CHILD HEALTH


indicated by a child scratching their bottom at night. Suggest that the parents look for tiny white ‘threads’ in their child’s stools or on their bottom at night. If worms are present, the nursery or school should be informed and the whole family needs to be treated at once, even if they don’t have any symptoms. That’s because the risk of the infection spreading is very high. Threadworm treatment is targeted at getting rid of the threadworms and preventing reinfection, and usually involves a combination of medication to kill the worms and strict hygiene measures to stop the spread of the eggs. The principal medication used to treat threadworms - mebendazole - is available OTC from the pharmacy but, if the child is under two years of age, you should advise the parents to visit the GP as the recommended treatment usually isn’t the same for this age group as that recommended for other people. •


PAIN RELIEF HEDRIN LAUNCHES


STUBBORN EGG LOOSENING


LOTION The UK’s number one head lice brand, Hedrin, has launched a Stubborn Egg Loosening Lotion, to


complement its existing innovative range of head lice products.


The unique gel base in Hedrin Stubborn Egg Loosening Lotion carries lubricant oil that releases the chemical bond between the egg and the hair, allowing the egg to slide off easily. Removal is a mechanical process which is simply completed with a comb. Testing has confi rmed that it is 10 times more effective than combing alone[i]


to hair treated with a conditioning shampoo.


THE STUBBORN EGG RANGE This new fi nishing product is available in:


• A Stubborn Egg Removal Kit which includes the Lotion (50g) & Removal Comb


• Stubborn Egg Loosening Lotion (50g)


The Stubborn Egg Loosening Lotion is easy to use. Simply shampoo out any head lice treatment and apply the lotion to the surface of wet or dry hair. Leave the lotion in for 10 minutes and then comb through a section at a time, sliding a fi ne toothed nit removal comb from root to tip. Shampoo out after use.


FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT WWW.HEDRIN.CO.UK OR CONTACT THORNTON & ROSS ON 01484 842217.


24 - PHARMACY IN FOCUS


bald spots. Advise parents to throw out brushes and combs and to ensure that the affected child uses a different towel from other family members. OTC anti-fungal preparations are available, but, if the ringworm is severe, or if it persists for a period of time, suggest that a visit to the GP may be necessary for further assessment.


, both from dry hair and when compared


SCARLET FEVER is a red rash which starts on a child’s chest and neck and spreads to the whole body, except for their mouth. They will also have a very sore throat and a furry red tongue. The child should be given cool drinks and their food should be puréed. An antibiotic may be prescribed by a GP and this must be taken for 24 hours before a child returns to nursery or school.


STREP THROAT/TONSILITIS is caused by the Streptococcus A bacteria and causes a child to have a very sore throat, high fever and swollen neck glands. As with scarlet fever, cool drinks and puréed foods should be advised. A simple throat swab will reveal whether or not treatment is required and a GP may prescribe an antibiotic, which must be taken for 24 hours prior to the child returning to crèche or school.


Although unpleasant to look at, worms or threadworms are usually


FOR CHILDREN Parents often worry about giving their children painkillers, but with sensible advice and reassurance from the pharmacist, the correct use of analgesic medicines will relieve pain in most children.


For mild pain in children aged under three months, paracetamol should be offered. Children aged over three months can, however, be offered both paracetamol and ibuprofen.


Parents should be advised that medication should be given regularly for persistent pain, rather than on an ‘as required basis’. Analgesics should, therefore, be given at regular intervals, with the addition of extra doses for intermittent and breakthrough pain.


Where pain is associated with fever (especially in children over the age of fi ve), dental pain and for control of pain in long-term infl ammatory conditions, non- steroidal anti-infl ammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen are recommended.


Aspirin should always be avoided in children under the age of 16 due to the risk of Reye’s syndrome, a very rare condition that can cause serious liver and brain damage.


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