Baby
COMMON INFANT AILMENTS
By Dana Sullivan
How do you know whether the tiny irritation behind your infant's ear or
his runny nose isn't a sign of something more serious? You don't;
that's why it's always wise to call your pediatrician when your baby
develops anything out of the ordinary. Thankfully, many infant health
conditions are not serious and can be easily treated at home. Others
may require a visit to your baby's pediatrician or the emergency room.
Below you'll find a few common ailments to be aware of.
Blocked Tear Duct(s) Symptoms Excessive tearing in one or both eyes. Sometimes the eye(s) will have a thick yellow or green discharge, a sign of infection.
Treatment
Your pediatrician can explain how to massage the inside corner of the
eyelid, where it meets the nose (helps dissolve the membrane blocking
the tear duct). He may also recommend warm compresses to help unblock
the duct.
When to visit the doctor If you notice signs
of infection (thick yellow or green discharge) your pediatrician will
most likely prescribe antibiotic drops or ointment to clear it up. If
the tear ducts remain blocked much past your baby's first birthday, she
may need to have them surgically opened, which is an outpatient
procedure.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (also known as bronchiolitis) Symptoms
A cold (runny nose, cough and, sometimes, a fever) that becomes more
severe after a day or two. Your baby may dilate his nostrils when he
breathes, or use the muscles around his rib cage and collarbone to help
him get air into his lungs, or he may grunt and tighten his abdominal
muscles. He may also make a wheezing sound when he breathes.
Treatment
Your pediatrician will likely advise using a cool-mist humidifier,
saline nasal drops, or a nasal aspirator to help relieve stuffiness of
a cold. Currently non-prescription medicines to treat RSV are not
available.
When to visit the doctor If your baby shows
any of the signs of breathing difficulty described above; his fever
lasts for more three days; he's younger than three months and has a
fever; he has a dry mouth; he doesn't have tears when he cries; or if
he takes less fluid than normal or urinates less than usual, contact
your pediatrician immediately.
Seborrheic Dermatitis Symptoms
Scaly, red patches on the scalp, underarms, behind the ears and in the
folds of the neck. (When the rash appears on the head, it's usually
called "Cradle Cap," a form of eczema. No one knows what causes the
unsightly but painless rash in infants, but it may be related to
hormonal changes that take place during the last few weeks of
pregnancy.)
Treatment Wash your baby's hair with a
mild shampoo, and then use a soft baby brush to gently remove the
scales. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), using
baby oil (or any other type of oil) is unnecessary and may even worsen
the rash since oil can build up on the scalp. If frequent shampooing
and brushing don't remove the scales, ask your baby's doctor about
prescribing a medicated shampoo.
When to visit the doctor
If the rash appears only on your baby's scalp, you can treat it
yourself. If it affects other parts of his body, call your baby's
doctor who may treat the affected spots with a cortisone cream or
lotion.
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About The Author
Nevada-based freelance writer Dana Sullivan is a frequent contributor to Your Baby Today and also writes for Fit Pregnancy and Parenting. She's mom to Liam, 4, and Julia, 2.
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