6 Yukky But Common & Contagious Conditions All Parents Should Know About

4. Pinworm

Pinworm, unlike ringworm, is actually a type of worm. This parasitic condition is very common in kids during preschool and primary school. It starts when your child puts their fingers (not clean) into their mouth and swallow pinworm eggs. The eggs are harmless, but in a few months they hatch into fully grown worms that then migrate to the colon and lay eggs around the anus. This makes that area itchy, and when scratched yet more worms are picked up, starting the cycle over.

If you notice your child is itching their bottom, particularly in the evenings, there’s a pretty good chance they have pinworms. Your doctor may suggest the sticky-tape test to confirm, which involves collecting eggs with tape from your child’s bottom first thing in the morning. Then the tape can be examined for eggs.

Getting Rid Of Them

Due to the contagious nature of pinworms, most doctors will suggest treating your entire family with an oral anti-worm medication. This is given in two doses, two weeks apart. You’ll also need to kill lingering eggs, which can live for weeks outside of the host. This means washing an entire household fill of linen, clothing, towels and underwear in very hot water, and drying on high heat.

5. Cold Sores

Even the most adorable children are marred by cold sores, a pus-filled blister caused by the herpes simplex virus one that shows up on and around your child’s mouth. Herpes is contagious, and even when no sores are present it is spread through saliva, which means it’s surprisingly common in people of all ages. Once you get herpes once, it remains in the nerves forever and can pop up for a variety or reasons, including getting a cold (the situation the resulted in the condition’s name) or being unusually stressed.

The first time an individual gets cold sores, the more severe they are. They might be large, painful, and tender, often showing up in more than one spot around their mouth. This might be accompanied by swollen gums, inflamed lymph nodes, and sometimes a fever. They can be deadly in young infants, so keep a close eye out.

Getting Rid Of Them

In most cases cold sores clear up on their own accord after 7-14 days. While they clear up, various pain-killers (age appropriate) can be used for pain management. When the cold sores are severe or continually reoccurring, the child might be prescribed an oral antiviral. Topical creams can also be used in kids over the age of two.

6. Scabies

Scabies is essentially an infestation of bugs. Tiny mites, so small you can’t see them, burrow under the skin where there are folds and crevices. When kids cuddle each other and play, the mites spread, and pretty soon an entire family can be suffering with them.

The challenging thing about scabies is that because the most common symptom is not a rash, but rather an itch, it can be hard to diagnose. Doctors tend to look for itchy spots around the groin, nipple, armpit, elbows and the top of the bottom.  If small babies get scabies it can be even harder to diagnose, as they aren’t yet able to scratch and will usually just show signs of crankiness and disturbed sleep.

Getting Rid Of It

Scabies is not as easy to get rid of as some of these conditions. In fact, there’s no over-the-counter treatment for it, so you’ll need to see a doctor straight away. Your GP will probably prescribe a topical cream called permethrin, which is safe for kids over 2 months in age. Infants need to be absolutely covered in the cream (head to tow) for 8-12 hours. Parents and older kids will need the same treatment from neck to toe (scabies don’t usually burrow where there is hair), regardless of whether they have symptoms. All of the fabric items in your home will also need to be washed and dried on a high heat.

Have you encountered any of these conditions before?

If you become concerned about any symptoms, please seek immediate medical attention we have some hotlines and suggested websites for further information and advice https://www.stayathomemum.com.au/my-kids/babies/important-hotlines-websites/

SAHM takes no responsibility for any illness, injury or death caused by misuse of this information. All information provided is correct at time of publication.