Ah, summer camp. Campfires, s’mores, swimming, and…head lice?
Head lice is not what most parents think about or expect when they send their kids to summer camp. But summer camp is almost custom made to spread head lice with kids in close quarters, sleeping and playing together for extended periods of time.
Because no parent wants to get the call that their camper has head lice, Lice Clinics of America is sharing these tips for parents to help decrease the odds that their children get lice at camp:
- First and foremost, it’s important to get a professional head check before camp to make sure your child doesn’t already have head lice. Many children have lice without knowing it. It can take up to two weeks before symptoms such as itching start to occur. Check again when your child gets home from camp. A professional check is important because lice can be difficult to accurately diagnose. Lice Clinics of America clinics offer head checks for $25 which is waived if lice are found and the child is treated.
- It’s also important to know the facts of lice. Lice spread primarily through head-to-head contact. They don’t fly or jump. Head lice can’t live anywhere but on a human scalp. Parents can encourage children to avoid head-to-head and hair-to-hair contact, including hugs and selfies.
- Use lice prevention products such as Lice Clinics of America’s preventive sprays and shampoos. They are non-toxic, easy to apply, and serve as a kind of lice repellent. They can be used daily for an extra layer of protection.
- Make sure your children use their own combs, brushes, clips, and anything else they use on their hair. While it is rare that lice spread through shared personal items, it can happen.
- Lice don’t die in water. They can hold their breath for up to eight hours, so children should only use their own towels to dry themselves after swimming or showering.
Finally, if a child does come home with head lice, don’t panic. No one did anything wrong. Twelve million children under the age of 14 get head lice each year in the United States alone. It is no different than catching a cold—children just get lice more easily from other children.
Fortunately, getting rid of head lice is easier than ever, thanks to Lice Clinics of America’s FDA-cleared AirAllé® medical device. AirAllé uses heated air to dehydrate lice and eggs and has been clinically proven to kill live lice and more than 99 percent of eggs (nits) in a single treatment. The service takes about an hour and is guaranteed to be effective.
If parents come in for a head check at Lice Clinics of America and head lice are found, treatment can be done on the spot and the child will be lice free in an hour.
For more information or to find a clinic, visit www.liceclinicsofamerica.com.
