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Original poster

Do headlice move fast?

21 replies

Limboland2 · 22/09/2023 20:00

There has been a sign about headlice at nursery, had a quick check behind DD's ear and saw something brown which looked like it was running around. I thought I caught it but then dropped it. Then I saw something moving on the floor which was 100% not a louse (tiny black bug/fly of some sort). I can't actually guarantee this is what fell out of DD's hair though and it might have just randomly been there.

I attempted the conditioner/combing method (as well as can be done on a hysterical toddler who doesn't want to stay still) and nothing else came out. Had a good look during story time and couldn't find anything else.

How likely is it to be lice if it seemed to move fast, came out easily (didn't grip) and no nits to be seen? Should we stay away from people this weekend just in case?

First ever experience so any advice welcome! I am desperately trying to not freak out too much.

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scoobydoo1971 · 22/09/2023 20:05

They move like the road runner and you can usually see eggs bonded to the hair shaft in good light. Wet combing is a good way to control, and you can buy various treatments from a chemist. When my kids were young, they were the eternal pest of primary school and I was out with the conditioner most evenings. I would boil wash any bedding and uniform. Please don't be freaked out as lice love clean people. It only takes one child to bring them to school, and all hell breaks out.

mistermagpie · 22/09/2023 20:14

The do move quite quick and when they get a bit bigger are quite visible.

We've had them a few times (three kids) and my absolute top tip if you don't have one is to invest in a good head torch. Stick in on and have a proper look, you'd be surprised how small the eggs are and how hard they are to see, even in decent light. They are tiny and sort of shiny looking. Combing alone won't get them out, I have had to physically pull them off the strands of hair. You can kind of pull them down the shaft to get them off. It's disgusting obviously!

Original poster

Limboland2 · 22/09/2023 20:23

I just don't understand how I am supposed to do this on a 2 year old 😪I'm gutted, she's so young to have them. Eldest DD is 6 and has never had them but if she did I wouldn't mind as much as she'd have the understanding and patience to sit while I deal with it but a 2 year old???

She is in prime defiant tantrum phase. I felt like I was torturing her earlier just using the nitty gritty comb a few times she seemed traumatised. Urgh I could cry .

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Somethingsnappy · 22/09/2023 20:30

Limboland2 · 22/09/2023 20:23

She is in prime defiant tantrum phase. I felt like I was torturing her earlier just using the nitty gritty comb a few times she seemed traumatised. Urgh I could cry .

Ah, it's awful, isn't it? I've been through the same thing with my toddler. Does your dd have long hair? Could you stick her in front of a Disney film with some snacks while you comb through her hair?

MaggieBsBoat · 22/09/2023 20:37

I’m popping in to say do NOT boil bedding as a PP suggested! It’s a waste of time, energy, and is utterly unnecessary.

They’re not that fast but fast enough!

The only way out is through with them unfortunately.
Tie hair back at nursery and when around other kids as a matter of course.
Come through conditioner on wet hair every week and you’ll keep them at bay. Once they’re there though you’ll have to see-not with almost any spray stuff. I like NitWits, comes with a comb and always been successful first attempt. (5 kids. Been there done that.)

Original poster

Limboland2 · 22/09/2023 20:50

Thank you so much for the advice. Yes I think I'll try snacks and TV tomorrow. Bathtime on a Friday night when exhausted is never great anyway so I set myself up for failure there!

Her hair is quite long but very thin and blond, there is not that much of it. I always have it in plaits to limit the risk but seems it hasn't worked!

I've just had another good look with a torch while she was asleep and I really can't see anything. Would you still preventatively treat tomorrow? I do have some hedrin, but would rather not use harsh products on her unless necessary so I'm torn.

We were going to put all mattresses together tomorrow and have a big sleepover which they were very excited about. Nit-sharing fest anyone?

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Original poster

Limboland2 · 22/09/2023 20:51

Oh, and how often did you catch it off your kids? I'm the one with the long thick hair in this household. I feel like it's going to be constantly on my mind when cuddling her now!

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molotovcupcakes · 22/09/2023 20:55

I would use the Hedrin and try and nip it in the bud.

huggyhoo · 22/09/2023 20:56

My 2 year old had them. I combed their hair every other day for about 2 weeks using the nitty gritty comb and spray in conditioner. Put them in front of the iPad so distracted and tried to make it as painless as possible.

Parlourgames · 22/09/2023 20:59

Tv or iPad and comb wet hair with conditioner. If she doesn’t have much hair it’s much easier!

ilovethecoldsideofapillow · 22/09/2023 21:10

Story of my life. I swear I have had nits more time then I had them when I was little from my kids 🫣

Original poster

Limboland2 · 22/09/2023 21:14

Thank you @huggyhoo and @Parlourgames you make it sound like no big deal, it's making me feel a bit better.

When she came home I told DH her hair smelt funny, like mosquito repellent and joked she may have rubbed heads with the child dealing with headlice. Now I think this may be likely!

I'm hopeful we may have caught the first louse, she happened to mix with the group that had a headlice case today, but they were separated the rest of the week. I do also quickly check her everyday and didn't notice anything until today.

So now all I need to do is locate the misplaced louse in the bathroom and kill it and we should be fine right 😬

I'm going to Hedrin tomorrow and wet comb and try to put it out of my mind after that.

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Boriswentcamping · 22/09/2023 21:25

I think the combing method is the best - I honestly don't think you need the chemicals.. you do need to comb properly though .... get the bug buster kit. Comes with 2 sizes of comb and very good instructions. Don't worry about the lost bug in the bathroom... if it was a louse they don't live very long if not not attached to a head. This is also why you don't need to worry massively about pillows and bedding etc..

Boriswentcamping · 22/09/2023 21:27

www.chc.org have a look here for the bug buster kit and also some good advice

Original poster

Limboland2 · 23/09/2023 17:52

Am I OK to use the nitty gritty on myself after using it on DD? Or could I contaminate myself that way?

Is there a way to clean the comb to prevent it?

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Boriswentcamping · 23/09/2023 21:30

You can use the same comb just rinse it really well or clean it with an old toothbrush.

WonderingWanda · 23/09/2023 21:35

They don't run in wet hair, so wet it and coat it in conditioner and comb through with a nitty gritty. Do that once or twice a week and it will be fine.

puffinseagull · 23/09/2023 21:41

Use tea tree oil. That keeps them at bay. If it was behind her ear it could well have been a bit. They are found in the nape of the neck and behind the ears. Warm and damp places on the head

NoEffingWay · 23/09/2023 21:45

DS had them, couldn't see anything by eye but once I started with the white hair conditioner, nitty gritty comb and the paper towel it was evident I had been feeding the 5000 . Once we had got rid after a battle involving hedrin and all of my patience, he got a very short haircut and that definitely helped not before he'd given them to me

JanglingJack · 23/09/2023 21:45

Are you a hundred percent sure that they haven't come from older DD? We ended up infested and it came from my 13 year old, short haired son at secondary!

We did initial treatments, but then moved on to nitty gritty comb and conditioner.

My daughter was 2 at the time. She had her own little chair and I popped in front of kids telly whilst allowing her to snack on an array of goodies!

I never told her what they were, I just called them bugs. She came to quite enjoy her debugging time!

Original poster

Limboland2 · 23/09/2023 23:17

So today's operation was a success, I was able to do the nitty gritty without a single tear! We did it in the bath with her favourite program on the ipad and feeding her blueberries intermittently 😂

She didn't mind at all so I had plenty of time to get it done. I went through every strand of hair multiple times and from different angles and was able to get really close to the scalp. I found exactly NOTHING. So it is a bit of a mystery. Nothing on eldest DD either.

I'll leave it a few days and do everyone againbut at least I feel a bit more relaxed now.

Either we found the first louse yesterday before it laid eggs (would be pretty lucky and unlikely) or it was something else entirely (also unlikely!) Or I've done it wrong (hopefully not)

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