These winters, my daughter had just turned 2-years old, and it seemed like she kept catching one thing or other. It started with a common cold; cough followed by an ear infection and common Illnesses. It felt like there wouldn’t be an end to this charade.
As per doctors, a child’s immune system hasn’t been exposed to too many viruses and bacteria, and thus they are more prone to catching these common childhood illnesses. Children are also known to touch every surface, after which they put their hands in the mouth and play close to other children who might be infected, which make them an easy target for germs. Therefore, it feels like you are fighting a losing battle. But it wouldn’t always be like this. If you have a toddler or a young child at home, the chances are that you will have to take care of them from these below-mentioned Childhood illnesses, time and again.
1. Common Cold & Cough
Okay, so if your child is still under your care, you should brace yourself up for about 8-10 bouts of common cold per year. The symptoms include a runny nose, constant coughing & sneezing, mild fever and constipation. But the slightest appearance of green mucus around the nose doesn’t demand antibiotics. Some of these bouts can be treated well effectively with some home remedies. If the condition requires, your doctor would suggest antibiotics. Here are a few things you can do:
- Keep him hydrated by giving warm fluids and low-sugar juices.
- Help him/her learn how to use a tissue to blow his/her nose.
- Keep him away from crowded places and other kids.
2. Stomach Flu
Another common childhood illnesses are stomach flu. If your child has been going to the washroom to drop a deuce more than 3-times a day, has watery stools and has been vomiting, he might have got a stomach bug. Some of the things you can do during this time are:
- Keep him hydrated to replace the loss of water and salt. Make sure he drinks a lot of water or ORS solution throughout the day.
- Encourage him to take small sips of fluid and include low-sugar juices in the diet. Avoid milk and dairy.
- It would be a preventative measure to stay away from others as stomach flu can be contagious.
Also Read : 5 Homemade Medicines to Relieve Stomach Pain in Babies
3. Ear Pain
If your child has been complaining about pain in the ear, it could be a sign of inflammation. These inflammations generally happen in the middle or inner canal. The inflammation of the middle-canal inside the ear generally occurs in children between 6 to 18 months and lasts for a few days. This could be a sign of low immunity or could be caused due to second-hand smoke inhalation or allergies. Your child might also develop pain starting from the ear to the lower jaw due to a cold or pressure on their sinuses. In any case, do visit your doctor at the earliest as ear pain could lead to hearing loss.
4. Chickenpox
Okay, we all must’ve gotten Chickenpox once in our lives. If you see red rashes that turn into blisters, and he’s got a mild fever, sure it is Chickenpox. Since it is contagious and can spread through direct contact or viral drops in the air from the infected person, it would a good step to isolate the child from other adults and kids. Things to do:
- Isolate the child in a separate bedroom and away from other adults and kids. Inform the school about the same and keep him home till he is fully recovered.
- Scratching of rashes and blisters can leave marks, thus it would be a good idea to make him wear gloves to stop him from doing so.
- Keep him hydrated by feeding him water and juices.
- Give him a bath in cold water to relieve some of the scratching.
- If he feels drowsy, keeps vomiting and has an increased heartbeat, take him to a doctor immediately.
5. Constipation
The opposite of stomach flu, if your child hasn’t passed stools for more than 48 hours, it’s time to check for constipation. Other symptoms may include a hard stomach, pain in the abdomen and crankiness. Children of different ages can have varying bowel movements; thus, it is advisable to connect with your doctor before you give anything to your child to relieve the symptoms.
Also Read : First aid for common injuries of kids
6. Eczema
If you see rashes on your child’s limbs, face or trunk and he constantly complains about itching and you frequently catch him scratching, he is suffering from Eczema. Kids who suffer from eczema generally have a family history of this disease. But worry not mama, there are certain things you can do to ease this one of the most common childhood illnesses for your child:
- Make sure you moisturize him properly every day.
- Make him wear light, cotton clothing. Tight items of clothing are a definite no-no.
- Try to avoid common triggers like dust, smoke, sudden changes in temperatures. It is advisable to keep your baby covered while going out.
- Give him an anti-itch medication before he goes to sleep to reduce the itchiness and have him sleep comfortably.
7. Fainting
Your child might suffer from a fainting spell at the home or school due to blocked blood circulation to the brain. This might happen due to low blood sugar, extreme physical activity, exercising or playing in the heat or even due to emotional stress. He might regain consciousness within a few minutes but you must go to your doctor to find out the real reason behind it. If your child has been having frequent and prolonged fainting spells, get him checked for epilepsy.