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Original poster

Toddler keeps catching headlice of aunties and uncles

41 replies

foxandthehound · 30/05/2019 10:19

My dd is only 21 months old but has caught headlice several times from her young paternal uncles and aunties. Their ages range from 5-16years old and theres 6 altogether.

It's a nightmare when my daughter catches them. Shes a bouncy child who cant sit still for long, so its quite difficult to get her to sit down while I run through her hair with a comb.

My ex's mum is very lazy when it comes to getting rid of headlice, she says she sees no point as 'they'll only catch them again'.

I dont want to go no contact over something so silly, but I'm completely fed up of my daughter coming home with a head full of lice.

Wwyd? I haven't tired head lice repellent because my daughter has thin blonde hair and a sensitive scalp, I'm worried it will irritate her skin

OP posts:
Original poster
foxandthehound · 30/05/2019 10:19

Sorry not an aibu, everyone just seems to throw everything here

OP posts:
hormonesorDHbeingadick · 30/05/2019 10:20

Why isn’t your ex treating the headlice either?

Daffodil2018 · 30/05/2019 10:21

That's disgusting. I would absolutely go NC until they're all free of lice.

iwantavuvezela · 30/05/2019 10:22

Can you tie up her hair - or put a hat on or a scarf? At least that way the blighters cant jump on her hair.

Jimjamjong · 30/05/2019 10:24

Is she sleeping there or just playing? If sleeping you could send her with her own pillow. If just playing, try the repellent and tying up her hair. An old technique is to rinse off the hair with diluted vinegar after washing. YANBU but unfortunately there is nothing else you can do apart from treating your DD.
If you send your DD with a bottle of medicated shampoo, would the older siblings wash the younger sibling's hair? They would need to wash all towels and bedding as well.

Original poster
foxandthehound · 30/05/2019 10:27

Ex lives over 230 miles away. He sees me, dd, and his family once every 6 months. This was a choice of his own.

Her hair is too short to tie up, but long enough to catch them

OP posts:
Starbonnet123 · 30/05/2019 10:27

I really would stop her seeing them until The lice are clear , shes too little to keep having to go through treatment , i would condition her hair in the bath and comb through every time with a nit comb until shes clear

GreenTulips · 30/05/2019 10:27

Teatree oil just a few drops combed through - few times a week - plus add to shampoo or conditioner (it’s what the expensive bottles use)

Or keep her away

Original poster
foxandthehound · 30/05/2019 10:30

She plays there once a week and sleeps round once a month. I've offered to treat the kids hair myself and she took great offence at my offer. The oldest one doesnt seem phased by the headlice problem, the second oldest (15) has SEN so wouldn't be able to help the younger children with their headlice. The other 4 are all younger.

OP posts:
GreenTulips · 30/05/2019 12:24

I spend a fortune on headline shampoos etc - perhaps she’s like to pay the cost for treating my kids because she can’t be arsed?

Have you spoke to school because it’s neglect

TestingTestingWonTooFree · 30/05/2019 12:27

That is grim. Shame being offended didn’t shame her into action.

Will your daughter wear a hat/headscarf? I can’t imagine lice repellent is more uncomfortable than lice.

I think I’d definitely stop the sleepovers.

Howyiz · 30/05/2019 12:30

That is grim! Why would you send your daughter around there?

PrincessTiggerlily · 30/05/2019 12:34

Can't believe the eldest is unconcerned about lice.

EmeraldShamrock · 30/05/2019 12:39

MIL is lazy and neglectful.
My DC have never has them, I use the cheap tea tree shampoo. I am sure you could add a small amount of tea tree oil to baby shampoo, maybe some mixed with water in a spray bottle, spray her hair before she visits.
It may be just luck as there has been headlice in the school many times.

EmeraldShamrock · 30/05/2019 12:41

No sleepovers, can you imagine in infestation on the pillow. Envy

MarinetteDupainCheng · 30/05/2019 12:42

I also recommend tea tree oil, you only need a few drops in the bath or her shampoo, or mixed with water in a spritz bottle. Can buy a small bottle from Boots or similar.

TheInvestigator · 30/05/2019 12:43

Stop sending them over. Even if that means you lose out on a night "off". Until they are treated, she doesn't go to see them.

TheInvestigator · 30/05/2019 12:43

You can get boots own brand tea tree shampoo for £1. Use that. My kids havnt caught them since I started using a tea tree and lemon shampoo.

GruciusMalfoy · 30/05/2019 12:45

It's neglectful of her to leave them untreated. I don't understand why you'd continue to send your child round there.

Rainbowknickers · 30/05/2019 12:46

I had 7 years of this with my daughter and classmates-I treated her every single day-but the mums of these kids where heard saying
‘I work full time I don’t have time to check her head’
‘He’ll only catch them again-some parents are too lazy to check!’
‘I’m not cutting his/her hair I love it that length’(both these kids had really long hair)
‘Nit lotion costs too much’
I ended up with a nitty gritty comb and a LOT of hair conditioner (the cheap stuff worked better)
Drove me batty

viques · 30/05/2019 12:47

something so silly

But it's not silly. Those children are being neglected, I'm surprised the school /nursery hasn't been a bit more proactive. Children who are repeated nitty are well known in schools, both to staff and other pupils, and risk being bullied and ostracised by their peers because of it.

If you want to continue contact then I would keep a close eye on your child for other communicable parasites, like threadworms and scabies. Personally I would be stopping the sleepovers and being very vigilant if you really do feel you have to send her round to play. Wouldn't be my choice truth be told.

Coldandfrosty · 30/05/2019 12:49

Do not send her.

Utter neglect

Wolfiefan · 30/05/2019 12:51

Don’t send her. She can’t see them until they sort it.

EmeraldShamrock · 30/05/2019 12:52

If they're untreated headlice, you can bet there is thread worm.
Tea tree won't prevent that, nothing well, my DC had them, they were treated, very nasty for girls.
Check her stools.

cees · 30/05/2019 12:55

This is awful and that mother is neglecting those kids. You need to report this

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