CHILDHOOD ILLNESSES
> the symptoms is really all that can be done. Sore throats and a temperature can be treated with paracetamol and there's a variety of oTC medicines available. If the child's nose is sore from blowing into tissues, suggest that Vaseline is smeared on it to bring the child some relief. A humidifier may also help.
Mumps are an infectious disease that's caused by a virus. There's no specific medical treatment for mumps but, fortunately, they're less common now thanks to the MMr vaccination, which is given to most children between twelve and fifteen months, but some parents choose not to let their children have the vaccination, which can put them at risk of mumps, measles and rubella.
If a child does get mumps, their neck will be swollen and tender and they may have a fever. They may also experience pain when swallowing and so should be given soft, puréed food and plenty to drink. 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-filled 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.
40 - PhArMACy In foCUS
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 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 five), dental pain and for control of pain in long-term inflammatory conditions, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory 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.
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 specifically 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 confidence 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, huddersfield hD7 5Qh / 01484 842217 /
www.metanium.co.uk
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56
