Supporting infant skin health in Aurukun

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A person washing a baby in a tub, in a health clinic room.
Maternal and Child Advanced Health Worker Bobbi-Jo Busch promotes the benefits of bathing and skin care to Aurukun mother Gertrude Walmbeng and her baby Jemima.

The Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service Maternal and Child Health (MCH) team recently promoted the benefits of bathing and skin care at the Aurukun Primary Health Care Centre.

Aurukun PHCC Director of Nursing Geordie White said that the clinic had begun training parents and caregivers in ways to address sores and keep children’s skin clear of bacteria.

“We want to ensure that parents and carers feel supported and confident in managing skin infections" he said.

“For example, a diluted bleach wash is a safe and simple way to protect your child.

Incorporating it into a bath time routine can be more interactive and fun for babies.

“Adding 12mL of bleach, which is about one capful, to every 10 litres of water will help to remove dangerous bacteria living on the skin."

Outreach Maternal and Child Advanced Health Worker Bobbi-Jo Busch said that promoting simple and effective ways for parents and caregivers to care for their children was crucial.

“We listen and work with each family and try to help them in ways that meet their family’s individual needs,” she said.

“It’s a privilege to be able to help and so satisfying when the parents can see that it’s easy and safe for their babies.

“Our hope is that families and caregivers gain the confidence to use it at home, particularly as it helps to stop the spread of conditions like rheumatic heart disease.”

Torres and Cape HHS Public Health Medical Officer Dr Allison Hempenstall said when used correctly, bleach washes were a safe and effective way to prevent and treat bacterial skin conditions.

“A common cause of skin sores and sore throats across the Torres Strait, Cape York and the Northern Peninsula Area is the bacteria Group A Streptococcus. It’s also called Strep A or Streptococcus pyogenes" she said.

“Complications of Strep A include acute rheumatic fever, rheumatic heart disease, acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis, and invasive disease.

“Early treatment of Strep A infections can prevent these complications."
Families and carers seeking more information on how to safely prepare a bleach wash should speak to their local primary health care centre.

For more details visit Children's Health Queensland website.