How can I avoid my kids getting head lice?

Our summer started out idyllic. Sweet summer sleep in’s, shopping at the after Christmas sales, fish & chips at the beach and going out for ice-cream as a treat.

We had playdates with friends, enjoyed the Werribee Open Range Zoo, we went for walks while our eldest rode his bike but there was something sinister lurking just around the corner for our little family.

It wasn’t until about 2 weeks before I was meant to return to work when my sister noticed some white lumps in my oldest son’s hair…

“He has head lice” she exclaimed loudly (in the middle of the Optus Shop mind you!)

“No, he doesn’t” I exclaimed, embarrassed that she had said it so loudly!

“Look, I know what they look like, trust me!” – I still don’t actually believe her!

Anyway, yes upon closer observation there was no denying those little white lumps on both of my sons heads now!

Admit it, now you’re scratching your head just a little bit aren’t you!

So you see, the problem for me is that I’ve never had head lice before. The thought of these parasites living on and feeding off my beautiful sons heads was just too much for me.

I tried to remove all the eggs I could, drowned their heads in tea tree oil and put them to bed. I didn’t get much sleep that night and in the morning I informed everyone they’d played with in the last few weeks after we rushed out to the local chemist to buy a head lice treatment.

As this has opened up a whole new world to me, I feel like I’ve lost some of my innocence. All my mummy friends are telling me to get used to it “Welcome to school life, sweetie”.

So my question is this:

“How can I prepare for my son starting school this year

so that we can hopefully avoid this happening again?”

I would love to hear your head lice tips and tricks…

Post your ANSWER or ADVICE

Want more real mum questions sent to you?

26 Answers
Post an answer

- - BellaB said
  - 01 Oct 2020
    7:42 pm
Don’t wash your kids’ hair. At least, not as often as you might usually. Lice prefer clean hair, as it lets them get a good grip!
- - mom390666 said
  - 07 Dec 2019
    11:38 am
Wash their hair less
- - mom81879 said
  - 15 Nov 2019
    11:13 pm
Tie their up when possible, preferably in plaits. I have read of tea tree products being good at repelling head lice
- - mom160421 said
  - 17 Mar 2019
    12:31 pm
Although I’ve never had to treat headlice, I did enjoy reading the responses.
- - ebonyh said
  - 05 Dec 2016
    11:33 am
Fantastic answers, I have tried most of them now and I’m happy to report that we have not had one case of head lice in our household this year!
My plan for 2017 is to just repeat the same again as it obviously work!
- - mom134803 said
  - 25 Jul 2016
    3:48 am
A wee drop of tea tree oil behind the ears is good for prevention. Also to spray the hair a bit wet with a water vinegar solution. To remove the the headlice use conditioner, it’s better and cheaper then the special headlice treatments.
- - june11 said
  - 01 Jan 2016
    7:02 pm
I know a Mum who covers her child’s hair with gladwrap after applying what she uses for a few minutes before she went onto the second stage of the nit removal. The Daycare Centre actually supplied some stuff when they had the first outbreak
- - mum888 said
  - 19 Dec 2015
    6:42 pm
I was always told at school to either tie my hair up if past shoulder length or cut it shorter as lice can transmit from hair to hair . Always keep your hair clean all the time as well and be aware of someone if they are scratching their heads constantly.
- - mom125971 said
  - 30 May 2015
    9:52 am
I starting reading this post to get some ideas, as my son has started school this year….now, I am scratching my head like crazy!! hehe! it’s got me paranoid!
- - Cynthea Jenke said
  - 16 Apr 2015
    9:53 am
We use conditioner. It works better than anything. It paralyses the lice so its easier to get the eggs and lice out with a comb. Leave the conditioner in for twenty minutes then comb then wash out. Youll be amazed how many you get out. My daughter formed a allergy to head lice chemicals and naturals until we found this remedy. Also we put hair spray on our kids. The head lice dont like it especially when they play with others
- - Moonberry said
  - 24 Feb 2015
    1:21 pm
I also make our own essential oil prevention spray – To ensure they stay away! Seems to work..
- - ebonyh said
  - 19 Feb 2015
    11:20 am
Well, it’s been over 2 weeks since my son started school and so far so good! Lots of conditioner, hair product every morning and regular hair checking has been happening. Fingers and toes crossed that these prevention methods keep working!
- - mom119776 said
  - 17 Feb 2015
    11:41 am
hair spray is amazing. My daughter who is only 3 has had them a few times from parents still sending their kids to daycare. Everday she goes i put her hair up and spray a little hair spray in it and she hasnt gottent hem since.
- - jenniw said
  - 09 Feb 2015
    1:22 pm
My boys have only had hair lice once and I believe its because I put product in the boys hair daily. They like their hair to be a bit spikey so hair wax or gel is used
- - ashblonde said
  - 06 Feb 2015
    10:48 am
The easiest preventive treatment is to spray your child’s head with tea tree oil (a few drops in a spray bottle of water) before going to school.