The start of the new school term can bring all kinds of health problems for pupils. RACHEL ARMSTRONG looks at ways to keep the bugs at bay

MANY children returning to school this September are likely to swap more than just holiday tales. The onset of autumn combined with lots of kids crammed together in a warm classroom means coughs, colds and other nasty bugs are going to be shared around.

Classic school ailments such as chickenpox and head lice are unpleasant for both children and parents - half of all parents whose children have head lice catch them themselves. So, what's the best way to avoid the classroom illnesses and how do you treat them as quickly as possible?

Sharon White, chairman of the National School Nurse Committee, advises: "Parents, especially of new school entrants, should be aware of the environment their children are going back into.

"Make sure your child is going back to school healthy and that their immunisations are all up-to-date.

"Keep a close eye on your children's health and don't be too worried about keeping them away from school if they're ill."

HEAD LICE

THE head louse is an itchy nuisance most children provide a home for at some point. Three quarters of parents said their children had brought head lice into the home, according to a recent survey, and five per cent said their children had suffered from them more than ten times.

"Children are actually more likely to catch them at home,'' says White. "So you should be permanently checking. Research has shown that the best way of preventing and dealing with head lice is combing. Comb your child's hair at least once a week looking for lice. It's rather arduous but in the long term works better than most lotions. Remember different types of hair will need a different sort of comb."

If your child does have lice and combing won't shift them Nice'n'Clear's a natural remedy, costing £8.99, which is ideal if your child has sensitive skin.

CHICKENPOX

FEW people forget the dreadful itching caused by chickenpox. You can tell a chickenpox rash from other illnesses by the blisters which develop on the skin.

As it's highly contagious, White advises: "If your child comes into contact with someone suffering from chickenpox whose blisters are weeping then keep them off school to see if the illness develops.

"A child who has chickenpox should be kept away from school for as long as the illness lasts - usually about two weeks."

As well as the rash, sufferers experience a fever which can be reduced by paracetamol.

VERRUCAS

LURKING on warm changing room floors, verrucas are a foot wart which can be really painful if they're on the ball of the foot.

"There are a lot of lotions you can use to treat verrucas, which are usually quite effective. If they don't work visit the doctor for more advice,'' says White.

"Make sure your children know to shower well when they've been swimming. If your child does have a verruca make sure they wear an oversock when they're swimming or in the gym - they may not be fashionable but it's not fair on the other kids if they don't."

COUGHS AND COLDS

IN warm classrooms, coughs and colds are much more likely to spread. White says: "It's not necessary to keep children off school for a cough or cold but good personal hygiene is essential to stop them spreading.

"Give them lots and lots of tissues and make sure they dispose of used ones as quickly as possible. Most children can fight off coughs and colds within a week."

THREE ESSENTIAL TIPS

PERSONAL HYGIENE

THE majority of school illnesses are spread through poor personal hygiene. Make sure you drill your children in the importance of washing their hands with soap and warm water after they go to the toilet and before meal times. Drying hands is just as important - ensure children don't share hand towels.

LUNCH BOXES

REMEMBER children can't usually store their lunch in a fridge and if they leave their lunch in the sun or against the radiator, fresh food won't last long. So while packing a yoghurt may seem healthy, make sure it won't be festering away, posing a risk of gastroenteritis.

ASTHMA

THERE'S been a large increase in the number of asthmatic children in recent years.

If your child suffers from asthma make sure they have the right inhaler with them at school, that the school know about it and that it's accessible. Having it locked away in the secretary's office when they're on their lunch break doesn't help.

www.thisisthenortheast.co.uk/ healthspectrum/