To bar my child from seeing her cousin as she has been infected with head lice at least 4 times from her now.

[Katyathegringa]

My husband's niece has had head lice for at least 2 years now (seriously), the reason being that although her mum throws a treatment on every now and again, because her hair is so long and thick they are never 100% successful. The suggestion that she cut her hair a bit to make it more manageable and easier to get rid of was greeted with scorn due to the fact that she doesn't want cut the "beautiful curls off the bottom of her hair".

So, each time my daughter (20 months) and her are together within days sure enough she is scratching again, and 5 minutes after so am I. We then have to go through the rigmarole of treating ourselves - until the next time they get together when the cycle starts all over again. We have got to the stage now when DD's nursery is complaining that the staff and children are being infected.

I have tried to have a word with DH, whose response is "well what do you expect me to do about it!", and "you aren't seriously suggesting they don't see each other any more?!", the only thing he did suggest is that we treat DD's hair after each visit - I have nor the time nor the money to doing head lice treatments every week or so.

So, any suggestions? Or am I being totally unreasonable.

I have to comment on this post..
I look after a little girl on a regular basis, who has had headlice pretty constantly for at least two years. Her dad is on his own, and does 'his best' but it just doesn't work. When I started looking after her, I took the problem in hand. She had had every chemical possible plonked on her head, several times, so I purchased a nitty gritty comb and set to work. She was almost clear, when I had a break for the summer holidays. Upon my return she was infested again. The trouble I have, is, when I comb her out, the lice get on my clothes, and I end up with them. I am allergic to the little blighters, and within days, my head is one giant scab, my glands are up, and I feel crap. not to mention, as soon as I get them, my daughter gets them from me! I have now had to say, that I cannot, treat her, so I pressure her dad constantly to comb out every day. It is so awful for the poor kid, and isn't helped by her bobbed hair, which although pretty doesnt keep it contained when at school. I can't hug her properly any more, as I really don't want to catch them, and I have to say, if she was my kid, I would have shaved her head by now. I keep on at dad to comb comb comb, but he really doesnt seem to put the effort in. It is a crap situation and I dont know what is the way forward. IMO they should bring back the nit nurse and any child found with them at school should be asked to stay home until clear. Parents would surely put more time into adressing the problem if staying home babysitting was costing them money!
You should be straight with your sister in law. Tell her what is happening, and that you are very upset, and considering keeping your child away. I cant imgine that if she knew the truth, she wouldn't put more thought into dealing with the situation, and if she doesnt, then maybe keeping away IS the best solution for you. You have your own childs welfare to consider!

jurisfictionoperative - I am so glad that someone else has had first hand experience of this, so you know exactly how difficult dealing with it can be.

To the others suggesting the infestation may come from elsewhere, I've actually already answered the question as to how I know why it is the cousin who is infecting her earlier on this thread, so I am not going to get into that again. Whiteflame, I completely agree that my DD could be/is passing on the infection to other children in the nursery - which is why I don't want her being infected all the time; not only is it not fair on my DD but nor the other kids and their parents!! Not quite sure how that has any relevance to my original post as never did I suggest that my DD hadn't passed it onto others.

Anyway, nitty gritty all the way from now on