10 Nasty Childhood Illnesses Parents Should Be Prepared For
Because their immune system has not been completely developed yet, children are more at risk of contracting a variety of diseases from infections to respiratory problems as compared to adults. Thus, every parent should be prepared for any possible illness that may affect their kids. Here are 10 nasty childhood illnesses that mums and dads should be prepared for:
This condition is caused by respiratory syncytial virus or RVS. It begins with flu-like symptoms such as fever, cough and runny nose, but could be life-threatening when not given adequate medical attention. Bronchitis makes breathing hard for children and it affects their diet and physical activities. Sometimes, hospitalisation is necessary to treat this illness. But there are home remedies parents may consider such as eucalyptus oil to make breathing easier, as well as aromatherapy treatments.
2. Croup
This condition, caused by a virus, is characterised by a terrifying sound (bark). A child with croup tends to cough hard because of the inflammation in their upper airways. It affects most children especially during their toddler years. Croup typically lasts for 6 days. Applying menthol-based vapour on the child’s chest may help alleviate the congestion and breathing difficulties.
3. Foot and mouth disease
Foot and mouth disease is another viral disease which is characterised by fever and blisters on the inside of the mouth, palms, buttocks and soles of feet (not the disease that affects farm animals). Fortunately, most cases of foot and mouth disease are not serious and usually last for a week to 10 days.
When your child wakes up in the morning with crusty, teary eyes, it’s most likely that he has conjunctivitis. This highly contagious disease is characterised by reddish, swollen eyes – also called pink eye. This disease is either caused by virus or bacteria. Seeking medical advice is needed to determine the best treatment approach.
According to the NHS, every child will have at least one rotavirus infection before they reach the age of five. Symptoms include vomiting and watery diarrhoea which makes the child at high risk of dehydration. Rotary virus infection is common during winter and spring.
Do you see your kid always scratching that he almost developed a wound? Well, you may already need to take him to a dermatologist. One of the most common skin diseases in children is scabies which is usually caused by tiny mites. Scabies can be easily treated with medicated creams. There are some herbal treatments as well that are proven effective. They include garlic, onion, and rosemary oil.
7. Chickenpox and measles
Most parents know what chickenpox is and what symptoms it has. This debilitating condition normally affects children under ten, and is most common during spring and winter season. It can cause serious complications to the child so adequate medical attention is indispensable. There is available vaccine to protect children from chickenpox. Measles are more like chickenpox but the rashes are smaller and usually affect the entire body. This condition is often associated with fever and runny nose.
This bacterial infection causes severe pain, fever, fatigue, and swollen tonsils. Some children may also experience vomiting. This can be dealt with using sweet antibiotics and lots of ice cream.
Impetigo is a bacterial infection that is characterised by tiny blisters on the skin. These blisters contain a fluid that oozes and forms a golden crust. Just touching the fluid could spread the infection to other parts of the body and other people. Impetigo is treated with antibiotics.
When you see a red mark on your youngest child’s face, don’t get immediately furious at your eldest. He might be suffering fifth disease. The condition, caused by parvovirus B19, may start with mild cold-like symptoms. The rash may also appear on the arms, legs and torso.
A healthy, well-balanced diet, coupled with exercise is the best way to prevent your child from any of these conditions. If they have a strong immune system, they are less likely to develop illnesses and if ever they do, the recovery is quick.
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