If your child has any of these illnesses you should keep them off school

It can be tricky deciding whether or not to keep your child off school, nursery or playgroup when they’re unwell.

To help those who are unsure, the NHS has released guidance for parents, schools and nurseries that say when children should be kept off school and when they shouldn't.

If you do keep your child at home, it's important to phone the school or nursery on the first day. Let them know that they won't be in and give them the reason. If your child is well enough to go to school but has an infection that could be passed on, such as a cold sore or head lice, let their teacher know.

When it’s fine to go to school

Cold sores

There's no need to keep your child off school if they have a cold sore - a tiny blister that develops on the lips or around the mouth.

Urge them not to touch the blister or kiss anyone while they have the cold sore, or to share things like cups and towels.

Conjunctivitis

Again, you don't need to keep your child away from school if they have conjunctivitis, an eye condition caused by infection or allergies.

The NHS recommends you get advice from your pharmacist and encourage your child not to rub their eyes and to wash their hands regularly.

Coughs and colds

It's fine to send your child to school with a minor cough or cold.

However, if they have a fever, keep them off school until the fever goes.

Hand, foot and mouth disease

Hand, foot and mouth disease is particularly common in kids and causes ulcers, or sores, inside or around the mouth, and a rash or blisters on the hands, feet, legs or buttocks.

While it's not pleasant, it's not serious and there's no need to keep children off school if they have it.

Head lice and nits

There's no need to keep your child off school if they have head lice.

See how to get rid of them here.

Sore throat

You're okay to send your child to school if they have a sore throat.

However, if they also have a fever you should keep them at home until it goes away.

Threadworms

You don't need to keep your child off school if they have threadworms.

Speak to your pharmacist, who can recommend a treatment.

Ringworm

Ringworm is a common fungal infection in kids and normally causes a red or silver rash. The NHS says to see your pharmacist unless it's on their scalp, in which case you should see the GP.

It's fine for your child to go to school once they have started treatment.

When they shouldn’t go to school

Chickenpox

If your child has chickenpox you should keep them off school until all the spots have crusted over.

This is usually about five days after the spots first appeared.

Diarrhoea or vomiting

Children with diarrhoea or vomiting should stay away from school for two days after their symptoms have gone.

Ear infection

If your child has an ear infection and a fever or severe earache, keep them off school until they're feeling better or their fever goes away.

Fever

If your child has a fever, keep them off school until the fever goes away.

Scarlet fever

If your child has scarlet fever, they'll need treatment with antibiotics from the GP. Otherwise they'll be infectious for two to three weeks.

Your child can go back to school 24 hours after starting antibiotics.

Impetigo

Impetigo is a skin infection that's very contagious so it's best to keep your child off school if they have it.

Keep them off school until all the sores have crusted over and healed, or for 48 hours after they start antibiotic treatment.