Lice that just will not go away

Specialties School

Updated:   Published

Specializes in Pediatrics, Community Health, School Health.

I have a 2nd grader who has had lice off and on since the start of the school year. Mom has treated, combed, etc. I have a really good comb here in my office and gave it a go today. Got about 10 live bugs but ZERO nits, even though I can see them literally everywhere- so many it looks like someone sprinkled confetti in her hair- it is THAT bad. I know how to comb appropriately and the fact that not a single nit has come out tells me that mom is only removing the live bugs so every few weeks the cycle is starting over. What are the options here? I would love to just send her to a professional but they have no money to do that. Any similar cases you have dealt with and finally got rid of them?

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Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.

If you use the shampoo according to the instructions and shampoo again no sooner than 7 days (I advise 10 days) and don't get reinfected by another during that period...you don't have to remove the nits.

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A few years ago I had a family who had a really difficult time getting rid of lice and finally had success with Fairy Tales. Fairy Tales Hair Care – Naturally Caring for Families Since 1999

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kidzcare said:
A few years ago I had a family who had a really difficult time getting rid of lice and finally had success with Fairy Tales. Fairy Tales Hair Care – Naturally Caring for Families Since 1999

My niece had a case that would not go away and Fairy Tales did the trick! It smells great too! Toys R Us carries it

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Thanks! I will suggest the above and see what happens. I feel badly for them and have never seen kits this tiny and with such strong attachment to the hair shafts!

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Specializes in ICU/community health/school nursing.

I'm not a doctor and I'm not prescribing but the alcohol-based Rx products like Ulefsia and Natroba have worked wonders. Literally no lice and very few nits after the first application and nothing at the second. At camp we had a doc who would prescribe oral Ivermectin (one now, one in 10 days). It's not completely benign but more effective than a topical and no combing.

Good luck....

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