Guest Posted July 13, 2016 Share Posted July 13, 2016 Can fellow early years settings help please, head lice is a bit of a grey area, and I would like some advice on how you all deal with this, especially with the children say under 3 as it can be more uncommon. We have a private word with parents, hand out letters. Is there more we can do ? Any advice would be must appreciated. Thank You Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fredbear Posted July 13, 2016 Share Posted July 13, 2016 If we are advised of a case of head lice, we put up a poster on the door which advises everyone of this and to check hair and consult a pharmacist/ chemist if needed for treatment advice. No exclusion as directed by the HPA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
finleysmaid Posted July 13, 2016 Share Posted July 13, 2016 we also post up a notice but I have a word with the parents and ask them to treat before returning to pre-school. (HPA guidance is just that !) 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fredbear Posted July 13, 2016 Share Posted July 13, 2016 Sorry should have also added we would discreetly tell a parent/carer if discovered whilst with us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AliceinWonderland Posted July 13, 2016 Share Posted July 13, 2016 Same as above, we put notes out to parents and have a quiet word with the parents of individual child if we spot it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conker Posted July 13, 2016 Share Posted July 13, 2016 Yes, same here. I usually advise that treat the whole family as we had a family a few years back that had a terrible time with head lice, just didn't manage to get rid of them and kept getting reinfected every time they treated the children.......what mum hadn't done was treat herself and dad! You always expect roses to have a few little greenfly! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Upsy Daisy Posted July 13, 2016 Share Posted July 13, 2016 Also, make sure parents are aware that they won't find them without a nit comb.You'd be amazed how many people think the little blighters will be sitting there waving placards saying "HEAD LICE HERE" with a big arrow pointing at them! 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lsp Posted July 14, 2016 Share Posted July 14, 2016 I am finding that some of the parents believe that the lotions and potions that are available (at great cost!) work instantly. They then come in complaining a week later that their child has caught them again and it could only be from the pre-school. We also tell them about that old fashioned method of conditioner and nit comb and some are horrified. Thought about sending home some info sheets and a nit comb for summer holiday home work - to everyone of course. Totally inclusive. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
finleysmaid Posted July 14, 2016 Share Posted July 14, 2016 had a parent last week horrified that we had nits at nursery....actually said we don't have nits in my country!!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunnyday Posted July 14, 2016 Share Posted July 14, 2016 had a parent last week horrified that we had nits at nursery....actually said we don't have nits in my country!!! :blink: which country is that then? ::1a 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zigzag Posted July 15, 2016 Share Posted July 15, 2016 Nitlessland, it's just north of Poland! 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jester Posted July 15, 2016 Share Posted July 15, 2016 I am finding that some of the parents believe that the lotions and potions that are available (at great cost!) work instantly. They then come in complaining a week later that their child has caught them again and it could only be from the pre-school. We also tell them about that old fashioned method of conditioner and nit comb and some are horrified. Thought about sending home some info sheets and a nit comb for summer holiday home work - to everyone of course. Totally inclusive. Yep, I use to get this too. Even the lotions and potions say use a week later! The only any as you say lsp is to comb and comb to break the life cycle. I use the nitty gritty comb on my children and its hands down the best I have used, got rid of my sons with one comb over. I'm pretty sure nitty gritty do some sort of "deal" for settings on combs and info which could be worth Looking into. I'm surprised you are "allowed" to have a word with the parents of the affected child, maybe its different in maintained nurseries and school settings but we were told we aren't allowed to tell the parents of the child that they have headlice, we could only put up posters and highlight to each parent to check their child's hair as we had headlice in the setting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inge Posted July 15, 2016 Share Posted July 15, 2016 Not the cheapest comb out there but the best.. and parents can get on prescription from GP, think the site tells you how.. I used to send the details of how to get it free on the letter. http://www.nittygritty.co.uk/site/schools.asp leaflet.. you can order these on the site above http://www.nittygritty.co.uk/site/images/pdfs/School-A5-Facts-of-Lice-Oct-09.pdf 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunnyday Posted July 15, 2016 Share Posted July 15, 2016 Nitlessland, it's just north of Poland! Oooh sounds a bit chilly - will unpack my bags then :blink: ::1a Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lyanne Posted July 15, 2016 Share Posted July 15, 2016 Yep, I use to get this too. Even the lotions and potions say use a week later! The only any as you say lsp is to comb and comb to break the life cycle. I use the nitty gritty comb on my children and its hands down the best I have used, got rid of my sons with one comb over. I'm pretty sure nitty gritty do some sort of "deal" for settings on combs and info which could be worth Looking into. I'm surprised you are "allowed" to have a word with the parents of the affected child, maybe its different in maintained nurseries and school settings but we were told we aren't allowed to tell the parents of the child that they have headlice, we could only put up posters and highlight to each parent to check their child's hair as we had headlice in the setting. Yes, we've always been told we cannot tell a parent "It's your child," although if a parent asks us directly we can say "Yes, it is your child." Funnily enough, I've never had the parent of an affected child ask me, so only ever get to say "No, it's not your child"... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BroadOaks Posted August 31, 2016 Share Posted August 31, 2016 We need a National "Headlice Treatment Day" or "Week". that might just eradicate them or reduce the problem. It can be very annoying especially when children go to School.. my 2 youngest get them a lot.. and it wasn't cheap. Although I did manage to control them (maybe coincidence but they did stop and have not been back since) by making my own "potion" and spraying their hair once a day in the morning.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mundia Posted August 31, 2016 Share Posted August 31, 2016 There's been an advert on tv a lot this week on 5 minutes treatment that is effective after one use. I didn't notice which one but if this is in people's homes then it's hardly surprising that parents think one treatment is enough. How true or not is not for me to say! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inge Posted August 31, 2016 Share Posted August 31, 2016 http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2776596/A-new-lotion-kill-head-lice-eggs-10-minute-application-doesn-t-need-dreaded-nit-comb.html Did see the advert but not the name of the product. Wonder if his could be the ingredient of the one advertised....looks like it is different as it hardens the outer skeletons of the lice and eggs so that they die when they're unable to discard their skin. An interesting concept.. Only issue is getting parents to use anything and be aware.. we had so many just deny it could ever be their child.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inge Posted August 31, 2016 Share Posted August 31, 2016 http://www.which.co.uk/reviews/head-lice-and-nits/article/treating-head-lice-and-nits/choosing-head-lice-and-nit-treatments Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Upsy Daisy Posted August 31, 2016 Share Posted August 31, 2016 There's been an advert on tv a lot this week on 5 minutes treatment that is effective after one use. I didn't notice which one but if this is in people's homes then it's hardly surprising that parents think one treatment is enough. How true or not is not for me to say! The problem with a 'one use' treatment is that parents don't feel the need to check with a nit comb unless they know their child is infected. If we can persuade parents to do a comb and condition once a week every week, they would catch infestations early on before they got to the point of passing them on to others. It's also an awful lot cheaper than buying special treatments. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
finleysmaid Posted August 31, 2016 Share Posted August 31, 2016 The problem with a 'one use' treatment is that parents don't feel the need to check with a nit comb unless they know their child is infected. If we can persuade parents to do a comb and condition once a week every week, they would catch infestations early on before they got to the point of passing them on to others. It's also an awful lot cheaper than buying special treatments. the other issue is of course that the parents think it only affects children! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BroadOaks Posted August 31, 2016 Share Posted August 31, 2016 (edited) Ohh I forgot to mention what I used! Silly me Amazing Secret Ingredient Simply boil it for 10 - 20 mins and then bottle it. I used a spray bottle and poured in, then simply sprayed the solution into my children's hair each night. It can become a little smelly if made too strong or when left for a few days.. but still worth it to kill/prevent the pests!! I found this out 3 years ago.. and lice have rarely been a problem after using this natural solution. Nature knows best Commercial products are just well... commercial! Edited August 31, 2016 by BroadOaks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mundia Posted August 31, 2016 Share Posted August 31, 2016 We used garlic, my daughter used to get them all the time and she had long thick hair. Yeah garlic pong a bit but it worked for her anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Upsy Daisy Posted August 31, 2016 Share Posted August 31, 2016 the other issue is of course that the parents think it only affects children! Oh yes. I remember walking down the hill to school behind one mum and realising I could see exactly where her daughter was getting the repeated infestations that she was kindly sharing with her class on a regular basis. I'm itching now! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Froglet Posted August 31, 2016 Share Posted August 31, 2016 I'm itching now! Me too! I remember vinegar being involved when I was little - mainly because I decided that tasting it would be a good plan and took a large mouthful! :huh: :wacko: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BroadOaks Posted September 6, 2016 Share Posted September 6, 2016 Tried the Vinegar before but this can be really greasy and once washed out (just like Garlic) it is not much prevention involved, hence re-infection. And it stinks, if not washed out! I don't want to sound too obvious.. isn't it better to prevent them? ie.. A tree grows and a natural way to combat lice was to produce a chemical from within to prevent the lice from eating the bark.. a natural barrier. I would presume Lice would be "put off" from eating it, or they would die from eating it, fairly quickly. In either case the problem is reduced significantly or until the Lice evolve and are able to tolerate the "poison" once again, thus stronger poison from the tree.. nature hey!! So.. this would give me hope that using this anti-lice chemical on a child's hair should easily eradicate the problem of these fairly common, simple lice. I would hope that preventing them at the earliest opportunity would be the best solution. Hey, if everybody used this method.. could be significantly reduce this problem? :rolleyes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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