How To Protect Your Child Against “Rain Diseases”

June to October is the rainy season in most part of Nigeria, and it usually comes with a baggage. While it is a welcome period for crop farmers and those in the business of production for the rainy season, it is a time when certain diseases are most prevalent.

The season can be the most frustrating year for most mothers because the little ones are exposed to all manner of sickness.

Some diseases also set in at this time. Jaundice, typhoid, cholera and other gastrointestinal infections are some of the commonest at this time of the year. Common cold and cough among kids and elders are also common complaint during rainy season. Babies are the ones who are prone to these diseases due to their low immunity. They are also vulnerable to the micro-organisms than adults.

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To have a disease-free rainy season, medical experts have offered some tips for parents. Following are some of the health tips that can protect the health of children at this time:

*.Children are highly prone to infections during rainy seasons. These infections are caused mainly due to fungal and bacterial infections. During rainy season these micro-organisms get favourable environment to grow, so proper care is required for the small babies. Ensure to bathe your little one at least once a day to keep her healthy. After the bath make sure that you wipe your child’s body with a cotton absorbent towel.

*.Restrict your child from having outside food especially the ones sold by roadside vendors. This season is odd as it attracts infections due to improper hygiene conditions of the surroundings.

*.Water should be filtered and then consumed. For small babies boil and cool water and then ensure storage is also maintained. Special care has to be taken for the water intake. Avoid outside water, carry a bottle of water when you plan going out with the baby.

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*.Make sure the kids do not play in stagnant and polluted water as it may lead to skin infections and other illnesses too.

*.Give your child light and easy to digest food during monsoons. Basic reason is that the digestive system is weak during this time of the year and spicy/ oily foods can lead to digestion problems.

*.Wash your hands thoroughly using a sanitizer before handling the food, feeding the baby. Make sure that your child washes his/her hands before the consumption of food.

*.Flies will be high in the external environment therefore make sure that all cooked food are covered so that the flies and other insects do not infect it.

*.Avoid raw foods and always serve the kids freshly made food. Soups, stews and stir fried or baked vegetables are the good options to use during these seasons. If food is refrigerated ensure thawing and properly heating prior to serving.

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*.Nails are a major source of bacterial infection. Therefore trim nails on time and avoid the habit of nail biting in children; this may give rise to the infectious diseases.

*.Ensure baby’s clothes are dried sufficiently. Damp clothes also lead to skin infections. The sunlight will be scanty during rainy season and it may not be possible to dry all clothes in the sun. Make sure to iron them.

*.Make sure baby is covered well when you plan to take her out in unavoidable circumstances.

*.Diseases like malaria, dengue are very common during this season. So wearing the full body clothes can help you to protect the child from these problems.

*.Usage of mosquito net is mandatory, this will keep away from malaria, dengue and other allergies.

*.Wipe floor at least twice a day with a germ free solution. Avoid strong chemicals and disinfectants at home.

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*.Ensure footwear is cleaned timely and removed at the entry to avoid carrying germs into the house.

Keep your premises clean and hygienic so that the infectious organisms do not harm you and your family.

Dr Ojel Eze, a medical practitioner at St Luke hospital advised parents that there is an increase in malaria sickness during the rainy season. Malaria is spread by mosquito and mosquitoes breed on stagnant water which is in abundance during the rainy season. She advised parents to endeavor to make use of treated mosquito net for their kids, maintain a clean hygiene and don’t hesitate to see a doctor once they notice any changes in their children health. Dr Eze also warned greatly against self-medication as they could endanger the lives of their kids.

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