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?

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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