A-Z Childhood Health & Development

 

sthma 
Over 1.4 million children in the UK have asthma - a condition that affects the small tubes which carry air in and out of the lungs. These tubes are known as the airway and when irritated they become narrower making it difficult to breathe.  Symptoms can include coughing or wheezing, (particularly in the night, after exercises or with a cold), difficulty breathing, a tight chest or a sore tummy. Not all children with asthma will wheeze. Visit www.asthma.org.uk 



ites and Stings
Mites, ants, fleas and mosquitoes are common insects that can cause irritating bites, especially during the summer months. It is possible to protect yourself from irritation by using sprays, lotions and creams. There are lots of different products available, many of which you will find available on the internet. Allergy to wasp stings can trigger an anaphylactic shock, which can be fatal. Symptoms include difficulty breathing and an extreme drop in blood pressure. If your child is stung, you should remove the sting immediately. If you know that you or your child is allergic to stings, speak to your doctor as there may be injections to protect you should you receive a sting.  



olic

Colic can cause uncontrollable extended crying in a baby who is otherwise healthy and well fed. Babies that cry for more than three hours a day, three to four days a week, may have colic. Colic commonly appears in babies just a couple of weeks old and can last until around three months. Visit the health information section of BUPA’s website www.bupa.com where you will find lots of information on infant colic.  



iorrhoea
If your child has several watery or runny bowel movements in a day, they are more than likely suffering from Diarrhoea. It is not uncommon for children’s bowel movements to change every now and again and changes such as these can be caused by something they have eaten or drank. However if your child is also suffering from tummy cramps, fever or nausea they may have picked up a tummy bug. Whatever the cause, you must ensure that your child doesn’t become dehydrated. Feed your child as normal, do not starve them. You can buy dehydration solutions from your local chemist or online. Always get medical advice from your GP about small babies, and if diarrhoea in older children continues or you are worried at all, consult your GP. 



czema
In the UK up to one fifth of school age children have eczema. In mild forms the skin is dry, hot and itchy. In more severe forms the skin can become broken, raw and bleeding. Eczema is not contagious. With treatment the inflammation of eczema can be reduced, though the skin will always be sensitive to flair-ups and need extra care. There are many creams and natural remedies for eczema, all available from your chemist, local health shop or on the internet. We recommend using an emollient cream daily and avoiding fragranced bubble bath products which can make your child’s eczema worse. Visit www.eczema.org for more information.  



ever and Febrile convulsions
When your child’s body temperate rises above 38ºC it is considered a fever. A fever is usually the result of an illness. You should keep a close eye on your child to ensure that their temperate does not continue to rise and if it does, consult your GP. Make sure that your child’s room is at room temperature and they are not wearing clothing that could make them feel too warm, also give them lots of fluids. Always have a bottle of children’s paracetamol or ibuprofen in your first aid kit. Do not give children aspirin. Very high fevers may cause a febrile convulsion. Febrile convulsions are seizures which may be caused by a sudden rise in body temperature and are common in young children up to three years old and sometimes seen in children up to the age of five. They can be very frightening, but only last a few minutes and recovery is complete. For more information visit http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/  



lue Ear
Glue ear is a condition in which a sticky glue-like fluid builds up in the ear. It is extremely common in children aged two – five years. The symptoms can include inflammation of the ear, your child acting ‘clumsy’ and younger children may take longer to walk, speak or understand language. Older children may say ‘pardon’ or ‘what’ often. The RNID website contains a Glue Ear factsheet, Visit http://www.rnid.org.uk/. There may be a local clinic nearby specialising in the treatment of glue ear.



ead Lice
Head lice are very common, especially in school children. They can be persistent and recurring. Having head lice does not mean a child is dirty. However, regular checking and wet combing by parents can help keep them at bay. If your child is itching his or her scalp, part the hair and check around the roots. Look for small eggs, you may even find you see lots of them crawling around! Head lice do not jump, fly or swim but instead walk from hair to hair and can do so very quickly with direct contact. If your child has long hair always tie it back when at school or nursery – a bun is best. Most schools now insist on this. There are many natural products on the market meaning you can avoid regular use of damaging chemicals.  



mpetigo
Impetigo is a common highly infectious skin condition. It isn’t dangerous, but is so contagious it can easily spread to all the family. This skin condition is common on problematic skin such as eczema or nappy rash where it is easier for bacteria to create an infection. A small red itchy spot (or spots) quickly develop into a blister containing a yellow substance. This will weep and begin to crust. New spots may develop around the same area as a cluster or on other parts of the body. It is most common on the face and can often begin around the corner of the mouth. Antibiotic treatment is required so visit your GP immediately. If possible the area should be covered and the infected should use their own towels and flannels.  



aundice
Jaundice usually causes a yellow appearance of the skin and whites of the eyes. It occurs in new born babies around the second or third day of life and reaches its peak around the fourth day. It is caused by too much Bilirubin in their blood. Bilirubin is normal and produced by the liver, jaundice occurs when there is too much of it. Jaundice is rarely harmful. For more information speak to your midwife or health visitor.  

nock Knees 

Knock knees are commonly found in children between the age of three and five. The term ‘knock Knees’ is given because if the child stands straight with knees together the lower legs curve inwards and their ankles do not touch. In the vast majority of cases as children grow their legs change shape and gradually become straight without any help. Knock Knees usually resolves by the time a child is around ten years old. In some cases treatment may be needed to prevent the possibility of early development of arthritis. If you are worried about your child’s knees, visit you GP. 



earning Difficulties & Disabilities 
A learning disability can be identified from a very early age and can be a lifelong condition. There are a wide range of different difficulties categorized as ‘learning disabilities’. Things to watch out for include trouble following simple instructions, understanding questions, rhyming words, pronunciation, expressing feelings, clumsiness and problems with motor skills, attention and social behavior. If you are concerned about your child's development, speak to your GP, nursery nurse or school teacher. 



umps 
Mumps is a viral infection of the parotid glands which are found under the ears. It is spread by coughing and sneezing through tiny saliva droplets. If your child has mumps, their glands may be swollen and sore and they may complain of tiredness and show signs of a fever. Even though antibiotics are not used in the treatment of mumps, it is still important to visit your GP so he can diagnose your child. Treat as you would a fever, giving your child plenty of fluids and some pain reducing paracetamol syrup. However try to avoid acidic drinks which can stimulate the gland to make more saliva causing more pain for your child. Since the introduction of the MMR jab, Mumps is no longer a common infection.  



ose Bleeds
A rupture in the small vessels of the nose can cause nosebleeds and unless your child has suffered a head injury prior to the bleed, there is usually nothing to worry about. Children can do many things to bring on a nose bleed such as bumping the nose, rough nose blowing and picking – even sneezing and coughing can start nose bleeds in children who are prone to bleeds. Quite often, children will tell you they have a nosebleed before you can see any blood. This is because they can feel it coming on. Your child’s first nosebleeds are likely to worry and upset them, so make sure that you stay calm and tell them that it happens to lots of children and is nothing to worry about. Teach them how to deal with a nosebleed so they know what to do if it happens again whilst they are at school. Many people think that you should tip your head back, when in fact you should do the opposite. Either tip their head forward, or if they do not want to they can just sit as they are. Pinch the soft parts of their nose (with your fingers either side of the nose bone) and keep a gentle pressure on the nose for about 5 minutes. Colds can often cause nosebleeds due to dried ‘snot’. Tell your child not to pick their nose, especially when they have a cold. The use of a humidifier in their room or nasal sprays can help by keeping the nasal mucosa moist.  



besity
Over 27% of children in the UK are now classed as obese; it’s like a modern day epidemic. Children who are overweight often carry their problems with them into their adult years and therefore have higher risks of developing serious health problems in later life. The main combined cause of childhood obesity is a poor unhealthy diet and not enough exercise, something you as the parent can avoid. If your child is overweight, you should not put them on a strict diet. Educating them about healthier foods and the types of foods that are making them overweight can help enormously. You should partake in activities with your child such as cycling, swimming, tennis or simply walking. If you work full time then fit as much in as you can over the weekend, every little helps. Don’t let your child sit at the computer or games console every night, get them playing out on their bike, or a trampoline if you have one.  



hobias
Most children have fears of some kind, anxiety is a normal feeling we all experience in certain situations. Fears begin at a young age as babies show distress when being separated from their parents. Young children may be scared of the dark or of strangers and older children of more realistic things such as thunder, disasters or performing in front of an audience. These are all natural feelings. However if a certain anxiety is becoming a problem, help may be needed. There are many resources that parents can buy to help children overcome fears or phobias and relax in certain situations. There are also specialists who can offer help to older children by ways of short therapy courses. Speak to your GP or search the internet where you will find lots of information. Visit the Child Anxiety Networks website http://www.childanxiety.net/   



ashes
Rashes can be hard to diagnose. Viral illnesses, bacterial infections, mites, fungal infections and allergies can all cause rashes to appear. Rashes can be dry and itchy or filled with fluid. It’s always a good idea to read up on rashes and educate yourself on different illnesses and their rash symptoms so that you are more likely able to diagnose a rash when it appears. If you are not sure what is causing a rash or your child appears unwell with a rash, always visit your GP. Itching rashes, such as the chickenpox rash, can be treated with calamine lotion and cold compresses. Emollients and moisturizers can be used with eczema flair-up rashes. Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics for certain skin infections. Natural therapies are widely used for common skin problems.  



econd Hand Smoke
Over 70’000 children under the age of five are admitted to hospital every year due to the affects of secondhand smoke. Common symptoms in children include irritation of the eyes nose and throat, headaches, dizziness, sickness, aggravation of asthma and allergies. It also increases the risk of coronary heart disease later in life. Babies and young children are more at risk as their bodies are still developing and they breathe faster than adults meaning they take in more chemicals. There are local resources available free of charge to help you quit. Contact your local PCT and ask about their stop smoking service.    



ravel Sickness
Travel Sickness is common in children.  “Are we nearly there yet?” followed by “stop the car I feel sick” is something many families experience, especially when travelling long distances. It’s all to do with the brain and the ear balance and unfortunately is something that can’t be instantly ‘cured’, however the good news is many children do grow out of it. There are things that you can do to prevent the feeling of motion sickness such as telling your child to look forward through the front window and not to look down or read, or to sit still with their eyes closed. Open car windows slightly, distract your child by having their favorite cd playing. Sitting in the front seat helps. Anti-sickness remedies and acupressure wristbands are available. Check they are suitable for the age of your child before administering.   

rinary Infections 

Urinary Infections can sometimes be hard to spot in very young children. Infections are most common in girls. The urine may be dark in colour or have an unusual strong smell. Other signs can include fever, pain, irritability, nausea or vomiting. Older children may tell you that it hurts or cry when they need to pass urine. If you are worried, contact your GP or call the NHS Direct on 08 45 46 47       



omiting 
Vomiting is something that we encounter on a regular basis once we have children! It starts off as posseting which happens when babies drink too much milk or swallow air during their feeds. Some babies bring up what looks like their entire bottle on a regular basis. If you are worried about your babies feeding or if they seem unwell with the vomiting, contact your GP. Some children vomit when they get upset or have a cough or cold. In babies and toddlers, vomiting may be a sign there is an infection somewhere such as the ears or urinary tract. If you cannot establish a reason for your child’s vomiting and are worried, contact your GP. In cases of sickness bugs, try to encourage your child to drink small amounts of water, even if they bring it straight back up, it will help to avoid dehydration.

Warts 
Warts and verrucas are small growths on the skin. The most common wart appears on the hands or feet as a raised growth with a hard surface. Verrucas appear on the feet and are warts that have been pushed in by the weight of the body. Another wart is the plane wart, which appears flatter and on the face or hands. As children, most of us were told that warts were not contagious, however the wart is caused by a viral skin infection and although touching a wart doesn’t necessarily mean you will catch it, the viruses that cause them are passed from person to person and via objects such as towels/changing room floors. If warts are a persistent problem, treatments can be applied at home or obtained from your GP or chiropodist.

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