Nit wits!

On Friday, I was told by another mum at school that I deserve a medal.  Apparently, having three children go through preschool and almost three years of primary school without getting head lice is unusual.  It would seem that head lice is very common and not so stigmatised anymore that you must be dirty to contract it.  I must admit I always thought unwashed and unkempt people were magnets for lice and nits.  Turns out this is not the case.  Head lice do not care if your hair is clean or dirty, whether you are rich or poor, whether your hair is long or short, or what religion you are (this proved by the mum I spoke to who is exceptionally god loving and her four children often get lice versus our family who are atheist).  A scalp is all they need to start sucking into and harvesting their eggs on a bit of hair.

Over the years the kids have come home with plenty of school notices that head lice have been reported in the classroom and our kids have never scratched or given us an inkling they might be affected.  That was until Thursday this week when I picked up the kids from school, emptied Henry's bag and found the latest head lice note.  A few hours later we noticed Henry scratching away at his head.  A quick look through his hair and I was mortified.  I've never seen lice and nits before and they looked like they were having a festival in Henry's hair.  There were big ones, little ones, lots of eggs - it was all a bit overwhelming for our first time.  Given how much Henry loves his little brother Buster, it was hard for him to keep his distance and not pass on the lice.  In Henry's own words "It's like I'm allergic to Buster".

The kids were already bathed and ready for bed when we discovered Henry's lice.  I dashed off to the chemist and $50 later I was armed with a treatment foam, protective spray and necessary wire comb. 

The next morning before school we used the foam and comb in Henry's hair.  Poor kid.  In his long hair the comb was not kind and there were lots of tears .  We packed him off to school and said we'd cut his hair that night and continue the fight against the lice, with it being much easier to comb his hair if he basically had none.  We also used the protective spray on Buster and Milly to ward off the nitty evils.

That evening Michael got out the clippers and took Henry's hair off.  It was during this time that we noticed Buster scratching and you guessed it, yep he had lice too.  I can't begin to explain how distressed I was watching Michael cut off Buster's hair with the clippers.  In fact, I'm still in shock and haven't accepted it.  I know it isn't necessary to cut their hair so short to combat the lice but it certainly made it easier to find them and comb out the eggs.  Buster was really good with the comb.  When his hair was all gone Henry said, "He looks like me, only cuter". 

Meanwhile, Milly was having a good giggle and providing her usual unhelpful commentary (eg "Buster looks so weird").  I threatened her that if she got nits we'd cut off all her hair too.  That shut her up.

With Buster now infested too, Henry was happy he was free to mingle at close range with Buster again.



I just have to share this photo of Boo.  It is my favourite of his angelic face.  His preschool are having their photo day in two weeks.  I don't think his hair will grow back in time.  I'm still distraught.