She howled out as I tugged, perhaps a little too viciously, on the tiny little lice catching comb. She wriggled and tried to escape me, but I held on tight. Through gritted teeth I muttered some kind of threat on her well being if she did not sit there and take it like a four-year-old. I was close to a nervous breakdown.

Four times we had done this the last month. FOUR TIMES.

There wasn’t a single week that month that we’d been clear of lice. Four times I’d washed all the linen, picked nits out of three children’s hair, and even once had to delouse myself. Aaargh.

I knew I shouldn’t take it out on Jelly Bean, but I was so frustrated. She didn’t want to sit still any more. I could not seem to get rid of all of those stupid nits.

All of the soft toys had been bagged and placed in the attic in the hopes that would stop the continuous infestation. Pillows were thrown out and replaced.

In the same month, our new puppy also got some kind of parasite.

That month SUCKED. I never, ever, ever, ever, ever want to go through that again.

But lo and behold, I’ve already started seeing posts about kids getting lice and school has only been back ONE week.

I still shudder in my shoes thinking about our Licecapades two years ago. For almost FIVE weeks we battled lice in our house. By the time it was over and done with, I was having nightmares about bugs every where. My daughter was having nightmares about giant eggs on her head. We were all a mess. And I was crazy to the point of just burning down the house to get rid of them. My head is itching even thinking about it.

And yes, all three children had lice, and so did I. For the very first time in my life.

I thought the youngest one had escaped it. She was still practically bald at the time, and she made it through half the month without getting it. She slept in a crib still, so she was isolated. And then one day, we were at a birthday party, and she was standing in front of me. I looked down and saw something moving on her head. Oh dear me. I saw two or three little bugs. And then tried not to panic.

Kids were everywhere. We had live lice. Oh crap.

I faked the onset of a headache, grabbed my kids, and made a bee line to the exit.

As soon as we got home, everyone got treated. Again.

Lice comb (Bug Buster) wet combing with conditioner for diagnosis and treatment. Head lice can be seen in foam. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Despite our efforts, my poor then four-year-old, Jelly Bean, could never seem to catch a break. My little Jelly Bean had to be treated 5 times. Poor child. She has such fine hair, those nasty little lice eggs just clung to her hair, making it almost impossible to completely get rid of!

We tried everything. I mean everything.  Finally, after a month of a lot of de-lousing, laundry, cleaning, crying, screaming, tantrums, and so forth, we had our pediatrician call in for a prespription of Sklice. It isn’t cheap, but it worked. And it FINALLY killed the lice. For good.

I was a little relieved to learn that I’m not the only one who has this problem, but then immediately terrified at the thought of lice that are immune to treatment. Noooooooo!!!! The Sklice website says:

• Studies show that head lice are becoming resistant to some treatments. Some parents end up self-treating head lice up to 5 times before seeking professional care.

You can get a coupon for Sklice here.

Also, there has been no evidence that smothering lice with mayo or petroleum jelly actually works, and last year a toddler died when she suffocated in her sleep from having a bag on her head to cover mayonnaise. So let’s skip that treatment, ok?

Besides it being gross, what do you know about head lice?

Head lice is common and can happen to any child. An estimated 6 to 12 million infestations occur each year in the U.S., which means many parents are likely to experience firsthand how lice can impact their children, families or friends.

Let’s repeat: An estimated 6 to 12 million lice infestations occur each year in the U.S.

Now let’s tweet that!

Unfortunately, head lice are common in elementary schools – about one out of every 100 elementary school children becomes infested. Many parents may not know where to turn for accurate information.

I recently found a website that provides you all the information you need when your child gets that dreaded letter home from school, or if you just want to learn more to be prepared. ExpertAdviceOnLice.com is driven by experts who are also moms, so they get it. The website features basic information on the little critters, including symptoms, diagnosis, prevention and treatment options:

•  The How to Lose the Lice Guide, with a handy checklist to save time and reduce stress when battling head lice
• The Headfirst! Lice Experience video allows you to choose your experience, whether it be you’re not sure you have lice, or you just want to get rid of them:

I wish I’d had these tools when we were going through this!

It’s important to remember the most common way to spread head lice is head-to-head contact. Thinking ahead with things like checking with parents before slumber parties to find out if anyone recently had lice, or teaching your child to avoid sharing brushes or hats is a good start.

Please share your stories with me! How bad did your family have lice?

When you’re not trying to lose the lice, Come #losethecape with us! Available on Amazon!

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katbiggie

Freelance writer at Kat Biggie Press

Alexa B, who blogs as "Kat Biggie" is a wife, mother, and writer. She has three children and one in heaven. She recently self published a book entitled "Sunshine After the Storm: A Survival Guide for the Grieving Mother" which is available on Amazon. She blogs about life after the loss of one of her twin daughters to TTTS, motherhood, all things parenting, advocacy, grief support and social good.

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