Child Diseases Information and Guideline
Fever:If the child feels drowsy, irritated or appears flushed around the face and ears, take the body temperature. If he has temperature remove clothing and light bed clothes. Check the room temperature-it should be neither too hot or cold – ideally around 25C (77 F). Give him plenty of drinks and some paracetamol. Give the dosage carefully. Cold sponge will be refreshing and have quick effect on the temperature. A fever strip thermometer is very useful to have when cold sponging as you can keep a check on the temperature.
If the temperature does not return to normal call the doctor. Mention him the temperature chart of the body over the past few hours (do not forget to take temperature after every two hours and prepare a temperature chart). High temperature can lead to convulsions. A convulsion is a series of muscular spasm which follow a headache or fever. Since they recur, anticonvulsant medicine is useful but a doctor should be consulted before administering it.
Shock:
Bad fright or failure of circulation and breathing following a bad accident or any other such severe causes can cause shock. The child is shaky and pale and if there is bleeding and pain, the reaction can be more severe.
Lie the child down so that the head is lower than the feet, thereby aiding the blood flow to the brain. Take care that breathing is not obstructed by any vomiting. Keep the child warm with loose fitting clothes. Try to relax the child. If situation does not improve, call the doctor.
In case of severe shock there are chances of bleeding also. In this case call the doctor immediately and in the meantime try to stop the bleeding.
Bites and Stings:
Wash the area and dry it. Dress it up and look for any signs of infection like redness around the edge of the wound. Severe bites or punctures to the skin should be dressed by a doctor as it needs immediate tetanus injections. Snake bites need prompt action. Wash and remove all traces of venom. Take the child to the doctor keeping the limb as still as possible.
Antihistamine creams re handy in case of stings. If there is severe reaction to a sting or he is stung in the mouth, take him immediately to a doctor. In case the child appears pale, sweaty and faint, treat him for a shock.
Black Eye:
A hard blow around the eyebrow, nose or cheek may result in swelling and gradually develop into a black eye. A cold compress such as a flannel or a tea towel wrapped round ice cubes will help soothe the pain. Black eyes become less swollen after a few days, becoming yellowy as they fade. Get the eye also examined for possible injuries.
Burns:
The effect of burns is not skin deep. The heat causes plasma in the blood vessels to escape, resulting in blister. In severe cases the plasma will need to be replaced by fluids in the hospital. Another problem is of infection, which increases the pain.
Burns can be caused by fire, chemicals, electricity and hot objects. Scalds are caused by hot liquids and steam.
As a first aid, cool the area for ten minutes under running cold water. Take off clothing or jewellery as swelling can later make this difficult. If the burn is less than 2cm square it can be treated at home. Else, seek medical advice immediately. In case of later, wrap the affected area by a clean handkerchief to keep infections away from the raw skin. Take the child immediately to hospital. In case of former dry the area gently. Do not treat the blisters as that protects the skin from infection and plasma is unable to leak further. Cover it with a sterile adhesive dressing.
Convulsions:
A sudden rise in temperature leading to muscles becoming rigid and displays jerks and twitches. If try to keep him on his side or on his front with his head turned to one side.
Usually convulsions last for a few minutes only. Children usually fall into a deep sleep afterwards. If there is temperature, treat him by a cold sponge.
Eye Injuries:
Eye injuries could be by corrosive chemicals, foreign bodies or external forces. Even the mildest injury should be checked with a specialist.
Shampoo or soap can cause a lot of irritation once it gets into the eye, though it does not cause any lasting damage. Any other liquid, if it creates irritation should be taken more seriously, in case it is acid or alkali. Wash the eye thoroughly and take the child to a doctor. Do carry the liquid to help the doctor understand the nature of the problem.
Dust, sand or insects usually wash away by themselves. Crying will in fact help in this. In case it does not, separate the eyelids and flush it with the help of cold water. Do not allow the child to rub his eye.
Head Injury:
In case of slight head injury put a ice pack on the affected part. If he seems to be dazed make his comfortable and encourage him to sleep. While sleeping, if his color and breathing are normal, leave him undisturbed. But if becomes paler, call the doctor. Also, if he is vomiting, bleeding, has irrational speech, has headache, behaves clumsily then call the doctor immediately.
Unconsciousness:
In case of unconsciousness, there is danger of getting chocked. So the baby should be made to lie down on his tummy with his head turned to one side. Pull the leg up and keep in a little raised position and tuck the arms at the elbow so that the hand is opposite to the face. This is called the recovery position and it helps in circulation and draining out of vomit or blood without obstructing the breathings. If he regains consciousness, let him lie down till the doctor comes. Do not offer any drink.
Choking:
Usually coughing is the easiest way to remove the object that is obstructing the circulation. But if the child cannot cough out the object, then no air is being able to get though. He will gradually turn blue. In such emergencies immediately call the doctor.
Try, if he can suck the object. Else, put him across your knees with his head lower than his legs and put him firmly between the shoulder blades.
If the object could not be removed, rush to hospital in the head-down position.
Nose Bleeds:
Nose bleeds can be due to extreme heat or excessive sneezing. If the bleeding is heavy, pinch can clot. Once the bleeding has stopped leave it undisturbed for an hour. The nose will feel uncomfortable and crusty but do no let the child blow or pick his nose.
Fever:If the child feels drowsy, irritated or appears flushed around the face and ears, take the body temperature. If he has temperature remove clothing and light bed clothes. Check the room temperature-it should be neither too hot or cold – ideally around 25C (77 F). Give him plenty of drinks and some paracetamol. Give the dosage carefully. Cold sponge will be refreshing and have quick effect on the temperature. A fever strip thermometer is very useful to have when cold sponging as you can keep a check on the temperature.
If the temperature does not return to normal call the doctor. Mention him the temperature chart of the body over the past few hours (do not forget to take temperature after every two hours and prepare a temperature chart). High temperature can lead to convulsions. A convulsion is a series of muscular spasm which follow a headache or fever. Since they recur, anticonvulsant medicine is useful but a doctor should be consulted before administering it.
Shock:
Bad fright or failure of circulation and breathing following a bad accident or any other such severe causes can cause shock. The child is shaky and pale and if there is bleeding and pain, the reaction can be more severe.
Lie the child down so that the head is lower than the feet, thereby aiding the blood flow to the brain. Take care that breathing is not obstructed by any vomiting. Keep the child warm with loose fitting clothes. Try to relax the child. If situation does not improve, call the doctor.
In case of severe shock there are chances of bleeding also. In this case call the doctor immediately and in the meantime try to stop the bleeding.
Bites and Stings:
Wash the area and dry it. Dress it up and look for any signs of infection like redness around the edge of the wound. Severe bites or punctures to the skin should be dressed by a doctor as it needs immediate tetanus injections. Snake bites need prompt action. Wash and remove all traces of venom. Take the child to the doctor keeping the limb as still as possible.
Antihistamine creams re handy in case of stings. If there is severe reaction to a sting or he is stung in the mouth, take him immediately to a doctor. In case the child appears pale, sweaty and faint, treat him for a shock.
Black Eye:
A hard blow around the eyebrow, nose or cheek may result in swelling and gradually develop into a black eye. A cold compress such as a flannel or a tea towel wrapped round ice cubes will help soothe the pain. Black eyes become less swollen after a few days, becoming yellowy as they fade. Get the eye also examined for possible injuries.
Burns:
The effect of burns is not skin deep. The heat causes plasma in the blood vessels to escape, resulting in blister. In severe cases the plasma will need to be replaced by fluids in the hospital. Another problem is of infection, which increases the pain.
Burns can be caused by fire, chemicals, electricity and hot objects. Scalds are caused by hot liquids and steam.
As a first aid, cool the area for ten minutes under running cold water. Take off clothing or jewellery as swelling can later make this difficult. If the burn is less than 2cm square it can be treated at home. Else, seek medical advice immediately. In case of later, wrap the affected area by a clean handkerchief to keep infections away from the raw skin. Take the child immediately to hospital. In case of former dry the area gently. Do not treat the blisters as that protects the skin from infection and plasma is unable to leak further. Cover it with a sterile adhesive dressing.
Convulsions:
A sudden rise in temperature leading to muscles becoming rigid and displays jerks and twitches. If try to keep him on his side or on his front with his head turned to one side.
Usually convulsions last for a few minutes only. Children usually fall into a deep sleep afterwards. If there is temperature, treat him by a cold sponge.
Eye Injuries:
Eye injuries could be by corrosive chemicals, foreign bodies or external forces. Even the mildest injury should be checked with a specialist.
Shampoo or soap can cause a lot of irritation once it gets into the eye, though it does not cause any lasting damage. Any other liquid, if it creates irritation should be taken more seriously, in case it is acid or alkali. Wash the eye thoroughly and take the child to a doctor. Do carry the liquid to help the doctor understand the nature of the problem.
Dust, sand or insects usually wash away by themselves. Crying will in fact help in this. In case it does not, separate the eyelids and flush it with the help of cold water. Do not allow the child to rub his eye.
Head Injury:
In case of slight head injury put a ice pack on the affected part. If he seems to be dazed make his comfortable and encourage him to sleep. While sleeping, if his color and breathing are normal, leave him undisturbed. But if becomes paler, call the doctor. Also, if he is vomiting, bleeding, has irrational speech, has headache, behaves clumsily then call the doctor immediately.
Unconsciousness:
In case of unconsciousness, there is danger of getting chocked. So the baby should be made to lie down on his tummy with his head turned to one side. Pull the leg up and keep in a little raised position and tuck the arms at the elbow so that the hand is opposite to the face. This is called the recovery position and it helps in circulation and draining out of vomit or blood without obstructing the breathings. If he regains consciousness, let him lie down till the doctor comes. Do not offer any drink.
Choking:
Usually coughing is the easiest way to remove the object that is obstructing the circulation. But if the child cannot cough out the object, then no air is being able to get though. He will gradually turn blue. In such emergencies immediately call the doctor.
Try, if he can suck the object. Else, put him across your knees with his head lower than his legs and put him firmly between the shoulder blades.
If the object could not be removed, rush to hospital in the head-down position.
Nose Bleeds:
Nose bleeds can be due to extreme heat or excessive sneezing. If the bleeding is heavy, pinch can clot. Once the bleeding has stopped leave it undisturbed for an hour. The nose will feel uncomfortable and crusty but do no let the child blow or pick his nose.
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