Back to School Bugs and The Power of Hand Washing
The start of the new school year can be a really exciting time for children. It's marked by reuniting with friends and sharing summer stories. But it's also a common time for sickness to strike. Large group settings and questionable behavior, like sneezing or coughing without covering your mouth, can create a breeding ground for illness. While you can't follow your kids through the hallways, you can teach them healthy habits to reduce their risk of infection.
Common School-Age Illnesses
Common Cold- This one's name says it all. The common cold is one of the most frequent illnesses among children and adults alike. While there's no specific cure, the symptoms of this virus can be treated with decongestants and over the counter pain medications.
Stomach Flu- This virus spreads like rapid fire. Common symptoms include nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. While entirely unpleasant, it's generally short lived and can be treated with plenty of fluids and rest.
Strep Throat- Caused by streptococcus pyogenes bacteria, this illness presents itself as a sore throat, fever and swollen tonsils. Unlike the previously mentioned, strep requires a doctor's visit for antibiotics.
Pink Eye- The technical name for this is conjunctivitis. Symptoms include eye redness, discharge, itchiness and swelling. Like strep throat, this one usually requires a trip to the doctor as well.
How to Reduce Your Chances of Getting Sick
All of these illnesses sound pretty gross and unpleasant, right?
While you can't eliminate them, you can instill habits that will reduce chances of infection. One of the simplest ways to reduce the spread of germs is good old hand washing. All you need is a bar of soap and warm water. Just remember to soap up between fingers and lather for at least 20 seconds, aka singing "Happy Birthday" twice. Remind children to wash their hands before eating, after using the bathroom, after sneezing or coughing and after playing outside.
Does it have to be antibacterial soap?
Believe it or not, there is no evidence that soaps labeled "antibacterial" work any better than regular soap. In fact, the FDA issued a rule in 2016 banning the use of antibacterial active ingredients, such as triclosan and triclocarban, in nonprescription consumer products. Not only have they not been proven more effective, they also tend to give people a false sense of security.
Getting a bar of soap that children love will further encourage them to use it. Some of our brightly colored soaps like, Ocean, Hawaiian Sunset and Butt Naked are true favorites among children and adults.
What to do if You Don't Have Soap
Sometimes soap just isn't available or practical. Maybe you're traveling for family vacation or hiking in the woods. In these cases, your best line of defense is hand sanitizer. Using a hand sanitizer that is at least 60% alcohol will kill most germs. Cover hands completely and rub in the sanitizer until it's dry, simple as that.
All of our sanitizers at Sensorium Emporium are above 70% alcohol and naturally scented with essential oils. Our options include lavender, tea tree or citrus.
Don't let the fear of getting sick keep you and your family from enjoying the fall season! With a few simple essentials and easy habits, you can keep sickness at bay. We've got you covered with over fifty different scents of soap to choose from. Stop by or shop online here.
Comments