Ready, Go! Tips for Kids on Vacation
School is out and the holidays have begun for children. Parents have the task of organizing them in the best possible way. But how do you deal with car trips, insect bites, sun or small accidents? The experts at the Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital have the answer, having developed a practical guide aimed at parents to face the summer with serenity in the company of their children. "Summer is the time of freedom, of the sea, of outdoor games: a beautiful moment for every child. High temperatures, sun exposure and outdoor activities also involve specific risks for them that should not be underestimated - explains Professor Alberto Villani , head of the complex operational unit of General Pediatrics and DEA II level of the Hospital - The vademecum that we have prepared represents a synthesis of scientific evidence and clinical recommendations useful for preventing potentially dangerous conditions, such as heat stroke, sunburn or accidents in the water. The goal is to promote a correct culture of prevention also in the pediatric field". On the Hospital website, an in-depth article and an entire section dedicated to summer and children.
Medicines: which ones to bring with youWhen organizing a trip with children, it is important to bring only really useful medicines, taking into account the destination and its health conditions. Before leaving, it is advisable to consult updated official sources and consult with your doctor, especially if the child is undergoing specific therapies or has chronic diseases. In case of traveling by plane, medicines can be kept in hand luggage, respecting the 100 ml limit for liquids and bringing any medical prescriptions with you. It is always a good idea to check the expiry dates and make sure that each medicine has an information leaflet.
Useful products to include include antipyretics and analgesics (such as paracetamol or ibuprofen), a thermometer , disinfectants , plasters and gauze , high-protection sunscreen , a rehydrating skin cream , mosquito repellents and a mosquito net for the cot. Also useful are a saline solution for wounds or nasal washes, antihistamines and cortisone creams for insect bites, as well as specific gels against jellyfish toxins. In case of travel sickness, you can bring medications for motion sickness , even in the form of chewing gum.
Don't forget rehydration salts for any intestinal problems and, for the little ones, the necessary food. For children with chronic diseases, a sufficient supply of medicines for the entire stay should be calculated. A well-organized kit, prepared with care, allows you to face any small unexpected event during the trip with greater peace of mind.
Car Sickness: How to Prevent ItCar sickness , or motion sickness, is a fairly common disorder in children between the ages of 3 and 12, often linked to a family predisposition. It is caused by an excessive sensitivity of the balance system located in the inner ear, which can be abnormally stimulated during passive movement, such as in a car, boat, plane or train, but also following games that involve rotary movements. Visual stimuli , such as the landscape passing laterally, can also contribute to triggering these disorders.
To reduce the risk, it is advisable to leave early in the morning, when the child is still sleepy, and drive smoothly, avoiding sudden acceleration or too fast curves. It is important to keep the air fresh in the car, avoid strong odors and make sure the child faces forward, sitting correctly in the seat. Before the trip, a small light snack is best; during the journey, breadsticks or crackers can be offered, while carbonated drinks should be avoided.
Keeping the child distracted helps a lot: you can sing, listen to music or involve him in games that lead him to look ahead. It is better to avoid reading or video games. During long trips, it is useful to take breaks every two or three hours to make him walk a bit. In some cases, on the advice of the pediatrician, you can use specific drugs or medicated gums. An alternative option are bracelets that stimulate a point of Chinese medicine: although they do not have a scientifically certain efficacy, they do not have side effects and can be tried even on the youngest.
The heat: what to wear and what to eatDuring the summer, children – especially the youngest – are particularly exposed to the risk of heat stroke , because their bodies have a limited capacity to regulate body temperature . Heat, humidity and poor ventilation are the conditions that most frequently cause this discomfort, which can manifest itself with symptoms such as nausea, fever, headache, cramps and, in the most serious cases, fainting or alterations in consciousness.
To protect them, it is important to avoid physical activity and exposure to the sun during the hottest hours (from 11 am to 5 pm), wear light, light-colored clothing made of natural, breathable fabrics such as linen and cotton, keep rooms cool and well ventilated (perhaps using air conditioners with a dehumidifying function and paying attention to temperature changes when moving from one room to another) and ensure adequate hydration . The diet must be light and rich in fruit and vegetables , which provide water, vitamins and mineral salts.
In case of heat stroke, it is essential to immediately move the child to a cool, shaded place, have him lie down with his legs raised and give him small sips of water to drink . If the symptoms do not improve, it is necessary to contact a doctor promptly or go to the emergency room.
The sun" Properly exposing children to the sun means protecting them today and safeguarding their health tomorrow too – explains Dr. May El Hachem , head of the complex operating unit of Dermatology at Bambino Gesù – The skin of the little ones is thinner and more vulnerable and every sunburn can leave a mark, not only the burn (the sunburn), but also a risk of premature aging of the skin and the development of skin tumors. Prevention starts with simple gestures: adequate times, high protection and constant hydration".
The sun is good for children (it is essential for the production of vitamin D , which promotes the absorption of calcium and stimulates the production of melanin), but only if taken with due precautions. Exposure should occur at the least risky times of the day : after 2 years of age until 10:30 in the morning and after 17:00, for children between 6 months and 2 years of age it is advisable to avoid exposure between 10:30 and 18:30 while for those under 6 months it is preferable to never expose them to direct sunlight.
In all cases, it is essential to use a sunscreen with a very high protection factor (50+) , to be applied 20 minutes before exposure, reapply every two hours and after each swim. Sunscreen does not prevent tanning, on the contrary, it makes it more gradual and uniform, avoiding burns and peeling. It is important not to trust the shade of the beach umbrella or even the absence of immediate redness: damage can appear even hours later . With a tan, you can eventually switch to a protection factor 30.
Even in cases where the sun can have positive effects, such as with psoriasis or acne , the rules of exposure do not change. Moles should be protected like the rest of the skin , without applying patches or direct coverings exclusively on the nevus. Sunburns, if light, are treated with emollient creams; if blistering lesions appear, it is necessary to consult a doctor . In the evening, after exposure, it is good to moisturize the skin with a normal cream, even the one used in winter.
The bathroom: tips and rulesIn the first 6 months of life , the smaller the baby, the less need there is to immerse him in sea water or a swimming pool. Afterwards, the infant can enter the water, for a few minutes and if the climate and the water temperature are comfortable, in mom or dad's arms, taking care to rinse him afterwards with fresh water to remove the salt and/or chlorine from the skin.
Every year in Italy, about 400 people die from drowning. Of these, about 40 (10%) are minors. To prevent drowning in children , the fundamental rule is constant and active supervision : it is not enough to watch them from afar, you have to stay close and ready to intervene. Even a few centimeters of water, such as those in a bathtub or a paddling pool, can be dangerous, especially in the first years of life. Up to 5-6 years of age , it is necessary for a parent to always be in the water with the child.
It is important to prevent uncontrolled access to the sea and swimming pools , using gates, barriers and covers. The water temperature must always be monitored to avoid illness. Arm bands and rings help, but they are not a substitute for supervision. Getting them familiar with the water from an early age and starting swimming lessons from 2-3 years old is useful, but does not eliminate the risk . It is also necessary to respect the rules and signs, by both children and adults, who must set a good example .
Stings and Bites: From Insects to Jellyfish“ During the summer, outdoor life increases the possibility of having accidental contact with the animal world, comments Dr. Marco Marano , head of the Pediatric Poison Control Center at the Hospital - Knowing the correct first aid measures – often simple and effective – can make the difference in reducing pain, limiting skin reactions and preventing complications. When in doubt, it is always best to consult a doctor or contact the poison control center.
First of all, it must be said that whenever you decide to spend a day in nature, you must adopt preventive behaviors , such as applying insect repellents , for example those based on icaridin in a spray formulation that is very effective and protects against most insects. If you are bitten by a hymenopteran (wasp, bee) or a mosquito , to relieve itching and swelling you can, after cleaning the affected area with soap and water, apply locally cortisone or antihistamine-based creams . Ice packs wrapped in a cloth on the affected area for about 10-15 minutes can help reduce swelling and pain. The presence of a large local reaction may require a non-urgent allergy evaluation.
Walking in the meadows is pleasant, but it is better for the child to do so wearing fresh clothes of natural fibers and closed shoes with socks, to avoid possible bites from poisonous snakes. In case this should happen, the advice is not to transmit anxiety to the child and to apply a wide bandage, not tight (do not use laces) above the bite, to delay the spread of the poison that occurs through the lymphatic system and to accompany the child to the hospital for a visit.
In the marine environment, preventive measures are difficult because exposures are unpredictable. Skin contact with a jellyfish or a fish with stingers such as the weever evokes even intense pain, there are no 100% safe measures, but beyond the numerous practices used, sometimes even questionable, the most suitable therapeutic indication is to apply 5% acetic acid (cooking vinegar) and immerse the affected part in hot water or, in its absence, hot sand. The water temperature should be the hottest tolerable, for a time of at least 20 minutes (the toxin is sensitive to heat), then wash with sea water. It is possible to use creams based on cortisone or antihistamines.
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