Every year around this time the kids get out of school and the phone calls begin. Potential campers get their heads checked and are found to have lice. Their luggage has already departed for camp. Those campers are sent to be treated. Sometimes lice are in their beginning stages so many campers slip through the cracks and end up being the transmitters. So what do you do to prevent your camper from getting lice? Here are a few easy things to do:
First stop by any Wal-Mart or Target and grab a zip in vinyl mattress cover. They usually run around $8.00. Campers can cover their mattress with this cover and then put a bottom sheet on the mattress so they don’t have to advertise they have a cover. Next, send them with as much gel, mousse and hairspray as they can carry. Sometimes my campers have products that state they prevent lice. I don’t really believe in most of them because they carry a lot of water mixed with alcohol and that really doesn’t do anything to prevent lice. Remember: the dirtier the hair, the less likely they are to contract lice. If your camper has long hair, try to get them to put their hair in really tight braids. I have become a huge fan of the fishtail braid as it is tiny sections that are put tightly together. Remind your camper of the usual – NO ONE on their bunk, don’t share brushes or even ponytail holders and finally try really hard to keep their heads away from others.
Nothing is ever 100%. But you can try to do your best to minimize or prevent your child from contracting lice. Also, upon pick up from camp, have their heads checked either by a friend who knows what to look for or someone extremely experienced in spotting lice. There are plenty of people in the area and like all things, some are better than others.
