‘I am a pharmacist – mother and father should know the signs of threadworms’
Care’s Expert Pharmacist, Karen Baker stated the commonest infections that enhance when youngsters return to high school are threadworms and chickenpox.
These viruses “easily spread between children in close proximity”, which suggests they’ll additionally unfold inside households.
Baker urged mother and father and carers to pay attention to the indicators and signs of those frequent infections.
“Children should be aware to report any itching to a parent,” stated Baker.
She stated that is very true if the itching is current “round the back passage”.
Baker elaborated: “These are the most common symptoms of threadworms, although other symptoms can be present.”
Threadworms
Threadworms are tiny worms in your poo which resemble white threads.
“The worms usually come out at night while your child is sleeping,” says the NHS.
Aside from excessive itching round personal components, notably at night time, threadworms can result in:
- Weight loss
- Irritated pores and skin across the anus
- Wetting the mattress.
Threadworms can unfold via inconsistent hygiene, Baker stated, which is why kids must be inspired to clean their arms with soapy water after going to the bathroom and earlier than consuming.
“Any bad habits such as thumb sucking, or nail biting, should be discouraged,” Baker added.
“Wearing underwear to bed and washing each morning, with separate towels for each member of the family will stop the eggs being passed on.”
Medicine is accessible at pharmacies to deal with threadworm, and the entire family must be handled, even when they do not have signs.
As for chickenpox, Baker stated the virus presents itself by crimson spots that unfold throughout the physique.
“The spots then fill with liquid which become very itchy,” Baker added.
“It’s important for children to not scratch the spots so as to avoid future scarring.”
Baker stated: “Remember, chickenpox is highly contagious, so keep your children out of school or nursery.”
And mother and father also needs to steer clear of work for no less than 5 days, Baker stated.