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Sunday, January 20, 2013

How many colds is too many?

Normal children may have up to 8 upper respiratory tract infections (URI's) per year. Some sources state that up to 12 URI's per year may be normal, especially for children in daycare. Even though this may be normal, parents often become worried when their child is sick as frequently as once per month. So when should parents and pediatricians worry? Does your child have an abnormal immune system? Could this be asthma? Could this be another chronic illness? Should my child have an x-ray or bloodwork? The purpose of this article is to explore an approach to these common questions.

How often does a normal child get sick?

Upper respiratory tract infections (a.k.a., colds, URI's) are the most common illness of children. Normal, healthy children have an average of 6 to 8 URI's per year. This is just an average... some kids, especially those in daycare or school, may get sick as frequently as once per month. These infections are typically caused by a virus, are mild, don't need medicines to get better, and last less than a week.

What is a URI?

In simple terms, a URI is a "cold." URI's may also cause a sore throat, ear infections, runny or stuffy nose, cough or sneezing, or some combination of these symptoms. The sinuses, tonsils, adenoids, nose, ears, mouth and throat are all connected by tubes, so viruses can easily pass from one area to the other.

bruises in children

A bruise is a black-and-blue mark caused by bleeding into the skin from damaged blood vessels. Many children older than one year of age develop bruises associated with accidental injury and physical activity.

Most bruises are not a cause for concern and will go away on their own. However, bruising can be a sign of an inherited bleeding disorder, illness, or non-accidental trauma (child abuse).

Bruises may be abnormal if they occur spontaneously without explanation, if they are in other places than the lower legs (“unexplained” bruises on the shins are usually normal because children often bump this area and then forget that they bumped it), if they are larger than a quarter in size, and if they are lumpy rather than flat.

Bruises may also be abnormal if they are larger than expected for the degree of injury.

hives symptoms in children

Hives (also known as urticaria) are slightly raised, itchy red welts or blotches that tend to appear suddenly. A welt can stand alone or in clusters, and can be smaller than a thumbprint or bigger than the palm of your hand. They can appear anywhere on the body, and can disappear in one place only to show up in another, lasting anywhere from a couple minutes to several days. Hives are considered acute when they last for less than a day to up to six weeks; chronic hives can occur for months at a time.

Causes

Affecting an estimated 3 percent of preschool-age kids and 2 percent of older children, hives are produced when an irritant causes our body to produce histamine, which can leak from the blood vessels and pool underneath the skin, leading to welts. For many kids, that histamine release is triggered by allergies to things like nuts, shellfish, eggs, berries, milk, certain antibiotics, or insect bites, but others can get blotchy from exposure to sun, a sudden blast of cold air or exposure to cold water, viral infections, or stress.

Diagnosis

A doctor will examine the rash and ask about your child’s diet, habits and family history of allergies to diagnose hives.

Prevention

Once you know what brought on an episode of hives, you can talk to your doctor about ways to avoid the triggers. It might require eliminating some foods from your child’s diet, switching medications, using insect repellent, wearing sun-protective clothing, or avoiding sudden cold temperatures.

Treatment/Medication

For an acute attack of hives, an over-the-counter oral antihistamine like Benadryl (diphenhydramine) or Zyrtec (cetirizine) can bring down swelling and reduce itching. If these make your child too drowsy, you can also try the non-sedating antihistamines like Claritin or Alavert (loratadine). Applying 1% hydrocortisone cream to itchy welts can also be soothing.

Baby Care Topics: Feeding your baby|What should my baby wear? | Bathing and Washing your Baby | Overcoming sleeping problems in your baby

Your Baby's First Year: Week by Week

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Thursday, January 17, 2013

heat rash in children

Heat rash is a red or pink rash usually found on body areas covered by clothing. It can develop when the sweat ducts become blocked and swell and often leads to discomfort and itching. Heat rash is most common in babies, but it may affect adults in hot, humid climates.

What causes heat rash?

In babies, heat rash can be caused by well-meaning parents who dress their baby too warmly, but it can happen to any baby in very hot weather. A baby should be dressed as an adult would be to be comfortable at the same temperature and activity level. Babies' hands and feet may feel cool to your touch but that does not mean they need to be dressed too warmly in hot weather.

What are the symptoms of heat rash?

Heat rash looks like dots or tiny pimples. In young children, heat rash can appear on the head, neck, and shoulders. The rash areas can get irritated by clothing or scratching, and, in rare cases, a secondary skin infection may develop.

How is heat rash diagnosed?

Heat rash can usually be identified by its appearance and does not usually require medical attention. But if it doesn't go away after 3 or 4 days, or if it appears to be getting worse, or if your child develops a fever, contact your doctor right away.

When you or your child has a rash, be sure to watch for signs of infection, including:

urinary system infection in children

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common infection that occurs in the urinary tract (any part of the body used to make and get rid of urine).

Symptoms of a UTI in babies and infants include:

vomiting
high temperature of or above 38°C (100.4°F)
irritability
appearing lazy and sluggish (lethargic)

Symptoms of a UTI in older children include:

frequent passing of urine
complaining of pain or a burning sensation when passing urine
Read more about the symptoms of a urinary tract infection in children.
When to seek medical advice
Always contact your GP if you think your child has a UTI. This is not usually a serious type of infection but it does need to be properly diagnosed and treated by a doctor.

Treatment

Most cases of UTIs can be successfully treated withantibiotics.
As a precaution, babies under three months old are usually admitted to hospital, as are children with more severe symptoms.
Many older children can be treated safely at home.
Read more about the treatment of urinary tract infections in children.

First Aid for choking in child

If your child is choking but can still cough, talk, cry or breathe, it means his airway is only partially blocked; trying to dislodge the object with your finger could make the situation worse. Instead, you need to get someone to call 911, and start CPR rescue steps if he shows any sign of blue lips or skin, inability to swallow, talk, cry, or make noise, inability to breathe (chest doesn't rise up and down), or he loses consciousness. If you’re alone, attempt CPR for two minutes first, then stop and call 911, and then continue rescue efforts until help arrives.

Choking but Conscious Baby Under One Year

Lay your baby facedown on your forearm, resting your arm on your thigh to hold him steady. Support his chin firmly with one hand, and be sure his head and neck are lower than his torso.
Using the heel of your free hand, deliver five quick, firm blows right between his shoulder blades.
If he doesn't cough up the object, turn him onto his back. Rest him on your forearm, using your thigh to support his body and your hand to steady his head and neck. Make sure that both his head and her neck are lower than his torso.
Using two fingers, deliver five quick, firm thrusts to the center of his chest, right on the breastbone, about one finger-width below the nipples. Stop if he starts to cough so he can cough up the object.
If he still can't breathe, continue to alternate five back blows with five chest thrusts until the airway is unblocked. If this doesn't work or he loses consciousness, start CPR and rescue breathing.

Food Poisoning Treatment

Control Nausea and Vomiting

• Avoid solid foods until vomiting ends. Then eat light, bland foods, such as saltine crackers, bananas, rice, or bread.

• Sipping soda may help prevent vomiting.

• Don’t eat fried, greasy, spicy, or sweet foods.

• Don’t take anti-nausea or anti-diarrhea medication without asking your doctor. They may make some kinds of diarrhea worse. Your doctor may give you anti-nausea medication if you are at risk of being dehydrated.

Prevent Dehydration

• Drink clear fluids, starting with small sips and gradually drinking more.

• If vomiting and diarrhea last more than 24 hours, drink an oral rehydration solution.

When to Call a Doctor

Call a doctor immediately for diarrhea:

• That lasts more than 3 days

• That happens after you eat seafood or mushrooms

• Accompanied by a fever

• With blood or dark stools

• With prolonged vomiting that prevents keeping liquids down

• With signs of severe dehydration, such as dry mouth, decreased urination, dizziness, fatigue, or increased heart rate or breathing rate

Baby Care Topics: Feeding your baby|What should my baby wear? | Bathing and Washing your Baby | Overcoming sleeping problems in your baby
Your Baby's First Year: Week by Week