Children’s Health

Fever in children can be triggered by different factors like teething, vaccinations, or more serious things like infections. Fevers are usually indicators of conditions or infections that can still be treated at home most of the times, but you may need to consult your doctor if the fever persists for longer duration. Before giving any medication, you must understand what is causing your child’s fever. Learn more about the different symptoms of fever in children and how to manage them.

Symptoms

A fever is best defined by having a temperature of 38°C (100.4°F) and higher. A thermometer is typically used to accurately measure your child’s body temperature. There are various types of household thermometers available in the market, you may ask for your pediatrician’s recommendation on what is best suited for your child’s age. Here are a few common symptoms to watch out for with fever:

• Mood changes
• Sweating
• Flushed cheeks

A fever may sometimes be an indicator of a possible infection or an underlying disease. Watch out for unusual symptoms like:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Rashes
• Signs of dehydration (less urine output, no tears when crying)
• Persistent fever

What to do

If it is a regular fever, you can manage it within the comforts of your home. There are no special tools involved, just a lot of care and some of your usual household items. Take note of these easy tips:

• Give trusted medications that are especially formulated for children with fever
• Keep your child always hydrated
• Feed healthy meals
• Opt for light clothing for maximum comfort
• Ensure that he/she gets enough sleep
• Use lukewarm water when bathing your child, do not use alcohol baths
• Monitor your child’s temperature every few hours to check if the temperature is going down

Immediately consult your child’s pediatrician should symptoms persist. Make sure that your child is comfortable by following the tips above. Your doctor may prescribe medications to help reduce your child’s fever. It’s important to always have these medicines in your first aid kit at home so you are always prepared.

The information provided here is in view of very common symptoms seen in children, however, your child symptoms and diagnosis may not be same as described here. Please consider the information provided is only for the knowledge purpose, but not to treat your child. Consult your doctor for any treatment and diagnosis of your child conditions.

The current pandemic has left children spending more time indoors and this can cause a significant change to their daily routine. One of the biggest challenges of staying quarantined at home is the lack of physical movement which may lead to health problems like child obesity and depression. Parents can take this unique opportunity to bond with their children by encouraging physical exercises that can help keep their minds and bodies active. Here are a few tips that can help you and your child stay fit and healthy at home.

Start with basics

Exercises do not have to be complicated to be effective. You can start your kids on light and simple exercises such as stretching and other physical movements like jumping jacks or running in place which they can safely do inside even with limited space. If you have older children, you can also try to do some kid-friendly yoga exercises together—just make sure that you at least have a thick yoga mat to help prevent any form of injury. If you have ample space in your backyard, then you can take the fun outside so you can also get some vitamin D and a breath of fresh air. There are many videos available in YouTube to practise children yoga and stretch exercises.

Host a dance party

Dancing is a great way to keep your kids busy and can easily help you break a sweat. Zumba classes are readily available in many websites and YouTube for you and your family to enjoy. Also, you can just play your child’s favorite song and get moving. The great thing about dancing is that you won’t need any kind of special equipment. You can just slip-on comfortable clothes and footwear and you’re ready to bust a move!

Utilize your electronics

Access to the internet using home electronics can help you look for free exercise classes online. There are also some gaming consoles which offer a wide variety of physical activities that cater to kids of all ages, including those who are kids at heart. Screen time is not always a bad thing since there are millions of free exercise classes and tutorials online that can keep you and your family entertained and fit. Just keep everything in moderation and follow a strict schedule to avoid getting eye strain or possible injury.

Having little to no physical activity may result to health complications, even for children. Care for their health by encouraging simple exercises they can do on a regular basis. To make it fun, try activities that the whole family can do together.

You can also provide additional support to your child’s physical well-being by cooking nutritious meals every day. Picky eaters and children who are less active than their peers may need additional nutritional support in the form of supplements.

Please note precautionary measurements and adult monitoring is necessary for any kind of physical exercises for safety.It is advised to contact your doctor before trying any supplementation to your kid.

Any child can develop allergies, and it is more likely to develop if the child comes from a family with history of allergy. In Canada, spring allergies are very common in both adults and kids. As parents and caregivers, knowing how to monitor and effectively handle allergy attacks in children will give you peace of mind. Find out more information about allergy in kids—how it develops, its signs and symptoms, as well as prevention and management tips to help you stay prepared.

In recent years, diseases like allergic rhinitis, skin allergy, and sinusitis have become commonplace, even in children. In the last 50 years alone, there has been an increase in the prevalence of allergy-related conditions worldwide. As children are not safe from developing allergies, what can you do as a guardian? The first and most important step is to be informed.

What is an allergy

An allergy is an immune system response to certain substances or irritants (allergens). Normally, a person develops antibodies to protect himself from viruses or bacteria. However, for people with allergies, the immune system responds even to mild substances like dust or food. Once the body comes into contact with the allergen, it starts developing antibodies and releases histamines, resulting to an allergic reaction.

Allergies run in families, but can also develop suddenly in children and adults.

Allergy in children

Symptoms

Manifestation of symptoms vary in children. Severity also ranges from mild to severe.

Diagnosis

If your child presents any of the symptoms acutely or persistently, it may be a sign of allergy. No matter what age your child is, it is best to consult a physician to conduct tests and find a conclusive diagnosis. A doctor specializing in allergies is called an allergist. He/she may prescribe aallergin test or blood test for your child.

What can you do

Prevention

Avoiding your child’s triggers or known allergens is an effective way to prevent allergy attacks from happening. The list below shows common triggers and how you can avoid them:

Treatment

There is no cure for allergies, but symptoms may be controlled or managed. Your child may outgrow his/her allergy, but it is also possible for a resurgence to occur in adulthood.

Your doctor may prescribe your child any of the following treatments, as appropriate for your child’s age and health status:

• Antihistamines– help manage the general symptoms
• Decongestants– help treat nasal congestion and other cold-related symptoms
• Nasal sprays or steroids
• Inhalers (for asthma)
• Immunotherapy
• For emergency cases such as anaphylaxis, visit the nearest emergency room for further assessment.

Allergies can occur in just about anyone, but children need the help of their parents and guardians when they get allergy attacks. Remember these simple management and prevention tips to keep allergies at bay.