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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Headlice infestation & wedding day

111 replies

Foxyfoxyfox · 05/10/2023 12:44

My wedding is a week away. I’m having my hair professionally styled on the day. Just found lots of headlice in my DD’s hair. Checked mine and I have lots too. Neither of us have been itchy. I have lots of thick long hair. Even if I can get all the lice I’m never going to get all the eggs out before my wedding. AIBU to cancel the stylist? I don’t think I can live with the shame of her finding any

OP posts:
PeopleWhatABunchOfBastards · 05/10/2023 14:10

Derbac is the only thing that's ever worked for me. Work in education so get them lots!
Derbac as instructions, twice if you can with a day between to conditioner comb.
Straighten after to blitz the fuckers.

Treat everyone hot wash towels.

ilovemydogmore · 05/10/2023 14:10

Gifgirl · 05/10/2023 12:47

Shit-load of conditioner, leave on for an hour, then comb thoroughly with nit comb before washing hair.

Good luck!

This always worked for my kids, and unfortunately me when they passed it on!

There's no shame OP. Try it for a few days and see how you go, I bet you'll be able to get rid in a week. If not, I think you just have to be honest and open with your hair stylist.

TheSquareMile · 05/10/2023 14:10

Can you call in at a branch of Boots this afternoon and ask the pharmacist for his/her recommended treatment plus one of the special combs?

It's the best option.

SparkyBlue · 05/10/2023 14:13

This happened to me but nothing as important as a wedding but it was a few days before my hair appointment after lockdown when I had grey roots and my hair looked awful and nothing was going to stop me going to that appointment. It's absolutely possible to be clear of everything. Start with hedrin and then comb comb comb . Do this again the next day and then daily checks and combing with the nitty gritty comb. However I have very thin hair so it was easier than if I'd lovely thick hair. I'll be honest and say my scalp was raw when I finally got to the hairdresser but I got my hair done.

margotrose · 05/10/2023 14:13

Please give the stylist the heads up so she can decide whether she still wants to work or not.

HotApplePiePunch · 05/10/2023 14:14

Hedrin Once overnight or NitNOT and nitty gritty comb with conditioner every day - do them 7 days apart what ever else you decide. Wash brushes combs and pillowcases.

That works with thick fly away hair that combs skip over - so have to section - and thick curly heads of hair.

I'm not sure what I'd do with the stylist TBH - perhaps ring and say young DD just be found with them - very common in primary schools - and obviously your treating everyone and see what she suggests.

ginnybag · 05/10/2023 14:15

Both DD and I have very, very long hair and mine is curly too.

Hedrin Once. Do the whole family at the same time. DROWN your hair in it - don't be fooled by 'six treatments' in the little bottle. No chance. You need to soak every hair down to the scalp. Cover your floors/surfaces first and be mindful when applying as it stains walls etc.

Then start combing, while its on. Keep going for an hour.

Apply fairy liquid straight to your head - again, way more than you think. and wash. Wash again with fairy, then shampoo, then loads of conditioner. Blow dry and then straighten.

Condition and comb out every night for a week, followed by straighteners. Then reuse the Hedrin bit.

It absolutely does work, but only if you use enough - most people really don't.

PeopleWhatABunchOfBastards · 05/10/2023 14:17

Be aware that fairy liquid strips colour and can damage hair...

TryAgainWithFeeling · 05/10/2023 14:17

Get someone else to help you if you can, it’s much easier to sort someone else’s hair than your own.

You absolutely can get rid of them all in a week, but it’s going to take a bit of effort.

I found combing through conditioner on wet hair to be the easiest option.

Apparently some lice populations are developing resistance to different chemicals - that’s why you’ll find very different experience on these threads!

Message your hairdresser, tel her and tell her what you’re doing to get rid of them. Hopefully she’ll be supportive, but if she’s not then better to know now than on the day.

LostThestral · 05/10/2023 14:21

Speak to the stylist & ask her if there is something she would recommend as well as giving her the heads up

ScrambledSmegs · 05/10/2023 14:22

Hedrin Once works - although it's not just once, you need to re-do it in 4-5 days. Plus comb through with a Nitty Gritty while it's on. My family could get away with the stated dosage on the bottle but we have very fine hair. You'll need loads more, it needs to be absolutely saturated.

iI's an absolute bugger to wash out though. Buy a big bottle of cheapish shampoo, any kind except moisturising and some vinegar, apple cider seems to be the preference but don't buy the fancy stuff. Apply the shampoo neat after you've completed the the treatment.

SpringleDingle · 05/10/2023 14:22

Hedrin Once - takes 15 minutes. Then follow up with buckets of time with a nit comb. All done in one evening!

HotApplePiePunch · 05/10/2023 14:23

DROWN your hair in it - don't be fooled by 'six treatments' in the little bottle.

I often wondered if this was difference between working and not - we always ended up using much more and often keeping on for longer than stated and seem to have fewer problems than other households.

Though I did have a conversation with another mother who insisted her DD was getting repeat infections from other kids in school - yet had never done the second treatment as that seemed like overkill.

RB68 · 05/10/2023 14:23

you can get rid in less than 24 hrs, as others have said on here. Just get to the chemist get everything you need and get going. They have a 14 day incubation so treated and combed through will be fine for a weeks time. Just comb through daily until the big day. I would let the hairstylist know, some will deal with it but they have to make sure their equipment is clean and clear for others before its used again. They generally don't touch in a salon environment which makes sense.

Dont forget to treat the rest of the house as well and let school know so notes can go home for school mates

Graciebobcat · 05/10/2023 14:25

Only use a Nitty Gritty comb, regular nit combs are useless.

I developed a morbid fascination for combing out lice at one point!

redribbonrose · 05/10/2023 14:26

Get some nit shampoo

The good news is you have a whole week

Wrongsideofpennines · 05/10/2023 14:26

Please warn the stylist. She will probably have some tips for getting rid of them.
My wedding stylist said she once did a whole wedding party that had nits. She told them at the time and they knew but just didn't care.

anon0007 · 05/10/2023 14:29

I would treat and then comb through.

Skip the conditioner just treat you and dd for the lice.

MargotBamborough · 05/10/2023 14:29

You can totally sort this before your wedding, OP.

I had a really bad case of nits when I was young. I was in denial about it and my mum didn't notice. My auntie got rid of them for me.

Do you have another adult who you trust to do a really good job of getting them out?

You need to slather your hair in conditioner and really massage it into your scalp. Then you divide your hair into sections and go through them one by one with a nit comb. You'll need to really scrape the scalp to remove not just the lice but also the eggs, which are harder to see and stick to the hair strands right at the root. If you are scraping hard enough and close enough to your scalp to remove the eggs, it should hurt a bit. You'll need to rinse the comb between each scrape to make sure you get rid of the lice and the eggs and don't just move them to a different section. Expect it to take at least an hour to do your full head, depending on how long your hair is.

Then use one of the anti-nit treatments on your scalp.

Do the conditioner and comb again the next night. Aim to do it a few times before your wedding day to be sure they're really gone.

It's an awful thing but if you're really determined you can get rid of them.

They hate the smell of tea tree apparently.

3luckystars · 05/10/2023 14:30

HEDRIN ONCE today and again in 7 days. I have a lot of experience and this will work. Do not bother with any other treatments.
They will all be dead for the hairdresser in one weeks time. But tell her today that you are doing this.

(But it does not end there, you have a lot of combing ahead of you)

piscofrisco · 05/10/2023 14:31

A week is fine to get rid of them.

OlizraWiteomQua · 05/10/2023 14:32

With a wedding coming up I would be booking the full works here
https://hairforceclinics.com/nit-lice-removal-service/#ForensicClear

Waffle78 · 05/10/2023 14:33

Lots of wet combing with loads of conditioner and a nitty gritty comb. Get some tea tree shampoo and conditioner they hate it. Do it every night until they're gone.

I never used the lotions they get immune to it. You can also get a tea tree repellant spray I think it's vosene that does it. Their literally packing their bags with the stuff.

3luckystars · 05/10/2023 14:33

Also don’t bother washing everything in a panic, just always keep your hair brushes in the freezer from now on. Good luck.

getsomehelp · 05/10/2023 14:34

obviously you also need to change the bedding, towels, clothes (wash everything) , treat the sofa, car seats etc...
sorry