Head Lice Is Killing Us - Tell Me What I'm Doing Wrong

Some roommates of mine who worked with kids brought it home. In the end the shampoos don't work. You need to drown the bugs in oil and comb out every last nit in addition to treating bedding etc. Mayonnaise, Vaseline, vegetable oil...... It all works. dowse your heads in it, wrap in plastic and let it sit for like three hours. Wash it out and comb the nits out.

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Prescription shampoo is the way to go. Vacuum everything and get rid of the vac bags. Dont forget the car!

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Get the prescription shampoo. Yes it's nasty and toxic, but it works.

How long have you been treating? Ours took about a month to clear among three kids.

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What you did wrong was not doing the second treatment with the shampoo! Nevermind the websites. Just follow the directions on the lice shampoo, do the two treatments ten days apart, and keep combing through. You should not need to do all this extra cleaning. Good luck.

Head lice can not live on pets, so don't bother checking pets. And remember, they can not live very long without a human host.

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Your problem is that you're using a product to treat the lice that is not scientifically proven to remove lice. Tea tree oil is not as effective as lice shampoo, period. Did you know that the main ingredient in lice shampoos actually comes from chrysanthemums? Yup. Just as all-natural as tea tree oil, but it actually works. The thing is, you HAVE to treat twice with lice shampoo, first when you discover the lice, and then again on day 9 after the initial treatment. Please read this article from the American Academy of Pediatrics - it is based on scientific fact, and not old wives' tales: http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/110/3/638.f...

Here's a copy-and-paste from the summary of that article:
"3. Permethrin 1% (Nix) is currently the recommended
treatment for head lice, with retreatment
in 7 to 10 days if live lice are seen. Instructions on
proper use of products should be carefully relayed.
Safety and efficacy should be taken into
account when recommending any product for
treatment of head lice infestation.
4. None of the currently available pediculicides are
100% ovicidal and resistance has been reported
with lindane, pyrethrins, and permethrin. Treatment
failure does not equate with resistance, and
most instances of such failure represent misdiagnosis/
misidentification or noncompliance with
the treatment regimen.
5. Head lice screening programs have not been
proven to have a significant effect on the incidence
of head lice in the school setting over time
and are not cost-effective. Parent education programs
may be helpful in the management of head
lice in the school setting.
6. Manual removal of nits after treatment with a
pediculicide is not necessary to prevent spread. In
the school setting, removal may be considered to
decrease diagnostic confusion."

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it's the tea tree oil. While it is considered to be a natural substitute by many....it just doesn't work as well, if at all.

Also you mentioned bedding/stuffed animals/etc.....are you thoroughly vacuuming all upholstered furniture, using a crevice tool on the furniture & baseboards? Have you used a bleach-based cleaning solution on all other surfaces, including wood? & have you detailed/vacuumed/cleaned your vehicles? Every single surface counts!

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"Treating" the house in what way. Vacuuming should be sufficient. Any items you are spending money on are a waste of money. They don't do anything. It's like filling a spray bottle with water and misting the house. They don't "really" do anything.

I think it's time to step back and think a minute.

The couch, mattress, chairs, car seat covers or the whole car seat, all cloth surfaces of furniture have been vacuumed from top to bottom each day?

Vacuuming is the #1 way to get rid of lice. It sucks the bugs up, any stray hairs that might have a little bugger handing on for dear life, and any crawling in the folds of the fabric. They just don't have the strength to hold on.

There is a time to consult a physician. BUT if there are bugs crawling around at home then any formal treatment you do is a waste of time and a risk for your family.

I do believe that when all else fails there may have to be a time when you have to turn to medical intervention.

We got a tube of Lindane cream and used it a couple of times over the period of a year. My hubby did the whole thing. I believe you take the child with dry hair and put the cream all over their hair then cover it with a stocking cap or something of that nature. The next morning it is washed out. It is a pesticide gone nuts. The first time we used it on my granddaughter I stayed up for hours watching her for the first sign of something being wrong. Nothing happened but there are serious side effects possible.

I don't think it did anything. It's a lice killer so maybe we were doing something wrong too, or the lice have mutated so that it's like manna or something.

The one time we just could not stay ahead of it that I refused to do another Lindane treatment I stood at Walmart with every person I know in my whole town coming to that particular row in the whole store...they all noticed what I was reading too...anyway, I figured they had been there too at some time.

I decided to buy Lice MD. It is a non pesticide shampoo that is for the treatment of lice.

We used it one time and they were gone. Seriously gone. I was so shocked and annoyed at myself. I am sooooooooooooo much of a "Go natural" kind of person. I will spend a hour per night doing my granddaughters hair and not fret or get tired. We get used to it and find it relaxing to "mess with her hair". I work hard to remain patient and recognize that laying her head at odd angles while I use magnification to find the critters, well, it's just not too comfortable for her and she's a real trooper.

I honestly believe that picking the bugs and the nits out of the hair is the best and safest way to go. Vacuuming the furniture and mattress then washing the sheets and other bedding is the best and safest way to go.

BUT there comes a time when we have to admit that we can't do it by ourselves.

I suggest you buy some Lice MD and use it once. If it doesn't work then it may be that there is something else going on. If that does not stop the madness then it's time to call the doc and make an appointment.

Final note:

Lice breath air. Keeping all the brushes and combs in plain water is just as effective as boiling, using chemicals, etc...water kills them, it suffocates them. Just as covering a person's hair every night with mayo or some other form of agent that would coat the hair and make breathing impossible for them.

Lice don't jump so vacuuming them off where they are walking or sitting is usually effective, sprays are only chemicals that you are putting in your air supply. It has more effect on your lungs that it does theirs.

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Get some Tea Tree Oil not just shampoo with it in there. Most of the shampoos don’t have very much in there. Mix the oil with some water and spray on the pillows, blankets (after washing them) and also spray the mattresses. I would also get all new brushes, hair ties etc. You can also use the spray directly on everyone’s hair and scalp, or rub some of the oil on the scalp. It does have a very strong odor.

I would also talk to whoever is taking care of your children while you are at work, they could be just picking it right back up at daycare.

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Have you tried putting vegetable oil on your daughter's hair? Put that on - very liberally and tie a bag around her head (not face) keeping it there for approx 1 1/2 hours. Then, rinse. Then put vinegar on for another 1 1/2 hours. I did this with my daughter and it worked like a charm!
Good luck!

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here are a couple of things you might not have done. There is a spray you can get that you can use on the backs of all couches, chairs, car seats etc. basically everywhere your child could be laying her head. also. if you haven't done it it might be time to get everyones hair cut really short. and go from there. not the best most fun thing but toss all the stuffed animals. i saw that you had bagged them up but i would just toss them and start over. take all of her jackets / shirts and wash in hot water.

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I just wanted to add to not forget to vacuum the car seats.

Good luck! I know it's horrible.

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Oh I feel ya. Quite a few years ago we had a horrible round with it, I was step away from shaving my DD's hair, NOTHING worked, not even the prescription stuff.

What finally worked was using straight tea tree oil, on the hair, then placing a bag over all of the kids (even though it seemed to effect mainly one child) and sending them outside, in the sun for 2 hours. After that we did daily tea tree shampoo's. For somewhere around a month, and they were finally gone and I had been battling it for a year at that point. Good luck it really sucks!

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Contact your pediatrician. I just read within the past week in a parenting magazine (sorry, I can't remember which one) but there is a new medication that is only available through a prescription, you don't have to wash bedding and such, (not sure how that works) AND you don't have to comb the hair to get the nits out.

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Quick question -- you mention that you both work full time -- are the kids going to daycare then? Could they be reinfected from someone at daycare? Otherwise, it sounds like you're doing everything right. We've had it in our house twice (a year apart), but both time caught very early and cleared quickly.

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I know professionals use a combination of conditioner and baking soda, and then with the fine tooth comb comb all of the nits out. I would first treat with the medicated shampoo and then keep her hair pulled back with tons of hairspray, gel, moose, etc. Keep it dirty with products, and not loose. I would also ask your pediatrician, maybe there is a prescription that has a stronger shampoo. Good luck!!!

I read the other day in a legitimate health article--not some wives tale or myth thing--that using Cetaphil cleanser works. You lather up really thick with Cetaphil cleanser and then use the hair dryer to dry it, turning it into a shell like cap on the head. Sleep with it on and wash off the next day. Supposedly it even takes off the nits. The article indicated you would not even have to wash everything though I would still be using up the hot water and running that dryer on high. There has to be somewhere or someone the kids are interacting with that is passing these back. Who watches the kids while you are at work?

Updated

I read the other day in a legitimate health article--not some wives tale or myth thing--that using Cetaphil cleanser works. You lather up really thick with Cetaphil cleanser and then use the hair dryer to dry it, turning it into a shell like cap on the head. Sleep with it on and wash off the next day. Supposedly it even takes off the nits. The article indicated you would not even have to wash everything though I would still be using up the hot water and running that dryer on high. There has to be somewhere or someone the kids are interacting with that is passing these back. Who watches the kids while you are at work?

###-###-#### Texas Lice Squad. A resource for you to use!

Have you tried Dawn dish soap? My neice got lice a few years ago and my sister had the WORST time getting rid of them. She was having nightmares that the lice were morphing into giant flying bugs flying out of here hair LOL
It was awful! She tried the Dawn, and it finally did work!! Also if your vacuum has a disposable bag, vacuum then bag it and throw it away. If its a canister, I'd disinfect that.
Good luck!!!!

You don't mention treating yourself, hubby, the couches, vacuuming, washing hats, etc...
http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/lice/head/prevent.html

I had a similar situation with my daughter when she was 5. She came back from her Bio dad's after the summer with lice and I tried everything to no avail. I ended up having to get a prescription for a liquid treatment that worked after 1 time!!! I know it was very expensive without insurance too but well worth every penny. I also learned that the metal lice combs work better than the plastic at getting the nits out as well. You may be to this point as well.

S.

Lice MD. Awesome stuff.

Make sure your daycare/preschool is not infested as well and that they don't share rest mats at school.

So sorry! Lice sucks. : /

Do you have any pets?? If so, check them.

Also, for the puppy that can't be washed - can it be put into a pillow case and tossed in the dryer on a hot setting? We did that with a few stuffed animals that couldn't really be washed and it worked.

Curtains? Linen closet? I don't know...I'm just trying to think of anything they could cling to.

I can't even imagine what you're going thru. We had to deal with this with my daughter but it wasn't this bad.

Good luck!!!

I agree with the oils--I've never dealt with it--THANKFULLY!!! But I've read that they can't live or attach to oily hair. So lay it on THICK and suffocate them 8/

Here is what my mom did with me-
Mayo in the hair all over then saran wrap the head over night. If you can leave and bug bomb the house. Bag all of the stuffies and throw them in the garage for 2 weeks. Wash everything you can.

I had the worst case forever and this got rid of them. Hope it helps hun. Keep your head up!

Kids pick up lice from a variety of places. School, day care, neighborhood kids, other people's combs, babysitters, etc. I think my kids got lice one time from a neighbor's cat when their kids had a lice problem.

And, I hate to say this, but lice like all hair, and that includes pubic hair. They are so small, that you will have to have your husband check you and you will have to check your husband. Or you will have to shave completely, no landing strips.

Good luck to you and yours.

When we had problems a friend suggested that we color their hair We bought the cheapest hair color. We applied it according to directions and have never seen another lice. Also when it was going around our school again, I made my girls wear their hair in french braids. She was the only girl in her class not to get it Hope this helps.

If you're at your wits end you can always try and find a local professional to assist you! I've never used their services myself but I hear good things. The link is just an example. You'd have to see if you can find someone in your area. http://www.wenitpick.com/

PLease tell me you aren't sending your kids to daycare or school with this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If I were a mom that found out you were, I would want to strangle you & send you the bill.

There is a very very specific technique in how to comb thru, there is also a very specific comb that is the only one that truly works (nit free).

Personally I suggest NOT using the pesticides on your heads. I HIGHLY recommend finding a hair place that specializes in net removal.

I am not sure where you are located but here are some places in Dallas that specialize in this and they will help you in your home too. PLease call them ASAP, they saved my life. They taught me all the techniques and told me exactly what to do in my home.

http://www.themobilelicecompany.com/default.html?gclid=CO...

http://www.texaslicesquad.com/

I feel your pain! The only thing that works is to thoroughly remove all the nits. Go to the Texas Lice Squad on trinity mills. It'll be the best money you ever spent! They will check for $15 and if you are positive they apply that to the treatment. They use special combs that really work, magnifying glasses, spot lights, etc to ensure they don't miss anything. You go back for a free recheck a few days later. Trust me this will solve your never ending nightmare. Their number is ###-###-####. Call them right away! Best wishes and God bless!

I have not read through the entire answers from other moms, sorry. The key to controlling lice is heat (you know this due to placing bedding, stuffed animals in dryer, etc.) Make sure that everyone blow dries their hair with a hair dryer on the hottest setting each day. That will help get rid of the lice. If their hair is dry by the time you are finished picking out nits, etc. wash again and dry on hottest setting.

It sounds like your kids are getting reinvected at daycare. Keep the girls hair pulled up in a ponytail if at all possible. My daughter had lice 3 separate times. I started keeping her hair pulled up in a ponytail ALL THE TIME when she was at school and never had another problem. Good luck!!!