Common Contagious Diseases Among Preschoolers Preschoolers who
attend day care pass germs around as if they were crayons.
Certain conditions are therefore more common among children in
day care. Although most of the following conditions might be
avoided through good hygienic practices, don't be surprised if
your child brings one of these home from day care along with his
valentines and other school projects: - Head Lice (Nits) These
hard-to-see parasites attach pale gray or white oval eggs
(called nits) to the hair, especially at the base of the scalp.
They may make your preschooler's head itchy, especially during
hot weather. Contracting head lice is not a sign of poor
hygiene: Any self-respecting louse actually prefers clean hair
to dirty hair. To reduce the risk of contracting head lice,
discourage your child from sharing hats, combs, hair bands,
barrettes, and hair ribbons with other children. If your
preschooler comes home with head lice, call your pediatrician.
He or she will probably recommend a shampo