Constant problem with head lice at school!

[CanaryClara]

Since begin of September my daughters have been scratching their head literally non stop. I've spent so much time, money and effort to get rid of these bloody head lace and nits, but absolutely no result.

I work voluntarily in the school of my daughters and have been spoking to their teachers. What they say is, they know exactly which child is causing this problem but cannot speak directly to that girl's parents due some rules and regulations. They have been sending out letters to all parents to aware about head lace issues in classes. Despite of this, that particular girl is still coming to the school with dirty and greezy hair.

If I had right I'd apply the lotions on her hair myself and put a big full stop to all this. Even school nurse cannot do anything.
Perhaps her parents cannot afford to purchase these specific shampoos and lotions. If so I am more than happy to give them this products as Christmas present in advance.

Honestly, I am sick and tired!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Please advise my what to do!

That's disgusting. Why don't you just approach to her mother as a mother and talk. In the worst scenario she might use a few swear words, but might take it seriously and tackle the problem.

How old is your child btw?
I heard that selfies cause a head lice infestations among children, especially teens.

As a voluntary teacher, unfortunately, I can't do that. I don't want to insult her mother by that and become her N1 enemy.

My daughter will turn 8 soon and she doesn't use a mobile phone.

Hi Clara,

We totally understand your situation and have tried to find a solution for your problem. Your post had been forwarded to the Health Protection Team PHE (Public Health England) and one of their doctors suggested to check out this page:

[http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Head-lice/Pages/Introduction.aspx Head lice]]

Also she advised that teachers have to talk to the child's parents as the issue of head lice have to be considered and dealt seriously.

Hopefully this will help.

It's very kind of you, Gulee. I'll definitely check the link and talk to the teacher about this. Thank you.

Hi Clara,

Like Gulee, I totally emphasis with you. I've two daughters at a primary school in Tower Hamlets and the issue of head lice being passed around between class mates has affected my eldest daughter on a number of occassions.

What is important is that parents take responsibility to ensure their children are head louse free as much as they can. It is a sensitive issue because head lice can be seen to be related to having 'dirty' hair, which after reading the NHS link sent by Gulee, is clearly not the case- Head lice are happy to make all hair types their home!

Schools can really play a part in terms of PSHE education - Hygiene and looking after ourselves- to educate children and reduce the negative stigma of having lice. However the main issue here is how to empower 'difficult' parents to seek prompt treatment for their children if they are infected. I think a well trained teacher or school nurse will have the confidence and skill to persuade a tricky parent into taking some immediate action- which looking at the life cylce of head lice- is needed to reduce infestation amoung class mates.

In terms of further information, as Gulee suggests, look at:
www.nhs.uk/conditions/head-lice/pages/introduction.aspx

and Public Health England guidance:

www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/353953/Guidance_on_infection_control_in_schools_11_Sept.pdf

HealthyLivesAdviser Hi!

Thanks for your comment! It's really appreciated.
At the moment we are free of head lice to which I personally cannot believe :D. The situation in the meantime reached even to the point that my daughter had to wear head scarf like Muslim girls to avoid hair contact with others (she has really curly hair). Subsequently everyone I know had been questioning me if we became Muslims.

I'll pass the links over to the nurse as well as the class teacher.