a calm, laid back person by everyone else, but truth is I suffer with underlying anxiety.

OP posts:
Original poster
TopazQuartz · 25/08/2023 13:00

last post for now, I have spoken to pest control but they can't see me for a couple of weeks. The person said it doesn't sound like bed bugs, but that was before today with the 'blood' on the pillow.

I was thinking, blood stains doesn't it, chocolate, maybe not, so perhaps that will give me a clue after washing today.

OP posts:
Original poster
TopazQuartz · 26/08/2023 00:21

Anyone? Sorry but I'm at a loss with this.

Good news the marks on the pillow case came out totally so I am panicking less about bed bugs. 😳Guess I spilt chocolate on the pillow 😳

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Skin conditions
MarshaArt · 26/08/2023 00:24

Really kindly, I think this might possibly be a mental health issue. It’s not actually super uncommon, people can get quite convinced by it. The more anxious you get, the more convinced you can be. Either way, it might be worth a trip to the GP. Hope you feel better and get to the bottom of it soon.

MadNads · 26/08/2023 00:30

Did the previous occupants have pets? Could be fleas. They can leave dirt which is black dots - 'Signs of fleas in your bedding include tiny black specks that are sometimes called "flea dirt." These are flea excrement; if you sprinkle them with a little water, they'll turn a dark-reddish brown'

Original poster
TopazQuartz · 26/08/2023 23:44

MadNads
Thanks for that. I've been treating for about 5 days with washing clothes and drying on a high heat daily and hair and body with conditioner and moisturiser after the shower.

This morning I woke up and only a few black specks, so I seem to be going in the right direction. So wondering still if it's nits/lice.

But yes I remember a vet telling me similar black specks were from fleas. ugh, I wouldn't mind but such a reaction to them, I'm very allergic.

Pest control are booked anyway, so I'm hoping I improve radically before they are due but if not, they are due and I've got these things in a jar for them (they told me they have a microscope), lol. Yuk.

Thanks again

OP posts:
Original poster
TopazQuartz · 26/08/2023 23:46

MarshaArt
I know you're coming from a kind place, but what I think you're picking up from is both my anxiety about it and the fact that I'm very pedantic when I'm typing out stuff. It can look like a mental health issue, those two things combined but actually it's just me and me in reaction to something that's real, the black specks are definitely real.

But my fears about it being bed bugs etc are my anxiety getting out of hand so yes, there is an element of that, but this is a real problem I have to solve.

I really hope it's just a case of lice, but having never had that I'm not sure. My son was itching his head today but swears that it was 'just an itch' and his head looks clear still, for now.

OP posts:
MarshaArt · 26/08/2023 23:53

TopazQuartz · 26/08/2023 23:46

MarshaArt
I know you're coming from a kind place, but what I think you're picking up from is both my anxiety about it and the fact that I'm very pedantic when I'm typing out stuff. It can look like a mental health issue, those two things combined but actually it's just me and me in reaction to something that's real, the black specks are definitely real.

But my fears about it being bed bugs etc are my anxiety getting out of hand so yes, there is an element of that, but this is a real problem I have to solve.

I really hope it's just a case of lice, but having never had that I'm not sure. My son was itching his head today but swears that it was 'just an itch' and his head looks clear still, for now.

I hear you, I actually mentioned it because I’ve heard of a few cases recently where this has been the outcome - and I suppose I projected a bit as I could imagine in myself how that could be the case. Anyway, I hope you figure out the cause soon and get it resolved Flowers

WunWun · 26/08/2023 23:56

This sounds like fleas to me. 90% of them live in the environment, not on the animal. Quite possibly it was infested before you moved in.

Get some flea spray

Original poster
TopazQuartz · 27/08/2023 00:30

WunWun · 26/08/2023 23:56

This sounds like fleas to me. 90% of them live in the environment, not on the animal. Quite possibly it was infested before you moved in.

Get some flea spray

Thanks how do I tell the difference between fleas and lice?

If I continue to smother my hair in conditioner for another week and moisturiser would I break the cycle of fleas as well as lice? I imagine the fleas need me after all, so if I'm making it hard for them they might die out, lol. But I suppose it depends how long they live in the environment. My carpet was new and the property was empty for 6 weeks before anyone was in it.

OP posts:
Original poster
TopazQuartz · 27/08/2023 00:32

MarshaArt · 26/08/2023 23:53

I hear you, I actually mentioned it because I’ve heard of a few cases recently where this has been the outcome - and I suppose I projected a bit as I could imagine in myself how that could be the case. Anyway, I hope you figure out the cause soon and get it resolved Flowers

Show quote history

Thanks MarshaArt, but I hear you too. I have been over anxious about it and I need to just be more down to earth and practical with it, lol.

OP posts:
WunWun · 27/08/2023 06:51

No, I think the conditioner would stop fleas biting while it's on but not once you've washed it off.

Fleas look like tiny narrow black things, which isn't how lice look.

To kill fleas you need to flea spray your entire house. They live in the carpets, floors, around skirting boards, soft furnishings etc. You'd need to spray and madky Hoover daily to get rid of the eggs

WunWun · 27/08/2023 06:51

Or have the house professionally treated

liveforsummer · 27/08/2023 06:58

To confirm is it only your head that is itchy?

Sotired22 · 27/08/2023 07:23

when you comb the conditioner out are you using a proper nit comb and are you wiping it on a white cloth / tissue after each stroke? That’s how you see what you’ve combed out, so if it’s head lice you’ll see them on the tissue if you wipe after each comb.

if it’d fleas you’d have actual bites that feel itchy.

Original poster
TopazQuartz · 28/08/2023 00:36

WunWun · 27/08/2023 06:51

No, I think the conditioner would stop fleas biting while it's on but not once you've washed it off.

Fleas look like tiny narrow black things, which isn't how lice look.

To kill fleas you need to flea spray your entire house. They live in the carpets, floors, around skirting boards, soft furnishings etc. You'd need to spray and madky Hoover daily to get rid of the eggs

Thanks WunWun, that was my fear. Still, I'm hoping it's nits, I have scratched my head today and well, I think it is. What's annoying is I've been treating myself with conditioner for 5 days, on my head overnight every night, and missed it one night (night before last I think) and tonight, despite conditioner and combing this morning, I feel like I've got stuff going on on my head again.

Going to try Hedrin tomorrow. If no significant improvement I will see if pest control can bring the date forward and will try flea spray. But everything here was new and the place was empty for 6 weeks before we moved in.

Can't think where I got nits from if it's that, because ds doesn't have them.

OP posts:
Original poster
TopazQuartz · 28/08/2023 00:48

liveforsummer · 27/08/2023 06:58

To confirm is it only your head that is itchy?

at one point just the head, then the next few days itchy feelings all over the body , horrible crawling feeling.

This is what worries me, that it might be body lice. For the last 5 days I'm washing clothes daily at the launderette and then drying on a high heat for an hour. No sign of lice on clothes, just these black specks at times (not a lot at all).

Since I've started doing that, the only itching is on the head and calmed down a lot. I don't know if the body itching might have been an allergic reaction, I react to things, but then again I was finding black specks when I scratched. I have never had anything like this.

Being logical about it, body lice would not have already been in this house before we moved in because they can't live longer than 2 weeks without a host (yes I've done a lot of reading lately). There's no reason I should have got them, I literally have been pretty much alone, just me and my son and he's unaffected.

Headlice just as unlikely as my son doesn't show any signs of them, but I think I might have found a nit on my scalp tonight, ugh. So there's evidence. So I'll try hedrin tomorrow and see if things change. Body itch is almost gone now.

Not finding anything on a comb, I look, but in a running shower. I'll try and use a tissue on the comb and see if I see anything.

OP posts:
Original poster
TopazQuartz · 28/08/2023 00:59

Sotired22 · 27/08/2023 07:23

when you comb the conditioner out are you using a proper nit comb and are you wiping it on a white cloth / tissue after each stroke? That’s how you see what you’ve combed out, so if it’s head lice you’ll see them on the tissue if you wipe after each comb.

if it’d fleas you’d have actual bites that feel itchy.

Thanks Sotired22

no bites that feel itchy, maybe one or two on the head. Tonight I think it's headlice unfortunately.

I was itching all over and getting myself into a state. I think it might have been an allergic reaction as I had a horrible shivery feeling in my back and felt disgusted in general.

I've been using a proper nit comb but doing it in the shower so hard to see what's on the comb, not a lot obvious, but I think tonight I found a nit. What I'm worried about is what is the black specks.

I'll try to use a tissue and do this outside of the shower. Since I've got most of the overall itching down I'm not feeling so weird or anxious. I think it might have been an allergic reaction. I am now washing everything daily at the launderette so I can use their dryers on a high heat. I feel a lot better in myself but I'm not clear yet I can tell. A pharmacist said give it two weeks of this treatment, that's a lot of washing and paying at the launderette but to be honest, how I was feeling, it will be worth it.

OP posts:
jellycat · 28/08/2023 01:00

I don’t think this is fleas. You’d have bites on your lower legs and feet if it were. Very itchy, obvious bites. I’m not sure what it is though.

if you do see something that you think might be a flea, the way to tell is that if you get near them, they jump! (I know that sounds obvious, sorry!).

TooOldForThisNonsense · 28/08/2023 01:04

I also agree it sounds like fleas

Original poster
TopazQuartz · 28/08/2023 01:07

jellycat · 28/08/2023 01:00

I don’t think this is fleas. You’d have bites on your lower legs and feet if it were. Very itchy, obvious bites. I’m not sure what it is though.

if you do see something that you think might be a flea, the way to tell is that if you get near them, they jump! (I know that sounds obvious, sorry!).

lol thanks jellycat

I think headlice tonight and will get some hedrin tomorrow and try it but the black specks, that's what I'm puzzled about.

I think I got way too anxious about this as well but probably due to having an allergic reaction to it (whatever it is) and I've managed to calm that all down now with what I'm doing. Also having just moved, started wondering what was in the building, but that's not really logical for most common things, as lice need a host and the building was empty for 6 weeks.

To be honest, pharmacists, many different ones, have really not been helpful. No offence intended here, but not one of them suggested a headlice treatment. Many said that permethrin and malathion are currently unavailable, but there are other treatments. Because I've not had headlice before I didn't know there were others until I read a few threads on this forum!

OP posts:
Original poster
TopazQuartz · 28/08/2023 01:09

A good 2 - 3 weeks were wasted in that time and possibly things got a lot worse because of that.

OP posts:
user40463 · 28/08/2023 01:28

Please don't say you're feeling OCD. It's very offensive.

Original poster
TopazQuartz · 28/08/2023 01:42

user40463 · 28/08/2023 01:28

Please don't say you're feeling OCD. It's very offensive.

user40463

why is it?

OP posts:
whereismysleep · 28/08/2023 01:58

It's not nits.

DD has caught nits from school more times than I care to remember, and I've caught them off her a couple of times too.

You would know if you had nits if you had them as you see them when you check for them thoroughly, which you are doing.

They are not little black dots, they are clearly little brown lice with legs, you can see them. The eggs stick to the hair and are brown if full, white if empty. You would have caught some lice by how with that amount of checking.

Fleas lay their eggs in carpets and if there is no animal there they go dormant, so you can get it that you move into a new house and they all wake up and hatch at once and bite you.

However fleas would be jumping up from the floor not living on you (they live on animals with fur, not humans) and you would see the bites as red marks on your ankles typically. They wouldn't be in your hair. And you likely would have seen one by now - they're not the black dots either as they don't hang about, they jump.