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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

ravenAK · 03/08/2014 20:53

If you treat her pretty much as soon as she's through the door, would that zap the 'live' ones that might be passed to your dc?

Obviously it's not going to break the cycle if her mother then doesn't follow up on it, but presumably she'd be gone by the time the surviving eggs hatch?

Not a real solution for sdd, obviously, but thinking pragmatically about avoiding her infesting your dd.

Original poster

rosepetalsoup · 03/08/2014 20:55

2 and 12.

I'm tired and busy and a full time working mum I don't have time to comb through DSD's hair every night tbqh. I feel so annoyed why can't her mum do it? My DH does it every time she comes.

Ok thanks feel a bit more reasonable.

OP posts:

Original poster

rosepetalsoup · 03/08/2014 20:56

Good idea Raven. No idea about the science of that but it sounds plausible.

I am going to get DH to teach her to do herself and set her up with the equipment.

OP posts:

ilovepowerhoop · 03/08/2014 20:58

it doesnt need to be every night. How long does she stay for?

ilovepowerhoop · 03/08/2014 20:59

www.chc.org/homedir/parent_info.cfm - this page tells about the life cycle and when to treat.

It would be very hard for her to do it by herself, she will need help

HeartsTrumpDiamonds · 03/08/2014 21:02

I swear by Hedrin and I think it would be not too tricky for your DSD to self-administer.

JustAShopGirl · 03/08/2014 21:02

we use lyclear - 100% effective in 10min. A smothering one, so no insecticide - just like using shampoo. Use it again a week later, also seems to stop reinfection.

ArsenicFaceCream · 03/08/2014 21:07

YY to what Raven said. If you could give DSD something to use between visits to keep them at bay, I'm sure she would appreciate that too.

Fairenuff · 03/08/2014 21:13

But you said she only comes every few weeks so you wouldn't have to comb her hair every night, just once a month or so.

Waltermittythesequel · 03/08/2014 21:23

Ok, I think at 12 she could be given the treatment to take home.

Do you think her mother would help her do it?

goldenlilliesdaffodillies · 03/08/2014 21:41

I really wouldn't send treatment to take to her Mum's house. I think that would inflame the situation and rub her Mum up the wrong way.

My DS's regularly had nits and worms and their Mum was very anti any sort of lotion or potion. She hit the roof when we treated the boys for worms, even though they were clearly in distress.

All you can do is treat at your own home. My DD has regularly had nits. They are a pain but if you keep up the battle with nitty gritty or electronic zapper that is the best you can do. Eventually they do grow out of them.

ArsenicFaceCream · 03/08/2014 21:48

I think that would inflame the situation and rub her Mum up the wrong way.

Good point. So not hedrin or similar, but maybe a nice teatree shampoo (that you've added extra TT oil to) but just a normal one - no mention of 'medicated' or lice on the label. Boots and Tesco do them. Would DSD appreciate something like that?

Fairenuff · 03/08/2014 21:53

Alternatively, a practical solution would be to put a swimming hat on your dd's head when dsd is visiting.

Original poster

rosepetalsoup · 03/08/2014 21:54

The mum is not anti anything, it's just there's no way she'd consider taking an interest nor would help DSD with it. She wouldn't notice I don't think, if we sent her home with some.

Golden I see your point but I don't really think the mum's feelings trump the boys being free of nits and worms? Also she's only one of a parenting partnership... in theory. If for some reason I refused to treat our toddler for nits, would that mean DH couldn't do it because he knew it would rub me up the wrong way? I don't think so. It would mean I was being an unreasonable, neglectful mum.

OP posts:

JugglingChaotically · 03/08/2014 21:55

Try paranix. I got it in France once when all else had failed (even the brilliant nitty gritty!)
So easy to use and at the end you just add water which turns it to lather/shampoo.
Treat at yours and it will go by 2nd use!
Amazon sell it.

Waltermittythesequel · 03/08/2014 21:56

In that case, rosepetal, I would send her home with stuff and do your level best to drum into her the importance of using it to the best of her ability.

ilovepowerhoop · 03/08/2014 21:59

paranix is the same as lyclear I think - it certainly linked from the lyclear site when I was looking earlier

ArsenicFaceCream · 03/08/2014 21:59

Interesting lateral thinking faire

Original poster

rosepetalsoup · 03/08/2014 22:03

Ok Lyclear we have used on her before, we'll get some more. Thanks all. Beginning to see light at end of tunnel.

OP posts:

MyNameIsInigoMontoya · 03/08/2014 22:04

Hedrin Once worked for us and only needs to be used once, but do treat everyone at the same time. (It is horrible to get out though I warn you, needs at least 2 or 3 "washes" with masses of shampoo applied to dry hair before you add any water, or it still looks all oily. But at least it does seem to kill them all in one go).

Alternatively they do another one which is just a lotion which you can use overnight and says it washes out easily, but which needs to be reapplied after 7 days. So if you know you will be seeing her again around the right time that might be an option too and sounds easier/nicer to use (I've not actually tried it though).

The only issue is if her mum/stepdad have them too by now, they may come back...

goldenlilliesdaffodillies · 03/08/2014 22:10

Rosepetal- we still treated the boys at our house anyway. We just had to put up with lots of agro about it and did it anyway as it wasn't fair on the boys.

Waltermittythesequel · 05/08/2014 10:10

How did it go, Rose?

wheresthelight · 05/08/2014 10:36

We have the same issue rose!!

Our local home bargains does an amazing spray that has tee tree and neem oil in it that helps prevent them. My dsd is 8.5 and can do that by herself so might be worth a try (also have a fricking useless Dm who refuses to treat nits because "kids get them")

I blew my stack when I got them and then i found one on my then 10 month old. It was at that point that dp raised the bloody roof with his incompetent ex and gave her a whole heap of home truths. Appears to have done something as the kids are clear tor the first time in 3 years

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