-- Mary Elizabeth Dallas
SATURDAY, June 8 (HealthDay News) -- Regular hand washing and
proper hygiene are essential to avoiding common summer-camp health
issues such as lice, pinworm and bathing-suit dermatitis, according
to a former summer camp physician.
Dr. Alfred Scott Lea, now a professor of infectious disease at
the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, said making
sure cuts and abrasions are clean is particularly important around
lakes and rivers, where bacteria can cause potentially dangerous
"Some of what kids encounter at camp and that parents must endure -- from colds and viruses to broken bones -- is often just part of being a kid," Lea said in a university news release. "But parents can take steps to help make their child's summer as healthy and painless as possible. A little prep work, such as packing the right essentials and communicating with the camp nurse, can go a long way toward avoiding the most common problems."
Lea suggested other ways to prepare children for potential
health hazards, including:
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers more
health and safety tips.
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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