Monsoons bring forth a host of illnesses that kids are more prone to. Your little angels need to be shielded from the showers to keep them away from all rain-related illnesses and germs that can cause them to sneeze and catch a cold. To keep your kids in the pink of health all through the monsoon, here are 10 things you must do.
Appropriate clothing: It is important to be well prepared for the rains if you want to keep your little ones away from all the illnesses that come their way. Go shopping for all the appropriate rain gear and keep it ready. A good quality raincoat, sturdy umbrellas, gumboots and waterproof bags will come in handy during the gloomy monsoon days.
Diet: Diet is very important as the rains tend to contaminate all open foods and veggies.
Ms. Priti Seth, Nutritionist, Pachouli Spa & Wellness, New Delhi, says ?Among fruits, stick to pomegranates, mangoes, bananas, apples, litchees and cherries. Fruits are the ideal food as they restore energy. But avoid watermelons and muskmelons.?
Diary intake should be minimal. ?The intake of dairy products should not be too high as they have maximum propensity to get infected by germs. Milk, said to be a complete diet, is not advised during the monsoon season. Instead, opt for curd,? add Ms. Shah
Water care: It is important for kids to consume enough water and keep themselves hydrated. See to it that the water they drink is clean and safe. Water should always be boiled if you do not have a water purifier.
Dr. Akshay Chhallani, Consultant Physician, Sterling Wockhardt Hospitals Vashi, Mumbai says, ?It is very important to consume boiled drinking water and maintain personal hygiene and good sanitation.?
Mosquitoes: Monsoons bring with them mosquitoes. They breed on stagnant water and cause life threatening illnesses such as dengue and malaria. Kids are more susceptible to such diseases so it is best to maintain a clean environment.
?Try to keep your area clean and avoid stagnant water clogging as mosquitoes breed in it. It is advisable to use DDT in the drains near your home. Also use mosquito repellents and nets to protect your kids from bites,? says Dr. Chhallani.
Sanitation: Keep your kids clean. Warm water showers will be relaxing as well as healthy. Use an anti-bacterial soap and add an antiseptic to the bathing water. After a hair bath, dry the child?s hair quickly so that you minimise chances of catching a cold.
If the child happens to get wet, change her clothes as soon as possible and do not let her soak in water which will increase chances of falling ill.
Playtime precautions: Kids love playing in the rain. Do not curb them from this pleasure of dancing in the rain but be assured that the area they are playing is safe and there are no open drains around. Change their clothes as soon as they get home and keep their rain wear to dry so that they do not have to wear wet raincoats.
?During monsoon the skin is prone to fungal infections. To avoid infections wash wet feet, do not wear wet shoes and wash clothes regularly,? advises Dr. Chhallani.
Rest: It is important for your child to have enough rest and sleep. A cranky, tired child will be more careless and prone to diseases.
Nutrition: Ms. Shah also advises, ?Avoid eating out, especially street food. Snacks like chaat, sandwiches, fried items, golas, juices and kulfis are very tempting during the monsoon; however they may contain bacteria which cause indigestion.?
?Homemade soups and stews will give them the required nutrition,? suggests Ms. Shah.
?All greens should be soaked in salt water for atleast 10-15 minutes and then washed under running water to remove dirt,? she concludes.
Try home remedies: Home remedies are a good way to combat monsoon illnesses.
Dr. Chhallani, says, ?The best homemade remedy for common cold is a glass of hot turmeric milk and gargling with warm water to offer relief to a sore throat.?
See a doc: Cough and cold is a common ailment that affects most people in the monsoons. If you see any symptoms it is best to see a doc and get checked.
?If you find any symptoms of diseases, never ignore and consult your doctor immediately,? concludes Dr. Chhallani.
