Head Lice - Advice?!

[Ariana]

I've never had to deal with headlice before but just got informed that a DCG and her sister both developed headlice over the weekend. Apparently it's just nits and not the actual bugs?

I have no idea about this stuff so thought I'd ask the experts!! Mom said after first treatment they are ok to come back to daycare/school from what she's read but is leaving it up to me....what's the usual protocol here? My contract says "exclusion until no longer contagious" so I might ask her to stay home until all nits are gone completely...not sure.

What should I be doing for my own child's head and bedding etc?

Thank so much

[LittleD]

Nits almost look like a drop of water, but very tiny. Here's a web page with more info:

http://kidshealth.org/parent/infections/common/head_lice.html

If your child has it, you need to do the treatment, then wash bedding in hot water. Vacuum all surfaces, stuffed animals that can't be washed go in a garbage bag for 48 hrs. Vacuum couches and soft chairs.

[momofboys]

I've never had to deal with headlice before but just got informed that a DCG and her sister both developed headlice over the weekend. Apparently it's just nits and not the actual bugs?

I have no idea about this stuff so thought I'd ask the experts!! Mom said after first treatment they are ok to come back to daycare/school from what she's read but is leaving it up to me....what's the usual protocol here? My contract says "exclusion until no longer contagious" so I might ask her to stay home until all nits are gone completely...not sure.

What should I be doing for my own child's head and bedding etc?

Thank so much

I would not allow them to come even w/nits. My kids' school has a no nits policy. I'd check your child's hair to verify they do not have lice/nits. Then be very thorough about cleaning/vacuuming as a precaution. If you do see lice/nits on your child you will need to wash all bedding/stuffed animals & treat your child's hair.

[Blackcat31]

I agree that they should NOT attend if there are nits. Most schools have a "No nit" policy so I would abide by that. Here are a couple of great resources in regards to lice:

Parent info sheet: http://www.hennepin.us/files/Hennepi...e%20parent.pdf
Provider Fact sheet: http://www.hennepin.us/files/Hennepi...ead%20LICE.pdf

Great website about lice/treatment etc: http://headlicecenter.com/


Other threads about lice: https://www.daycare.com/forum/tags.php?tag=lice+removal

https://www.daycare.com/forum/tags.php?tag=lice+treatment

Good luck...lice is probably the most dreaded of all ailments for anyone working with a group of kids.

[Ariana]

Good luck...lice is probably the most dreaded of all ailments for anyone working with a group of kids.

Tell me about it!! I have been dreading this day and figured it wouldn't come until DD was in school! UGH.

I went through DD's head with a fine tooth comb and didn't find anything, she's not itching either. I'll keep checking on it. I might go and get some tea tree oil shampoo just in case. I informed mom that DCG cannot come back until all nits are gone just for everyone's safety. I also informed the other parent, told them to check and left it up to their discretion whether to send their kid (if she's clear also). I've washed all bedding, pillows and blankets.

Hopefully this has been contained to one family. I'm soo itchy now

Thanks everyone!

[MN Day Mom]

I have a zero nits policy. Have dealt with lice a few times, one time was horrible which forced me to do the no nits policy. Zero nits = zero chance of those eggs hatching and re-infesting!

If they have nits they had the actual bug.

[Blackcat31]

Tell me about it!! I have been dreading this day and figured it wouldn't come until DD was in school! UGH.

I went through DD's head with a fine tooth comb and didn't find anything, she's not itching either. I'll keep checking on it. I might go and get some tea tree oil shampoo just in case. I informed mom that DCG cannot come back until all nits are gone just for everyone's safety. I also informed the other parent, told them to check and left it up to their discretion whether to send their kid (if she's clear also). I've washed all bedding, pillows and blankets.

Hopefully this has been contained to one family. I'm soo itchy now

Thanks everyone!

Don't forget the car seats. Both the child-sized ones and the back of the actual car seat where their heads rest if in a booster. The hair accessories such as fabric covered rubberbands and the hairbrushes and combs too!

They are the most over looked items and are often the culprits to re-infection.

[Lucy]

Schools don't let them in with nits. I had a 1st grader with them and she had to report to the office every morning for 2 weeks so they could check her for nits. (She doesn't come here in the morning, so I figured if she was ok at school, she could come here after school.)

So don't let them mom try to tell you that they are ok after the first treatment. That's not always the case. Look up on the internet, maybe youtube? for tutorials on how to check for nits. If you don't find any, then the child can stay. Do this for TWO WEEKS. Any sign of the pesky little buggers, and she's home immediately.

[familyschoolcare]

Op I know you wher told the children only have the nits and not the bugs. However, bugs move and are harder to find and each child had atleast one bug to lay the eggs. The bugs ussualy willnot look for a new hosr untill the oone they are one becomes posined, or too crowed.

Anyway when I worked at the center children where not allowed back untill they wehre nit free.

[MizzCheryl]

okay I thought lice was the worse but then I had one with... SCABIES!!!!!!!
OMG! We were so freaked out.

But it is just a thing so don't go crazy.
Every time a see a kid scratch I have a look to see whats up.

[Ariana]

So mom told me that kid is nit free. She told me she'd keep her home tomorrow as a precaution but will send her on Wednesday if I'm ok with that.

I'm just confused as to how you get nits without actual lice bugs?? Also after ONE treatment all of the nits are gone? I have no reason to not believe the mom but it's not making sense to me....

[quietpoet2004]

So mom told me that kid is nit free. She told me she'd keep her home tomorrow as a precaution but will send her on Wednesday if I'm ok with that.

I'm just confused as to how you get nits without actual lice bugs?? Also after ONE treatment all of the nits are gone? I have no reason to not believe the mom but it's not making sense to me....

I also have a no nit policy. It IS possible that all the nits are gone, as you treat and then go in and individually PICK all the nits out. I would personally do a head inspection upon return and if I find one, see ya, try again next time.

[itlw8]

nits are the eggs so yes there were live lice to get the nits. Yes after one treatment they may be all gone. IF mom got all the nits picked out. Even then she needs to keep checking and possibly re treat in 2 weeks.

Make sure she treats her car and the care seats, the kids coats and hats.

Tea tree oil is supposed to be good at preventing them but does not kill them, blowing the hair dry is supposed to help also.

[itlw8]

nit picking.... that is the word that comes to mind. The only way to get rid of the nits is to pick them. the tiny comb helps some.