This post is brought to you by Sanofi Pasteur. All opinions are my own.
Today I'm going to talk to you about something that most parents with young children don't want to talk about, let alone think about...
Head Lice.
You know, those pesky little bugs that make you want to scream expletives at the mere thought of your kids coming home with them?
My daughter has had the misfortune of having head lice twice since she began school. The first case I can't entirely blame on school because she caught the little buggers after a weekend trip away -- the culprit was most likely the bed of the hotel where were staying at (which was nice, by the way!). Since this was my first bout of head lice as a parent, I tried to go the natural route and used every home remedy in the book to get rid of them. No dice.
The second time around she most definitely caught head lice from a classmate at school. I went straight out to buy an over-the-counter treatment. The whole process was, quite simply, gross. After applying the solution, you have to use a fine-toothed comb to remove dead lice and nits (lice eggs). After ten days, you repeat the process again. We eventually got rid of the lice after two treatments and what felt like hundreds of brushes with the little comb. I had to use the comb with hair conditioner to remove the dead lice long after the treatment was finished, too. It was horrible -- I'm crossing my fingers, toes, and everything else that she never comes home with lice again!
If there ever is a next time, I'm skipping the over-the-counter options and calling my daughter's doctor for a prescription of a new topical head lice treatment called Sklice. Sklice Lotion is different than other treatments because it's a one-time, 10 minute application, and there is no need to comb lice and nits out of the hair once the lotion is rinsed out -- though you could if you wanted to. Sklice Lotion is FDA approved for use on children 6 months of age and older.
Head Lice Tips
In addition to talking to your doctor about prescribing Sklice topical head lice treatment (and printing out this money-saving coupon), it's important to take precautions to prevent the spread of head lice to other family members at home. Here are some steps recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
- Avoid head-to-head contact while playing with other children, whether at school, on a playground, or during sports activities.
- Don't share combs, brushes, hats, scarves, bandannas, hair bands, ribbons, barrettes, or towels -- anything that goes on the head.
- Wash bedding, clothing, and towels used by anyone with head lice in hot water and tumble dry in a hot dryer for 20 minutes.
- Do not use pest sprays or fogs in the house. They are not needed, and they can be harmful if they are inhaled or get on the skin.
- If there's a lice outbreak at your child's school, you may want to say no to sleepovers for a while, since lice can live in bedding, pillows, and carpets that have recently been used by someone with head lice.
Sklice Lotion should be used in the context of an overall lice management program. You can find more information, including directions for use and possible side effects, at www.Sklice.com.
Has your child ever had head lice?
Kathleen
Oh boy, they really are my worst nightmare. Luckily, I have been able to avoid them with the boys, but I live in fear!
Tiff @ Babes and Kids
These are great tips. I remember getting head lice as a child and it was absolutely miserable.
Anne - Mommy Has to Work
Thankfully my children have no gotten it.
Sheri
I hate lice! My kids got it at summer camp last year and it was not fun.
Jennifer @ The Quirky Momma
My whole household had lice several years ago. It was near epidemic at my daughter's school and it was a nightmare. My middle kids have long hair so it took HOURS to treat and pull out the little buggers. I'm so immune now. If a friend needs help, I'm there. We haven't had one single louse in the house since 2010 and I plan to keep it that way.
Leilani
One thing I hated about working at a school was when a case of head lice would break out in the classrooms.
HilLesha @To the Motherhood
Not yet!
Rachel @ Following In My Shoes
Ugh -- yes.... a few years ago, my daughter picked it up from the daycare at our YMCA. It was awful.
Lolo
We have not had to deal with this. Knock on wood.
Shell Feis
We haven't had to deal with this but we had a scare a few months ago when a family friend who had been playing with our son got them. But we start preschool next year so it's only a matter of time!
Maryann
So far we have avoided these but I'm worried.
Angela
Surprisingly, we haven't had to deal with head lice yet. I do remember having it as a kid though. I had such long hair back then - kinda feeling bad for my mom right now for having to deal with that. 🙂
Ty @ Mama of 3 Munchkins
Thankfully, we've never had to deal with lice.
Emily @FamilyNLifeLV
I hope we never have to deal with this - but good to know!
Tammy
We have so far avoided the head lice fiasco in our home - we did have a scare though once when my daughter's best friend had them...I was keeping close watch on my daughter's head for days after that!
Jennifer
oh gosh we JUST went through this last month. Somehow my 3yo got it. How? I have no idea since I stay at home with her. And then she transferred it to me 🙁 We got it early enough (saw them when I was doing her hair one day) so no one else got them. Worst ever. I wish I would have known about Sklice
Not Magic
Bought this product for all THREE kids that had gotten head lice. Over $200.00 per box. The doctor gave us a BOGUS coupon that says NO MORE THAN $30.00 but this only applies if your insurance covers it. If your insurance doesn't cover or you cash pay you get a small discount. Called company to refund my money because it did not work AT ALL! They want me to sign a refund agreement that releases them from any liability in the future. This means if this drug gives my kids cancer, I have no recourse with this company- Just to get $600.00 back which is NOT chump change. I bet they get tons of people signing this and waiving their future rights. UPDATE: Spoke with their legal team and Division Manager. Will not refund money if I don't sign the refund agreement which is really a liability release in disguise. For you guys having issues, use Cetaphil facial cleanser, put it in hair and dry your hair with a hair dryer. Comb each day and wash your hair after 3 days. Lice gone and spent $30.00. Don't waste your money on SKLICE!