School is officially back in session, and the kids are hard at work. Whether you’re relieved or not, it’s important to make sure they stay healthy for the whole year. Many parents forget that their kids come into contact with hundreds of children every day between the classroom, halls or recess. If not careful, you child could develop a skin-related illness or infection and pass it along to other kids. No one needs to miss school. These tips ensure your child will get the “Perfect Attendance” award at the end of the year.

Head Lice

Lice is the classic nuisance that schools will do everything in its’ power to prevent. Contrary to popular belief, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that students diagnosed with head lice do not need to be sent straight home. The organization suggests letting the student finish out the rest of the school day before going home and being treated. This is because head lice have not been shown to spread disease.

If your child does come home with lice, it’s important to follow these treatment instructions to ensure that they can return to school as soon as possible. To treat head lice, get an over-the-counter prescription lice medicine, called pediculicide, and read the measurement and how-to-use instructions that are provided. Comb the treatment through small stands of hair, one at a time, until all parts of the head have been treated. After eight to 12 hours, if the lice are still alive and active, repeat the treatment process. If the lice problem continues to persist, take a visit to a dermatologist.

It’s important to check the heads of everyone in the household and anyone who the child has recently come in contact with. All clothes, hats, bedding, towels or grooming aids must be washed and sanitized. Personal hygiene or cleanliness is not a factor that contributes to head lice. If someone in your child’s school gets lice, make sure all children in the class get checked immediately.

Shingles

Chickenpox used to be a common virus that most kids would get. With a vaccine in place now, the condition is becoming less common. However, anyone who has had a case of the chickenpox is at a slight risk of developing shingles, even children. Both chickenpox and shingles are caused by the varicella zoster virus. When a child gets chickenpox, the virus stays in the person’s nervous system forever. When the virus flares up again, it is considered shingles. This is pretty rare in children or teens with healthy immune systems.

A case of shingles will bring symptoms of tingling, itching or even pain before a rash appears. The rash will show up as a group of pimples on the body or face. After a week to ten days, the blisters will break open and scab over. It takes usually two to four weeks for the scabs to heal completely. Children might also experience fever, headache, fatigue or general muscle achiness with an outbreak. Shingles is extremely contagious, so make sure to keep you child home from school and away from friends.

Eczema

One in ten children will experience eczema before the age of five. Eczema is defined as numerous different skin conditions that leave the skin red and irritated. The skin will sometimes have small, red, fluid-filled bumps that ooze. Doctors aren’t sure what exactly causes the condition, but they do believe genetics plays a factor. Kids who develop eczema often have other family members with asthma, allergies or even hay fever.

Good skin care is the first step of treating eczema. In minor cases, a change to your daily habits and hygiene will do the trick. Using an unscented moisturizing or lotion will help keep the skin hydrated. Use it twice a day and after bathing. Dry air can irritate the condition, so doctors recommend keeping a dehumidifier in the room your child sleeps in. For any case of eczema, a dermatologist can prescribe physician-strength medicines and moisturizers.

Does you or your child have a skin condition that could affect them from going to school?  Our dermatologists are specialists in cases involving eczema, shingles and provide assistance for head lice. Call Knoxville Dermatology Group today at (865) 690-9467 or visit us online!