Can head lice turn to a case of scabies?

by Autumn
(Erwin,TN,USA)

What did we have? And what is this now? Can head lice turn to a case of scabies?



It started with my 10 yr old daughter constantly complaining of an itchy scalp which she had begun scratching frequently.


I had checked her head and scalp several times and saw no signs of head lice anywhere, and no rashes, cysts, or irritations other than dry scalp and moderate dandruff at the front and crown area.


I contributed this to a high lather shampoo she had started using, causing a build up due to her inexperience in shampooing and rinsing.


I switched her to a dry scalp treatment shampoo and conditioner and almost immediately upon using it she complained it was much worse.


Still no sign when the school nurse and I checked, so I told her we would get her to the doctor to check it.


About a month after her itching had begun, my head suddenly began the same itching. First slight and annoying, and since I was out of tea tree, I went and purchased some clinical strength dandruff shampoo for myself.


The itching only intensified and a couple of days later while riding in our van to a football game, it started itching so badly I just took both hands to it and started scratching my entire scalp and head violently.


When I stopped, something fell out of my head which resembled a large gnat and within a day there was an infestation like our heads had given birth!


Lice treatment went on for a month.


A week later, this past Saturday, I was cleaning my shed and sorting items to sell, donate, or toss. I felt like things were falling in my hair and I was itching all over as dust was heavy and bugs flying.


I have continued itching all over and feel as if I am constantly being bitten and bites appear.


I have been sleeping alone in my daughter's bed since and last night noticed several black, small, hard pieces of what seemed like a bug when combing through my scalp, as well as several tiny black egg like things.


I also searched and found a few in her bed but when I looked at her carpet and ran my fingers over it, it seemed like little dead black bugs flew out at me as well as a lot of something that looks similar to mouse poop.


Now, I am finding these bugs, as well as tiny flies, and some hard shell roach things, along
with this years stinkbug frenzy through the whole house basically, with the exception of my bedroom and my son's so far, but THEY ARE ALL DEAD or DYING.


This ALL OCCURRED SUDDENLY, and all those bugs weren't there before, and I am finding them everywhere. The bodies are still soft, none hard and crunchy like one that had been dead awhile.


I feel like these things are under my skin, like I am being bit from the inside and they are moving.


I have my pubic area affected now, too. Is this scabies? How did it become this? How did I get it and how do I get rid? What is the correlation to DEAD BUGS?








Hi Autumn,

To my knowledge, head lice can not turn into scabies, so I'll answer your first question first. You did say from the beginning, though, that you never did see any head lice in the first place.


Because of that, I'm doubtful that you and your daughter had head lice at all. It doesn't sound like it's scabies either.


Bed bugs would be a possibility if you are finding the bugs and getting bitten primarily in and around the bed/bedroom at night.


That doesn't sound like the situation based on your description. I'm wondering about possible bird mites from your shed or perhaps even in your home (perhaps the attic?).


Another possible intruder you may be dealing with are carpet beetles. It's really hard to say, but it would probably be a good idea to take some samples to a local entomologist or perhaps your local cooperative extension in Tennessee to get them positively identified so you know what you are dealing with.


Things I'd try in order to ease the itchy condition - garlic capsules, olive oil on your scalp over night, tea tree and lavender oil combo in your bath or applied directly to your skin. I would also take probiotics for a few weeks to increase the good bacteria in your body and help boost your immune system.


Other natural antihistamines include ginger or chamomile tea, ecinachea, vitmain C, etc. Don't try them all! :) One or two should do the trick.


Obviously you want to try to get rid of the source. Some people find Cedarcide to be really safe and effective around the home for a variety of pest issues without the harmful chemicals.


I hope you are able to eliminate the problem and get your lives back to normal soon.


To your good health!
Angie

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Nov 22, 2015
WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU ARE BITTEN NEW
by: JUDITH FRANCE

I WAS BITTEN BY SOME INSECTS IN MY YARD 6 MONTHS AGO, AND THEY ARE STILL WITH ME. THEY BURROWED UNDER MY SKIN, MAKING DEEP WOUNDS,AND LAYING EGGS. BECAUSE I HAVE TO THIS DAY STILL BEEN FINDING SMALL BLACK INSECT NOT MUCH BIGGER THEN A GRAIN OF SAND. I DID GO TO A DERMATOLOGIST, BUT SINCE HE PERSONALLY COULD NOT SEE THEM HE DID NOT BELIEVE ME. SO I HAVE TRIED MANY PRODUCTS MYSELF, BUT LETS GO TO WHAT I FOUND WORKED THE BEST. TWO PRODUCTS WORKED THE BEST FOR ME. SULFUR BASED PRODUCTS AND BETADINE PRODUCTS. I TAKE A GOOD QUALITY DIAPER RASH PASTE AND MIX IN BETADINE SOLUTION WHICH THINS IT ENOUGH TO MAKE EASIER TO APPLY. IT CREATES A BARRIER AND ALSO SOFTEN THE DAMAGED AREAS ENOUGH SO IT IS EASIER TO EXFOLIATE WHAT IS NOT YOU THAT COULD BE STICKING TO YOU SOMETIMES UNAWARE. FOR THE SCALP YOU COULD DO A THINNER VERSION OF ABOVE MIXTURE, OR GO TO AN OIL. LEAVE ON SKIN FOR AT LEAST 2 HOURS. VINEGAR OR WITCH HAZEL CAN BE USED TO CLEAN OFF STUCK MATTER. SHOWERING 2 TIMES A DAY ALSO HELPS

Mar 17, 2012
Mayonnaise for Demodex Mites NEW
by: Angie

Dear Danielle,

Thanks for coming back and giving us an update on your progress. I'm glad to hear that you have found some relief with the mayonnaise. I would suspect that olive oil works just as well and that it is probably "suffocating" the mites. Did you already try the olive oil with no relief?

To remove the oil/mayo from your hair in the morning, try a dish soap with degreaser, like Dawn dish soap, as a shampoo alternative. That will make it easier to clean your hair.

Do keep us posted.
Blessings,
Angie

Mar 17, 2012
Me again! NEW
by: Danielle

It's Danielle again.
It's now middle of March and I'm still dealing with my nightmare.
I am now sure it is Demodex Mites I have and after trying Tea Tree oil and shampoo, Seabuckthorn oil, shampoo, cream etc. and 50 other products that didn't do anything, I check the internet for home remedies for Demodex Mites in dogs and guess what...
I might have found something that works.
Vaseline or Mayonnaise seems to work the best, after a year of hell.
Those two are messy but it's worth a try. Mayonnaise worked better for me and is not as hard to remove from hair as Vaseline (witch comes out with peanut butter). I did the Mayo tretment last night and the beast is still there but tolerable. I'll do it again tonight.
Who ever is experiencing my nightmare, give it a try.
I'll keep you posted.
Danielle

Oct 23, 2011
Bugs In Your Hair
by: Angie

Hi Danielle,

If you are actually seeing bugs in your hair and haven't had any success with the lice treatments, there is no point in continuing to use them. Most over the counter lice treatments contain really toxic chemicals, so they are probably doing you more harm than good.


I also would NOT suggest you use Raid on your head, although I do understand that your desperation is causing you to want to try anything.


Have you tried covering your entire scalp and hair with a good dose of olive oil? If not, give it a try. Put the olive oil in your hair before you go to bed and then wash it out in the morning.


Repeat this every 4 days for a few weeks and see if that doesn't help you. This is to try to smother whatever bugs in your hair you are dealing with. Most bugs can't tolerate suffocation, even if they can tolerate chemicals or pesticides.


I hope this helps. Let us know.

Oct 23, 2011
Autumn`s case
by: Danielle

I have exactly the same symptoms than Autumn has and it`s driving me crazy.
It hurts so bad sometimes, I wanna spray my hair with Raid (I have put some on a towel and put it on top of my head) or fumigate myself.
They fall from my hair on my skin and bite me.

What is it?

I have treated my hair with over the counter lice stuff at least 5 times in the last few months. It gets better for one day and starts all over again. I can feel them walking on my scalp. It just grosses me out.

Help please! I am desperate.

Danielle

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