First time headlice

[Knitsewthread]

Help! Fairly sure DS (5) has headlice for the first time. It's been going round his school and he first mentioned an itchy head a couple of days ago. Have checked a few times but couldn't see anything but think I've spotted them now. Feel bad for missing it earlier

What do I do?! Do I need to get to a pharmacy tonight or is it best to let him sleep and treat in the morning? And what's best treatment wise.

What do you do about bedding - wash after every sleep or is that OTT? Have been sharing a hairbrush until today - guessing it's fairly likely I'll get them too?

Oh and can he go to school tomorrow if I treat first thing?

Let him sleep! Email school and tell them you'll bring him in once he's been treated. Go out after breakfast and buy whatever other posters recommend. Touch wood, I've just thrown out the emergency hedrin as it has gone out of date!
I didn't wash bedding, they won't survive until bedtime tomorrow!
Treat yourself too if it makes you feel better.

You need Nitty Gritty Nit Comb and a bottle of cheap conditioner. Wash hair, smoother i conditioner, sit the child in front of the TV and comb comb comb.

I 100% agree with the recommendation for Nitty Gritty nit comb and conditioner (tea tree conditioner is good). My stepdaughter kept getting headlice a few years ago - I did 3 nights in a row of using the nitty gritty comb then periodically checked and used the comb. I had previously tried lots of different products (hedrin etc) and the nitty gritty is far more effective

Thanks for the tips. Can you get Nitty Gritty combs in chemists? He is asleep now so will try and get out early if I can. Good to know they won't survive long on bedding, had visions of non stop laundry tomorrow

As well as combing with the conditioner, before you do this each night, stand him by an open window and blast his hair with a hairdryer on the hottest setting. It sounded mad when I first heard it, until DD got headlice and I was desperate - I could see them flying off her head!

You should be able to get the comb from a chemist but if they don't have that particular brand I really would get it somewhere else (eg Amazon). Mechanically removing them is the way forward. And yes expect to have to comb every day for several days to be sure

Thanks all! Got a nitty gritty comb from superdrug today so have given that a go, seems to have done the trick so far. Also bought some tea tree oil spray as a bit of protection (maybe?) Are you only meant to comb when hair is wet or will it work on dry hair too?

@Knitsewthread it's a lot easier to comb if it's wet with conditioner or tea tree.... Dry is probably ok