Doing okay and off topic question

Just wanted to say I am still doing okay- outside of some stiffness in my hands and knees. Looks like I won't have bleeding this pregnancy (knock on wood). I hope everyone else is doing well/better than usual. This is not easy to ask because I am mortified by it. I picked up head lice from sitting on a piece of furnature in one of the various offices I have to go into and wait for what seems like forever. I know that is where it happened because it was about 1/2 hour into my wait that the itching began. I cannot use the pesticide shampoos because of my pregnancy. I have tried the denorax solution the health department recommended- lather up hair with denorax and cover in plastic, wait 1/2 hour then rinse. Apply heavy cream rinse and use nit comb. This has not worked. I have heard a perm or hair dye can kill them but am worried about the chemicals. If anyone can help or offer another solution I would greatly appreciate it. These ones seem immune to the oil treatment as per the health department. I am ready to scream. I itch like crazy- found like 5 bugs in 3 treatments (the shampoo and cream rinse combo) but funny thing is hubby has none. Also we have found no nits in my hair. Just the 5 bugs dead. I really need a hair cut but can't get it until the bugs are gone. This is so humiliating. I have gone my entire life without lice. Worst thing is that I am not allowed on my feet for long so I have to sit on the furniture in each office I visit. I hope this will also help warn all of you that sometimes really nasty things lurk on the furniture in supposedly/apparently clean offices. I need a nap since I slept poorly last night.

Hi Redrose, Glad your pregnancy is going well!! Hmmmmm . . . sorry you have the nasties. Sometimes that just happens. They like a really specific temperature . . . so much so that they will choose a certain spot on your head (usually the nape of the neck) to favor . . . that is why they are on you and not your hubby. I actually learned to "nit pick" at the elementary school for inspections before kids can return to school. I know you said the health department said that they immune to oil . . . but mayonnaise is actually a very effective treatment. You spread it against your scalp and come it thru, leaving a generous amount and put on a shower cap or plastic bag. Leave it on for at least 2 hours, but overnight is best. This does not kill nits and needs to be repeated in 7 days even if you see no lice as the nits will have hatched. There is no down side to repeating this a third time. The mayonnaise suffocates them, so I don't know how they could be immune . . . I bet people aren't leaving it on long enough. Oil will work too, but is messier. Redrose . . . your hair will be beautiful!!! Meanwhile (and on the same day) you need to change all of your bedding. Put your pillows in a hot dryer for a long cycle and if someone can vacuum your furniture it may be helpful. You already know to wash any hats (or put them in a hot dryer). Lice do no actual harm so the pesticides are way more harmful than the lice for anyone. They are just a real nuisance to deal with and very contagious. Checking for nits is really important. You are trusting someone else to do this for you and it takes a long time to do it right. The hair must be parted each 1/16th- 1/32nd of an inch (or less for thick hair) so that EACH hair root can be inspected. Actually look at a ruler to see how small that is. You are only looking at one row of hair roots at a time. Have strong light right near the head. The nits are usually glued just a bit from the root and need to be pulled along the entire length of the hair strand to get them off. Then they should be deposited in a small bowl of water which contains a couple drops of dish soap. Your head should be checked again in a few days. Unless someone sees this done, it is hard to imagine the tiny parts that are made to check the whole head. So find a very patient person to do this for you. I'm so sorry you have to deal with this during your special time. I know it is a huge pain, but anyone can pick up lice from anywhere, so it shouldn't have the stigma that it does. Be really aggressive with your treatment because just a couple nits can start the whole thing again. Sending lots of hot tea and beautiful china cups for you and your nit picker!! Blessings!

Thanks you guys. I will have to check into the mayo thing- if my tummy can handle it. I will also check and see if any of the herbs listed are safe in pregnancy- a lot of herbs cannot be used in pregnancy even topically.

The bedding only needs to be changed on the day of treatment. Then, in 7 days, when its time for the second treatment it is unlikely that any nits have hatched and are old enough to reproduce by then . . . . but it sure wouldn't hurt to change them again. Just throw the bedspread and blankets in the dryer if they don't need washing. I actually freshen my pillows regularly by throwing them in the dryer with a fabric softner sheet. Blessings!

Redrose,

So sorry to hear of your troubles. These pesky little critters can show up everywhere. We see an increase at the start of school due to back-to-school shopping when kids try on new clothes at the stores. At our school, we use a black light to help with "nit picking" so we can be sure to get them all. Rosie gives great information and tips.

I advise my teachers to use (I hope this doesn't break any forum rules?) Clairol Herbal Essence Creme Rinse and Conditioner during the school year. My sister's school in Ohio shared this and I am not sure of the exact reason it works to prevent the lice from picking your hair - but it seems to work for our staff. This brand contains a specific ingredient that lice do not like. You can use any brand of shampoo you wish.

Just so you don't feel bad, lice are really fond of "clean" hair. I wonder if you had just washed your hair before the appointment? It is also recommended to wear lots of gels and/or hairspray to prevent lice from choosing you.

The worst part of the critter experience is the expense and the exhaustion that comes from the cleaning that is required to prevent reinfestation. I hope you can have someone help you with this.

Good luck!

Thanks everyone. I have been using thick conditioner to paralyze the little buggers and get them out of my hair. Still no sign of nits but I have found at least 1 bug per day via the conditioner method. I also did the denorax twice which supposedly cooks the eggs so they cannot hatch. I will do it again in a few days. I have to get a hair cut soon- split ends can become worse if left to split further. I am planning to pick up some cheap mayo and a shower cap tonight to try and fix the problem.

I seem to have gotten rid of the little buggers- had my hair cut today and the stylist found none or else she would never have finished the cut. I had the back cut rather short- she called it stacking. Whatever it is if the stupid things come back it will be much easier to find and get rid of them. The sides are still longish (not quite chin length) but there is a lot less hair on the sides than in the back. I am just glad they seem to be gone. I will be watching for a couple weeks to see if they return. I will also repeat the treatments I used in a week to ten days. I really appreciate all the advice and help you all offered.