MINOR AILMENTS


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.


If the child is feverish, suggest to the parents that they sponge them down with cool water.


Ringworm is a fungal infection of the skin that can affect different parts of the body. A child with ringworm will have roughly circular, scaly rashes on various parts of their body. Some may have blisters, while others will have pus-fi lled spots. On the scalp, small bumps may spread out to create 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.


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.


THE METANIUM RANGE IS HERE TO HELP


The Metanium range now includes Metanium Everyday Easy Spray Barrier Lotion and Metanium Everyday Barrier Ointment to help prevent nappy rash; and Metanium Nappy Rash Ointment which is specifi cally licensed to treat nappy rash.


For the fourth year running, Metanium has won the mumsnet Best award. The mumsnet logo features on all Metanium ads and promotional activities to give parents additional confi dence when selecting a nappy rash treatment or prevention product.


2017 promotional plans for the Metanium range include extensive sampling, print and digital advertising with major parenting titles, an ongoing partnership and promotions with leading baby websites, as well as regular reader offers and competitions.


Thornton & Ross, Linthwaite, Huddersfi eld HD7 5QH / 01484 842217 / www.metanium.co.uk


Product


Metanium Everyday Barrier Ointment 40g


Metanium Everyday Barrier Ointment 80g


Metanium Everyday Easy Spray Barrier Lotion 60ml


Metanium Nappy Rash Ointment 30g


Outer Trade price


6 6 6 6 RRP


Product code


£18.42 £5.49 Status £10-92 £3-25 019143 MD 019151 MD £18-42 £5-49 019046 MD £13-46 £3-99 019011 GSL


‘The pharmacist has no obligation to provide branded medication such as Calpol. If there is a cheaper generic version available that is known to be equally effective, it is likely that will be provided instead.’


Nevertheless, MAS provides many parents throughout Scotland with necessary medication free of charge.


SCOTTISH PHARMACIST - 45


Although unpleasant to look at, worms or threadworms are usually 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 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.


MINOR AILMENT SERVICE


Children under 16 years of age are, of course, eligible for the NHS Minor Ailment Service (MAS).


Many of the illnesses and conditions that are mentioned above, which are often specifi c to children are covered by MAS. These include: headache, head lice, cold sores, nasal congestion, cough, pain, earache, eczema, sore throat and threadworms.


As a pharmacist you will, of course, understand that the scheme is designed to offer medication to meet an acute need. as NHS UK points out on its website, ‘It is not an opportunity for parents to stock up on free children’s medications – if a pharmacist thinks someone is trying to abuse the system, they can refuse any request for treatment at their discretion.


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