Dealing With a Lice Infestation at Summer Camp
Stories, crafts, and memories are the only thing you expect your child to bring home from summer camp. Lice infestation at summer camps is something no parent thinks about. So last year when my daughter was sent home early due to a lice outbreak at camp I knew this year we were going to be prepared.
First step was to educate the children on head lice prevention. Enforce rules such as: avoid sharing items that touch the head (hats, helmets, hair ties, towels, and hair brushes) and don’t share your pillow or sleeping bag. Be sure to label all their personal items, so they don’t get their pink hairbrush confused with their roommates pink hairbrush. While young aged children might not understand, try and stay away from sounding demanding. You want them to have fun, but stay free of lice at camp.
Second step is to prepare them yourself. Since you cannot be there to watch every move and action, you can do your part in head lice prevention by washing their hair thoroughly with head lice shampoo and conditioners the day before summer camp. Also prewash all their clothes, bedding, and brushes in hot water with head lice treatment detergent. The head lice treatments will act as a barrier to the survival of head lice and nits. Now send them on their way with a smile.
When they return from summer camp make it a priority to check for head lice and nits. Look behind their ears and the back of their neck. Those are the most common locations for eggs. When looking for head lice and nits is sure you are in a well lit area. Dandruff, dry scalp flakes, is most often confused as eggs. Dandruff brushes away, but the egg will stay on the hair. Wash their clothes, bedding, and brushes in hot water with the head lice treatment detergent. Treatment is recommended if one egg is found.
Lice outbreak at summer camp is a frequent challenge for parents and camp directors because children share personal items and bedding. Check with the camp director to see what head lice precautions are taken at the camp. Suggest spraying the beds and carpet with head lice treatment spray.
Head lice are common and not something you or your child should be ashamed about. Having head lice does not mean your child has poor hygiene. If the head lice prevention steps are taken you should have a head lice free summer!
To learn more about Head Lice Treatment systems visit our website with Lice Treatment options.
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