Boost your kid's immunity this Monsoon with these simple personal hygiene tips

The monsoons, when they arrive, bring with them a welcome respite from the gruelling summer heat. However, the health risks that come with their arrival is an important aspect to consider. When exposed to the rains, kids are particularly susceptible to cough, cold and flu. As a parent, you must be wondering how to ensure that your children are ready for the rains? We tell you how.

Monsoon in the cities can often be equated with waterlogged roads, water-filled puddles and stagnant water bodies. Kids love to splash around and play in this water without caring about this water being the breeding grounds for germs, larvae of insects and mosquitoes, and other disease-causing-germs. Do not let your kids into this water, since any cuts or bruises on your child’s skin could get infected with these germs. It, therefore, becomes essential to teach your child the importance of hygiene.

Personal hygiene for kids goes a long way in keeping them safe from germs. The following

Tips can ensure that your child has a safe and happy monsoon:

• Teach your child to be aware of the following types of hygiene -
  Toilet hygiene- Teach your child to wash hands after visiting the toilet, preferably with an anti-bacterial soap like Dettol.
  Shower hygiene- Showering with an anti-bacterial soap helps get rid away of the dust and grime, along with any excess sweat accumulated on the skin due to humidity.
  Nail hygiene- Nails are a particularly friendly place for germs and bacteria, making uncut nails risky, especially when eating. Properly trimmed nails can help reduce this risk.
  Hand hygiene- When your kids play in rainwater, they might come back home with hands that carry disease-causing germs. These germs can easily gain entry into your child's body via the mouth, nose or the eyes. Therefore washing of hands should be taught early on so that your child can learn to do it before and after eating their food as well.
• Teach your kids to dry their feet before entering the house, washing them properly before getting on to the bed or the couch. This is an essential practice that they should follow.
• It is important for your kids to be warm and dry to avoid catching a cold. Boost your child's immunity by giving him/her herbal teas. Also, supplement their diet with turmeric, either via milk or with a pinch added to water which can works wonders.
• Malaria is particularly prevalent during the monsoon due to the presence of mosquito larvae in stagnant water. Teach your kid to use an effective insect repellent, especially before sleeping, to keep mosquitos at bay.
• Scabies and Impetigo are quite common during monsoon. Do schedule a check-up with your dermatologist if you notice any symptoms.
• Use Anti-fungal powders to prevent fungal infection due to the accumulation of moisture and sweat in your skin folds

The importance of hygiene cannot be stressed enough. Maintaining personal hygiene will help your kids stay healthy and also prevent their immunity from being affected by external factors. You can start by inculcating in them the basic practices of hygiene. This will ensure that your kids stay hale and hearty throughout the year.