How to assess your child’s breathing
As mothers and physicians, we really believe in the intangible gut instinct that comes with parenting, and while it is unfortunate that sometimes it falls upon us as parents to be persistent and advocate for our children, this is sometimes the case.
Nasal irrigation in kids: safe? effective?
Nasal irrigation, or using a neti-pot, has been around for centuries as a remedy for blocked noses. The idea is that you use a sterile solution, like saline, and flush out the mucus. If you’re going to try it, please do it safely.
Fussy baby? Is it a hair tourniquet?
In young infants, a fallen hair (or a thread) can get tangled around a finger, a toe, or genitals and constrict the flow of blood. We see this most often in infants under 6 months, but it can be seen in toddlers and older children (in this case, it is usually the result of them intentionally winding something around the area or, unfortunately, because of child abuse).
Tummy bugs: practical tips
Stomach flu or gastroenteritis is an incredibly frustrating illness to deal with. It is super contagious. It can cause major and dramatic symptoms immediately, but for some children it can cause ongoing lingering symptoms for a few weeks after.
Swollen lymph nodes: a primer
In the vast majority of cases, lymph node enlargement is just a signal of a healthy immune response, rather than something sinister. The goal of this post is to help provide some reassurance and information so you don’t have to Google.
How to effectively treat a diaper rash
The best way to treat diaper rashes is to minimize skin irritation and apply a protectant/barrier to help skin heal.
Diaper rash: the basics
Diaper rashes occur because skin irritation is more likely in warm, moist areas. Irritation is the most common cause of rashes in the genital area. Skin (and baby skin in particular) is easily irritated when it is left in a moist, warm environment. Stool and urine can also be irritants.
Tips for common vaccine reactions
I grew up in Malawi, and my father treated people who had vaccine-preventable illnesses, such as Polio. I feel so lucky that I can raise my children in an era with vaccines. Yes, vaccine reactions are a nuisance, but they are often mild and self-limited. Hopefully these tips help you and your child get through them with ease!
Skincare hack: colloidal oatmeal
Colloidal oatmeal is a fantastic natural home treatment for itchy, dry skin. It can work wonders for eczema, poison ivy, insect bites, dermatitis, and so much more.
Got water in baby’s ears? Its ok!
Never use a Q tip in a baby’s ear to dry or clean it. It can risk perforating the ear drum, or even push ear wax further back.
Poison Ivy: an overview
Rhus dermatitis is the name given to the allergic reaction triggered by plants such as poison ivy, oak, and sumac. In about 80 percent of people, an exposure to plants will cause an intensely itchy rash - and we see it more in the summertime, when we’re all spending more time outdoors.
Does my child have an ear infection?
In general, because the symptoms of ear infections are so non-specific and infants and toddlers cannot tell you their ear hurts, the only way to know definitively is to have the ear examined.
Ear infections 101
About 25 percent of infants have at least one ear infection in the first year of life. They are painful, and they are frustrating.
“Mom, my throat hurts!”
Parents often think about strep when their child complains of a sore throat, but most of the time, the cause is something else. Viruses, allergies, reflux and even mouth breathing or dryness can also cause a sore throat.