What to Do When the Kids Bring Home a Bug October 10, 2024 It’s back-to-school time and with it comes excitement, nervousness – and classrooms full of germs and an insect or two. Here’s how to handle what your kids may bring home from school. Head Lice Lice is a common occurrence in children ages 3 to 11 – a result of children playing head to head as they naturally do. The insects crawl from one head to another, laying eggs (also called nits) near the scalp. This causes excessive itching, difficulty sleeping and sores on the scalp from scratching. Head lice can spread to an entire classroom and to children’s families. “While having head lice is very uncomfortable, lice are not dangerous and do not carry disease,” said Pediatrician James Pash, DO, of Mid-Valley Children’s Clinic. “Fortunately, you can remove them.” To treat, use an over-the-counter medication that contains pediculicide and includes a nit comb. “In most cases, the medicine you buy at the store works fine. Apply it to your child’s hair and use the nit comb to comb out the eggs, which attach with claws to hair shafts. You may need more than one treatment and you may need to treat family members too,” explained Dr. Pash. Once a louse comes off a head, it eventually dies, but you’ll want to launder the child’s bedding, hats and scarves, and vacuum the house and furniture to remove dead lice. Ringworm Ringworm is a common fungus that lives on household surfaces, clothing, bedding and towels, causing a red, itchy skin infection which often creates a circular rash. The fungus also causes what are commonly called athlete’s foot and jock itch. “Ringworm looks like a red, scaly rash and can occur on feet, the groin area and inner thighs, as well as scalp, hands, arms, legs and nails. Not all forms of ringworm can be treated with over-the-counter medication, so talk with a medical professional about how best to treat your child’s symptoms,” Dr. Pash said. As a precaution, urge your child to avoid walking barefoot in locker rooms or public showers, and avoid sharing hairbrushes, clothing and towels with friends. You can also get ringworm from an infected family pet, so make sure your animals are treated by veterinarians and that you thoroughly wash your hands after contact with an infected animal. Colds, Flu & Disease Germs of all kinds, from the common cold to more serious diseases, can spread easily in group settings. Washing hands thoroughly and frequently with soap helps prevent illness. Staying home when sick is also important. Vaccinations can prevent diseases like measles, tetanus, rubella, pertussis (whooping cough) and others. Oregon schools, preschools and most daycare centers require children to be vaccinated against 11 diseases. While it’s possible to get a nonmedical exemption from the shots, health care professionals don’t recommend it. “Many of these diseases cannot be treated with antibiotics and can have lifelong health consequences to the child,” Dr. Pash said. “Shots not only protect your child from these diseases but can also prevent the spread of those diseases to others.” If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s health, contact your health care professional. James Pash, DO, serves patients at Mid-Valley Children’s Clinic. To reach him, call 541-812-5111.
