Back to school health checks

Back to school health checks

Getting ready for school means ensuring your child has everything they need to be safe and healthy throughout the year.

To make sure you’ve thought of everything, we’ve listed a few of the most common issues (and treatments) for school-aged children.

If you’d like hands-on support getting ready for school, simply book a health check or ask a team member at your local Ramsay Pharmacy.

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Checking medications

Each child is different and will have their own medication requirements. Always make sure your child’s medication is up-to-date and stored safely in their bag or with their teacher, educator or carer at school or daycare.

If your child has a severe allergies or asthma, make sure their plan is up to date, including completing any necessary paperwork, as well as speaking with their teacher about any triggers or medication requirements.

For children with asthma, you may wish to book an asthma check at your local Ramsay Pharmacy.

Treating head lice

When children are close together throughout the year, they tend to pass bugs on to each other. One of the most common of these is head lice (nits).

To treat lice, you can use a medicine-based treatment to kill them or remove and kill them using a wet combing method. It’s important to find the right solution that suits your child and family. Chat with your Ramsay Pharmacist for advice.

Treating threadworms

Also known as just ‘worms’, threadworms are another common condition in school-aged children. Threadworms spread easily and cause itching and discomfort around the anus. 

Your Ramsay Pharmacist can provide you with an appropriate treatment and good hygiene is encouraged to help stop the spread, including frequent hand washing.

Once treatment is started, it’s also important to wash bed sheets, towels, clothes and any other surfaces that may have been exposed to eggs. Keep your child’s fingernails clean and short to help prevent re-infection.

Being SunSmart

Australia has one of the highest skin cancer rates in the world – so it’s important to nurture SunSmart habits in your child from an early age.

For the best protection, make sure your child follows the Cancer Council’s five SunSmart steps:

1. Slip on clothing – cover as much skin as possible
 
2. Slop on SPF 30 (or higher) broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen – apply a generous amount to clean and dry skin at least 20 minutes prior to going outside
 
3. Slap on a hat – a wide brimmed, bucket or legionnaire style to shade the face, neck and ears
 
4. Seek shade – try and stay out of the sun in shade where possible
 
5. Slide on some sunglasses – this can reduce UV radiation to the eyes by up to 98%

Speak to your Ramsay Pharmacy team member about the right sun protection options for your child.

Packing hand sanitiser

For those times when soap and water aren’t at the ready, a bottle of hand sanitiser in your child’s bag can help to keep their hands healthy at mealtimes.

Getting vaccinations

Vaccinations help protect your child against many diseases. Make sure you are up to date with your vaccinations and chat to your GP regarding what is required. For older children your pharmacist can assist with flu shots but this varies between states.

Managing anxiety

Feeling worried or scared about changes such as the start of a new school year is normal – but for some children, those feelings can be overwhelming.

To help your child feel as safe and secure as possible, try to visit your new school and meet the teachers together before establishing a regular pick up and drop off routine that your child can rely on. Take things slowly for the first few days and, if you need more tips, visit Beyond Blue’s Healthy Families website.

Eating healthy

Healthy food is essential to every child’s growth, health, immunity and development.

For school lunches, keep things fresh and simple, easy to open and easy to eat. If a lot of food comes home, don’t worry. Children can get distracted at lunchtime and this is common.

If you are concerned about your child’s eating habits, speak to your Ramsay Pharmacist.

Sleeping well

Irritability, restlessness, disruptive or generally hyperactive behaviour can stem from lack of sleep. It has also been linked to poor growth, excessive weight gain, reduced school performance and mental health problems.

According to the Queensland Government’s Children’s Health Hospital and Health Service, the recommended amount of sleep varies by age:

Age	Recommended sleep hours per 24-hour period
Infants: 4 to 12 months	12 to 16 hours (including naps)
Toddlers: 1 to 2 years	11 to 14 hours (including naps)
Pre-schoolers: 3 to 5 years	10 to 13 hours (including naps)
Grade-schoolers: 6 to 12 years	9 to 11 hours
Teens: 13 to 18 years	8 to 10 hours

 

If you are concerned about your child’s sleeping routines, speak to your GP or chat to your Ramsay Pharmacist. 

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