The bugs have spread to girl #2 and possibly girl #1. We are taking no chances and cleaning/washing everything in the house. During our washing frenzy a crayon went through the dryer… because it is not as if we don’t have enough to do right now. This has happened to us before, the crayons not the lice, so if you would like a tutorial on how to get crayon out of your dryer you can find it here.
So far the boys do not have it, but we are checking several times a day. Since we were all in a hotel together for a few days there is a good chance that we could all be infected. Not from the hotel, we have determined that girl #3 had it before the hotel, but from the close quarters.
Girl #3 has the prescription treatment, which I absolutely do not like and do not want to use on anyone else. We are trying olive oil on girls #1, and #2. We have canceled several planned family outings as we don’t want the kids to infect anyone. I took a picture of girl #2 with her olive oil head and shower cap. She gave me a big smile, and seemed excited to be getting some special treatment. After I took the picture she asked me to post it on the blog. I’ll post it tomorrow.
All the stuffed toys are being bagged up and we are attempting to wash bedding from 8 beds as well as towels, jackets, hats, and our regular dirty clothes.
The boys have been warned, if I find anything on them the clippers are coming out. I cannot have the kids passing this to each other for weeks. They are not happy with the thought of that kind of haircut so hopefully they will comply with all my other requests.
Meanwhile, I continue to scratch all over. I don’t think I have lice because I haven’t seen any evidence and weird places like my back, legs, and feet itch. I think it is all in my mind. My husband has already told me he wanted to shave his head because just the thought of it grossed him out. I might try an olive oil treatment on myself tomorrow, as a precautionary measure. I figure the chances of me getting it rise with each kid. I’d consider shaving my head too, if I looked good in a hat.
Becky says
I’m itchy reading it!
I’ve had lice several times from working with inner city children, and the best solution I have found was mayo. Kinda like the olive oil I guess. And then you have to comb, comb, and pick, pick all the little eggs out…or they’ll be back!
Happy lice picking!
Laura@HeavenlyHomemakers says
I’M itchy all over just reading about it. I’m SO sorry you’re having to deal with all of this. Sounds like you’re handling it all with a great attitude.
Scratching my scalp…
Rachel says
Oh, you and your poor family! I understand what you mean about the constant itching. I am a nurse in a pediatric emergency room. Whenever I have a patient with lice, scabies, ringworm, etc… I leave the room with my skin crawling and just itching all over. I know it is impossible for me to have “caught” anything that quickly, but.. The mind is a powerful thing. Good luck!
Amanda says
I hope you notified the hotel! They will need to take precautions to ensure the room is lice-free. Hope everything gets better.
Candy Cook says
When my boys caught it from kids at church, I just shaved their heads and the bugs went away. When I was a teenager, I caught lice from some kids at school. I dyed my hair and it killed them. LOL Also, my aunt used some kind of lip cream stuff that starts with “camphor” in my cousins hair and it killed them.
Nancy says
I hope y’all can get rid of them soon! That’s very smart using all those precautions. Keep it up and hopefully they’ll be gone soon.
The itching is probably all in your head. Knowing what the other kids are going through has probably got to you.
Cheri says
My niece had lice last pring – FOREVER! Her two sisters never got it, but it took treatment after treatment to take care of her problem. Thank goodness it was the niece with fine hair, as opposed to her thick and curly headed sisters!
One Mom, Five Kids says
I am sending you some encouragement and energy vibes! Years ago we had this problem and it was awful. I’ve never used the olive oil – we used RID – it was expensive but it killed the bugs and eggs and did a good job. They also had spray that you can spray the mattress and furniture with also. The key is to keep on top of it, don’t stop washing and checking for a week at least. Even if you check and don’t find anything, keep checking several more times. It only takes one little bug to start this madness all over again.
BUT it seems like you already know this and you are doing a great job. Keep smiling and washing and hopefully all this will be over soon.
Oh – and UGHHHH – Crayons in the dryer. Been there – done that. Not fun.
Lori says
You can try a dilution of white vinegar as a hair rinse. It helps making the head less hospitable for the lice. Though combined with the olive oil treatment you’re already doing, you’re going to have little vinaigrettes running around.
Kristy Miklas says
I am so sorry that you are dealing with this! It does not sound like fun in such a big household! YIKES!
Sherry says
Ugh! My mom cut my hair when I was little from down my back to the top of my shoulders because of them when I was 10. No fun! Praying you are able to get them out!
Miss McFarden says
NO! DO NOT USE THE OLIVE OIL TREATMENT!!!!!! IT IS AWFUL!! You have to wear plastic bags on your head for hours! And your mother laughs at you because you look ridiculous! Don’t tell me that we aren’t going out on Friday are we?