LICE!!!!

careyalis

I teach 2nd grade and I am FREAKING OUT because I have a lice infestation in my classroom.  This same class went through hell trying to get rid of it when they were in 1st grade, so I'm pretty sure it is going to blow up and be around for awhile.  I have never had lice in my life, but of course I will probably get it now that I am pregnant and can't even use the shampoo to wash my hair!  UGH!!  Does anybody have suggestions of natural pregnancy friendly ways to get rid of lice if I end up getting it?

Joie80

Check with your OB, because I'm going off memory, but I believe RID is on the approved list. 

careyalis

Joie80:

Check with your OB, because I'm going off memory, but I believe RID is on the approved list. 

That would be awesome! I hope your memory is right

kris_kelsey

best advice is to shower and wash your hair when you get home from work, and wear your hair in a ponytail so you are not running your hands through it at work.  If you shower after work then you really shouldn't have a problem.

 

CountryatHeart

I've heard that mixing a bit of tea tree oil in with your regular shampoo will help keep them away from your head.

k_marty

While I have never dealt with this my niece came home last year with lice from a kindergarten classmate.  My sister-in-law was pregnant when this all happened.  She was told that a natural way was to saturate your hair in olive oil and then wrap up your hair in saran wrap.  I guess it is supposed to smother the lice.  She did this preventively.  I am sure there are other ways, but this is what she did.  Good luck.

TucktheTurtle

If you do get lice, you can saturate your hair with mayo or olive oil (mayo works better, but the smell is worse) and cover your hair with a plastic bag for a few hours. Then comb it out with the lice comb. This may not be enough if you have really think hair, but it's worth a try if RIT isn't ok.

Last year a family I babysat for all had lice. DD and I kept our hair up in tight ponytails all day and we didn't get it, despite being around them/their house for 4 hours a day.

KaliChick

Wash your hands a ton and keep your hair pulled back.  I own a preschool and we had a lice outbreak a few months back.  Washing your hair will not get rid of it.  They like clean hair. 

There's a product called Lice Shield.  It's supposed to be more natural and is a preventative.  Look for it at your local Walgreens/CVS.

sedo2480

I agree with the olive oil at night and pulling your hair back during the day. I have also heard that using hair gel (when you pull your hair back) will help prevent them from attaching to your hair.

good luck!

AZ_Erica

I think I read somewhere to use lots of hairspray.  They don't like it.

shouldbworkin

Clean hair is bad for lice, they really like it.  Lice shield (citronella spray), fairy tale spray (tea tree oil and citronella spray - you can buy it as Sweet and Sassy) and tea tree oil in your shampoo will help keep them at bay, so will using heat styling products every day like a blow dryer and flat iron.  Keep your hair back in the classroom.  If you do get it, go the natural route and suffocate them with mayo overnight under a shower cap.  Get the metal comb and comb your hair out daily to check for nits until they're all gone.  If they're still there in a week, retreat with mayo.  GL!  My DS had it when he was 3 and I'm still traumatized.  I'm itching just reading this.

kipikookoo

Last year I had my first grade class and most of the girls had lice. I never got it though cause I wore my hair up all the time and just made sure my head never got close to their heads. Lice don't jump so you should be ok.

Also when I was a tutor for third grade a lot of those girl had it too (different school) so I think lice is a lot more common than we may think. Lice actually like clean hair because they can cling on better than dirty hair...so the olive oil and hairspray should work wonders too

Goodluck!

lovelynda

Tea Tree oil in shampoo....you can also use a flat hot iron from the root to the ends of your hair. the metal flea combs that they make for dogs work much better then the tiny ones they give you with a lice kit. My son had lice a few years back and we got rid of it within a week with no returns.

 

JandJ-A

Lurking from 3rd tri...

Lavender shampoo.  My sis uses this on my niece pretty religiously.  She got the advice from another parent when this problem was first showing up at my niece's school. If you're not picky, Suave makes a lavender shampoo for kids or you could try the grown up versions.  Good luck!!!

careyalis

Thank you all for the advice!  I think I am just going to show up to work coated in oil with a shower cap on lol  

DinabethL

I had lice several times as a kid, and the only thing that really made them go away, was this. You cover your head completely with mayo (I know it sounds gross) and than wrap your head in a towel and let it sit for a few hours, it will suffocate them. I would think this would be the most natural way too. I also had this spray that actually prevented lice. You sprayed it on all the hot spots, and I never got it again after that.

triplenine

RID is on my ok list from dr...u will be fine. Get itself some of those XL ziploc bags, ( the ones you can fit a person in they are so big) and put your stuff in there at school. I used these when there were two cases of bedbugs at my school. My jacket and bags went into it every day. Use gel or lots of hairspray to keep them away. Good luck