Advice

Children’s Health

Welcome to your guide to children’s health
A healthy child is a happy child but inevitably they will get into scrapes and catch all manner of childhood illnesses. Most childhood ailments are perfectly normal but can still cause worry if they’re new to you. Babies are especially prone to catching colds and also have their own little niggles such as teething pain, cradle cap and nappy rash so we’ve given them their own section on pages 14 to 16.
We believe that when it comes to your child’s health, knowledge is power. If we provide you with the information you need to identify possible problems, and the preventative action you can take to help keep your family in optimum health, then you’ll have a lot less to worry about. Although a health debate on the front pages of the newspapers may give you sleepless nights - we’re here to help you be suitably aware and to avoid unnecessary panic.
This guide covers some of the more common illnesses and ailments that your child might suffer from as they grow up. You want your child to be as healthy as possible - and we’re here to help…
If you have any questions, speak to a member of the pharmacy team.
Pain, Fever & Meningitis
Pain
How do I treat my child’s pain?
Whatever may be causing your child’s pain, as a parent you want to make it go away as quickly as possible. You can soothe pain with paracetamol or ibuprofen specially formulated for children (aspirin is not suitable for children under the age of 16). Make sure you go to your GP if you are worried about any pain your child may be suffering from.
Headaches
Try a child-specific painkiller containing ibuprofen or paracetamol. These products can be used with a cooling pad. See your GP if the headache has followed a bang to the head or lasts more than two days.
Fever
What is a fever?
A child may have a fever if their temperature is higher than 38oC.
How can I measure it?
• Using an ear thermometer
• Using forehead strips
N.B. Mercury thermometers are not recommended for children under 5 years old.
How do I treat a fever?
• Paracetamol based medicine is the widely accepted first choice
• Remove outer layers of clothing
• Give plenty of fluids
• Encourage the child to eat
• Let the child rest
• Seek medical advice if the temperature is still high after 24 hours or the child is not drinking fluids.
How can I tell if the illness is serious?
Most childhood illnesses are mild and respond well to a few day’s rest at home and treatment with suitable painkillers. However, if your child has any of the following symptoms, you should take them to see a doctor as soon as you can.
Serious symptoms
• A fever of 40ºC
• A fever of 38ºC lasting more than two days
• Difficulty breathing
• Difficulty waking
• Diarrhoea and vomiting for more than two days (24 hours for a baby)
• Blood-stained vomit or diarrhoea
• Screaming with knees drawn up to the chest
• Pulling at ears
• Sleeping past mealtimes
• Not urinating and not drinking
• Looking floppy and grey, maybe with blue lips
• Displaying signs of meningitis.
Meningitis
Could it be Meningitis?
Meningitis is an extremely serious infection that attacks the brain and spinal cord. It’s particularly concerning because it can develop incredibly fast. It’s important to be aware of the main symptoms, so that if your child shows any such symptoms, you can call your doctor, or dial 999, as soon as possible.
The glass test
There are two types of meningitis. The most common is viral meningitis which is caused by a viral infection. Bacterial meningitis is rare and is caused by a bacterial infection. Bacterial meningitis can cause blood poisoning - which may show up as a rash of tiny red pinpricks that develop into purple blotches. If this rash fails the ‘glass test’ (it doesn’t fade when you roll a glass firmly over the affected area), call 999 immediately. A rash is not the only sign of Meningitis, so if your child has any of the other symptoms listed in the box overleaf, seek medical assistance immediately.
Symptoms of Meningitis may include*
Babies and infants:
• High temperature and fever (possibly with cold hands and feet)
• Vomiting and refusing feeds
• High-pitched moaning or whimpering cry
• Blank staring expression
• Pale, itchy complexion
• Floppiness
• Dislike of being handled
• Fretfulness
• Neck retraction with arching of back
• Convulsions
• Lethargic and difficult to wake
• Tense or bulging fontanelle (soft spot on head).
Older children:
• A constant generalised headache
• Confusion
• High temperature, although hands and feet may be cold
• Drowsiness
• Vomiting
• Stomach pain, sometimes with diarrhoea
• Rapid breathing
• Neck stiffness - moving the chin to the chest will be painful at the back of the neck
• A rash of red or purple spots or bruises (or darker
than normal, in dark skins) that does not fade when you press a glass tumbler or finger on it - this may not be present in the early stages
• Joint or muscle pain
• Sensitivity to bright lights, daylight or even
the television.
Coughs, Colds & Flu
Coughs
Coughs are a common childhood illness and they usually don’t warrant a trip to the doctor. Coughs can often get worse at night when a child is lying in bed, as mucus drains down the throat. A cough mixture can help to clear congestion and/or a vapour rub can help with clear and easy breathing. You should call your GP if your child develops a temperature above 38ºC, has been coughing for more than three weeks or finds it difficult to breathe.
What causes a cough?
Coughing is a protective mechanism which the body uses to clear the airways. Mucus present during a cold will cause coughing in order to clear it.
What are the symptoms?
There are three main types of cough:
• Chesty – this is known as a productive cough, i.e. it will produce phlegm. Treatment should aim to assist the coughing process, rather than suppress it, as the body is attempting to clear unwanted material from the lungs
• Dry – this is unproductive (no phlegm) and can be persistent, causing pain to muscles in the chest and stomach
• Tickly – this is a light but repetitive cough and your child will need a treatment which will give fast and effective relief.
Colds
Many different viruses cause the common cold. In fact there are hundreds of different viruses that change every year which is why people catch colds year after year. Children suffer more than adults, averaging about six colds a year.
What causes a cold?
The common cold is caused by a virus and is spread via droplets when coughing and sneezing. The virus attacks the lining of the nasal passages which then produce cold symptoms.
What are the
symptoms?
The most common symptom of a cold is a blocked or runny nose and a general feeling of being tired and unwell. There may also be a temperature, sore throat, cough or headache.
Flu
How do I know if it’s flu?
Flu is a viral illness which is highly contagious and can affect all ages. It occurs mainly in the winter months and differs from colds in the following ways:
• There will be a rapid onset of fever
• Headache
• Muscle aches and pains
• Dry cough
Allergy
20 million people in the UK are affected by an allergy in some form or another. This is a widespread problem, with the numbers increasing by 5% each year and as many as half of those affected are children (Allergy UK).

The response to allergens is called an allergic reaction. Allergens include:
• Pollen from grass and trees
• House dust mites
• Moulds
• Pets such as cats and dogs
• Venom in insects like wasps and bees
• Household chemicals
• Medicines
• Foods such as nuts, milk and eggs.
Allergies
What are the symptoms?
The body’s immune system tries to identify the allergen by releasing chemicals which can create some of the following symptoms:
• Sore, red, itchy and watery eyes
• Frequent sneezing
• Blocked or runny nose
• Itching of the roof of the mouth
• Coughing
• Wheezing and breathing problems
• Itchy or inflamed skin or a rash
• Headaches.
How do I treat my child’s allergy?
If your child is frequently sneezing and wiping their nose, then it’s possible that they may have an allergy to something. Thankfully there are treatments available which are suitable for children.
Baby
Babies have their own little niggles such as teething pain, cradle cap and nappy rash, all of which can cause them discomfort.
Teething
Some babies cut their teeth with barely a murmur while others really let you know about it! You can usually spot teething problems by the appearance of flushed cheeks, the non-stop dribbling and general irritability. If your baby is having a hard time of it, try using a cooled teething ring or dab on some pain-relieving gel or granules.
Colic
About one in five babies get colic. This is a kind of abdominal pain possibly associated with trapped wind, which seems to occur at the same time every day. It can be very stressful for both you and your baby so it’s important to try to stay calm. Ask your pharmacist for a colic remedy - there are several available.
Cradle cap
Cradle cap is characterised by scaly, crusty patches on your baby’s scalp and is most commonly found in newborns. No one is quite sure why this happens but it can be alleviated by massaging a little olive oil onto your baby’s head and shampooing off. Alternatively, there are treatments available which can help. Cradle cap isn’t painful and probably won’t come back after it has cleared up.
Nappy rash
Nappy rash is sore, red (or sometimes yellow) spots around a baby’s bottom and groin which are caused by irritation from a wet nappy. Occasionally a fungal or bacterial infection can be responsible for a bout of nappy rash. To treat or prevent nappy rash, make sure you use a barrier cream every time you change your baby’s nappy and ensure you change them frequently.
Eczema & Skin Problems
What is eczema and dermatitis?
Caring for your child’s skin is vital, especially if they’re in the one in five children prone to eczema or dry skin. Red, dry, cracked or scaly skin, often found on hands or in skin creases, could be eczema or dermatitis. Common causes include use of soaps, dry winter air and allergies to pet hair and dust mites. Eczema can also be hereditary. It is important to moisturise with emollients and put socks or scratch mitts on your child’s hands at night to stop them scratching. In 60-70% of cases, eczema will clear up as your child gets older.
Oilatum Junior Bath
Oilatum Junior Bath is specially formulated to treat childhood eczema. It soothes itching and irritation, re-hydrates the skin, and helps protect against further drying. It is fragrance-free, and cleanses without soap, dispersing in the bath water (unlike ordinary bath oils which can form a film on the surface) to give an inviting, milky bath. The Oilatum Junior range of bath additives and emollient lotions are dermatologist and paediatrician approved.
Always read the label.
Ringworm
What is ringworm?
Ringworm is a fungal infection of the skin which can be caught from direct skinto- skin contact with an infected person or from an infected animal. Cats, dogs and hamsters are the most common pets to get ringworm, so children who come into close contact with these animals are more at risk.
What are the symptoms?
Ringworm usually appears as circular or oval shaped, itchy red patches on the skin. Athlete’s foot is also a form of ringworm.
How do I treat ringworm?
Ask your pharmacist for an antifungal cream or shampoo and keep skin clean and dry. You will usually have to continue to use the treatment for two weeks after the condition has cleared up. Speak to your pharmacist or vet regarding treatment for your pet.
Warts and Verrucae
If you find a small, round, rough, skin coloured growth on your child’s hands or feet it is most likely to be a wart or verucca. These are caused by a virus and very often will clear up on their own. If not, you can use a wart or verucca remover to speed up the process. These can be obtained from your pharmacy team.
Bites and Stings
Bites and stings look like red, swollen lumps on the body and are often hot to the touch. The causes are obvious - stinging insects like wasps and bees, but may also be caused by nettles in the garden. Cool the area with an ice pack and use an appropriate bite and sting cream - ask your pharmacist for the most suitable treatment for your child. If there is swelling around the mouth or lips, seek medical help.
Bedwetting
Bedwetting is far more common than you may think, which may be hard for you to believe when you have been up during the night changing your child’s sheets. Some facts • Nearly 10% of all 4-15 year olds wet the bed at some stage • Approximately 2% of children aged 15 years continue to wet the bed
• 70% of affected children wet the bed twice a week or more
• 70% of children overcome bedwetting before they are 7 years old
• 60% of cases can be attributed to children under the age of 8 years
• Bedwetting is more common with boys
than girls
• Bedwetting is sometimes genetic.
Always be optimistic and reassure your child that they are not alone - your confidence will help your child’s confidence too. At school there will be plenty of other children going through the same thing. What your child needs more than anything else is support, confidence and the realisation that they’re not alone.
Head Lice & Other Nasties
Head Lice
What are head lice?
Head lice are tiny, brown insects that like to live in your child’s hair. They are not much bigger than a pin head, and rarely bigger than a sesame seed. The eggs are called nits. Head lice cannot jump or fly, but they can crawl from one head to another.
What are the symptoms?
If your child has head lice, they may be scratching behind the ears and at the nape of the neck.
How do I treat head lice?
Detection combing
• Wash the hair, rinse and condition well
• Comb with a normal comb before switching to a detection comb
• Slot the teeth of the detection comb into the hair at the roots and draw through to the tips
of the hair
• Repeat in all directions until all the hair is combed
• Check the comb for lice after each stroke – clean with a tissue or rinse under the tap
• After the whole head has been combed – rinse out the conditioner
• Repeat the process to ensure no lice were missed
• Keep wet combing your child’s hair every four days, for at least two weeks
• Check the whole family and tell other parents. Lotions
• You should only treat your child using a lotion if you have found a living, moving louse
• Your pharmacist will be able to advise on which treatment will be most effective for your child
• Inspect hair 24 hours after treatment – if you find lice, then you will need to repeat the treatment
• After treatment, you should continue to follow the detection combing advice above for at least two weeks, as lotions may not always kill the eggs.
Scabies
What are scabies?
Scabies are tiny mites that burrow under the top layer of your skin and lay eggs. These eggs then hatch into more scabies. Symptoms include intensely itchy red bumps, often between fingers or toes, or behind the knees which may get worse at night. Your pharmacist or GP should be able to confirm if you have scabies.
What are the symptoms?
Itchy hands will normally be the first symptom you will notice, followed by itchiness in other parts of the body. There will usually be a rash and you may be able to see the burrows of the mites on the skin surface.
Threadworms
What are threadworms?
Threadworms (or pinworms) are common - even if no one admits to having them! They make a home in the intestines and wriggle out of the bottom at night to lay their eggs.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms include a very itchy bottom, especially at night. This may be associated with a loss of appetite and disturbed sleep.
How do I treat threadworms?
• Ask your pharmacist for an appropriate worm treatment
• Depending on which treatment your child takes, they may need to take a second dose a fortnight later
• It is important to treat the whole family at the same time to prevent re-infection
• Keep hands and nails scrupulously clean and keep the nails short
• Make sure your children wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet
• Wear pants in bed and have a shower in the morning.
Fish Oils, Vitamins & Minerals
Some kids can be fussy eaters, so here’s how to ensure they get the nutritional help they need. Vitamins and minerals are the key to building strong, healthy bodies. Research was conducted on the diets of more than 2,000 children all around the country to discover if they were getting enough essential nutrients.
The results of the study are concerning and
show that:*
• more than 90% of 11 to 18 year old girls consume less iron than recommended which can lead to anaemia
• around half of all children are not getting the recommended amount of vitamin A which is important for vision, bone growth and fighting off infections
• most children only eat half the recommended five portions of fruit and vegetables a day
• older children do not get enough calcium in their diet, which could lead to problems with their
bones and teeth in later life.
How do I ensure my child gets the nutrients they need?
If your child is a fussy eater or has a restricted diet for any other reason, a daily multivitamin is a great way to help them get the vitamins they need. You can choose from vitamin drops (just add to food or drinks for babies and young children) or flavoured pastilles, liquids or tablets (for older children).
I’ve heard fish oils are good, what do they do?
Fish oils contain special fats known as omega-3s. These play an important part in helping to develop, build and maintain your child’s brain and eyes and can only be obtained from their diet. Experts recommend that your child eats food rich in omega-3s at least once a week. You can find omega-3 oils in salmon, trout, mackerel, sardines, pilchards, herring, kippers, eel, whitebait and fresh tuna. But if your child doesn’t like the taste of fish, or doesn’t eat enough, you might want to consider a supplement.