The weight of the world

A way out?

It may be up to parents and caregivers – and pharmacy teams – to educate themselves and their children on what foods make up a healthy diet and encourage young people to get exercising. The NHS provides some ideas for healthy snack swaps. Instead of crisps, muffins, biscuits and chocolate, encourage customers to try:

• Chopped vegetables with lower-fat hummus
• Plain popcorn or rice cakes
• Lower-sugar yoghurts or lower-sugar rice pudding
• A slice of malt load or fruited teacake
• Fresh or tinned fruit (in juice, not syrup) or fruit salad
• Crackers with lower-fat cheese
• Unsalted mixed nuts.

Customers can also sign up to NHS ‘Healthy Steps’ emails to set simple goals for the whole family to try cut down on sugar, enjoy cooking together and move more. “Physical activity has many wonderful benefits, especially for mental health and musculoskeletal conditions,” says Alfred. The Government suggests that children aged five to 18 get an average of at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity per day, across the week. This can look like climbing, dancing, skipping, playing sport or working out, skating or playing – any activity that makes one “breathe faster and feel warmer”. If parents or caregivers are finding it difficult to get their children to exercise, pharmacy teams can make the following suggestions:

• Use exercise as transportation; walk or cycle to a destination instead of driving
• Focus on fun; have a dance party, pack in lots of walking trips to the aquarium, or play miniature golf
• Include kids in tasks like washing the dog, washing the car or gardening
• Make a competition out of it. Children are often more motivated if there is something to be won, so see who can run faster, do more jumping jacks or how far they can throw.

Whatever the activity, anything is better than being sedentary. Remind customers that exercise is an important aspect of health, filtering into cognitive abilities and improving physical and mental wellbeing. When it comes to combatting obesity, however, diet is still key, says Alfred: “The old saying is true – you can’t outrun a bad diet.”

Chickenpox

Chickenpox is known mainly for two things; it’s distinct red, spotty rash and for being extremely contagious. Common in children, chickenpox is usually accompanied by several symptoms and occurs in three stages: spots appear; spots become blisters; and finally the blistering spots become scabs.

“Chickenpox, caused by the varicella-zoster virus, presents with a characteristic set of symptoms. Pharmacy teams should be aware of these to provide appropriate guidance and care,” says Farzana Haq, senior IP clinical pharmacist and locum. Here are the symptoms Farzana says to look out for:

• Rash: the distinctive symptom is a red, itchy rash that progresses to fluid-filled blisters (vesicles) and then scabs over. The rash often starts on the face, back and chest before spreading
• Fever: often the first symptom, fever can range from mild to high. This can occur one to two days before the rash appears
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Headache
• Muscle aches.

Some symptoms may differ depending on one’s age:

• Infants and toddlers might exhibit more irritability and crying
• Adolescents and adults’ symptoms tend to be more severe, including a higher likelihood of complications like pneumonia, secondary bacterial infections, and a more extensive rash
• Pregnant women are at a higher risk for severe disease, complications like pneumonia, and risks to the foetus (e.g., congenital varicella syndrome).

“While chickenpox is generally self-limiting, there are OTC treatments that pharmacy teams can recommend to alleviate symptoms and minimise discomfort,” says Farzana. For the itching and rash, Farzana recommends suggesting calamine lotion, antihistamines (remember to double check what can be given to children), soothing oatmeal baths and antipruritic cream. Paracetamol (acetaminophen) can be recommended to help with fever and pain, while “ibuprofen should be avoided in children and adults, as well as other NSAIDS, as this is associated with an increased risk in infection.

“Infected individuals should be isolated until all blisters have crusted over, usually about five to seven days after the rash appears,” Farzana notes. “Children should be kept away from school or nursery until no more crops appear and all spots have crusted over as at this point, they are no longer contagious. Regular hand washing and using separate towels and bedding can help prevent spreading the virus to others.” Farzana also recommends customers with chickenpox wear loose-fitting clothing, apply cool, wet compresses to the skin and avoid scratching – “keep nails trimmed and consider using mittens or socks on hands for young children to prevent scratching and potential secondary infections”. Plenty of fluids and adequate rest is also crucial for recovery.