Head Lice- Do I Take Infested Daughter with Me to a BBQ??

Updated on August 21, 2010
N.G. asks from Belmar, NJ
27 answers

My daughter has head lice. WE just found them yesterday because of her scratching. We had plans this weekend to go to a friends BBQ. There will be other children there. Can I bring my daughter with us? Or id it best not to go? This is my 1st time experiencing lice so I know nothing about it really, besides what I readon the internet.

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So What Happened?

Thanks for all the info. I of course have already treated my daugter, and my other children as well as a preventative measure. And it seems like some of you might think that I have not spent the vast majority of yesterday & already started today washing linens, stuffed animals & vacumming! I just wanted to hear from other moms what they would do. My husband is the one who seems more lax about it. I wanted to prove to him that nobody would really appreciate us being there :-)

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C.L.

answers from Philadelphia on

NO. Why would you do that its inconsiderate. You already are aware that you know so you can't go. You could possibly infect other people and kids.

2 moms found this helpful

B.C.

answers from Norfolk on

I wouldn't want someone bringing lice into my home. They are tricky to get rid of, and more resistant to treatment than every. You might as well try to get it under control now before school starts up. Good luck!

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B.

answers from Augusta on

absolutely not.
it would be irresponsible for you to take her. get rid of the lice ASAP or they will be EVERYWHERE.

2 moms found this helpful

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J.C.

answers from New York on

ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!! You need to focus on treating your daughter's head immediately. You also need to treat your home. You should be cleaning your couch, your daughter's bedding, the rug, her clothing, and your other children's clothing and bedding and heads probably. There is special cleaning fluid made especially for the elimination of lice.

I know I would be furious if someone showed up at my house knowingly with a child with a head full of lice. It's like bringing a child with the flu to a birthday party. You don't do something like that unless you intend to pass along what your child has.

Sorry to be so blunt about it, but I have known people who have knowingly exposed families, mine included, to everything from lice, the flu, bedbugs, stomach viruses....all because they didn't want to miss or cancel a party.

Good luck and remember there are always the Labor Day bbq's coming up.

Peace.

4 moms found this helpful
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M.J.

answers from Chicago on

No, please don't bring her to a BBQ where there will be other children present. I am sure the other parents wouldn't be too thrilled if they found out you knew ahead of time and still brought her.

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D.W.

answers from Indianapolis on

OK - I work for a company that is awaiting FDA approval on a new head lice treatment, so I am, unfortunately, an expert on head lice.

There is NO reason NOT to take your daughter to the BBQ. Head lice do not jump, they do not fly. They crawl from person to person quickly through head to head contact. Instruct her to be careful playing with other kids, perhaps put her hair in a pony tail or have her wear a hat if you're really concerned.

Here's an article and a clip from Dr. Barbara Frankowski of the American Academy Of Pediatrics about their new head lice guidance (released a few weeks ago) and how kids should NOT be excluded from normal activities.
http://www.medpagetoday.com/Pediatrics/GeneralPediatrics/...

Have you already treated her? If so, how? Most treatments on the market take up to 2 weeks to fully eliminate a head lice infestation. Depending on the approach you used, how diligent you've been with combing and general house cleaning, chances are, she has few viable head lice that could affect anyone.

Please, everyone, learn about head lice. We sponsor an education site called MyHeadLiceTreatment.com that has myths/facts, FDA approved treatments, etc. Good, general information about head lice should it affect your family.

Feel free to send me a private message if you want more information.

Good luck, and enjoy your BBQ!

3 moms found this helpful

L.V.

answers from Jacksonville on

DONT ever take her around other people...THEY WILL GET IT. wash all the sheets and blankets on her bed including the pillow case and get some lice shampoo and treat it ASAP

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J.F.

answers from Toledo on

You can treat her today and treat your house today and then go back to life as normal. I don't really see why you would need to ask this question. If you want to control the infestation, you need to do it immediately and thoroughly...even if that means blowing off the BBQ. I know if it were my BBQ, I would much rather you miss it to take care of this problem instead of bringing the problem to my home.

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M.!.

answers from Columbus on

No - I would start the cleaning process in your home. Start checking everyone else out daily too. You may even get it yourself. My neighbors daughter contracted it through Pre-School and ugh.. it was a nightmare. Everyone in the house ended up with it. She pulled all sheets and blankets from everyones room and washed on super hot. The she threw all pillows out and purchased new. Also, make sure you clean the car seat/booster seat or where ever she sits in the car too. Eggs could have been layed in there. If you have a bagged vacuum clean everything then replace the bag. Also, if you can steam clean your carpets (only if you have a machine. wouldn't put too much $ into it). Lysol everything just in case.

Its such a yucky thing to have to go through. And as I said my neighbors had it. They actually ended up with 2 rounds b/c she didn't do such a great job cleaning the 1st time around.

Good luck!!

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R.K.

answers from Boston on

Have you treated her yet? I would stay home and treat her today if you haven't treated her yet and I would stay home and clean like a mad woman.

1 mom found this helpful

I.M.

answers from New York on

Please don't go. Just get the medicine and treat her for it.

1 mom found this helpful
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L.C.

answers from Washington DC on

You need to get rid of the head lice before you expose her to anyone.

1 mom found this helpful
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D.F.

answers from St. Louis on

Here's something else to think about, My daughter got lice when she was 7 I did everything right. However she and some of her classmates kept getting lice. Check out the classroom, in my daughters class there were bean bag chairs a kids sofa and stuffed animals. NONE of which were treated I called the Health Dept. and the next day the class was cleared and cleaned. NO more lice here.

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J.P.

answers from Buffalo on

Hi. I don't think I would take my kids if it were me. Just to be safe! I just wanted to let you know about some things for treating lice. Someone else mentioned Fairy tales. It work well, but most of it is for after you treat your child (Children, yourself, husband!) It can also be hard to find. There is also a product called Quit Nitts. It is a treatment and a spray that helps to prevent them from coming back. It is also an all natural product, smells good and is good for the hair. I got it at CVS. The web site is www.ouitnitts.com if you want more info. I washed my daughters linens everyday for 2 weeks when she got it, as well as cleaned the whole house! I wish you well, and hope they are gone!

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M.H.

answers from New York on

From one parent to another, NO!! Lice are contagious, and they spread quickly.

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L.N.

answers from New York on

no. please don't take her there. others will get lice from her, for sure. no amount of hair gel will keep it from not going to others.
imagine if someone came to a party while you and your daughter were lice-free how would you feel coming home with extra guests on your head?
mad is the word.
:)
treat her but it won't be easy to get rid of those. it will take days if not weeks.
good luck

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M.T.

answers from New York on

No, if she's not treated and clear of them, you don't expose her to other people. It doesn't matter whether the other people are children or adults, nobody appreciates lice. If she is infested, you need to keep her isolated You mentioned that you treated your other kids, which is good but did you and hubby treat YOURSELVES? Lice is not limited to affecting children.

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J.K.

answers from New York on

Please do not be scared of the situation, there are anti lice treatments / shampoos available in the market.

Two washes with the Anti lice shampoo will get her rid of the lice and continuous use for four weeks ( Twice a week) will get her rid off the lice eggs also.

So after two treatments your daughter will be fit enough to attend any parties / BBQ etc also.

J. , India

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M.R.

answers from Columbus on

didn't read the other posts, but as long as you have treated the head in question and spent the majority of your time there, nit picking, then you don't really have to freak out too much about the vaccuming and stuff. Washing the bed linens, yes, and her stuffed animals that had contact with her head, and maybe her seat in the car, but you just don't have to go crazy with the cleaning because it is unlikely that the lice will spread without head to head contact. Concentrate on her head, check her everyday between now and the BBQ, and keep picking with the comb to be sure that you get all the eggs out, then take her to the BBQ unless you see a new and suddent outbreak of live bugs that you cannot treat prior to going. Nit picking is the most essential element in getting rid of them the first time.

Have fun at the BBQ.

M.

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J.C.

answers from New York on

You've taken the precautions and done your part. So go and have fun. Just be sure to use a lot of product (gel, mousse, hairspray) on her hair going forward. Also, there is a great product out there by Fairy Tales. Give it a try for the future.

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C.B.

answers from Cleveland on

Um, No!! LOL If I were a parent there I'd be pretty angry. I think theres still a chance she can spread them to other kids. But to be safe, check with your ped. and find out EXACTLY how long they can be spread. I think thats your best bet. I dont remember exactly how long it takes. But I know for a kid to be back in school its usually and a few days and a nurse checks them out first.

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G.B.

answers from Tulsa on

Please go to headlice.org and follow the instructions there.

If you wash her hair and leave it very wet and part the hair off in tiny sections and remove the nits and bugs she should be fine but if you use some chemical treatment she should stay home. They don't work and she can lean up against some other child or use the same toy and pass the lice by touching another child.

When the hair is dry before I start I wrap packing tape backwards around my hand and pat the head to help get the live bugs out. They stick to the tape, which packing tape is VERY sticky, and this helps keep the bugs from running around hiding.

I add a tiny bit of tea tree oil to my kids shampoo and they don't get bugs. The oil causes the nits to not stick. I change it out and throw it away as soon as there are bugs covering/stuck to it. Also, be aware, lice like clean hair, not dirty hair for the same reason. Lice tells you that you keep your child clean and healthy.

This is not a bad thing as some will make it out to be. Our Health Department nurse says that head lice is at epidemic proportions and they can't get it under control without closing school down to do it.

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L.L.

answers from New York on

Lice is my worst fear.....I am terrified of the day one of my kids comes home with it. I wouldn't go to the BBQ even if it has been treated, just out of common courtesy to others. Even though she's been treated, my gut instinct tells me it's not the best idea.
Lynsey

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A.G.

answers from New York on

STAY HOME!!! Get the head lice shampoo and you will have to pick out every egg you can find. Also you will need to wash all the beds, blankets, towels, etc that she comes into contact with. Any idea where they may have come from? Was she at a friends before or anything?

I speak from experience! I got them from a friends house (and we didn't know it at the time) and my mom washed for days!!! Then a week later I had them again!!! I had went to my friends house and her mom thought she had washed everything too. However, she forgot the sleeping bags we all sat on upstairs when playing games!!!

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L.D.

answers from Los Angeles on

Got to Walmart get some shampoo I think the name is LICEMD it doesn't have pesticides in it so I think just trying to remember the commercial get her treated at home per directions of shampoo on whatever brand you choose.Does she go to school or in childcare if so you'll have to contact them and not send her till she is full treated.Strip all her bedding soak in HOT water then wash any stuffed animals she is attached tothey will need to be washed too.

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N.B.

answers from Jamestown on

DO NOT TAKE HER! The entire household needs treated for this infestation. You will need to go to the store/pharmacy and buy special shampoo to get RID for the lice and their eggs on every family member. You will also need to wash all the bedding, combs/brushes, and stuffed animals in HOT water.
Put it this way...where ever your daughter has been in the house...wash those areas. Vacuum and put the bag outside or in a dumpster immediately.

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R.Q.

answers from New York on

Hi~~~As a mom who has experienced what a nightmare lice is......I would suggest you stay home !!!! Sorry....but if your friends kids get it imagine how you'll feel ......and how they will feel towards you!!!!

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