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Original poster

DS 9 riddled with headlice, have tried everything under the sun. Please help!

456 replies

Hanarb · 14/05/2024 22:39

DS 9 has been riddled with lice for 3 weeks now. I have tried treatment and spent nearly £100 on various remedies. He has very long, thick surfy hair and it is a nightmare to treat. His teacher has notified me which is mortifying. His childminder said she would get the clippers and shave his hair off (I’m not sure if she was joking). I don’t own any hair cutting equipment but this is seriously taking up so much of my time and causing a lot of stress. What should I do?

OP posts:
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9
RosesAndHellebores · 14/05/2024 22:49

Oh I had this with DS aged about 6. His hair was shortish though.

I nit combed nightly in the bath with lashings of conditioner.

The first time I caught dozens of big fat juicy lice. As the days went on the loce got fewer and smaller as they were younger as the nits hatched. We studied the whole life cycle.

When the comb was clear for three days I took him for a No2 back and sides. Thereafter I nit combed at least twice a week. Never had a problem again.

DD was nit combed from age 2 (when the above happened). She was conditioned to having her long thick hair combed through in the bath from a very young age so never had a problem with her or nits. Occasionally, when a particular child was on her table, I combed out a couple of fat juices who had hopped on. But theybwere never there long enough for a problem to arise.

Both DC were very blonde so I have never seen the eggs. However the brown crawlers were obvious.

Shudders - good luck.

Motheroffourdragons · 14/05/2024 22:49

This reply has been deleted

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ on behalf of the poster.

EmilyBronte82 · 14/05/2024 22:49
  1. Hedrin Once follow instructions
  2. Then wash out.
  3. larther in conditioner
  4. sit child in the bath, run tap (no plug)
  5. get a nitty gritty comb
  6. comb through section by section
  7. rinse comb under running water thoroughly after each section
  8. wash out conditioner
  9. dry and straighten hair
  10. get a head torch/sit in a bright area with child on floor between your legs
  11. check hair section by section, especially behind ears and back of head. Pull out any remaining specks, eggs and squash between your nails and wipe on a tissue - throw the tissue away
  12. repeat a week later.

good luck!

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Original poster
Hanarb · 14/05/2024 22:49

I have tried this but his hair is really thick so it’s hard to comb when it’s sectioned. I’ve tried this for a few hours every night but he get so restless and incredibly grumpy and his hair is nearly shoulder length when wet. He is absolutely crawling bless him :(

thanks for all of the advice ❤️

OP posts:
Mischance · 14/05/2024 22:49

Might be time to forfeit the long hair and get the clippers out. It will grow again.

tellmewhenthespaceshiplandscoz · 14/05/2024 22:49

Oh and if you are a cuddly family like us I'd check your own hair too Confused

Comedycook · 14/05/2024 22:50

Hanarb · 14/05/2024 22:45

The problem I’m sentimental as hair hair is lovely, plus I have never cut hair before 😭

How does he feel?

tellmewhenthespaceshiplandscoz · 14/05/2024 22:50

Mischance · 14/05/2024 22:49

Might be time to forfeit the long hair and get the clippers out. It will grow again.

If you can't face the combing you have to shave it off

It's really not fair in him

NuffSaidSam · 14/05/2024 22:50

Nitty gritty comb and conditioner. You'll need patience though. Sounds like you've tried each thing once or twice and then thrown something else at it.

If you really can't get a comb through it then shave it. It'll be nice for the summer to have a cool head. It'll grow back if he wants it long again.

NuffSaidSam · 14/05/2024 22:51

Hanarb · 14/05/2024 22:49

I have tried this but his hair is really thick so it’s hard to comb when it’s sectioned. I’ve tried this for a few hours every night but he get so restless and incredibly grumpy and his hair is nearly shoulder length when wet. He is absolutely crawling bless him :(

thanks for all of the advice ❤️

Shave his head.

Mumoftwo1316 · 14/05/2024 22:51

AgathaMystery · 14/05/2024 22:46

No.

Your problem is your child is infested with head lice. That’s disgusting. If you can’t get a comb through his hair then you need to get it de-matted or cut it. It must be disgusting to have ‘very long surfer type hair’ that you can’t get a comb through and is crawling with lice.

Show quote history

I agree. His long surfer hair, riddled with lice, will make his friends and classmates recoil from him in disgust. Not lovely at all. It's not fair on the boy.

Shaving it all over might look alarming for a day or two but it'd grow to an ordinary crew cut length in about a week and he'd end up looking quite smart (and crucially, unlousy)

RisingMist · 14/05/2024 22:52

Hanarb · 14/05/2024 22:44

I have used hendrin, full marks, conditioner, straighteners, vamousse, lyclear, boots home brand and bought an electric comb. I think the problem is the thickness of his hair as it’s impossible to comb

I can't be impossible, but it will take time. You just have to do it in small sections.

EmilyBronte82 · 14/05/2024 22:52

Hanarb · 14/05/2024 22:49

I have tried this but his hair is really thick so it’s hard to comb when it’s sectioned. I’ve tried this for a few hours every night but he get so restless and incredibly grumpy and his hair is nearly shoulder length when wet. He is absolutely crawling bless him :(

thanks for all of the advice ❤️

treat the rest of the family too! I was shocked when I treated myself I also had them!

But yeah time for a haircut!

CointreauVersial · 14/05/2024 22:52

Conditioner, a Nitty Gritty comb, lots of hair elastics.

Separate hair into small sections, comb each one scrupulously, swooshing the comb in a bowl of water and wiping off eggs. It takes ages.

A few days later, same again.

A few days later, same again.

This was for DS when he was 9, and had thick, curly hair.

Original poster
Hanarb · 14/05/2024 22:52

AgathaMystery · 14/05/2024 22:46

No.

Your problem is your child is infested with head lice. That’s disgusting. If you can’t get a comb through his hair then you need to get it de-matted or cut it. It must be disgusting to have ‘very long surfer type hair’ that you can’t get a comb through and is crawling with lice.

Show quote history

Sorry you’ve misunderstood, I meant I’m sentimental about cutting it. His hair isn’t matted at all just very long and thick naturally.

OP posts:
stormonaspringmorn · 14/05/2024 22:52

So can you not comb his hair on a normal day either?
I think you may need to rethink his long surfer hair until you can figure out how to take care of it or he is old enough to take care of it himself.

It must be so uncomfortable for him considering his hair is 'crawling' with lice. I hope the other children haven't noticed Sad

WetBandits · 14/05/2024 22:52

Conditioner and comb, Hedrin, Full Marks, whatever else you want to use, but you know what worked when my sister used to get the most terrible nits?

Hair straighteners.

I was the designated nit nurse in our house, so we did the conditioner and comb method and then burnt the little egg bastards out with the straighteners.

needsomeadvice22 · 14/05/2024 22:53

It's neglect to leave him crawling with head lice when you could easily solve the problem and cut it short.

AgentProvocateur · 14/05/2024 22:53

You’ll need to cut it before kids start avoiding him and teasing him. I’m nearly 60 and I can still remember the kid with nits at school.

AdoraBell · 14/05/2024 22:54

Vinegar and either olive or coconut oil.

The vinegar dislodges the eggs and the oil kills the adults.

I learned this in Latin America where people can’t afford the shampoo plus the chemicals were really strong.

Mix the two together and slather on the hair. Wrap in a towel for 30 minutes then comb through with a nit comb. I found the best way to apply with a towel on forehead to avoid it going to DC’s eyes.

Repeat after 7 days until you’ve clear every egg.

MalibuBarbieDreamHouse · 14/05/2024 22:54

Hanarb · 14/05/2024 22:49

I have tried this but his hair is really thick so it’s hard to comb when it’s sectioned. I’ve tried this for a few hours every night but he get so restless and incredibly grumpy and his hair is nearly shoulder length when wet. He is absolutely crawling bless him :(

thanks for all of the advice ❤️

And you’re still too sentimental about the length of his hair? Come on Op, there’s more to life than hair, 9 is tricky age and if kids in his class find out, they will be cruel regardless if he has nits anymore!

Tygertiger · 14/05/2024 22:54

Cut his hair.

I’m a teacher. The other kids know who the nitty kids are and they talk about it. Teachers do what they can to stop the gossip but the damage is done quickly and you do not want your poor DS going through school with the reputation as being the kid with nits. The kindest thing you can do for him is cut the hair and then treat it.

Untreated headlice which persists even after schools have spoken to parents and they’ve had enough time to treat it is also considered a safeguarding concern as a potential sign of neglect.

TTPD · 14/05/2024 22:54

Hanarb · 14/05/2024 22:49

I have tried this but his hair is really thick so it’s hard to comb when it’s sectioned. I’ve tried this for a few hours every night but he get so restless and incredibly grumpy and his hair is nearly shoulder length when wet. He is absolutely crawling bless him :(

thanks for all of the advice ❤️

He's "absolutely crawling" with lice, with hair you cannot comb, and you won't cut it because you're sentimental?

Does he at least tie it back at school to limit him spreading it to other children who are potentially being treated and them catching them again from him?

Original poster
Hanarb · 14/05/2024 22:55

needsomeadvice22 · 14/05/2024 22:53

It's neglect to leave him crawling with head lice when you could easily solve the problem and cut it short.

Sorry I’m exaggerating a bit by saying crawling. It just seems to be taking a while to get rid of them. The amount of hours I’ve put in and money I’ve spent isn’t neglect 🫶

OP posts: