Got Lice?

We did. Lice is awful, and I mean awful. When I found out my daughter had lice, I was mortified. Really, how could MY daughter have lice? I wash her hair daily, she showers, she gets regular haircuts, HOW did this happen?? Easy. Lice doesn’t discriminate. They like hair. Oh, and they REALLY like clean hair. Go figure.

After I sat stunned for a bit, I started to react. Battling head lice is a long and painful process. I felt helpless. This was my first time and I was clueless. Luckily some great friends and wonderful people (thanks Mom) helped me navigate my way through the lice battle. Here is what I learned. May you never need this advice!

1. Call your school. I know it is embarrassing, but do it. You are only helping yourself in the long run. If another child in the classroom gets it, chances are, you will get it again too! Call them. You would want other parents to do the same.

2. Call any families that your child has had direct contact with. Carpools, play-dates, parties. It is important and they will thank you!

3. Purchase lice kits. You can find them at CVS or any drugstore. Buy two. Why? Because you will want to treat your entire family, including yourself.

4. Throw away the mini comb that comes with the kit and purchase a steel comb. They are better and literally the ONLY way to get the eggs (so gross) out of hair. If you don’t nab those eggs, another outbreak is headed your way. You can buy the steel combs at any beauty supply store.

5. When you put the medicine on hair, use the EXACT amount they tell you. Even if your child has shorter hair. You need the perfect amount to nab lice.

6. Leave the medicine on the hair for 10 minutes longer than instructed and keep it on while you comb. This recommendation came from a pediatrician!

7. Do not use conditioner while you are battling lice. They love that stuff!

8. Wash all sheets and towels. Yes, all of them. You will be doing laundry for a LONG time, but do it.

9. For the next seven days toss your child’s pillow in the dryer on high heat for 30 minutes. This will kill any remaining eggs that are literally impossible to see!

10. Wash all blankets, lovies, and stuffed animals your child sleeps with. Also toss them into the dryer before bedtime.

11. Treat your child’s hair again after 7 days. This will give any eggs that didn’t die off in the first treatment time to hatch.

12. Treat your hair and any members of your family that are over the age of two. Call your pediatrician if you have family members under two.

13. Purchase a “anti lice” shampoo to use regularly at home. They can be found at Target, Pigtails & Crewcuts, and beauty supply stores.

14. Finally, call in a professional. We did. I treated my daughters hair twice and still found one lonely bug. It wouldn’t be lonely for long as lice can produce 12 eggs in a single day!!! We called Nit Nabbers! They came into our house with materials galore. They treated all of our hair and found eggs that I didn’t! They used a special treatment and left us with a professional comb and a spray that uses a scent lice do not like. They also showed me the proper way to comb and what to do if one of those “a child in your classroom has lice” letters comes my way. Visit www.nitnabbers.com or call them at 980.475.0931.

Remember, battling lice is all about the proper steps. Be smart and use these tools if lice comes your way!