Bengaluru: A recent flare-up of skin infections among children living in govt-run residential schools has prompted Karnataka Residential Educational Institutions Society (KREIS) to amp up hygiene practices and medical check-ups in its schools.KREIS operates 821 schools across the state, primarily serving students from disadvantaged backgrounds. It provides free residential education for students from class 6 to 12.According to officials, some children in different districts experienced itching of skin, particularly on their hands and legs, over the last few months, with the latest cases being in two residential schools of Chikkaballapur district.“Although we have not seen any serious conditions, we noticed some children complaining of their skin itching. As we have 250 students in each school, we took it up seriously to ensure it does not spread. We have staff nurses in the schools who coordinated with doctors in primary health centres (PHC) and got them treated,” said Kantharaju PS, executive director, KREIS.Kantharaju said the skin conditions arose because of poor hygiene among children. “The itching complaints have mostly come from those with sensitive skin. As they are kids, they often fail to keep their beds clean or forget to wash their hands and legs after playing outside.”To ensure children diligently practise hygiene, KREIS has appointed one teacher/staff member per 20-25 students as master guide. “We have sent a circular to all schools to strictly follow these practices. We believe that this, along with our medical responses and frequent check-ups, can stop children from developing skin irritation,” Kantharaju said.The joint house committee, in its recent recommendations, suggested that the department of health and family welfare services (DHFWS) conduct dermatological check-ups at least twice or thrice a year in residential schools. It noted that infections were high among these children and recommended that necessary medicines be provided.Officials of DHFWS, who conduct check-ups in schools under Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK), flagged that skin conditions like fungal infections, scabies and eczema cases are rampant among hostel children. “These occur due to unhygienic environment and nutritional deficiencies (in hostels). We are addressing these issues,” said Harsh Gupta, principal secretary to govt, DHFWS.Kantharaju, however, denied some of the claims and said the children did not develop rashes, which is one of the primary symptoms of scabies and eczema.
