The school year has come to an end and your child will now be spending a lot of time outdoors. Although this is healthy, there are various things children may be exposed to while outside. It is important to familiarize yourself with the most common ailments and how they can be treated at home.  Remember, if you are ever unsure about your child’s condition and/or how to treat it, please consult your pediatrician.

Health conditions caused by viral infections are common during late spring and summer. These pathogens are transmitted via the air we breathe or by coming in direct contact with them.  Insects also predominate during this time, frequently causing bites and stings. This article serves as a guide to get you acquainted with some of the health conditions that are commonly associated with summer.

Parasitic insects and arthropods
Mosquitoes are one of the most common insects to cause distress to humans. Not only can they cause annoying, itchy bites but they also transmit serious diseases.   Mosquitoes can carry a number of diseases including West Nile Virus, which, although rare, is found in the United States.  Other diseases such as malaria and dengue fever are more common in tropical areas of the world.  Signs and symptoms of a serious illness include fever, nausea, vomiting, and swollen glands.  If these occur, immediate medical attention is warranted.

If your child is bitten by a mosquito and develops a painful, itchy lump there are various treatment options.  Initially, an over-the-counter 1% hydrocortisone cream can be applied topically no more than twice a day to the bite. A cold ice pack can also help to decrease pain and swelling.   If that does not seem to relieve the symptoms, an oral antihistamine such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl) can alleviate swelling and itching.  Children often scratch mosquito bites with their dirty fingernails, putting them at risk for developing of a secondary skin infection (cellulitis).  If you think your child’s mosquito bite should be going away and it continues to appear red and swollen, consult with your doctor.

Bees, wasps, hornets and yellow jackets are also likely to cause medical problems in the summertime.  These types of insect stings can usually be treated at home with simple first aid.  Removing the stinger and attached venom sac right away will prevent more venom from being released.  Scrape the stinger out with a credit card, fingernail, or a pair of tweezers.  Wash the area with soap and water, and apply an antibiotic ointment such as bacitracin to prevent infection.  Ice packs, hydrocortisone cream, and antihistamines can also be used to relieve the symptoms.    Severe allergic reactions, called anaphylaxis, occur in certain people and are life-threatening emergencies.  Symptoms include generalized itching or hives, difficulty breathing, nausea, vomiting and eventually loss of consciousness.  If your child is stung by one of these insects, do not panic! Treat accordingly and monitor him or her closely over the next few minutes, hours, and days.

Ticks also tend to predominate during the summer. They are blood feeding parasites that are often found in tall grassy areas, where they wait to attach to a potential host.  They carry a host of diseases including Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and ehrlichiosis.  These illnesses vary depending on what region of the country they are found.  In order for a tick to transmit disease, it needs to be on its’ host for longer than 24 hours.  Make sure to consult your doctor if you find a tick on your child.

Environmental infections
Some of the most common infectious diseases during summertime are caused by enteroviruses. They affect millions of people every year and are transmitted via contact with contaminated respiratory secretions and stool.  Hand foot and mouth disease is a common viral illness found during the summertime.  It is caused by Coxsackie virus A.  Symptoms include fever, loss of appetite, sores in the throat and mouth/gums, and a body rash that may include blisters on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet.  Treatment is supportive, which means ensuring your child is comfortable.  Give acetaminophen or ibuprofen for fever and pain and make sure your child is well hydrated.

Another common summertime virus found in children is parainfluenza. This virus can cause bronchiolitis, croup, ear infections, and pneumonia.  If your child develops a barking cough during the summer, parainfluenza is probably the culprit.  An adult would only  have cold symptoms with the same virus.

Although there is no cure or vaccine for these diseases, palliative care is often made available to patients who are recovering. Prevention is also a big factor to consider. Instruct your child to constantly wash their hands with running water or to sanitize them with instant hand sanitizers. BabyGanics offers baby safe natural cleaners and eco cleaning products like Fine and Handy Foaming Hand Soap and The Germinator Alcohol Free Hand Sanitizer to help protect your family from many disease-causing pathogens.

Sanitary measures like frequent hand washing can help prevent even bacterial and amoebic agents that cause food poisoning. Remember that summer weather often creates warm and moist environments that are favorable to the growth of these pathogens. By washing hands frequently, your family can minimize the risk of being infected.

As the old saying goes, an ounce of prevention is always better than a pound of cure. Be wise and be guarded so that you can rest assured that your children are safe from common summertime ailments.

BabyGanics, a leading maker of baby safe natural cleaners and environmentally friendly cleaning products, promotes non toxic cleaning so that parents can keep their homes clean and safe for their kids, pets and the entire family. Non toxic cleaners and eco friendly cleaners or eco cleaning products are a great alternative for people who wish to live a sustainable, green lifestyle.