Lice and pregnancy...

mandyreads

I am absolutely sick right now. My 1st grader has lice. We just noticed this morning while getting ready for school. This is a first for our family. Which is surprising since I have 2 other girls that are older.
I don't think I have it...and it looks like she just recently got this. But has any other moms had experience? Maybe something safe I can use in case I do have it?

NeonNoon

That's gross, but it does happen.  I came home with lice from school as a child.  My mom used some chemical treatment from a drugstore, I think.  I don't know if you need a prescription for it.

There's a non-chemical way to remove them using an extremely fine-toothed comb.  It's better to get someone else to do it so they can section your hair properly and make sure they get all of it in good light.  You run the finest-toothed stiff comb you can find through small sections of hair and that gets the lice and the eggs or larvae whatever they are.  You still have to kill the lice and babies off the comb - maybe google can help.  I'm feeling itchy just typing this.. lol.  FX the lice doesn't spread.

ETA: they seem to have combs specifically marketed for this application:

https://www.amazon.com/Nit-Free-Terminator-Professional-Stainless/dp/B000HIBPV8

mattandlora

PLEASE try to stay away from the chemical hair treatments if you are pregnant. Some are too strong to handle if you are in the first trimester. They contain insecticides which can harm the fetus. Either have another adult do it, or use an alternative treatment. There are "smothering" alternatives which include using things like mayo or petroleum jelly. (See link from Minnesota Department of Health:  https://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/idepc/diseases/headlice/treatment.html)

Also, oral Bactrim works if your kids aren't allergic. You shouldn't take bactrim when pregnant, but it is safe for school-aged kids. It kills the bacteria in the lice digestive system and they die from starvation.

JilliansMoma

Oh no!  

There was a huge outbreak at DD's school last year.  They found out who it was but continued to let the family send the little girl back to school without them treating it.  Out of the 4th grade class only 2 girls and a handful of boys didn't get it.  I would chat with your Dr.about what is safe to use during PG. 

After treatment keep your DD in braids, buns or pony's that stay close to her scalp if there are any still lingering at school then it's harder for them to get into hair that's up.  

GL and I hope it doesn't spread to the other girls or you!!

JM

mandyreads

Her dr called something in and I am not sure what good it did. I am having to pick the eggs out one by one.
It is a nightmare.

NicoleWI

OMG. Lice! nobody wants lice! If you get it, I'd just run any treatment past your OB. Sorry, and good luck! Ick.

Bigboneded

Yeah, that stinks. Had em in gradeschool. Mom had to boil hair things and strip all the bedding and spray stuff I think.... :-( nit picking is a pain! :-( sorry you are dealing with this, glad it didnt spread and you caught it early :-)

mandyreads

Yeah I had it when I was little. And I had my hair chopped off then. Thankfully she likes her's short bc after this is over I am about to take her and get a pixie cut. It will make it easier if it ever happens again.
I just want to blink and it be over.
Thanks ladies.

2ndGeneration

There are natural alternatives! A few years ago, me and my girls (all with long hair) got lice (I got it at work, ugh) and I used Listerine to rid us of it-google that, it does really work. I didn't have to cut any of our hair.

 Some folks use hair gel or mayonaise. Like Listerine, you basically saturate the hair, put on a plastic cap and smother the lices. Then comb them out. Lots of work but no chemicals.

 Put all soft toys in the dryer on high, or bag and freeze. Wash bedding in hot water and dry on hot.

 Some folks I know swear by tea tree oil and rosemary spray. Hair salons sell it.

mandyreads

@2ndGeneration‌ after I saw your post I wenr and bought some listerine. It helped. I should have left it one there longer but DD was miserable holding her nose the whole time.

Ya'll wanna hear something cute? Her teacher emailed me back saying that Hanna was the 3rd kid in 2 wks. WTH?? This is the first I am hearing of this. Parents should be notified with the first case. Said she would send a note home today. If she would have done this before I could have prevented it.

harmonicbabe26

Ughh! I got them once in my life as a 16yo at some summer camp and was soo embarassed! I had waist length hair all my life and didn't have to chop them off or anything, so no, you don't need to go that drastic to get rid of them. I don't know if/how dangerous the chemical treatment is during pregnancy but personally that's what I would do to nip the problem in the bud and not let it spread to other fam members - esp since they are girls (assuming with longish hair?...) Don't waste time on home/herbal stuff... Have your hubby apply the chemicals. Once washed off, all is safe again.

Good luck! It sucks but it happens.

mandyreads

I actually don't have them!! YAY!! And we did the Listerine treatment on her last night which did more than the Rx did. She was able to go to school today. Turns out the kid who they suspect gave it to the class moved last week. GRRR! But today has been better. I found some more treatment like stuff to try again tonight and I will continue on with it for a couple weeks to make sure we don't get any more. Thankfully she is the only one who has it. 

BeckyP005

Just read this post! Happy to hear you don't have it and that everything is working out for your daughter! I would be a very bad mom and not be able to comb them out!

mandyreads

Oh the things we do for our kids!! 

anonymousmotley

My son got it from one of those kid only haircut places, when he was 3.  He had long hair and I was opposed to buzzing it or using chemicals on him.  All I did to treat his head is covered his hair with Vaseline, put a shower cap on and he slept like that.  Not sure where I got the insight to use Vaseline (because this was BEFORE the internet!) but it worked like a charm!  Voila...ding dong the lice is dead!

Good luck!

KirstenAlecia

eek! Google natural remedies and check with the dr! 

indianaalum

p.s. They hate hairspray, so keep your hair loaded with hairspray to prevent getting it yourself

mandyreads

@indianaalum‌ I think that is what has saved me. I use so much hair product and hairspray on my hair.
As for her we are washing her hair in TGel now and putting her backpack in the dryer every day. And I was her jacket every day. I am scared other parents are not being as diligent to get rid of them as we are.

Pintobean39

I'm just lurking. My son had it years ago and passed it to his brother then me then he got it again. Add a few drops of tea tree oil to your shampoo to help prevent it, or you can use the Paul Mitchell brand. I actually used olive oil in my hair and put a cap on it overnight and it worked to help get rid of them.