Category Archives: News

What is Impetigo?

Impetigo also known as school sores is a bacterial infection of the skin.

Facts:

Caused by the Staphylococcus or Streptococcus organism, or both. These organisms are harmless and can be found in the nose and on the skin surface. Commonly affects children between the age of 2 and 6, hence the name ‘school sores’.

Incubation period: 

1-3 days after the person is infected and the child will remain infectious until the lesions are no longer weeping fluid.

Treatment

Prescription antibiotic cream or ointment.

Antibiotic syrup or tablet forms may also be prescribed.

If left untreated may cause skin abscesses.

The infected child should NOT attend care or school until they have received 24-hours of antibiotic coverage.

Cover the sores with a waterproof dressing and bandage with a crepe. 

What to look out for?

The child’s skin will be itchy and red. Blisters will develop around the mouth and nose. A weepy yellow, sticky discharge will be present when the blisters pop. The affected area will appear wet-looking and develop a crust. The scabs will eventually dry and fall off. It takes a few days for the skin to heal.

With severe impetigo the child will feel generally unwell, may have a fever and swollen glands.

How do you catch impetigo?

Spread via direct contact with the lesions. Contact with the mucous from the throat or nose.

Scratching the infected area and then touching another area of the body is another mode of transfer.

 

Key Points

Keep the infected person away from young babies, the immaturity of their immunity may not be able to handle the bacterial infection.

Practice good personal hygiene, encourage your child to do the same.

Cover sores where possible.

Keep child away from care / school until 24-hrs post starting antibiotic treatment.

See your doctor if the sores are not healing despite treatment or you are concerned for any reason.

 

Head Injury

Bound to be bumps, bangs and knocks along the way. Remember if your baby/child has ANY loss of consciousness, they MUST be seen by a medical professional. If the child has a MILD head injury it is ok to let them sleep, remembering, ANY changes or concerns with your child, you will be straight off to the nearest medical centre or emergency department. Don’t be afraid to call 000 and seek their expert advice. 

 

Fractures

Hard to escape when it comes to children… Snow trips, skate parks, play centres and endless curiosity and an abundance of no fear! 

When in doubt, treat as a fracture. Immobilise and support the injured limb straight away. Elevate and get that little limb up, think outside the box and use whatever you can. Time to pull out the  cold pack, this will assist with pain and swelling. Reach for your medicine cabinet and give pain relief. Hold off from giving your child any food or fluids at this stage, incase they require surgery. Off to the doctor, a X-ray is required. 

 

Gastroenteritis

Unfortunately if your child is hit with this highly contagious bug, they are out of bounds from socialising until 48-hours free from vomiting or diarrhoea. With gastroenteritis,  it is really important that you are on the look out for dehydration. Ensure your child has plenty of fluids and instead of reaching for the cordials and flat lemonade, reach for an oral rehydration solution.  Hydralyte  which is scientifically formulated and safe for bubs under 12-months, contains the correct balance of electrolytes and glucose required for rapid rehydration. 

 

Seizure

Managing a seizure in a car seat, pram or stroller: It’s ok to leave the child seated in the device as long as they are secure and safely strapped in. You may need to gently support their head and as soon as the jerking stops, the unconscious child should be taken out of the device and placed in the recovery position. Do you know the Kidzaid DRSABCD 7-step action plan?

 

Poisons

Being in new surrounds and unfamiliar territory, poisons pose a big risk for curious little bodies. Please see our POISONS info guide. Treatment and management is ever changing, so it’s essential you familiarise yourself with the current recommendations from the Poisons Information Centre. Add this contact number now: 13 11 26.

Swallowed (ingested) foreign objects

If your child swallows a lithium battery or magnet this is a medical emergency and requires prompt intervention. Call 000. 

Bronchiolitis, Croup and Pneumonia

What you need to look out for and when to seek urgent medical assistance: 

• Increased breathing rate, indicating your child is not getting enough oxygen.
• Colour changes, your child may appear to have a bluish tinge to their lips, mouth and fingernails, again indicative of lack of oxygen. The skin can also appear gray or pale.
• Noisy breathing – Grunting may be heard when your child exhales. It’s the body’s attempt to try and keep air in the lungs.
• Nasal-flaring – Nostrils flaring in paediatrics is indicating the child is working very hard at breathing. 
• Retractions / recession – ribs ‘sucking in’ when they are breathing is another way of trying to bring more air into their lungs.
• Wheezing (whistling, musical sounds) – is indicating that your child’s air passages are becoming narrower and smaller.
• Tripod position – child will adopt this position to try and draw in as much air as possible to their lungs. 
• Observing your child’s behaviour and the level of consciousness is important.
• Respiratory distress image – view here.

What is conjunctivitis? 

Very common eye infection. 

‘Itis’ on the end indicates an inflammation of the conjunctiva (the clear membrane covering the white of the eye and inner surface of the eyelids).

Why does it happen?

Often caused by an infection (virus or bacteria) and highly contagious.

Or as a result of an allergic reaction (not contagious).

How does my child catch this eye infection?

As long as the child has discharge from their eye, they are contagious.

It’s easily spread through touch;  so sneezing, coughing, contaminated fingers or objects such as toys.

Signs & Symptoms:

Symptoms usually develop within 24 to 72 hours of becoming infected and can last for two days to three weeks.

• Puffy / swelling of the eye/s.
• Redness behind the eyelid, spreading up to the white of the eye.
• Discharge from the eye/s, often dries when the child sleeps and crusting will often form around the eyelids.
• Excessive tears.
• Dislike of bright lights.

Viral Conjunctivitis: 

• Red, itchy eye with discharge. Can involve one or both eyes.

Bacterial Conjunctivitis:

• Pus present, generally both eyes are infected.

Allergy

• Itchy, watery eyes, including signs of hay fever (itchy nose and sneezing).

How do I manage my child’s conjunctivitis?

Viral – Soak cotton balls in warm water and gently cleanse the infected eye/s.  Always clean in one direction, single use only and discard each cotton ball to prevent recontamination. 

CAUTION: Cleaning inside the eyelids may cause damage to the conjunctiva. 

Bacterial- Your child’s doctor may prescribe an antibiotic drop / ointment such as Chlorsig. Read instructions and apply to both eyes if necessary.

Allergic – Antihistamines may be needed to treat allergic conjunctivitis, consult your pharmacist. 

When should I seek help?

If your child complains of the following:

• Pain to the eye/s.
• Visual disturbances.
• The inflammation e.g.: swelling, tenderness and redness doesn’t improve.
• Your child has a fever and is generally unwell or you are concerned.