Let’s be honest — lice is one of those things you think only happens to other families. You know, the families who don’t wash their sheets as often, or whose kids share hats a little too freely. Surely not your kid. Definitely not your home.
Until one day… they scratch their head and casually say:
“Mom, my head itches.”
Cue the internal scream. The dramatic slow turn. The instant itch that creeps up your own scalp. And sure enough, one look and—yep. You’ve got company.
Welcome to the Lice Club (Spoiler: Nobody Wants to Be in It)
The moment you spot that first creepy crawler is like a rite of passage you never wanted. Suddenly you’re flipping mattresses, boiling brushes, and questioning every pillow in your house. Your washer and dryer become your new best friends. Your scalp is crawling 24/7—whether you have lice or not.
And don’t get us started on the awkward messages to the school, the grandparents, or the neighbor kids your little one just had a sleepover with…
What Actually Worked (From One Mom to Another)
After way too many late-night Google rabbit holes and at least one breakdown in the laundry room, here are the tools of the trade we found worked best:
- 🧼 Nix Ultra or Licefreee! Spray – Over-the-counter treatments that actually kill lice and eggs. Follow directions exactly, and don’t skip the second treatment.
- 🐜 Nit comb – Not optional. This tiny metal comb is the unsung hero of lice removal. Comb through wet hair daily for at least a week (yes, it’s tedious, yes, it’s necessary). Nix even makes an electronic one – picture in head bug zapper.
- 🌿 Oil + shower cap trick – Olive oil, tea tree oil, or coconut oil smothered on the scalp and covered overnight can help suffocate the stragglers.
- 🧺 High heat for everything – Bedding, towels, pajamas—wash and dry on high. Stuffed animals? Bag ‘em for two weeks. Hairbrushes? Boil, run through the dishwasher on sanitze, or toss. Douse what you can’t wash with a killing spray ie. car seat and all the random things heads rub against.
- 🧼 Prevention spray – Post-trauma, we now mist everyone’s heads with rosemary or tea tree lice repellent like it’s our job.
A Few Realizations (and a Scratching Head)
- Lice does not care how clean your house is. Or your hair. Or your laundry schedule.
- You’re not alone. So many families go through this, but no one wants to admit it.
- This too shall pass. Even if it takes a few treatments, some tears, and an itch you’ll never forget.
Bottom Line
If your head is itching just from reading this—yeah, same. But know this: you’re not gross, you’re not a failure, and you’ll come out the other side more prepared and probably with an irrational fear of all things that crawl.
So here’s to surviving lice season, moms. May your laundry be hot, your nit comb be thorough, and your kid never bring home “the L word” again.
From one itchy mom to another—solidarity, always.
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