Keeping your little one healthy is a challenge that every parent faces. While your child is younger it can be easier to protect him, but when he heads off to school he’s likely to pick up an increasing number of bugs.

You can’t wrap your child up in cotton wool, but there are certain precautions you can take to prevent him from picking up every single bug going! Here’s gurgle’s guide to the symptoms, treatments and methods of prevention against some of the most commonly caught illnesses by babies and toddlers.

Nits (Head Lice)

What are they?

Though annoying, these tiny bugs are not dangerous and do not spread disease. Lice can spread from person to person by contact with hair, clothing, hairbrushes and through other hair accessories. Their bites can cause your child’s scalp to become itchy and inflamed and persistent scratching may lead to skin irritation or possibly infection. These hard-to-see parasites can be commonly found at the base of the scalp where they attach light grey or white oval eggs to the hair.

Treatment

If you suspect your little one has nits the best thing to do first is call your GP. They will most likely recommend a fast acting shampoo to take care of the problem. Over-the-counter remedies such as a permethrin cream rinse can help. After shampooing use a fine-toothed comb to remove dead eggs from your child’s hair. It may also be a good idea to use the shampoo to clean all combs, hairbrushes, hats and any other headwear.

Prevention

Try to discourage your child from sharing hats, combs, hair bands  and other items placed on the head.

Ringworm

What is it?

Ringworm is a fungal infection that can be both highly contagious and incredibly itchy. It can form a scaly, red or grey ring-like shape with a clear oval centre.

Treatment

If your child gets ringworm, consult your GP. He will most likely prescribe an anti-fungal cream. However, an oral medication will be prescribed if the ringworm is on your child’s scalp. Whenever your child touches the affected area, make sure he washes his hands with anti-bacterial soap immediately. If you apply the medication for him, make sure to wash your hands immediately afterwards as well. Ringworm is highly contagious and spreads through direct contact.

Prevention

It can be tricky to prevent your child getting ringworm. The best that you can do is to advise your child to wash his hands often.

Flu

What is it?

The flu can include a range of symptoms, including a fever of 38.3 degrees Celsius/101 degrees Fahrenheit or above, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, dry cough, and/or runny nose. If your child is more irritable than usual, with a poor appetite, sore throat and swollen glands, these could be additional signs. Abdominal pain, diarrheoa, and vomiting can be brought out by the flu as well. These symptoms can be very similar to that of a cold in children, but if the flu is going around your child’s nursery or school it is best to get it checked out.

Treatment

The best way to make your toddler feel better is with bed rest and plenty of fluids. If your child has a lack of appetite try using frozen fruit bars to get him to consume extra liquids. You might also find that a child's pain reliever helps to soothe muscle aches and fever, but you must always consult a GP or pharmacist before giving your child any medicine.

Prevention

Getting your child to eat well, rest enough, exercise often, and practice good hygiene could help prevent against the flu. You could also talk to your GP about a variety of vaccines available to fight against it.

Cold

What is it?

Determining that your child has a cold and not some other virus can be tricky. But if your little one has a cough, congestion, low-grade fever and a runny nose it may indeed be a cold.

Treatment

Making sure your child gets plenty of rest and liquids is the best treatment for a cold. Using a humidifier or a cool-mist vapourizer will help your little one breathe more easily at night and you could also try elevating his head.

Prevention

It would be impossible to prevent every cold, but there are a few daily habits that could help to protect your child. Try to keep your little one well hydrated, offer a selection of healthy foods, and put him to bed at a sensible time in the evenings to increase his likelihood of having a good night’s sleep. Otherwise, emphasising good hygiene, washing of hands, and trying to keep your child away from other sick children are your best bets of beating a cold.

Ear Infection

What is it?

If your little one is saying his ear hurts and he’s more cranky than usual, it may be the first signs of an ear infection. Other symptoms include a reduced appetite, a change in sleep habits, diarrhoea or vomiting, a yellow or whitish fluid draining from the ear, and an unpleasant smell coming from the ear. Your child might also have an ear infection if he’s having trouble hearing quiet sounds.

Treatment

A trip to the doctor will determine the severity of your child’s ear infection and they will prescribe antibiotics if necessary.  Otherwise a 48 to 72 hour waiting period may be suggested to see if your toddler’s condition improves. Consult your GP before giving your child medicine. You could also try putting a warm compress against his ear and he may find ear drops soothing.

Prevention

Though ear infections are not contagious, the respiratory infections that your child will often get first are. Therefore be sure to emphasise the importance of washing hands to your toddler. Keep tobacco smoke away from your child as it also raises his chances of getting an ear infection. If  you find ear infections are a common occurrence for your young one and they have had the flu, it might be a good idea to talk to his doctor about getting an annual flu shot.

The information in this feature is intended for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your health, the health of your child or the health of someone you know, please consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional.

Last Modified: 27/11/2008