Some tips on looking after the young ones as they start the new school term
Going back to school after the summer holidays can be a time of change for everybody in the family, and kids may need extra support. To provide the proper nutrition, the HSE advises that it is important to know about different units of measurement.
Common measurements can be broken down as follows:
- Milligrams: A milligram is one-thousandth of a gram and is usually written as mg.
- Micrograms: A microgram is one-millionth of a gram and is usually written as μg or mcg — 1,000 micrograms is equal to 1 milligram.
- International Units: These are usually written as IU and are sometimes used to measure vitamins A, D and E. The conversion of milligrams (mg) and micrograms (μg) into IU depends on the type of vitamin.
It is also advisable to know what each vitamin does, and to be aware of the dangers of taking too many. For example, liver is not recommended for babies under 12 months of age because it contains too much vitamin A for them.
According to Bord Bia, six out of 10 primary school children do not get enough fibre in their diets. In addition, it has been shown that one-third of primary school children do not get enough iron in their diets. Iron is vital for brain development and is especially important during times of growth. Iron in lean red meat is up to seven times more easily absorbed than from most other foods, so it is recommended that children should eat meat three-to-four times a week.
A report published in 2020 by Trinity College Dublin found that there is a lack of adequate nutritional intake among Irish citizens, including children, as fast-food and ultra-processed meals become ever more popular. Therefore, some kids may need extra nutritional help via a supplement.
When choosing a supplement for a child, parents and carers should be advised to choose a product that is specially formulated for children. However, it is advisable for customers to get medical advice before starting their children on a course of supplements if they have any health issues. Nonetheless, in the vast majority of cases vitamin supplementation is very safe.
Cuts and colds
Naturally, going back to school for the new term means children will pick up more cuts, scrapes and bruises. School sports activities, extra exposure to viruses, and the rough-and-tumble of play mean more parents will be heading to the pharmacy for bandages and pain relief.
Ibuprofen and paracetamol are the two most commonly-prescribed pain remedies for children and are effective in relieving mild-to-moderate pain.
The NHS in the UK recommends that ibuprofen can be used for pain associated with coughs and colds; ear infections; headaches; high temperature; sprains and strains; and toothache, among others.
Children have an average of five-to-eight colds each year. When children are younger, they will have not had to deal with the hundreds of cold viruses that circulate each year. As they get older, they slowly build up immunity to these viruses, and so get fewer colds.
Children with colds should always get plenty of fluids, and you may suggest saline nasal solutions to clear a stuffy nose. Ibuprofen or paracetamol will help to alleviate general aches and pains associated with colds, and are also useful if the child has a temperature. Children with asthma may not be able to take ibuprofen, so check with the pharmacist on duty if an asthmatic child requires pain relief.
Children under six years old should not be given OTC cough and cold medications, unless directed by a medical professional.
Ear infections usually come on quickly. You can spot the symptoms of ear infection in the pharmacy, which include:
- Earache.
- A high temperature.
- Difficulty hearing.
- Discharge running out of the ear.
- A feeling of pressure or fullness inside the ear.
- Itching and irritation in and around the ear.
- Scaly skin in and around the ear.
Most ear infections will clear up within a few days, however symptoms can last for approximately one week. The parent should be advised to see their GP if the ear infections are recurrent, and if the child is directed to use ear drops, customers should be advised on the proper technique to apply them, as they will be of no benefit if they are not applied properly.
Head lice
Head lice and nits are another typical back-to-school problem, and one that causes significant embarrassment and can make a child feel socially isolated. It is important that customers are reassured that having head lice does not mean that they are somehow ‘dirty’, as even people with impeccably clean hair can get head lice. Head lice are in fact quite common in clean, washed hair. They are usually spread through head-to-head contact but children with an infestation should also not share hair ribbons and ties, combs, brushes, hats or scarves at school.
Head lice and nits should be treated as soon as they are found. Everyone else in the family should also be treated at the same time to have the maximum chance of totally eradicating the lice. Products in this area differ, but successful treatment should see the lice die within one day after treatment.
As always, check with the pharmacist on duty if you suspect any remedies or supplements you suggest may interact with medications they are already taking, or if the child has special health needs.
Helpful products
As described above, head lice infestations are annoying and can be stressful for the whole family. To help, the Hedrin range contains a number of proven products. One of these is Hedrin Once Head Lice Spray Gel 100ml. This therapy deals with head lice and eggs in one 15-minute treatment. Only one application is required, and of note, it contains penetrol and can be used as often as required without the lice developing resistance. It is easy to apply, skin-friendly, and has no residual smell.
Another effective therapy to deal with lice and nits is Full Marks Solution 100ml. It is clinically proven to kill head lice and eliminate their eggs in a convenient 10-minute treatment with very little odour, is free of toxins, and contains no traditional pesticides. Full Marks Solution has a physical mechanism of action on the lice, causing them to dehydrate and die. Each pack comes with its own metal fine-tooth comb. This product is also suitable for children with asthma and eczema.
Some children may consume a diet that is of low nutritional value and may benefit from supplementation. Among the products available for this purpose is Vitabiotics Wellkid Smart Chewable Multivitamins, which contains vitamins A, C and D. These multivitamins are low in sugar and contain xylitol, a naturally-occurring sweetener which is gentle on teeth and are free from artificial colours, preservatives, lactose, gluten, salt or yeast. Also in the same range are Vitabiotics Wellkid Soft Jelly 30 Pastilles Strawberry, a multivitamin formula designed to safeguard the nutritional intake of children aged four-to-12 that is available in tasty flavours. They contain 11 vitamins, plus flaxseed oil, and include all eight B-complex vitamins, plus vitamin C, D and E. The Vitabiotics range also includes Vitabiotics Wellkid Multi-vitamin Liquid 150ml and Vitabiotics Wellkid Calcium Liquid 150ml.
Sometimes, kids need a nutritional boost. Pharmaton Immuno10 30 Caplets are clinically formulated with a high content of 10 vitamins and minerals to help to support the immune system. Also beneficial for vitality and mental performance, this supplement is high in vitamins C, D, B6, B9, B12, and minerals iron, zinc, copper, selenium, that each give the immune system a little help. Also available in packs of 100 caplets. Also in the Pharmaton range are Pharmaton Vitality 11 30 Caplets, and Pharmaton Fizzi Effervescent 20s.
Pain in children can sometimes be difficult to manage and can affect their concentration. Brupro Tablets 200mg Ibuprofen 24 Tablets is a clinically-proven solution that is effective in lowering fever and managing general pain such as dental pain, back or muscular pain, and headache, among others. This therapy is also effective in treating colds and flu, and each tablet contains 200mg of Ibuprofen. It is suitable only for adolescents and adults over 12 years of age.
Panadol Extra Tablets is another pain control option. These tablets are a fast-acting and effective pain relief solution that contain paracetamol and combat pain such as backache, headache, toothache, and muscle pain, among others. This product also reduces fever and pain that sometimes comes with colds and flu, and it also contains caffeine to make the paracetamol more effective. It is suitable only for children and adolescents aged 12 years and over, and should not to be taken with other products that contain paracetamol.
Also for nutritional needs, the Nutricia range contains various options to suit children. One of these is Fortini Strawberry 200ml, which is a nutritionally-complete sip feed for children. This product may be recommended by a doctor or dietitian and is a high-energy, nutritionally-complete drink containing 1.5kcal/ml. Fortini Strawberry 200ml is suitable for disease-related malnutrition in children from one year of age and can be used to augment the diets of children who are unable to get their nutritional needs from other foods. If necessary, this product can be used as a sole source of nutrition for children aged one-to-six years or who are eight-to-20kg in body weight.
References on request
