Children/Sandy Beaches/Sand Boxes/Illness

August 22, 2009

Posted in Outdoor Recreation, Prevention, Safe & Healthy Travel, Sun No Comments »
Tags: creeping eruption, cutaneous larva migrans, Diarrhea, e. coli, ethyle chloride, gastrointestinal, microorganisms, parasite, public beaches, sand, sand box, sand boxes, sand pollution, sandbox, sandbox play, sandbox safety, sandboxes, stomach ache, Vomiting

Are there any fun activities left for kids to do, activities that are healthy, safe and wholesome, where parents need not constantly restrain children’s imaginations and exuberance with that annoying, killjoy utterance, “How many times do I have to tell you not to do that?”

Can you believe that playing in sand may be hazardous to your child’s health and that there are now warnings even about this activity? 

Here are the sad facts:

1. Sand pollution receives little publicity. Researchers have known about sand pollution for years but there have been few studies on whether it makes people, especially children, ill. Most health departments test the water at public beaches for disease-causing microorganisms and ban access when pollution becomes excessive. But the sand at beaches is rarely monitored and access to the sand is almost never restricted.

2. Children who play with the sand are more likely to become ill than children who merely walk on it, says the American Journal of Epidemiology. The risk of illness increases with digging in the sand, being “buried” in it, and digging in wet sand near the water’s edge.

3. The fact that sand looks clean does not necessarily mean that it is clean. Trash on the beach and dirty-appearing water may be warning signs but the real culprits are invisible microorganisms. And the fact that water quality is acceptable does not mean the sand quality is. Some researchers believe that water pollution may stem from sand pollution; at some beaches the E. coli bacterial count was up to forty times higher in the sand than in the water. E. coli counts are a common way to rate pollution in water.

4. The most common sand-related illnesses are gastrointestinal (GI). The symptoms (stomach aches, vomiting and diarrhea) usually surface several days later. Also, the incidence of respiratory infections, skin rashes, and eye and ear problems also increase, albeit slightly, after contact with sand.

5. Children less than 10 years of age are more likely to become ill than older children. Younger children spend more time digging in the sand and are more likely to get sand in their mouths. And younger children are also more susceptible to GI illnesses and tend to have more severe cases.

6. Risk of beach pollution increases after heavy rains and where beaches are near sewage treatment plants. Pipes draining into the sand or water can be a warning sign of pollution. The risk may also be determined by tides, winds, and animals on the beach, the same factors that cause water pollution.  When changing an infant’s diaper, never place dirty diapers on the sand; have a plastic bag handy.

7. Frequent hand washing helps reduce GI illnesses. Carry hand sanitizers. Washing hands before eating is especially important. Teach children to keep their hands away from their face. Keep their fingernails short and brush their nails often.

8.  Don’t lie directly on the sand.  Lying on beach chairs or, at least, on a blanket reduces the chances of being bitten from insects that crawl in the sand. It also helps prevent annoying conditions such as “creeping eruption.” See Tip 10 below.

9. There are even warnings about sandboxes. These attract squirrels, cats and other small animals when children are not around. Ideally, sandboxes should be covered when not in use, checked for microorganisms periodically, and the sand should be changed from time to time. Sand cannot be disinfected. Many (most?) sand boxes are put into use and never serviced.

10. Have children wear appropriate footwear. Footwear protects feet from sharp objects, insect bites, and skin conditions such as cutaneous larva migrans, (“creeping eruption”). The cause of this condition is a parasite found in dog and cat feces. It is more common in warmer climates such as the southeastern United States. The parasite penetrates the skin and causes red, intensely itchy worm-like burrows under the skin. It is most commonly found on feet but may also appear on the back and thighs, regions of the body that contacted the sand. Spraying the lesions with ethyl chloride often cures it. If not, seek medical attention.

Posted in Outdoor Recreation, Prevention, Safe & Healthy Travel, Sun No Comments »
Tags: creeping eruption, cutaneous larva migrans, Diarrhea, e. coli, ethyle chloride, gastrointestinal, microorganisms, parasite, public beaches, sand, sand box, sand boxes, sand pollution, sandbox, sandbox play, sandbox safety, sandboxes, stomach ache, Vomiting