You know to watch your kids from jellyfish, but are you aware of the bacteria and viruses they may encounter on the beach?
The beach is a popular summer playground for children, but pathogens like to hang out with your kids.
These bacteria, viruses and microorganisms can enter the water through runoff after rainfall, or raw sewage. They are also found in sand.
Although most people who go to the beach are very well off afterwards, you should know what to look out for, especially if you have young children, are elderly or have a weakened immune system.
Here's what to look out for
Walking barefoot can mean an increased risk of cuts, which can then serve as a pathway in your body for staph bacteria in the water or sand.
If the bacteria enter an open cut, they can cause skin and bone infections, flu-like symptoms, pneumonia, and even toxic shock syndrome.
The most well-known of the skin diseases a child (or adult) can get from sand are warts. These are caused by the HPV virus and are very common in young children who play in the sand without wearing sandals.
On the soles of the feet and toes they manifest as black spots. On the rest of the body they look like small skin-coloured moles.
Another possible viral infection in the sand is infectious termites, which look like pimples with a white "head".
From the sand the child can also get fungi or even bacteria that cause gastroenteritis, such as enterococcus and e. coli. These bacteria easily end up on the beaches from sewage and are often found on the Greek coast.
Especially for little girls, urinary tract infections are a big risk when they play naked in the sand.
Finally, there is a risk of sunburn when the child plays under the sun.
Source: mothersblog.gr with information from: keckmedicine.org
Contents of this article including associated images are belongs Cyprus Times
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or Cyprus Times
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