Natural Treatment for School Time Illnesses

Many parents experience the joy of sending their healthy child off to school ..only to have them home sick shortly after classes begin. Classrooms can be breeding grounds for organisms that cause illnesses in young children. Here are some common afflictions children can get in school and some simple tips to treat them naturally and effectively!

Head lice

Head lice are a common problem among children attending daycare, and elementary school.  This louse is most often spread by direct contact with the hair of an infected person. It is uncommon for head lice to spread by contact with clothing, furniture, or personal items used by an infected person. A diagnosis of head lice should always be confirmed because head lice can be mistaken as lint or dandruff.

Some natural treatments for head lice include:

1. Salt and vinegar

2. Mix one-quarter cup of salt and one-quarter cup of vinegar thoroughly.

3. Gently spray the solution onto your hair so that it becomes slightly wet

4. Put on a shower cap and leave it for about two hours.

5. Then wash and condition hair.

6. Repeat this every three days to get positive results.

Tinea capitis/ringworm

Tinea capitis, also known as ringworm, is an itchy fungal infection of the scalp that can occur at any age. Typically, the affected areas appear bald, round, scaly, and red or inflamed. Low-grade fever, and swollen glands may or may not be present. Ringworm infections are contagious and can spread easily to others by direct contact with an area of ringworm on the body of an infected person, by touching personal items and by pets (particularly cats). Ringworm is effectively treated with home remedies and anti-fungal medications if necessary.

Some natural treatments for ringworm include: