I usually take a laid-back approach to germs, dirt, and the general chaos of parenting. My cleaning skills? Mediocre, at best. I don’t stick to an all-organic, non-GMO diet (let’s be real, grocery shopping is a challenge). I might have even indulged in a half-eaten candy bar I found in my car while waiting for my son’s practice to end. (Hey, I was starving.)
However, despite my nonchalant attitude towards dirt and germs, I completely lost my cool when I discovered lice crawling in my kids’ hair. The sight of those little bugs is enough to send anyone into a tailspin, no matter how relaxed you are about your parenting habits.
Let’s get straight to the point: lice are the spawn of the devil.
But don’t worry—you will survive. It’ll be a rough ride, but you’ll make it through.
Here’s how the first 24 hours after discovering lice unfolded for me:
After nearly gagging at the sight of those horrid critters, I dashed to the nearest pharmacy to grab several boxes of lice treatment and sent frantic texts to friends who had dealt with lice, begging for help. There was a lot of colorful language involved.
I called the nearest lice treatment clinic, desperately pleading for an immediate appointment. (The earliest they could fit us in was the next morning, which sparked panic about our home being overrun overnight.) I slathered RID shampoo on my kids and myself, scrubbing until our scalps were sore. I snapped at my partner and downed a Xanax while contemplating our wine supply.
In a frenzy, I combed through the house looking for anything to toss—stuffed animals? Gone. Decorative pillows? Not a fan anyway. Soon, my laundry room was filled with bags of jackets, hats, and backpacks all waiting for treatment.
The next day, we showed up at the lice clinic bright and early, ready to rid ourselves of these pests. If you have access to a lice treatment clinic, I cannot recommend their services enough; it’s worth every penny. Two and a half hours later, we emerged lice-free, albeit with sticky hair oil under unattractive hairnets.
After fifteen loads of laundry, I finally sighed in relief.
Amid the chaos of lice and panic, I learned a few key things. First, lice infestations are incredibly common—virtually everyone has encountered them at some point. Second, they are disgusting; they feed on human blood, and their saliva is what causes the itching. Third, the nits (or eggs) are the real challenge; while killing live lice is straightforward, the nits cling on stubbornly. Fourth, nit-picking is a daunting task, and hiring professionals is well worth the investment. The staff at the clinic were incredibly helpful, calming, and effective.
Finally, rest assured—you will survive. Just know that the journey may involve at least one panic attack, several glasses of wine, venting to anyone who will listen, and even the occasional nightmare about being overrun by bugs. You might also find yourself yelling at your spouse, “Don’t get too cocky! You could have them too!”
Oh, and your head will itch for days. In fact, just saying the word “lice” could set off a new wave of itching, like a Pavlovian response. You might be scratching your head right now.
But trust me—you will get through this.
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Summary
In the whirlwind of discovering lice, I learned valuable lessons about the commonality of infestations, the disgusting nature of lice, and the stubbornness of nits. While the experience was chaotic and stressful, hiring professionals for treatment proved invaluable. And despite the dread, I found solace in knowing that I would emerge from the ordeal unscathed.