Found Lice Before Camp? Here's What to Do
Don't panic — lice are completely treatable. Follow this clear plan and your child can still go to camp safely and lice-free.
Take a Deep Breath — Then Follow These Steps
Lice are a very common part of childhood. There is no right or wrong way to treat head lice — there are just easier and harder ways. The key is manual removal of every louse and every nit. That is what breaks the cycle.
Confirm What You Found
Nits are glued tightly to the hair shaft — they will not slide off. They are usually dark brown to yellowish. Empty shells can look lighter.
- Dandruff is white and slides easily
- Comb carefully and wipe the comb on a white paper towel
- Use the paper towel to clearly see what comes out
Treat
The key is getting every bug and every egg off the head. That is what actually breaks the cycle.
Check All Household Members
Lice have nothing to do with the home — they need blood to survive. Focus on who, not where. Properly check everyone in the household with a good lice comb.
- Lice do not usually spread right away
- They often spread more in the third or fourth week
- Checking everyone helps prevent passing it back and forth
Do Simple Home Steps
You do not need to deep clean the house. Keep the home steps simple and focus on items used recently.
- Wash bedding and bath towels, then dry on high heat
- Water temperature does not matter as much as the dryer's high heat
- Place recently used brushes, combs, and hair accessories in a resealable bag and freeze overnight
- Vacuum your child's favorite chair or regular sitting spot
Talk to Your Inner Circle
If your child has lice, they got it from someone — not somewhere. It is likely more than one person in that friend group has it.
Notify the Camp
Contact the camp the same day and let them know you found lice and treated it. This helps the camp be extra careful at check-in and helps stop anything from spreading to other campers if anything was left behind.
After complete treatment and a clear head check, your child can usually still attend camp. Always confirm the camp's specific policy.
Need Help Right Now?
Call Pete the Lice Guy directly. We can walk you through it over the phone and help you decide the best next step.
Call 859-414-6487What Matters Most
Remove every louse and every nit. That is what breaks the cycle and helps your child arrive at camp safely.
Quick Reference
- Nits are glued to the hair shaft
- Dandruff is white and slides easily
- Wipe the comb on a white paper towel
- Check everyone in the household
- No deep cleaning is needed
- Notify the camp the same day
- Follow up in 5 to 7 days
Follow-Up Process
Always do a follow-up check in 5 to 7 days. This catches anything you might have missed the first time.
After complete treatment and a clear head check, your child can usually still attend camp.
Let the camp know what happened and ask if they have any specific check-in or clearance policy.
Do not skip the 5 to 7 day follow-up check. It is the best way to catch anything that may have been missed.
If you are unsure what you are seeing, call Pete at 859-414-6487 for help.