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Step-parenting

Connect with other Mumsnetters here for step-parenting advice and support.

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Original poster

Nits - furious again and practical question

48 replies

rosepetalsoup · 03/08/2014 20:13

So, older stepchild with chronic nic problem that her mum refuses to treat -- and now my toddler has got it.

Does anyone know
a) How I can get rid of toddler's nits without causing too much pain/angst
b) AIBU to ban DSC playing with DC til she is fixed.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Fairenuff · 03/08/2014 20:22

Put lots of conditioner in the toddler's hair and comb through. If done properly it doesn't hurt a bit.

Waltermittythesequel · 03/08/2014 20:25

Yes, conditioner.

Also tea tree oil or TT oil based shampoo are wonderful.

Can your dh text her mum and say "x has headlice and it's pretty bad. I'm going to the chemist for treatment and putting it in this evening so she should be fine when she goes back to you, I'll give you the rest of the treatment so you can maintain it."

ArsenicFaceCream · 03/08/2014 20:25

Preventative treatment for your DC? You can use tea tree oil added to conditioner to orevent.

hoobypickypicky · 03/08/2014 20:27

Do you have care of DSC at any time? If that's so I'd de-nit DSC when they're next staying (or ask DH to if doing it myself was going to cause ruptions). You'd be in the place of parent/s doing the responsible thing that parents should do. I can see that the DSCs mum might not like it but you're doing the right thing so needs must, I'd say.

I used chemicals on my DC when they came home from reception with nits. I know it's frowned upon by some people but both girls had very long hair so it was the easiest, quickest solution. I understand though that they'll come back if the DC are playing at close quarters with a sufferer but hell, it's going to be a damned if you do, damned if you don't thing if you suggest keeping your DC from DSC.

I haven't the answer to that unless you can de-nit DSC.

Original poster

rosepetalsoup · 03/08/2014 20:27

I did the conditioner tonight with nitty gritty comb - how many times/for how long should I do it?

He could do Walter but she would just refuse to do it bitch

OP posts:

ilovepowerhoop · 03/08/2014 20:28

you can do the conditioner/nit comb treatment or you can use hedrin as it is also ok for toddlers (suffocates them rather than chemically killing them)

goldenlilliesdaffodillies · 03/08/2014 20:28

Get a Nitty Gritty comb with lots of conditioner or an electronic nit comb. Have a weekly family zapping night when DSC comes so everyone is done at the same time and then no-one is singled out.

Original poster

rosepetalsoup · 03/08/2014 20:29

Thank Hooby yes we do her whenever she arrives but she only comes every few weeks and in the mean time new ones hatch. So fucked off tbh.

OP posts:

ilovepowerhoop · 03/08/2014 20:29

you should comb every couple of days for at least 2 weeks

Original poster

rosepetalsoup · 03/08/2014 20:30

That's a nice idea Golden but DSC don't come that often or regularly.

OP posts:

Waltermittythesequel · 03/08/2014 20:30

I would do it for about three days.

Have her sleep on a white pillowcase so you can see any eggs/lice in case it worsens.

It's worth treating sd's hair anyway. Something is better than nothing.

Keep it in her hair all weekend. Comb through religiously. Keep reapplying.

She should be fine playing with dd while she has the treatment in.

Is mum just being difficult or is this a hygiene issue? My sd's school actually put the HSE (NHS equivalent) onto a family this year for their blatant refusal to deal with it!

goldenlilliesdaffodillies · 03/08/2014 20:30

Nitmix is also good and I think you can get a headlice repellant to spray on your little one before visits.

FlossyMoo · 03/08/2014 20:32

I wouldn't ban DCD from playing with DD as it will send the wrong message like nits are dirty and DSD is to blame depending on DSD's age. I think a gentle prompt to her mum is a good idea.
I hate nits OP and although I treat their hair with tee tree if I find any I have to get DH to get them out as I am a squeamish wimp

I am now itching like crazy .

Waltermittythesequel · 03/08/2014 20:32

Also, if you put TT oil in your toddler's hair before sc come it should prevent her getting them again :)

Fairenuff · 03/08/2014 20:34

Lots of primary school teachers swear by hairspray too. A spray a day keeps the nits away.

kimlo · 03/08/2014 20:36

Hedrin once doesnt need to be reapplied after a week like the others, although I did just to be sure, then every other day with a nitty gritty until I was sure they were gone.

It also only needs to be on for 15 minuites, not over night.

If the dm isnt treating herself though they are just going to got them again.

Original poster

rosepetalsoup · 03/08/2014 20:36

Ok thanks for advice. It does not work to gently nudge their mum honestly if you nudged her so hard she fell off a cliff she would not do things like this. Walter it is like the family the HSE were called on but unforch I'm in England.

OP posts:

Original poster

rosepetalsoup · 03/08/2014 20:38

Also are you sure Flossy? If they were both my DC I would ban the nits one playing with the little one for sure until she was clean.

OP posts:

ChiefBillyNacho · 03/08/2014 20:39

It is really annoying. I used conditioner and a nitty gritty comb on dd and would do it after every visit from dsd. If there were any I'd just keep combing during every bath until they'd been gone for a fortnight.

With dsd I'd just do the same or use a lotion if they were particularly bad.

You can't stop them playing. They rely are something all children get.

Your poor dsd. It was horrible for my dsd having hers untreated. I just did what I could when she was with us, and on longer stays would really get on top if them.

Waltermittythesequel · 03/08/2014 20:39

I don't know Your holidays in the UK.

When is she back at school? It would be well worth your while speaking to her teacher about it.

In the meantime use the preventative steps for your dd and keep treating your poor sd. How old is she?

Could she come over more often so you can keep treatment up?

ATruthUniversallyAcknowledged · 03/08/2014 20:40

How old's dsc? Could you send her home with the hedrin to do it herself?

ArsenicFaceCream · 03/08/2014 20:42

It's not worth the confusion and upset of trying to keep them separate (unlikely to work anyway TBH).

How old are they both?

FlossyMoo · 03/08/2014 20:42

For me yes.

Nits although unpleasant are not life threatening and as frustrating as it is when your child constantly catches them (My DD seems to attract the little blighters) even though you treat religiously banning them playing together would be like punishing DSD for something she has no control over.

However that's me and you need to do what fits in for your situation.
I am still itching

ilovepowerhoop · 03/08/2014 20:43

whatever treatments you use you should still comb a week later as none of the treatments are 100% at killing the eggs. In fact the bug busting website says you should check on days 5,9 and 12/13 to make sure there are no live lice left.

There is no need to ban her - even the schools dont ban children from coming in when they have head lice. Maybe treat her and tie her hair back before she plays with your dd.

ArsenicFaceCream · 03/08/2014 20:45

Lots of primary school teachers swear by hairspray too.

Yes that does help. I used to give DD high ponytails and loads of spray in nursery, she escaped many infestations.

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