Head Lice Angst

soniamccoy · Jan 21, 2014

I live in Tampa Fl and there is actually a mobile lice company that will come to your home to treat the entire family and the home. Not quite sure how their business fairs annually but they are out there.

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stephaniehowe · Jan 21, 2014

I had someone come to my office at the beginning on the yr. She calls herself the "Nit Picky Mom", she charges $60/hr!!! My population of kids couldn't afford that, so I doubt she gets really any business at all here in downtown Phoenix. If ever I get it I'm calling her up to do my hair because I know my husband doesn't love me that much!!! We have recently been given a clinic to refer to but don't have the details about it just yet.

Ilovegiraffes · Jan 21, 2014

Actually, here in my school district, the parents we deal with would probably bring in the $60 bill & demand the school pay it! After all, it's the school's fault their kids have lice in the first place, right???? (WRONG!)

coughdrop.2.go, BSN, RN · Jan 21, 2014

Ha I wish. Even hair dressers won't take those students due to State Health Regulations. I had one student, lets just say mom wasn't all there, and she lived in a not so clean environment. Well after almost a month of trying to properly educate the student and mom on how to remove the lice and prevent new ones, the administration took a stand and determined she had to stay home until I cleared her. Mom even cut chunks of her long hair which did nothing. Finally I ordered those metal combs and gave her one. Within a week I cleared her to come back. It was just a crazy and sad experience. I looked everywhere to see if there was anyone out there to help this poor girl remove the lice and there was nothing.

AdobeRN · Jan 22, 2014

I think it would be a great business. There is a place near us called the Lice Squad. I have had feedback from a couple of parents that have taken thier kids there and have been very happy with the service - of course they paid alot of money but said it was totally worth it. I think they charged $25/15 minutes of nit picking - with an average session lasting around 2 hours. The place advertises not using any chemical/medicated shampoos and really seems to concentrate on removing the nits.

Emergent, RN · Jan 23, 2014

One treatment that helped our family with a lice problem, when my girls were young, was the Vaseline treatment. We were having a stubborn case. I forgot the timing on it, it's on lice websites and based on the life cycle. You cover the whole head with Vaseline down to the scalp. Then you put a shower cap on and sleep in it. It smothers the living lice. Of course you remove as many nits as possible.

Then you do the same in a prescribed period of time, when any unfound nits may have hatched. It's non-toxic and the lice can't become resistant like they do to the poisons.

Lice do not like grease or greasy hair. I've read that people of African descent, with kinky hair, do not get lice as much because their hair is naturally more oily. The nits don't find that as hospitable.

coughdrop.2.go, BSN, RN · Jan 23, 2014

One treatment that helped our family with a lice problem, when my girls were young, was the Vaseline treatment. We were having a stubborn case. I forgot the timing on it, it's on lice websites and based on the life cycle. You cover the whole head with Vaseline down to the scalp. Then you put a shower cap on and sleep in it. It smothers the living lice. Of course you remove as many nits as possible.
Then you do the same in a prescribed period of time, when any unfound nits may have hatched. It's non-toxic and the lice can't become resistant like they do to the poisons.
Lice do not like grease or greasy hair. I've read that people of African descent, with kinky hair, do not get lice as much because their hair is naturally more oily. The nits don't find that as hospitable.

1) I do not recommend to my parents to use Vaseline because it can be difficult to remove from the hair and can make nits more difficult to remove as well. The CDC, NASN, and the American Academy of Pediatrics do not recommend so-called "home remedies" as they are not as effective in treating and removing lice, especially in cases of students with chronic head lice.

2) Resistance lice isn't as common and usually happens when parents do not read in instructions and shampoo the child's hair everyday or other means of overusing the products.

3) Lice considers any and all heads as habitual. As an African American person with "kinky" hair I feel the need to personally speak on this myth. Lice can, and will affect oily or kinky hair as much as other types. Cleanliness and hair type has nothing to do with it. Although it has been shown lice is less prevalent in African American communities or households, but hair type has been prove as an ineffective repellent to lice. 2 of my little cousins just got lice from an outbreak in their kindergarten class (they're twins). Their hair looks just like mine.

The NASN has some great information about lice information and myths if you would like to do some further reading:

NASN | Lice Lessons

ready4nu · Jan 23, 2014

I have heard of those services, but have never used them

Look into tea tree oil.

100kids, BSN, RN · Jan 23, 2014

I have never used or recommended one but I know in NY there are a few of these type services. I think 1 of them is called Fairy Lice mothers.

Flare, ASN, BSN · Jan 23, 2014

i always joke that this will be my second career. 60/hr is cheap. in my area i think they get more like 75/hr. As far as home remedies -I do recommend the vinegar and oil treatment - but only after treatment with a pediculicide. The vinegar and oil treatment is really just to remove nits easier

Ilovegiraffes · Jan 23, 2014

I too used to joke about it being my second career - but - I'm starting to seriously think about it! I already have a great name : Lousy Nurse :laugh: