Thanks to Splendicity.com for this informative post on the incidence of head lice in summer camps, and how to protect yourself. The underlying USA Today article also contains very helpful information about head lice and head lice treatment options.  Enjoy!

Summer camp will be kicking off soon, but in the meantime, your hands are full with end-of-school-year events. It’s an easy, but inopportune time to forget about head lice! So, allow us to gently remind you of 3 easy precautions you can take to manage the transition in stride, and remain lice-free at camp this summer.

There will not be a test! But, when it comes to head lice, it is helpful to know what you’re up against. Estimates suggest that 6 to 12 million cases of head lice occur in the USA every year. And yes, that includes a lot of clean kids from good homes. Despite rumors to the contrary, lice don’t discriminate.

Lice live in the hair, close to the scalp. They can’t jump or fly, but they can travel with casual head-to-head contact among friends, or on shared combs or headwear. There is more to know than we can cover here - your best bet is to start with the basic facts from an objective, reputable source, like these pages at the CDC and the Mayo Clinic.

This is the most effective precaution against head lice (and insanity!) For head lice, check your camper’s hair frequently, especially if she has a lot of sleepovers, or you catch her scratching! Under a bright light, use your fingers or a comb to separate the hair and look for nits, which are tiny, sesame seed-shaped eggs. They can range in color from off-white to dark brown. Irritation around the ears and nape of the neck is also a telltale sign.

It takes a professional anywhere from 1-5 minutes to conduct a head check, and many camps offer them on site. But peace of mind awaits those who take this precaution at home!

With a nod to Star Trek (in theaters now!), what we mean is - wear repellent! Little-known fact, but there are effective head lice repellents out there, including this one from Burt’s Bees. It’s not promoted as such, but lice hate the rosemary and lavender ingredients. Many professional lice clinicians use it to protect themselves while they treat patients. Just spread a little behind the ears and around the nape of the neck and your shields are at full strength.

Lastly, keep in mind the unofficial 4th precaution - don’t panic! Okay, head lice are a little creepy, and they can be a hassle to get rid of. But as your research will verify, they are not known to transmit disease - in fact, they are not really dangerous at all. They are a nuisance - but one that you can most likely avoid this summer - if you follow these basic precautions. Happy camping!

Take a look at this helpful video segment from Medical Edge, a program developed at the Mayo Clinic. It discusses various OTC head lice treatment options, as well as the resistance of lice to many of these options.

Check out this informative segment from Parents.TV on head lice.

Dr. JJ Levenstein provides an excellent synopsis of the head lice treatment options, including head lice home remedies. She covers lice treatments including RID and Nix, professional services such as Hair Fairies, and head lice home remedies such as mayonnaise, eucalyptus oil, tea tree oil and others. She also advises when to contact a doctor and seek a prescription for something stronger. Let us know what you think!