Tips to keep your little ones healthy (and at school)

News - 9 September 2019

With the schools opening up again for the new academic years the NHS have released a toolkit for parents to help keep your little snappers healthy, and in school.
Two boys together, smiling at the camera

Common health issues

Heading back to school, your little one may encounter sticky eyes, tummy bugs or the type of insects that like being on your head. Here is what to do if your child gets any of these common health issues.

Head lice

Head lice, also known as nits, are tiny insects that live in hair. They are quite common, especially in schools.  

You can tell in someone has Head lice by finding egg or live lice. You can check this for yourself by combing their hair with a special detection comb, which you can get from your local pharmacy. They are mostly harmless, but they can be irritating and live in hair for a long time.

NHS England say you don’t need to see your GP. Your pharmacist will be able to advise treatments or you can remove them.

 

Upset tummy

A tummy ache, including stomach cramps or abdominal pain, doesn’t usually last long and isn’t usually caused by anything serious.

If you need advice on your child’s upset tummy, have a chat with your pharmacist and they can help suggest any medication which may be required, like oral rehydration.

If your little one has Diarrhoea, in most instances it will clear up after a few days without treatment, and you may not need to take them to the Doctors. Diarrhoea can make you dehydrated so make sure they drink plenty of fluids – frequent small sips of water – until it passes.

Child rubbing their eyes

Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis happens when there is an infection. You can spot this because they may be:

  • Bloodshot
  • burn or feel gritty
  • produce pus that sticks to lashes
  • itch
  • water

Fortunately, treatment isn’t always needed because the symptoms usually disappear within a couple of weeks. To make sure it doesn’t spread, wash your hands regularly and don’t share pillows or towel. Public Health England advises that children don’t need to stay away from school if they have conjunctivitis, unless they are feeling quite unwell.

 

Threadworm

Threadworms, also known as pinworms, are little parasitic worms that spread to the large intestine of humans. They are quite common in children under the age of 10. The signs of Threadworms are:

  • extreme itching around the anus or vagina, particularly at night
  • irritability and waking up during the night

If you think you or your child might have Threadworms, you can usually treat the infection yourself with remedies available at pharmacies without a prescription. However, pregnant women must not buy medication from a pharmacy. They should speak to their GP or call NHS 111.

Does your child have Asthma?

NHS England recommends you make sure your child has an inhaler, knows where it is, and knows how and when to use it.

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If you would like to download this useful advice like other families in Kent have, you can download a copy here.  

All this information and more can be found here:  https://www.southkentcoastccg.nhs.uk/your-health/back-to-school/