Even if the holiday that begins brings excitement and days of outdoor fun for the little ones, you must not forget that pathogenic bacteria and viruses do not take vacations. That is why there is a need to continue to take simple precautions that keep children away from health problems like infectious diseases.
Outdoor activities make it possible to meet children’s playmates, but, unfortunately, also with viruses, bacteria, fungi or parasites that cause diseases such as conjunctivitis, food poisoning, hepatitis A or the disease of dirty hands, Lyme disease caused by ticks. Here’s how you can protect your child and prevent these diseases so that he can fully enjoy the long-awaited vacation.
Simple hygiene rules
To avoid enterocolitis or food poisoning, you need to keep the rules of hygiene. Wash fresh fruits and vegetables very well and teach your little one to do the same if he goes on a trip or camp alone. It is also important not to forget to wash your hands with soap and water, especially before meals during the day.
All this is necessary, because enterocolitis can be caused by various factors such as bacteria, viruses or parasites from water, from vegetables and fruits or from fermented drinks.
Certain foods should be avoided when travelling
Food should not be eaten raw or insufficiently cooked. It is recommended that during holidays you avoid giving your child mayonnaise, seafood, salads or easily perishable foods, such as minced meat, fish, sauces, pâtés, creams. In addition, make sure that he does not drink water from the pool or the sea, that the place where you eat is clean and recommended by acquaintances.
If you’re going on holiday with your child, it’s good to find out in advance if you can prepare food for him at the accommodation and if you can keep it cold, so that it doesn’t spoil.
Keeps insects away
Against insects that can transmit infectious diseases, repellants must be used that are applied to exposed parts of the body and clothes. In addition to sprays and other solutions found in pharmacies, you can also use essential oils such as rosemary, eucalyptus, lavender. Inevitably, in the summer evenings you will be disturbed by mosquitoes and other insects that create inconvenience. To avoid insect bites, try to avoid walking with children in rural areas around sunset. It is preferable to dress the child in long clothes and high shoes that protect the exposed parts.
See also: Vacation with children. These tips can save your vacation!
Protect him from ticks
Ticks are the main carriers of bacteria that can cause the dreaded Lyme disease or borreliosis. It is about Borrelia afzelii and Borrelia garinii. If borreliosis is not treated in time with antibiotics, it can lead to infections in the heart, nervous system, and joints.
If you spend your free time in areas with a lot of vegetation, the child is exposed to a greater risk of getting sick from the ticks that carry them. Take precautions! Pull his socks over his pants to stop any ticks from getting in, and choose closed-toe shoes instead of sandals.
When you return, check his whole body, especially his legs, groin and umbilical area, underarms, neck, head.
Did you know that…
…if a tick stays attached to the skin longer, is the risk of Lyme disease greater? Therefore, it would be ideal to remove it within the first 24 hours.
Read also: VIDEO Child lost on the beach? In Brazil, this is how parents find him quickly!
Beware of pool or sea water!
At the sea, beach or pool, make sure the little one doesn’t swallow water. Infections of the digestive tract can be caused by pathogenic bacteria present in the water, such as Salmonella, E. Coli, Cryptosporidium, Giardia, Noroviruses, Shigella.
The water from the places of summer entertainment can be a favorable environment for the development of many other infectious microorganisms, such as viruses, parasites and fungi, which, once in the body, can cause infections in the skin (mycosis, pyoderma, candidiasis), eyes (conjunctivitis ), ears (otitis). Among these, one of the most common that children can get is conjunctivitis.
It is manifested by itching, morning eye secretions, redness, eye pain. All these inconveniences can be prevented by simply washing your hands as often as possible and by avoiding hand-eye contact.
PHOTO: Shutterstock
