Thousands of children will be making their way to school for the new term this week and with the excitement of a new uniform and a new teacher, all too often, the buzz is dampened for parents by the threat of the dreaded back-to-school bugs.
Parenting on Female First
Whether it’s a cold or head lice, follow this guide of top tips to keep children fighting fit throughout the school year.
1. Teach children how to keep germs at bay
The Centre for Disease Control recommends washing hands with soap and water for 15 to 20 seconds, or an easy way for children to remember how long to wash their hands for, is to spend as long as it takes them to sing ‘Happy Birthday’ twice.
2. Colds
Kaloba is a natural remedy, containing extract of Pelargonium sidoides EPs® 7630, that has been scientifically proven to shorten the duration of upper respiratory tract infections, such as acute bronchitis, sinusitis and the common cold and reduce the severity of the symptoms such as cough, sore throat and blocked or runny nose. Pelargonium sidoides is the number one selling over-the-counter cough and cold remedy in Germany and Kaloba is suitable for children as young as 6.
3. Always be prepared
Make sure your child is stocked up with pocket-size tissues and teach them early to ‘Catch it. Kill it. Bin it.
4. Sore throats
Professor Ron Eccles, Director of the Common Cold Centre says: "Look for Lozenges with a strong taste. This will promote salivation to help coat and soothe a sore throat. Covonia lozenges, which contain menthol and capsicum, are good.”
5. Prevent head lice
The start of a new school year is a key time for head lice infestations, many parents dread sending the children back to school, only to come home with another infestation. A recent online audit, on behalf of the UK’s number one head lice brand Hedrin, found parents are using raw eggs and mayonnaise to rid their child’s hair of head lice. Use a clinically proven head lice product, if you find live lice.
Kaloba is available at Holland & Barrett, Boots and other leading pharmacy and health food stores nationwide as well as online at www.schwabepharma.co.uk