Pharmacy Unscripted - Back to school Flashcards
(31 cards)
What are three key ways to prevent illness in children?
1) Keep up to date with vaccinations
2) Practice good hand hygiene
3) Support the immune system
What is the normal temperature in babies and children?
36.4C, but this can vary
What is a high temperature in babies and children?
38C or more
what are warts and verrucas caused by?
caused by a virus
How can warts and verrucas spread?
can spread people to people from contaminated surfaces or through close skin contact
When are verrucas more likely to spread?
when the skin is wet or damaged, so a return to swimming lessons may cause an increase in cases
what can warts and verrucas be treated using?
using products containing salicylic acid, which breaks down the skin cells, or products that use freezing to destroy the wart or verruca (Cryotherapy)
What are additional advice that can be given to parents and caregivers of children with warts and verrucas?
1) Wash hands after touching a wart or verruca
2) Cover warts and verrucas with a plaster when they are swimming, if appropriate
3) Do not share towels, flannels, socks or shoes
4) Avoid biting nails or sucking fingers with warts on
5) Wear socks and shoes as much as possible – do not walk barefoot in public places with a verruca
6) Do not scratch or pick warts or verrucas.
What is Molluscum contagiosum?
This is a self-limiting viral infection that affects the skin. It most commonly affects children, although it can occur at any age. Most cases will clear up without treatment in around six to 18 months.
What is the main symptom of Molluscum Contagiosum?
The main symptom is small spots on the skin. These are usually firm and dome-shaped, with a small dimple in the middle. They are typically pink or red and may have a tiny white or yellow head in the centre.
When should you refer a child with Molluscum contagiosum?
If pimples are broken, the spot will release a thick yellowy-white substance, which is highly infectious. You should refer someone who is presenting with these symptoms to the pharmacist.
Who is treatment for Molluscum Contagiosum required for?
Treatment is usually only recommended for people with weakened immune systems or for older children and adults when the spots are particularly unsightly and affect quality of life
When should parents and caregivers treat headlice in children?
Parents and caregivers should be advised to treat head lice as soon as they spot them.
When treating headlice who else requires treatment?
Everyone in the house should be checked for head lice and everyone who has them should be treated on the same day.
If a child has headlice can they attend school?
There is no requirement to keep children home from school.
What can head lice be removed by and what specific days does this need to be done on?
Head lice can be removed by wet combing with a detection comb after washing hair and applying conditioner. This needs to be done on days 1, 5, 9 and 13 with a final check on day 17.
What is recommended second line if wet combing doesn’t work?
If wet combing doesn’t work you can recommend medicated lotions and sprays. These usually kill lice within a day, but may need to be repeated after a week to kill any newly hatched lice. Remember to check the pack for suitability and usage instructions.
What are threadworms?
Threadworms are tiny parasites that can infect the large intestine of humans. They are sometimes known as pinworms, and are white in colour, resembling small pieces of thread.
What are the symptoms of threadworms?
Not everyone gets symptoms, but those who do usually notice itchiness around the bottom, particularly at night. The worms may be visible on the skin around the area, in stools, and on clothing or bedding. Untreated cases may cause a loss of appetite, weight loss, bedwetting, and skin infections
What is the main treatment used and who should it be taken by?
Mebendazole is the main treatment used and should be taken by all members of the household at the same time.
What does mebendazole kill?
It kills the worms, but not the eggs, so strict hygiene measures must be followed by everyone in the household for two weeks to reduce the chance of reinfection.
What lifestyle advice can be given while on threadworm treatment?
1) When someone is diagnosed, wash all sleepwear, bedding, towels and soft toys (without shaking them beforehand to prevent eggs being transferred to other surfaces)
2) Thoroughly damp-dust and vacuum the whole house, particularly any bedrooms, and repeat regularly
3) Keep fingernails short and discourage nail biting and thumb sucking
4) Wash hands before eating, after going to the toilet, and before and after nappy changes, taking care to scrub under the nails
5) Wear underwear at night and change it in the morning
6) Bathe or shower in the morning, paying special care to the area around the bottom
7) Don’t share towels and rinse toothbrushes before use
Notify schools or other childcare settings.
If re-infection of threadworms is suspected, when is second tablet indicated?
A second tablet is highly recommended after two weeks, if re-infection is suspected.
How long should hygiene measures without treatment be followed for?
Hygiene measures without treatment should be followed for six weeks.
