I can’t go, can I...

[VaguelyInteresting]

I’m supposed to be leaving for my friends hen party at midday. It’s an overnight thing with dinner, cocktails, nightclub etc.

Last night I found a fucking head louse in my hair whilst I was deep conditioning it. I’m mortified- have never had them before as an adult- can only assume DS has them too. I’ve only found the one so far on the either of us, but there must be more, as it wasn’t tiny. We both have a lot of hair so I don’t doubt the duckers are hiding out. So that’s one thing to deal with.

Then I’ve woken up this morning with a very slightly blocked nose and a sort of pre-coldy feeling- you know SLIGHTLY tickly throat, SLIGHTLY sniffy- which I’ve had first thing in the mornings on and off for WEEKS and it’s never come to anything (and I’ve covid tested etc), but I was sneezing last night, and DS has the Dreadful Cold that everyone’s complaining about for a week now, so I assume it’s the start of that- but I don’t really know. Might be nothing. In the age of Covid- it’s hard (and antisocial) to be sanguine isn’t it. I feel perfectly well but 🤷🏼‍♀️

If I don’t go, I think my friend will be really upset- we recently reconciled after a few years not speaking.

If I do go, I’m potentially going to make everyone else uncomfortable because I can’t very well go and say “I’m not hugging. Or bringing heads close together. Or sharing hair tools” or sit there periodically sniffing without saying why (and I wouldn’t anyway. I’m truthful to the point it generally causes me more issues tbh). And of course everyone is then going to worry about catching lice, or a cold, which will make them worry about covid.

I’d love everyone to say “go get some Hedrin! Don’t worry about the ambiguous stuffy nose!” but ... I don’t know? I feel like I’m BU either way?!

If you can treat hair lice in time, and you feel actually okay, j would go. You’ve done a lateral flow - lots of people/children have colds. I think it’s fine!

It does sound like you don’t want to go, to be honest.

Of course you can go, treat the headlice, do a LFT.

@DukkaDukka

Oh not at all! Since covid I just really worry about how my decisions impact on other people. Don’t know why. Just how I am these days.

If it feels socially “fine” of course I want to go!

Go get some Hedrin! Don’t worry about the ambiguous stuffy nose!. HTH. Seriously, go if you want to. Hedrin and a Lemsip and the night out it yours.

Get to the pharmacy for a nit comb and a box of tests. Nitty Gritty are the best combs - if you put loads of conditioner through your hair and comb thoroughly you'll remove possibly everything. Then just keep your hair tied up.

Do you actually want to go? If you treat the head lice, do a lft. If you don’t, then say you have woken with symptoms of Covid. Be prepared to not be popular but make sure you pay for your place.

Do another lateral flow test and if negative, go.

Just treat the lice and put your hair up, don't get too close to anyone.

Sounds as if you're looking for any excuse not to go.
It would have been more polite not to have accepted in the first place, or to have cancelled sooner - but if you don't want to go, don't.
Offer to pay any non-cancellable costs - hotel, etc
Possible white lie - positive test rather than 'slightly sniffy'.

I also have the Dreadful Cold, but it’s only been a cold, no positive tests. I would go, you’re vaguely sniffly and you’ve got time to sort your hair.

The Dreadful Cold is Dreadful. I’m fed up of it.

No no- I’ve paid in advance. I WANT to go. I just GENUINELY get terrible anxiety about stuff like this.

I’ve just LFTd negative again & feeling fine now I’m up and about properly with coffee inside me, so not really worried about being a bit stuffed up first thing now.

The nits are 😱 though. I’m hustling DS out to the pharmacy as we speak.

Sounds to me like you don't want to go

Get Hedrin ONCE and whatever is on your head will be dead today. You will have to do it again in 7 days and comb comb comb when you get back, but once you get the hedrin on, you will be clear for today.

Regarding the ‘cold’, do a test and see what that says.

Just go. It'll be fine and everyone will be pleased to see you.

Really doesn’t sound like you want to go.

How likely is it that you’ll be placing your head against someone else’s for a prolonged period of time?

I should say. I worry a lot in all areas of my life, about whether I’m doing the right thing by other people. I’ve had therapy. It’s a trauma thing. But it can make decision making like this quite tricky- it’s why I asked here!

And don’t, whatever you do, use Hedrin today. Your hair will be like an old frying pan.

If your noses are just stuffy get some oxymetazoline spray. Use as necessary.

Of course you can go!!!!!!!!! These are ridiculous excuses.

It sounds like you don't want to though. Be honest with yourself

You've tested and you’re negative. Hedrin, Sudafed, go!

We had headline twice.....once on my daughter and once on a son. Both were treated with once and they never returned.

Enjoy your night out.

Just go. Stop letting your aniexty win.

If you use the nit stuff that makes your hair super -greasy , rinse it after you shampoo it with a tablespoon of vinegar in a pint of water - really helps to clear the oil

I don’t know why everyone’s telling the OP she doesn’t want to go when she’s said repeatedly that she does.

I think it’s fine to go - treat the head lice, put your hair up, don’t put your head next to other people’s. You’ve done multiple COVID tests which are negative - if you feel well you should go.

Id delouse yourself but even if you didnt, its no big deal.
If youve tested covid negative, then its very likely to be a cold. most of the uproar about LFT tests being reliable have been proved wrong and theyre around 95% accurate.
Id nip to the chemist. Get a packet of day nurse and a box of hedrin. Youll be alright. Even if you leave early and come back tonight, i think you should go