Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Children's health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Is this headlice? Photo attached

61 replies

mnusername2022 · 09/08/2023 16:41

On holidays.
Limited data.
3 kids, never had headlice before.
Saw this on one kid today.
Lice?
Do i need to treat?

OP posts:
DrCoconut · 10/08/2023 01:01

We found the bug buster kit was the only thing that worked. Lotions etc were useless and nitty gritty just pulled the hair without removing much. Essentially conditioner and combing is probably best whatever the brand.

Mrsjayy · 10/08/2023 08:31

I used bug buster combs years ago a school mum recommended them , back then you had to order them direct from the company they worked the best.

Dighi · 10/08/2023 08:33

Monkeylimas · 09/08/2023 17:44

If you are abroad it could be harder. Olive oil works. Put all over hair and wrap in cling film! Leave overnight. It works but takes overnight to murder them. I conducted an experiment with lice in olive oil. They appear dead but resurrect if you remove from oil after 40 mins. Leave for several hours and they die! 🥳

I love that you conducted an experiment!! Very useful conclusions. Confirm they are bastards to get rid of, and deal with asap.

Nevermay · 10/08/2023 08:35

That is a very old infection, I would say at least a year

HareSong · 10/08/2023 08:51

Great that you’re onto it! I found the most reliable way to get rid of headlice was the Bug Buster method.

Basically, soak hair (the lice won’t move when properly wet), then use plenty of cheap conditioner, comb through with a normal comb first to get tangles out, then methodically go through hair with abut comb, all over the head, right from the roots to the tip, section by section, wiping off the conditioner (+nits and lice, if any) with each sweep onto a tissue.

So satisfying to count how many you’ve got - and also to see if they are large or small, which gives you a sense of progress. (You smaller ones over time as the bigger ones are easier to catch).

Repeat every 2-3 days, until you get a couple of times with nothing at all. Then you’re probably ok.

Good luck!

Bug Buster method

The Best Head Lice and Nit Treatment - Bug Buster Kit - Community Hygiene Concern

https://www.chc.org/

HareSong · 10/08/2023 08:52

‘abut’ = ‘a nit’

Original poster
mnusername2022 · 16/08/2023 17:45

Update......1 week on .......

Patient zero (child)
No evidence of any nits of eggs for 3 days now

Sibling 2
As above

Sibling 1
Was clear of anything for a couple of days
Now 2 patches of white bits today
But i am querying dandruff caused by all the brushing????

Originates on scalp (see new photo)
Some of it seems dry and flaky
Falls off
More comes off if i rub scalp

??? Can groomong for checking for nits cause dandruff

Hubby and i who didn't have any eggs or lice a week ago..... now do!!!!

Is this headlice? Photo attached
OP posts:
Original poster
mnusername2022 · 16/08/2023 17:52

Hope this message catches attention

OP posts:
Original poster
mnusername2022 · 16/08/2023 17:53

Pls chip in if you have any advice

OP posts:
Original poster
mnusername2022 · 16/08/2023 17:54

Tia

OP posts:
AcclimDD · 16/08/2023 18:10

I can see quite a few lice on that photo (not the suspected dandruff / red arrows).
Not sure what the patches are ? But can definitely see lice /eggs.

Original poster
mnusername2022 · 16/08/2023 18:12

Are wither of these 2 things lice????

Is this headlice? Photo attached
OP posts:
Talipesmum · 16/08/2023 18:14

The only way I was ever really able to identify lice was by finding them on the comb. Very hard to reliably spot them in the hair, though they only had nits a few times so I’m not an expert. Comb away after washing and with some conditioner in (using proper nitty gritty comb or similar) and see if you get anything.

Original poster
mnusername2022 · 16/08/2023 18:15

I see nothing on the comb

Green handle, came with lyclear

OP posts:
Original poster
mnusername2022 · 16/08/2023 18:28

Shameless bump

OP posts:
Original poster
mnusername2022 · 16/08/2023 18:30

Are things on kitchen roll lice?

.???? 1 adult and 1 younger one???

OP posts:
BlackAmericanoNoSugar · 16/08/2023 18:30

That looks like lice on the paper towel.

One of my DC has part afro part asian hair and the other has asian hair that each individual hair is very thick, wider than the gaps between each tooth of the nit comb. I couldn't nit comb either of them. What I used to do was coat the entire family's hair in Hedrin at bedtime, loads of it. Then leave it in overnight (wrap the pillow in an old towel). As they move in their sleep it will spread the Hedrin to every part of their hair. Then in the morning I would towel off as much as I could and send them into school looking a bit greasy, then wash hair in the evening. Then do it again 7-8 days later. That always cleared it for me.

AcclimDD · 16/08/2023 18:45

Yes, That looks like lice on the paper towel photo.

Original poster
mnusername2022 · 16/08/2023 18:58

Thank you

OP posts:
Original poster
mnusername2022 · 16/08/2023 18:58

Cannot describe to you how much i hate creepy crawlies

OP posts:
Original poster
mnusername2022 · 16/08/2023 18:59

How do you know it is ever finished?

Just live in constant fear of reinfection???

OP posts:
Original poster
mnusername2022 · 16/08/2023 19:00

Am quite an anxious person

Finding this all v difficult

OP posts:
Original poster
mnusername2022 · 16/08/2023 19:01

If going to have playdates do we tell people about lice?

Public health says there is not a no nits policy, just treat and go about your business

OP posts:
Original poster
mnusername2022 · 16/08/2023 19:11

Feel guilty finding it hard though, so mzny other dealing with actual probs in the world

OP posts:
CaptainMyCaptain · 16/08/2023 19:14

I haven't read the whole thread so someone might have mentioned this but you need to treat the whole family including adults. Grandparents included if they have been cuddling the children recently. I was a teacher for 30 years and did the nit comb and conditioner thing to keep them away. A bit of hairspray will also help keep them away in future.