Lice Clinics of America® – Maryland Offers Summer Camp Lice Prevention Program
One thing that parents dread about summer camp is the occurrence of head lice, which can result in kids being sent home, causing embarrassment and inconvenience to parents and campers alike.
Lice Clinics of America – Maryland, with locations in Bel Air, Baltimore and Rockville, is offering an innovative program for summer camps in the Maryland area in partnership with the American Camp Association to provide head lice education, pre-camp screenings, on-site screenings, and on-site and off-site treatment options that are guaranteed to be effective.
“The American Camp Association has said that every year a majority of calls to its Camp Crisis Hotline are from camps that have concerns about lice,” said Sally Dent, owner of Lice Clinics of America – Maryland. “Either they have detected head lice on a camper’s or staffer’s head, or they want help preparing for an infestation should one happen.”
“No one wants head lice to ruin a camp experience,” Dent said. “We’re excited to provide this service and to make camp less stressful for parents, children, and camp leaders.”
Lice Clinics of America – Maryland is the area’s exclusive provider of lice treatment using the revolutionary AirAllé® medical device. It’s an FDA-cleared, Class I medical device clinically proven to kill live lice and more than 99 percent of eggs (nits) using microprocessor-controlled heated air to dehydrate the bugs and eggs. Most treatments take about an hour and are guaranteed to be effective.
“Camps are thrilled to know that any camper with head lice can be lice-free in an hour, guaranteed, and everyone can get back to having fun,” Dent said.
Head lice have become more difficult to treat in recent years as most head lice are now resistant to the pesticides that the most popular lice products use. A 2016 study published in the Journal of Medical Entomology found that 98 percent of head lice in the United States and other countries are now immune to pyrethroids, the pesticides used in most lice products. Additionally, pyrethroids have been linked to behavioral and developmental problems in children.
“Our treatments are fast, safe, and guaranteed to be effective, even against resistant lice,” Dent said. “We never use pesticides or harmful chemicals.”
The Maryland clinic’s summer camp program offers multiple options:
- Pre-screening: Parents can contact the clinic for an appointment to be screened 24-48 hours before the first day of camp. An “all-clear” screening allows the children to skip an on-site screening at camp.
- On-site screening: Campers can be screened at the camp location by a certified Lice Clinics of America technician. Positive screenings will be treated with the AirAllé medical device.
- Do-it-yourself: The Maryland clinic also has several non-toxic treatment options for camps to have on-hand for lice outbreaks, including easy-to-use gels and applicators that facilitate the treatment process. Preventive shampoos, conditioners, and sprays are also available.
With 330 clinics in 35 countries, Lice Clinics of America is the world’s largest network of professional lice treatment centers. The AirAllé medical device has treated more than 1 million cases of head lice around the world with a success rate better than 99 percent.
Camps interested in partnering with Lice Clinics of America – Maryland can learn more by visiting https://liceclinicsofmaryland.com, calling (410) 934-5423 or emailing info@liceclinicsofmaryland.com.