Don’t be bugged by head lice this summer

(BPT) – With summer quickly approaching, you may be making plans for your child to attend camp. In addition to buying proper camp clothing, summer hats, bug sprays and swim suits, it’s also important to arm yourself with information about potential health matters commonly seen at camp – such as head lice.

Head lice cases affect an estimated 6 million to 12 million children aged 3 to 11 years old in the United States every year. Head lice can occur in people of all ages, but children in preschool or elementary school, and those who live with them, are most commonly affected. Head lice are usually spread by direct head-to-head contact, which is common during play at camp. Signs and symptoms of head lice include a tickling feeling on the scalp or in the hair, itching, irritability, difficulty sleeping and sores on the head.

‘Although head lice may be perceived as a common, easy-to-manage problem, they can spread quickly, especially in a camp setting, if not diagnosed and treated immediately,’ says Susan Catchings, a family nurse practitioner in Cary, North Carolina. ‘Campers who contract head lice often feel stigmatized by their peers, which can take away from a child’s positive experience at camp.’

The American Academy of Pediatrics, the leading U.S. professional association for pediatricians, recently issued new head lice treatment guidelines with best practices for diagnosis and management. The guidelines highlight increasing reports of resistance to some over-the-counter head lice treatments and emphasize that it is important to engage a health care provider when dealing with a persistent infestation. The guidelines also note the value of prescription treatment options, which can be effective after only one use, are proven to be safe and do not require combing out nits from your child’s hair.

More than half of moms incorrectly think all head lice treatments require multiple applications. Health care providers are an important resource for learning about treatment options, so moms can be prepared to treat head lice when it happens. However, few moms (only 12 percent) speak with their child’s doctor about head lice, excluding the times when their child has already been infested with head lice.

If you suspect your child may have head lice, it’s important for you to speak with your family physician or pediatrician as soon as possible to discuss the best treatment approach for your family. For more information and educational resources about head lice, visit HeadfirstLiceLessons.org.