Birds and Head Lice

[kc_y0]

So kind of a gross question! But my daughter brought home head lice from school ARGHhhhhhhh. Can they pass on to birds? I have treated her already and got rid of everything I could see, but I'm paranoid now as I'm not sure how long she has had them

 

[tab_xo]

Ewwwwwwwww Lily!!! hahaha Just make her sleep outside

Hopefully you got them all! Are they big? I never had lice as a kid or even seen them before.. Would you be able to see them in Audrey and Arts feathers?

 

[kc_y0]

Nah they are only small I used to get them as a kid too, the joys of having long hair.. I am amazed she has even got them though, I always tie her hair back and pack in the hair spray and anti-nit spray stuff and even use morocan oil :\ But she shares hats and stuff with the other kids, no matter how many times I tell her not too!!

I have looked in Audrey's feathers but I doubt I"ll be able to see anything, they are hard to see in the hair too

 

[Betrisher]

Euuuwww! I *hate* headlice! My darling daughter (bum length red hair) shared them with me (bum length brown hair) when she was in Year Six. Have you ever tried dragging one of those nit combs through thick bum length hair? Twice?

I think the human head louse is not the same animal as the bird louse. While bird lice can infest us, I think our head lice don't survive on birds. Don't quote me on that, but I'm trying to remember from my entomology days (it's been a while).

Just a word of advice about the lice (ie. Lice Advice): after you've treated your daughter's hair, slather on as much cheap conditioner as you can and massage it down to her scalp. Wrap her head in plastic (we used supermarket bags) and leave it on for as long as you can (overnight is great). This suffocates the already sick lice and also leaves her hair in a much nicer condition than the nit shampoo will leave it in. If you need to check whether there's any live lice left, brush her hair over a white sheet or paper. The little lousies fall out and you know you need to treat her again. Best of luck to you!

 

[kc_y0]

Sadly yes I have haha My hair used to be that long too. Lily's was down to her bum but I chopped it off Shoulder length so I can deal with these horrible buggers!!!!

Thanks for the tip, I did smother her hair in conditioner and got all the bugs and HOPEFULLY eggs out! I will repeat the treatment in a few days. *CRIES* God I hate them so much!!

I treated my hair too which was so painful as my hair is thick and already damaged, but I was clean thankfully! Must be all the bleach and hair dye I use LOL

 

[weco]

Head lice like human blood, so stick around humans & often cause additional personal discomfort too.....human body lice can also be problematic, but is usually washed away with increased bath taking...or...in some cases, just plain taking a bath.....

Bird lice can be less discerning and can leap over to humans for a dietary change.....

Hope this calms your worries.....

You did know that all that nit-picking you accused your mom & dad of when you were growing up, well, they very well could have been doing it honestly.....if they were hunting for head lice.....that's where the term came from.....

 

[kc_y0]

That does make me feel better! Because Audrey's favorite thing to do at the moment is fly and land on Lily's head lol!

Thats creepy that bird lice can jump over to humans! :O ewwwwwwww

 

[weco]

Well, you girls could always opt for a "Snead" 'doo.....'

It would make for much easier 'pickins' too ! ! !

 

[weco]

You might have something there with Audrey.....you've heard of the high priced 'bird poop facials' your New York counterparts are popping down $180 each for, haven't you ? ? ?

 

[kc_y0]

Haha no I haven't, sounds very gross!!!