One of the most common problems of infants and early childhood is diarrhea. This affliction is often caused by gastrointestinal infections. Diarrhea features loose, watery bowels and can be caused by viruses, bacteria infections, and even parasites. Probably your child will display various symptoms. Starting with cramps and abdominal pain with diarrhea following. It can last for a few days or a few weeks.
If your child experiences two weeks of diarrhea, this could be severe diarrhea. Babies with this often begin to lose weight and stop growing. They many not show any other symptoms but severe diarrhea is a real problem because it can lead to severe dehydration, especially in infants and small children.
Most diarrheas are usually caused by infections, but could be associated with parasites, bacteria, and viruses or even by toxic material in the system. If that is the case, other symptoms also go with chronic diarrhea, fever, nausea, vomiting, and weight loss.
If you find blood in your child’s stool, that is a serious infection that is causing damage to the lining of the bowel.
Rotavirus is a common virus in American children. Commonly found in children during the winter and early spring months, it can be found on play items and toys. These germs can live for long periods on these items and day care centers, preschool, and children’s hospitals are especially vulnerable. One way to rid your toys of this virus is to often and thoroughly spray with a disinfectant. It only takes a few minutes but is important to the health of your children and the children you care for. Frequent hand washing can reduce rapid outbreaks in these environments. Caregivers should set good examples, by washing hands after sneezing, coughing, or blowing their nose. If hand washing that often isn’t practical in that environment, you can substitute antibacterial waterless hand wash. Children should wash their hands before they eat and after using the toilet. Dirty hands carry infectious germs and carry infections to all areas of the body. The child could bite their nails, put any part of their hands or fingers in their mouth after they have touched an item that has active bacteria.
With frequent and thorough washing of their hands, another way to avoid infections that cause diarrhea is to keep all bathroom surfaces clean. Use a good disinfectant and if there is someone already sick in your household, it could help someone else from getting diarrhea.
Avoid infectious germs and bacteria by washing all fruits and vegetable before they are eaten. Keeping your kitchen counters and cooking utensils clean, especially after working with raw meat and poultry is another good precaution. Always refrigerate meat as soon as you get home from the grocery store. Cook them thoroughly and refrigerated leftovers immediately.
Diarrhea is infectious and can spread throughout the family or child’s environment by dirty hands, or by touching something that has the active bacteria alive and well on it. Again, frequent hand washing will help keep the infection from spreading.
Children and infants who have been exposed to a germ that causes diarrhea will start to show symptoms in as little as four hours or as long as seventy-two hours. The length of the symptoms will vary depending on what type of virus or bacteria it’s being caused from. Normally your child will recover after a few days. The child should rest and drink plenty of fluids. If the child is young or has a compromised immune system, antibiotics may be given to keep any infection from spreading to other parts of the body.
When is diarrhea serious enough to warrant a trip to the doctor or emergency room? If the child’s diarrhea has lasted for a longtime, if accompanied by fever, vomiting or severe pain in the abdomen or if you notice blood in the child’s stool. It’s especially important to control dehydration. Signs to look for: dry lips and tongue, sunken eyes, listlessness, and especially a decrease in urination. For an infant if they have fewer than six wet diapers a day that would be a cause for concern and a visit to the doctor would be called for.
July 29, 2007
Diarrhea and Your Child
Children and Fever
It’s scary when you realize your child has a fever, but unfortunately, most parents will face the problem with their child. All kids get fevers and are usually back to normal within a few days. The way your child is acting is more of an indicator sometimes than a fever. Don’t be concerned if they are cranky, everyone gets cranky when they have temperature even adults. If your child stops playing, smiling, eating and drinking and they don’t urinate regularly, that is a sign you should contact your child’s doctor.
There are several reliable methods to take your child’s temperature. Kissing their forehead or laying your hand lightly will tell you if they feel warm. The most reliable way to find out if they are running a temperature is to use a thermometer. There are many different thermometers and ways to take a child’s temperature.
The old-fashioned glass mercury thermometer is not recommended for use because of possible exposure to mercury. If you have one of these thermometers, don’t just toss it in the garbage. It could cause the mercury to leak out. Talk to your health department or your doctor for ways of disposing this thermometer.
Plastic strip thermometers are another means of registering temperature but are not as accurate as a digital thermometer used orally or rectally. They are placed against your child’s forehead. These are especially good for use in infants younger than a year old. They will tell you if your child has a temperature but aren’t reliable for an accurate reading. If you require an accurate reading then use a digital thermometer.
Pacifier thermometers also are convenient for seeing if the child has a temperature but isn’t recommended in infants younger than three months. The problem with the pacifier thermometer is that they require the child to remain motionless for several moments, and that is nearly impossible with most babies and toddlers.
Electronic ear thermometers have become popular in the last few years. They measure the tympanic temperature, the temperature inside the ear canal. They are quick and easy to use in children they aren’t as accurate for very young children. The American Academy of Pediatrics advises against using these thermometers for infants younger than three months.
The digital thermometer takes the quickest and most accurate readings. They are available for sale in supermarkets, pharmacies, and other retail suppliers. Digital thermometers usually have an easy-to-read digital display on one end and a flexible probe with temperature sensor at the other end. You can use a digital thermometer in one of three ways, orally, rectally, or axillary (under the arm.)
No matter what method you use to take your child’s temperature, there are a couple of things to remember. Wait at least 20-30 minutes after the child has eaten or drank anything before taking their temperature. Also, if they have been bundled tightly or held close to your body, this can cause a higher temperature reading. Don’t take a child’s temperature right after a bath, or leave a child unattended while taking their temperature.
How can you make your child feel better if they have a temperature? In most cases, a fever doesn’t need to be treated unless it’s causing your child to be uncomfortable. If your child has other symptoms that are causing discomfort, you can give them acetaminophen or ibuprofen within the guidelines given on the package. Never give aspirin to a child under 12 because of its association with Reye syndrome, which is rare, but a fatal disease. Fever medication will bring a fever down temporarily, but eventually it will rise again. Treat the symptoms and not the fever.
Give your child a sponge bath, using only lukewarm water. Don’t put your child in a cool or cold bath. This will only make the body react by raising their temperature. Cold packs, or cold baths can cause chills that also will raise your child’s temperature.
Never, no matter what your parents did, rub your child down with rubbing alcohol! It can cause poisoning when absorbed by their skin.
Dress your child in lightweight clothing and cover them with a light blanket or sheet. Overdressing can also elevate the temperature.
When your child is running a temperature, be sure to offer plenty of liquids to avoid the chance of dehydration. Water, popsicles, Jell-O, and soup are all things that will help them to stay hydrated.
Diaper Rash and Your Baby
Diaper rash is a common event in infants and toddlers still in diapers. An infection that causes the skin to become sore, tender, red, and scaly it can usually be cleared up within a few days. Diaper rash can occur because diapers are too tight; diapers are left on too long, or because of an allergic reaction to the diapers, wipes, or the detergent you are using.
Many different types of rashes that fall into the category “diaper rash.” The most common of them is the friction rash. Almost all babies fall victim to this rash at one time or another. It’s found in areas where friction is such as the inner thighs or under the elastic of diapers that are too tight. These rashes will usually respond more frequent diaper changes, diapers that fit correctly, airing out, and medicated ointments.
Irritant rash are usually found on the most obvious parts of the exposed areas. It generally doesn’t get into skin folds or creases, it usually appears on the cheeks of the buttocks. It’s usually associated with enzymes in the stool, or by soaps, baby wipes, topical medicines, or even the detergent you use to wash what is exposed to your baby.
An allergic rash is usually something that goes with the irritant rash and looks like poison oak. It’s more common on exposed areas. This rash isn’t restricted to the diaper area. Some babies have developed this rash by being against another person who has on a fragrance or lotion on. If your baby is susceptible to allergic rashes, it might help to have a baby blanket washed in your own detergent to use as a barrier between your baby and the other person. The detergent they wash their clothes in could also be an irritant.
Other rashes that are less common are Intertrigo that is caused by moist heat and occurs in the skin folds. Seborrhea rash that is greasy with yellowish scales. Psoriasis is a stubborn rash that shows up on other parts of the body other than the diaper area.
Wet skin is the most common cause of the various causes of diaper rash. Urinary wetness raises the skin pH, causes extra friction, and it intensifies the action of stool enzymes that irritate and inflame the skin. Urinary wetness damages the outer layer of skin and allows microorganisms to enter the skin layer easier.
You can prevent your baby from getting diaper rash by keeping the skin in the diaper area as dry as possible. By changing their diaper often, it doesn’t allow urine or stool movements to irritate the skin. Also, the same plastic that keeps a diaper from leaking also keeps the air out. That results in a warm moist environment where diaper rash can thrive.
Taking a few simple steps can prevent diaper rash. Change their diaper as soon as possible. Allow your baby to dry before putting on another diaper. Using a diaper wipe is preferred, but still allow the skin to dry before putting on a clean diaper.
Occasionally you can soak your baby’s bottom in warm water between diaper changes. Remember to allow the skin to dry thoroughly before putting on a clean diaper.
Some pediatricians also recommend leaving a diaper off your baby for several hours a day. This allows their skin to completely dry and breathe. If you choose to do this, it’s easiest to put your baby in their crib and change their sheets if they become soiled.
Using an ointment or cream with zinc oxide can soothe the irritated skin and protect it from further damage by moisture. If it last longer than three days, a yeast-like fungus called candida could cause it. This form of diaper rash is slightly raised and has small red dots that go beyond the original site of the rash. An antifungal cream prescribed by your child’s doctor can take care of this form of diaper rash.
New parents sometimes are upset when their baby gets a diaper rash, although it’s a common experience and can be treated easily. It will usually go away with care in two or three days. If sores start erupting on your baby’s skin in other places, or the rash doesn’t get better, you should talk to your baby’s doctor.
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