head lice :(

She must not be effectively getting rid of the lice in the house. I wonder if she has been putting all of the student's toys and blankets in a garbage bag for a week like how you are suppose to.

Where else is this kid going besides school? Daycare? Friends or relatives home?

Washing bed linens, hairbrushes, hats etc. and 24 hours in a plastic bag for stuffed toys and anything else that cannot be washed is really all that is necessary. Remember that lice do not jump or fly and transmission is primarily direct head-to-head contact.

Mom has checked family members but has she had herself checked? Snuggle time on the couch is good opportunity for transmission. Is there a friend or relative not in the household with whom the child spends time? Do not forget about Grandparents!

You mentioned that mom calls to let you know that she found and treated the lice. You also mentioned that in the 10 days you checked her you didn't see any nits. Have you actually ever seen any nits or lice on this student? Could mom be mistaken in her identification? I've had some pretty odd things that people swore were lice brought to me.

Make sure she has bagged or washed everything, including hair accessories, hats, scarves, etc. A tip I learned from the local company that treats head lice (Naughty Nits) is after the treatment, to do the comb out with damp hair loaded with conditioner. It has to be the metal nit comb, not the cheap plastic ones. After each swipe through the hair, you wipe it on a paper towel. It works better than combing through the hair dry or just damp with water. They recommend doing it after treatment and then once a week indefinitely, so an infestation can be stopped early.

SchlNrsKrn, I have not seen live lice or nits on this student ever. I checked just now and not one nit. Mom does a great job, if it is in fact a lice problem. Thanks everyone for the advice!

2 things...

1) Make sure she's cleaning all linens, furniture, car upholstery. Maybe the student is becoming reinfested via those things.

2) Maybe she DOESN'T have lice or nits as you haven't seen them. Perhaps it's dandruff. I always educate on the difference with my parents and older middle school students because it is sometimes difficult to tell the difference.

Maybe she will be willing to either bring the child in to you, or take her to the dr/health dept. someone to make a positive diagnosis...(.or not), the next time she thinks the little one has lice.

I have heard anecdotally that using hair products containing tea tree oil repels lice/makes the person unattractive to the lice. Might be worth researching or suggesting to the Mom?