Unwelcome visitors
Published
Has your child brought any unwelcome visitors home from school yet this term? From head lice to athlete’s foot, natural active foot care specialist, The Feets, reveals how to help kids avoid some of the most common – and contagious – schoolyard infections.
Chickenpox
Although generally harmless, chickenpox remains one of the most common contagious illnesses among school-age children – and it can be extremely uncomfortable. Unfortunately, apart from paying for your child to get the vaccine at a local pharmacy, it can be hard to avoid. Contagion is at its highest before symptoms even appear, but knowing the signs and acting quickly is key. Keep your child at home until five days after the last of the spots have scabbed over. The good news is that from January 2026, the NHS will offer free chickenpox vaccines to all children, given in two doses at 12 and 18 months of age.
Conjunctivitis
Whether viral or bacterial, conjunctivitis (or pink eye) spreads quickly in classrooms. Typically, it requires antibiotic drops and good hygiene to clear up. The good news is that children don’t need to stay home from school unless symptoms are severe, and regular handwashing and avoiding shared towels can help keep it at bay without pharmaceuticals.
Head lice
A familiar nuisance for many families, head lice love school environments. They spread through head-to-head contact and are tricky to prevent. If one child has lice, chances are the whole household may need checking and treating. Keeping long hair tied up helps, as does combing regularly with a nit comb. You can also find preventative sprays in your local chemist to help put off those pesky critters.
Athlete’s foot
Unlike many schoolyard infections, athlete’s foot is one issue parents and kids can actively prevent, making sure it doesn’t get brought home to infect the whole family. This itchy, uncomfortable fungal infection thrives in warm, damp conditions like sweaty shoes, dirty school gym bags, or shared changing rooms. But with proper care, your kids can sidestep infection even if those around them have got it.
The Feets’ top tips for preventing athlete’s foot include:
*Pack a spare pair of clean, cotton socks in your child’s school bag for rainy days or sweaty feet.
*Make sure they never walk barefoot in communal spaces, such as swimming pools or locker rooms.
*Apply a natural foot powder before sports activities to keep moisture and fungus at bay.
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