Lice check

[bethanybee]

I am the only RN at a camp for 9-12th graders and this is my first time at camp. It's a two week camp. Are they all required to come through and see me and if so do I check them all for lice?

[Alex Egan, LPN, EMT-B]

Well i personally would try and and avoid it. For a few reasons. First, lice is not a medical problem. They don't harm in any way or present a public health concern. Second, this falls into the category of information I now have to do something with. Now that I know they have lice, I have to treat it. Do you have a lice treatment plan, or are you gonna turf them home? Either way I would bet money that someone's unhappy about whatever your next step is, probably everybody actually. Third, if your gonna check it should really be the first day of camp, the same day your doing intake and trying to get the medications in some form of order. Simple prioritizing says that meds and overall health checks should be where you place your valuable time. Fourth, dry, un aided head checks are a statistical waste of time.

Read more here. https://allnurses.com/camp-nursing/lice-everything-you-983887.html

the only reason my camp screens and treats is because we keep them for seven weeks in a row. If we let it run wild it would get out of control. For a two week camp, I would say ignorance is bliss. If they came with it they left with it. If they got it here, well that's life, or whatever classy line the schools are using to get out of lice duty these days. (And most schools are completely out of the lice game, they don't check, treat, or exclude)

good luck, be sure to let us know how your summer went. If you want to get in touch or read more about camp nursing please check my website. Just click on my name and then on the round green home button.

[Oma to 11]

Great response. I agree, lice are not a medical problem. If the camp does not require that you check, I would avoid it. Hope you have a wonderful experience!