Head lice - a few Qs

[chutneymary]

Hello

My 3 year old daughter and I are currently battling head lice. She was very badly hit and is regularly being done with the nitty gritty comb. I did my hair on Tuesday and found lots of eggs and a few live buggers. Had another go just now and got a few eggs and only one crawler.

We are going away on Sunday and I desperately need my hair cut beforehand. It's short but shaggy and out of shape now, and I've been putting it off for various reasons. Thing is, I would die if the hairdresser found anything. My neighbour goes to the same place and they asked her to leave once . So do I

1. confess and ask them to check before they start

1. tell them I've had an itchy scalp and ask them to see if it's dandruff or whatever, then I can just go if it's a problem

1. Say nothing, but comb my hair with the nitty gritty tonight and tomorrow morning and hope for the best?

1. Go to a salon on holiday where no one knows me if I am banished?

I will keep combing both our hair until I get rid, and today's results were much better, but any answers to this dilemma gratefully received.

Many thanks

what about Hedrin? you could slap it on tonight and wash it out in the morning - that sholud help.
then I would do 1 or 2. probably 2 tbh.
honestly, HL are RIFE and you really shouldn't about it

I think I'd do 1. Headlice are nothing to be ashamed of and you are doing your best to get rid of them. I'd want to be upfront about the situation, I think doing 2 or 3 I'd be sitting there worrying, and 4, I like to go to a hairdressers here they know me! HOpe you get rid of the b"££$%s soon!

hedrin
it is quite expensive, but imo a good solution.
you can get it everywhere - Boots etc

yeah i would use the hedrin tonight then condition it really well to let the comb slide through well......hedrin doesnt smell so it wont be obvious that you've had crawlers

oh yes, I use Hedrin too - and babyoil a few days later befroe it is time to hedrin again!

Thanks very much.

HC, I see from the info that you can't use Hedrin until 6months. I am 14 w pregnant - do you think I could still use it? I could ask the pharmacist I suppose.

Thanks again.

I think it would be fine - it is just like silicone and not absorbed by the skin so shouldn't be a problem if you're pg.

If you go to the hairdressers and they see you have head lice they will ask you to leave cos you are going to infect everybody else there with the blardy things. The hairdresser will ask you to leave rather than have her business suffer, gossip such and such goes to that hairdressers with head lice and I got it from there etc.

Headlice is catching and especially through using the same brushes.

If it was me doing your hair I would expalin that I cant proceed and please could you leave. i would do this in as sympathetic way as possible and try to be kind and discreat. But I would not do your hair if I found head lice.

Check with the pharmacist, but I used hedrin recently when breastfeeding, and the pharmacist said it must be OK when bf cos you can use it in pregnancy.

Ivy - I fully appreciate that. I was asking for a way to broach the subject. I wouldn't expect anyone to put their customers / business at risk. I am doing what I can to get rid, and the Hedrin suggestion is a good one.

Ivy - I fully appreciate that. I was asking for a way to broach the subject. I wouldn't expect anyone to put their customers / business at risk. I am doing what I can to get rid, and the Hedrin suggestion is a good one.

Thats ok, I really didn't want you to end up in an embarrasing position, cos it can be for both parties

I would use olive oil on your dd's hair and yours for a few weeks after - if you want to know about this method let me know. it is safe and although a little messy it works well.

I was told that hedrin was safe to use in pregnancy but check with the pharmacist. It really does work but you need to do the 2 applications for it to be effective.

I have always coloured my hair a few days before going to the hairdressers because that seems to kill anything off that may be lurking - but it isn't a solution for everyone. I've also spent time combing my hair the night before an appointment and just before setting off.

Can you tell that headlice loved my oldest child.

Just a quick update - I didn't have time to go to the hairdresser's before I went on holiday. However, while we were away, I did my hair and DD1's every day with the nitty gritty and think it has done the trick.

I went to the hairdresser today and told her what had happened before she got stuck in. She said that it happens a lot and she would rather have a quick look beofre she started than have to get someone out of the chair later on. She couldn't see any and so I now have a lovely new cut.

Thanks for all the advice - much appreciated. And I would say now that honesty is the best policy.