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(HealthNewsDigest.com) – Summer camp season is quickly approaching, and outdoor team sports and activities are kicking off, as well. Now is the perfect opportunity to remind children to not share personal items, like baseball hats, bike helmets, pool towels, and brushes, to help make sure to keep head lice at bay.
Head lice is a common condition – affecting six to 12 million children annually in the U.S. – spreading easily among children in group settings – at school, camp, etc. While there is no surefire way to prevent it, avoiding sharing personal items is definitely helpful in reducing the occurrence of head lice and controlling its spread.
The following tips from pediatrician Mary Ann LoFrumento, MD, author and producer of the Simply Parenting series of books and DVDs, may also help prevent children from spreading lice to friends and family members:
Tell children not to share or borrow personal items used on the head or neck, such as combs, barrettes, helmets and headphones.
Advise children to alert you immediately if their head itches (itching may not start until several weeks into the infestation).
If your child is infested with head lice, wash all personal clothing, nightwear and bedding of infested persons with hot water (at least 130 degrees Fahrenheit) or expose these items to the heat of a clothes dryer for about 20 minutes. Any items that cannot be washed or put in a dryer should be sealed in a plastic bag for at least three days.
Vacuum soft surfaces to remove any possible trace of lice; however, lice can only survive about one day without a human host, so lice eggs in carpeting and on furniture will die on their own.
If you suspect you or your child has head lice, call your doctor and ask if prescription OVIDE® (malathion) Lotion, 0.5%, is an appropriate treatment. OVIDE is a safe and effective, FDA-approved head lice treatment that kills both lice and their nits (eggs), with one application, in most cases, and has no reports of resistance in the U.S.
Inspect other family members daily for at least two weeks looking for any trace of lice or nits (eggs).
Avoid close contact with infested persons, their bedding and clothing until they have rid themselves of lice.
When it comes to eradicating head lice, I recommend parents speak with their pediatrician to determine the best treatment,” says Dr. LoFrumento. “Making sure the product kills the live lice and the eggs, has no known cases of resistance, and has a good safety profile are critical factors in choosing a treatment, such as OVIDE, that will quickly eliminate head lice and prevent the lice ‘life cycle’ from continuing.”
Safety Information: Adverse reactions to OVIDE® Lotion, 0.5%, include irritation to the skin and scalp. Accidental contact with eyes can result in mild conjunctivitis. OVIDE® Lotion is contraindicated for neonates and infants. Because this product contains isopropyl alcohol, it is flammable. Keep away from heat sources (i.e., hair dryers, cigarettes) or open flame while hair is wet with OVIDE® Lotion. Please see package insert for full Prescribing Information.
For more information about head lice, talk to your pediatrician or visit www.ovide4headlice.com.