Keep Your Kids Germ Free This Winter
Winters can mean snowflakes and snow ball fights. But moms know they can also mean runny noses, coughs and colds. Take care to protect your child from winter borne germs and the illnesses they cause.
Wash Those Hands!
Although this may seem simple enough, not many parents teach their children to wash their hands several times a day. It is not enough to wash before meals and after using the restroom, you should encourage your child to wash their hands frequently during the course of the day. This is the best way to fight against germs. Using hand sanitizers is perfectly fine, but you’ll get the same results with ordinary soap and water too.
Germs Can Invade Cuts and Lesions
If your child has an open cut or sore, it is an easy step towards a skin infection. Using band-aids and antiseptic creams on cuts and sores can lessen the risk of germs using these open wounds to make their way into your child’s system. If you notice any redness or swelling around the affected area, or if the abrasion doesn’t seem to be healing properly, see your pediatrician immediately.
Say No to Antibiotics
In the past, antibiotics were prescribed for just about every ache and infection a person was presented with. It is now known that over prescribing antibiotics is a dangerous practice. We are now dealing with bacteria that have become super bugs and quite resistant to many strains of antibiotics. These drugs are only helpful when the infection is bacterial, not viral. If your pediatrician doesn’t recommend antibiotics, you will just have to sit the illness out until your child is feeling better.
Hands Away From the Face
Help your children to avoid touching their faces too much with their hands. Germs enter your system in many ways like through the eyes, nose and mouth. If children keep their hands away from their faces, the germs on their hands will have a harder time reaching their target.
Filed under: Child Health
