Children and lice question....?

Question

A family member is coming to stay with us in one week (for vacation) and he just told me that his baby got head lice from daycare. He doesn't think that it is a big deal. My kids have never had lice so i don't know how to react. His two kids will be sleeping on our futon and surely be on our couch. It is Monday and he has treated his baby and they are going to seal up their bedding for 48hours to get rid of it. They are NOT treating their other child and so therefore I am worried. They will be here Sunday.

I have been told that our pets can not get the head lice... so that is good. But I am really worried about them staying here... my neice suggested using Tea Tree Shampoo while they are here and for a while after to ward off any lice on my kids.

So my question is... what is the gestation period for lice? If they fail to kill them all or their other child gets it.. will they know before they come here?

Also... what are the chances that they will pass it on here? I know I am probably just freaking out... but I just need to know.

Do I really have anything to worry about?

Answer 1

Lice are creepy and icky and itchy and are most attracted to nice clean heads. He should treat both children unless they have checked the other one and there are no lice or nits. The treatment should be effective and keep it from spreading but there is a possibility that the lice may come to your home. Lice treatments are harsh and there are alot of home remedies that can be quite effective (mayonnaise and olive oil are two that usually work). One way to handle the situation is to talk to your family as if they are now the lice experts. Ask him about the lice, their gestation, and how to get rid of them. Explain that you have had no experience and are now curious. That will help give him a subtle hint about making sure he doesn't bring them to your house and will help you get some information. Look for itching, although if you even think about having lice or having had lice you will instinctively itch your head, see, you were doing it weren't you? Good luck.

Answer 2

There is a good possibility that the lice will be taken care of by then, but getting rid of lice can be quite a tedious task.

They should be washing all of their bedding in scalding hot water (soaking if possibly), as well as any clothes or pillows that could have been affected. You might want to do the same when they leave just to be precautious.

There is also spray that you can purchase, which I would recommend you to invest in. Spray your couches, chairs, futon, linens, etc with this spray a few hours before you expect your guests to arrive. Use Tea Tree Shampoo (you can buy it at Sally Beauty Supply) while your guests are there, as it is not an unpleasant experience and it will serve its purpose.

If you are still worried once your guests leave, go out and buy some Suave conditioner of whatever scent you like (I highly recommend vanilla). Before your children go to bed at night, saturate their hair in the conditioner and cover with a shower cap. Leave it on all night and have them wash it out in the morning. I know it sounds crazy, but when I got lice in elementary school, it was the only thing that worked (the actual lice-killing products did absolutely nothing).

Good luck!

Answer 3

By the end of one week it should be fine, esp if they have not seen any nits on the rest of the family. We just had a friend spend the night with my son, and his mom a week later called to say he had lice. I freaked out and checked all the kids, washed all the bedding and vacuumed everywhere. We didn't have a single bug show up.

We did use the tea tree shampoo as well, it isn't unpleasant and was an added precaution, you could start using it now if you wanted. It does work as a preventative as well as a cure. My friend did treat her son using only tea tree oil because of the harsh chemicals in the typical lice treatment, and it took care of it in a few days. You can look at http://www.bastyrcenter.org/content/view/718&page=3 for more information.

Answer 4

lice can live up to 48 hours without being on hair. There other children may not have got it. I got lice when i was 12 from a friend, but my brother did not get it. It usually spreads when using combs and brushes and sleeping in the same bed with them. Once they are treated its rare but happens that it does come back. You have every right to be worried, my mother went through heck getting rid of it and I was the only one who had it. Good luck :)

Answer 5

I would be worried about it but thats because I get freaked out over bugs of any kind.

Heres a site with some q and a's

http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/headlice.html

and another

http://kidshealth.org/parent/infections/common/lice.html

Answer 6

i think it should be taken care of by then. i believe it happens in like 24 hours

Answer 7

You should be ok.