head lice :(

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Specializes in ICU, Adventures in school nursing.

I have a student who has had head lice x 3 this school year. Mom always calls to let me know that she found and treated the lice. Mom is adamant that the child is picking lice up from school as she has thoroughly cleaned her home and has check all family members.

The last time mom informed me that she had treated the student I check the entire K class, and check this specific student every school day for 10 days. I have to say mom did a great job with the treatment and I never found one nit during those 10 days. Last infestation was about 1 month ago.

Mom calls this morning, obviously frustrated that the child had to be treated again over the weekend. Teacher is now in a panic... Will be checking the entire class again today.

Any advice I can give mom? I suggested using the nit comb each night for at least 10 days, washing in hot soapy water in between uses. I've sent home letters to all K students with AAP info on lice and recommendations for checking periodically for lice.

Frustrating for parents, I just want to make sure I am doing everything I can to help.

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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.

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

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Specializes in School Nurse.

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!

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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.

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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.

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Specializes in ICU, Adventures in school nursing.

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!

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Specializes in School Nursing, Hospice,Med-Surg.

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.

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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.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Mother-Baby and SCN.

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?

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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.

One of the first educational websites I encountered about lice says exactly this! A great majority of the time people are NOT seeing lice but fleas or dandruff.

https://identify.us.com/idmybug/head-lice/head-lice-FAQS/index.html

[h=2]Should I clean my house & car to eliminate lice?[/h]Head lice and their eggs soon perish if separated from their human host. Detached lice survive just a day or so, and the eggs generally lose viability within a week. The chances of a live head louse or egg becoming reunited with a person would seem exceptionally remote. Accordingly, herculean steps to clean lice from the house or car by intensive washing or vacuuming will result in a cleaner space, but are unlikely to facilitate the goal of eliminating the lice from those residing in the home. A child's car seat cover may benefit from vacuuming, as a few errant lice or eggs may temporarily lodge there and survive for a day or so.

FAQs - When is a Nit Not a Nit

Pediculosis

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