Helen Horton.pngMost childhood illnesses and injuries can be treated easily and safely home.

As a mum of three I have had to deal with the usual coughs, colds, fevers and ailments in my children just like every other parent.

When your youngsters are really unwell and you need extra help and advice you can contact your GP Practice or https://111.nhs.uk/  can be really helpful, especially out of hours.

But for many common issues that you might face there are ways to be prepared by having a stock of useful over the counter medicines on hand so you have them when you need them.

Colds and fevers can be treated well with liquid paracetamol and ibuprofen which can be bought under its familiar trade name or the pharmacy’s own generic version. Do your best to keep them hydrated and warm drinks may be soothing.

Plasters in a range of sizes are helpful for everyday cuts and grazes. Make sure you have them small enough for fingers and big enough for knees!

There are also a number of regular ailments that can be very uncomfortable and upsetting for children, but can be relatively easily treated:

  • Nits! Do you have a head lice comb? If your children bring them home from school quite often do you have the specialist medicated shampoo to hand?
  • Threadworms can be really itchy for young children who will scratch their bottoms. It can feel worse at bedtime. Over the counter liquid medicines or tablets work very quickly and will require a second dose after a number of days.
  • Antihistamine medications can reduce and ease itches, rashes and blocked noses caused by allergies.
  • Soothing creams for rashes can also help, especially calamine lotion which can cool things like chicken pox rashes.
  • Keeping your childhood hydrated is really important if they have been vomiting a lot, or have diarrhoea
  • Paracetamol and ibuprofen are useful for fever and pain and can be given together or staggered over a 24 hour period.

GPs understand that mums, dads and carers know when their children are really out of sorts, but more often than not kids can bounce back quickly. If you have the right things at home you can help make them as comfortable as possible while the get over their bout of poorliness.

However, if you are worried about your child or you need more advice about a symptom you can also check www.nhs.uk contact 111 or, if needed, your GP surgery.

A new app - @HT_NENC - provides comprehensive, trusted NHS healthcare advice for parents, carers and young people. All content has been reviewed by local clinical subject experts, with lots of guidance and sources of help when you need it: https://www.nenc-healthiertogether.nhs.uk/