Doctor says heat rashes can be deadly

A doctor has appealed to parents and guardians to treat children’s heat rashes with all seriousness as it could be a gateway for serious bacterial infection.

Dr. Francis Caiquo, General Surgeon at the Tema General Hospital, said heat rashes itch and in the process of scratching, bacteria are introduced leading to the contraction of infections in children.

Dr. Caiquo was speaking on the theme: “Weather changes and effects on children” at a Parent/Teacher Conference of the Golden Treasures International School in Tema.

He said it was unfortunate that most parents did not pay attention to the prevention and treatment of heat rashes in children, and that rashes could be infected because of the introduction of dirt through scratching with dirty objects and fingers.

Dr. Caiquo appealed to school authorities to ensure that there was enough ventilation in classrooms and avoid overcrowding as that could spread infections and other communicable diseases among children.

Touching on other sicknesses, he said malaria, typhoid, cholera and bronchitis among others increased during the rainy season and appealed to parents to observe personal and environmental hygiene.

He said food hygiene must always be seen as a necessity to ensure good health in children.

The Doctor pleaded with parents to do their best to cook always for their children instead of encouraging them to buy food from vendors.

He explained that since vendors cannot guarantee food hygiene, allowing children to buy their food exposes them to typhoid and cholera.

Dr. Caiquo said bronchitis, which is a serious chest infection, is one of the most serious conditions seen at the hospital among children adding that some affected children even lose their lives as a result.

He, therefore, advised parents not to expose their children to cold conditions as well as avoid sleeping directly under fans as bronchitis treatment was difficult.

The General Surgeon also cautioned parents against buying anti-malaria drugs and antibiotics for their children without the consent of a certified health worker.

Dr Caiquo explained that self medication and continuance without testing would lead to malaria resistance in children which would hinder future treatment of diseases.