Five essential tips for a healthy return to school

Your role is key when it comes to keeping your children healthy throughout the school year, whether from avoiding lice to back pain, and much more.

You've already bought the new uniform and shoes, you've invested in new books and school supplies, but have you covered the most important part of going back to school, the health of your children?

Avoid lice

One in three children will catch lice at some point during the school year. They are transmitted through physical contact and children often play with their heads close together.

Some people call lice “nits” incorrectly, since these are nothing more than eggs.

Catching lice has nothing to do with having a dirty head or hair – lice do not have a preference for dirty or clean hair, what they try to do is reach the scalp easily, which is why short hair does to your most vulnerable child.

With long hair, putting it up in a ponytail or bun minimizes the risk of infection, but that lice prefer long hair is a myth.

Lice can be treated with certain chemical lotions, although over time they have become resistant to certain types of these lotions.

A more natural alternative is to comb your child's wet hair with conditioner and a special fine-toothed comb. This will eliminate both lice and nits.

Add a little tea tree oil to the conditioner; Studies reveal that it is more than 90 percent effective compared to chemical treatments.

Bruises and blisters

You can't stop your children from getting hurt at recess, but you can help them recover faster.

Herbalists often recommend arnica for bumps and bruises – there is evidence that it speeds up the healing process – in turn, applying ointment with vitamin E helps the skin, reducing the risk of scars.

Has she come home from school with a blister from her new shoes? Poking or popping it is not a good idea, as there is a risk of infection. Apply a little aloe vera gel that will calm the irritation, since it is a natural anti-inflammatory.

Strengthens your immune system

School-age children catch colds an average of seven to ten times a year, so it makes sense to support their immune system.

A specific multivitamin complex for children can fill any “gap” in their diet.

The Ministry of Health recommends that all children from 6 months to 5 years consume a supplement that contains vitamins A, C and D, so taking it with breakfast will help strengthen their immune system, especially to cope with the months of winter.

Avoid back pain

About 25 percent of school-age children suffer from back pain, mainly caused by overweight backpacks. Obviously, the more homework they have, the more the backpack weighs, so the way you carry it can make a difference.

Physiotherapists advise that the weight be distributed on both shoulders, not just one. Carrying the backpack on one shoulder causes pressure on the spine.

And of course, check if they really need everything they carry in their backpack, can't they leave something at school?

Improves sleep

Studies show that today there is a true epidemic of lack of sleep quality caused by electronic devices.

These studies stipulate that children who use cell phones, tablets or computers before sleep not only go to sleep later, but also have difficulty falling asleep, sleep fewer hours, and are much more tired during the day .

Less hours of sleep are related to a greater risk of certain diseases during adolescence, such as flu or indigestion, so you should encourage your children to stop playing video games or social media a few hours before going to sleep. . And cell phones under the sheets are totally prohibited!

VITAMINS AND SUPPLEMENTS FOR CHILDREN