Health Tip: Calming Chickenpox
Chickenpox, and its trademark itchy, red spots, is a common disease in children.
The Nemours Foundation offers these suggestions for relieving the itch and keeping your child more comfortable:
- Have your child soak in a warm oatmeal bath every few hours.
- Apply cool, damp rags across your child's body.
- Gently pat your child's body dry. Don't rub or scratch the itchy spots.
- Dab the pox with calamine lotion, everywhere but on the face.
- If your child's chickenpox are inside the mouth, feed the child soft, cold foods. Avoid anything acidic or salty.
- Have your child take acetaminophen to alleviate pain.
- Talk to your child's pediatrician about OTC medications that soothe itching, and creams that are safe to alleviate pain near the genitals.
Health Tip: Check Your Baby's Feet
A baby's feet grow quickly. During the infant's first year, it's important to check the feet regularly to be sure they are developing normally.
The American Podiatric Medical Association offers these suggestions:
- Examine your baby's feet carefully. Report anything that looks unusual to your pediatrician.
- Allow the baby's feet to move. Let baby lie on his or her back without a blanket or cover, to allow the feet to kick.
- Don't wrap or cover your baby's feet tightly -- leave covers loose so that your baby can move the feet freely.
- Move your baby frequently, and don't let him or her stay in the same position for too long. Frequent position changes put less strain on the legs and feet.
No comments:
Post a Comment