Diaper Rash
Diaper rash can be caused by many things, such as not changing a diaper right away when it is wet or dirty, or an allergic reaction to disposable diapers. It may take several weeks to clear up.
If your child has a diaper rash, use ointment on the area after you clean it. Let your baby go without a diaper if possible, allowing air to reach the area. If you use disposable diapers, try a new brand. If the rash gets worse or starts to spread, call your child’s doctor.
To prevent diaper rash, change the diaper right away when it is wet or dirty. Clean the area with water and gently pat dry. Do not rub. Bathe your child in soap and water every day. Do not reuse disposable diapers. If you use cloth diapers, add a cup of vinegar to the rinse water when you wash them. Also, give your baby extra fluids. This will dilute the urine, so that it has less ammonia in it.
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Fever
A fever may be caused by an infection, immunizations, exercise, or overdressing. Although fever can be frightening to parents, the main reason to treat a fever is to make your child more comfortable.
You child has a fever if his or her temperature is more than 100º under the tongue or 100.4º in the rectum. (Learn how to use and read a thermometer correctly. Be sure you are using the correct thermometer for where you are placing it.)
If your child has a fever, give him or her acetaminophen, such as Tylenol, Tempra, Panadol, etc., not aspirin. Be sure to give the right amount for your child’s age and weight. (It takes at least 45 minutes for fever medication to work.) Give your child plenty of fluids as well. Dress him or her lightly so heat can be lost from the skin easily. Do not keep the room too warm.
If you child has a temperature greater than 104º, give him or her a bath for 20 minutes in water that is room temperature. Do not use cold water or rubbing alcohol!
Call or see your child’s doctor if your child:
- has a fever that lasts more than two days.
- has temperature that stays above 102º after medication.
- develops a rash.
- has trouble breathing or a stiff neck.
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Head Injury
Watch your child closely for 48 hours after a head injury. Do not leave your child alone. Make sure someone is watching for signs of problems caused by the head injury. If your child falls asleep, check in 45 minutes to make sure he or she can wake up enough to know who you are. Do this every hour during the night. During the next night or any naps the next day, wake your child every two or three hours.
Call the doctor or go to the emergency room if your child:
- acts sleepy when he or she usually is not.
- vomits more than once after the injury.
- has one pupil that seems bigger than the other.
- has trouble seeing, walking, or talking.
- has a headache which does not respond to acetaminophen (Tylenol, Tempra, etc.)
If your child has a convulsion, lay your child on his or her side in a place where he or she cannot fall or hit something. Stay with your child until the seizure is over. If the seizure does not stop within five minutes or if your child has trouble breathing, call an ambulance. Do not put anything in your child’s mouth.
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Hives
Hives is a common rash, consisting of itchy, raised, red blotches. It is usually caused by an allergic reaction to something your child has come into contact with recently, such as a food or plant.
Two cups of baking soda in your child’s bath water may help soothe the rash. You may also give him or her a form of diphenhydramine such as Benadryl. Be sure to give the correct dose for your child’s age.
Call your doctor if the rash keeps coming back or your child is running a fever of more than 101ºF by mouth.
Take your child to the doctor right away if you see any sign of:
- wheezing.
- lips swelling.
- trouble breathing or swallowing.
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Measles
Measles is a very contagious (catching) childhood disease which usually starts with a fever, cough, and runny nose. A day or two later, a reddish-brown rash starts on the face and neck. Eventually, this spreads over the whole body. The fever usually lasts about five to seven days. During this time your child is contagious and should not be around other children. The rash usually lasts seven days.
Use acetaminophen (Tylenol, Tempra, Panadol, etc.) for fever. (As always, be sure to use the right dose for your child’s age and weight.) Bathe your child as usual to make him or her feel better. There are no medicines to treat measles, but the MMR vaccine will help prevent your child from getting measles. Talk to your child’s doctor about getting all vaccines for his or her age.
Call your child’s doctor if he or she has:
- ear pain.
- fever more than three days after rash starts.
- breathing problems.
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Nose Bleeds
Nose bleeds can be caused by colds, foreign bodies, dry air, injuries, or nosepicking. To stop a nosebleed, hold the end of the nose firmly between your thumb and forefinger for ten minutes. Watch the clock. Let go of the nose slowly. If it keeps bleeding, hold the nose again for five to ten minutes. Tilt your child’s head forward, not upward. Do not let your child blow his or her nose for a day after the nose bleed.
If dry air is the problem, you can prevent nose bleeds by using a humidifier or vaporizer. You can also put a small amount of Vaseline inside your child’s nose to keep it moist. Teach your child not to pick his or her nose.
Take to your child to the doctor if :
- his or her nose often bleeds from the same side.
- there is bleeding from other areas (gums, bowels) at the same time as the nose bleed.
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Otitis Media (Ear Infection)
Otitis Media is an infection of the middle ear. It is very common in children, and may be caused by any of several organisms. There are two types: Acute Otitis Media and Otitis Media with Effusion.
Acute Otitis Media (AOM) is very painful, with a rapid onset of ear pain and a high fever that lasts from several hours to two or three days. There may be irritability or vomiting. The tympanic membrane (ear drum) ruptures spontaneously, allowing pus to drain through a small hole for two or three days. The hole eventually closes and heals.
Otitis Media with Effusion (OME) is relatively painless, with a feeling that the ears are “full” or “plugged.” There is fever as well as “effusion,” or drainage, from the ear.
Call or see your doctor if you suspect your child has a form of Otitis Media. Although somewhere between 85 and 95 percent of all cases resolve themselves on their own, there is an increased incidence of complications if no medication is used. Your doctor will probably prescribe an antibiotic as well as ear drops.
Acetaminophen (Tylenol, Tempra, Panadol, etc.) may be given for pain and fever. As always, be sure to give the correct dosage for your child’s age and weight.
In cases of chronic or recurrent Acute Otitis Media, tympanotomy tubes may be temporarily placed in a child’s ears. (These are plastic tubes which allow the infection to drain discharge without further damaging the tympanic membrane.) In some cases, an adenoidectomy eventually may be required.
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Sore Throat
A sore throat may be caused by either a virus or streptococcus bacteria (strep throat). If your doctor suspects step, he or she will swab the back of your child’s throat to test for it. If strep is found, an antibiotic will be prescribed. A sore throat caused by a virus, however, is not treated with antibiotics. It will usually get better in a few days.
- Make sure you give your child whatever medication the doctor prescribes until it is ALL gone, even if your child feels better.
- Keep your child away from other children until his or her fever has been normal for 24 hours.
- Make sure your child has plenty of fluids that are cool and soothing. Older children may suck on throat medicines. Small children can suck on a popsicle. Avoid hot and spicy foods and acidic juices such as orange juice.
- If your child is old enough, let him or her gargle with warm salt water or Chloraseptic several times a day.
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Urinary Tract Infection
It is very important to treat urinary tract infections to avoid kidney damage. Symptoms include:
- fever.
- using the bathroom more often than usual.
- trouble urinating even when feeling the need.
- pain or burning when urinating.
If your doctor says your child has a urinary tract infection:
- Give your child whatever medication the doctor prescribes until it is all gone, even if your child feels better.
- Go back to the doctor for follow-up appointments to make sure the infection has not returned.
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Vomiting and Diarrhea
Vomiting and diarrhea can be caused by many things. Keep your child from becoming dehydrated by giving him or her clear fluids, like water, broth, tea, or juice. Give small amounts a little at a time, such as one ounce every five to ten minutes, until your child can take more. Many medications for diarrhea in adults will make children sicker!
Take your child to the doctor if he or she shows signs of dehydration such as:
- dry lips and mouth.
- few wet diapers.
- no tears.
- sunken “soft spot” on head.
Or if you see:
- blood in stools or vomit.
- vomiting for more than 12 hours.
- an infant draws his legs up to his chest and cries (this indicates stomach discomfort).
For more information about these and other children’s health issues, call UT Medical Group at 901-448-6610.
Other Resources:
| Information and links found on the UT Medical Group, Inc. web site are neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. If you think you may have a medical emergency call your healthcare provider immediately. |
