Ravina Sewani

Wool is a clothing material containing natural oil called lanolin, which is the cause of many children's wool allergies. Children who are allergic to lanolin will show allergic reactions to other products containing lanolin. Symptoms:<ul><li>Skin Irritation - rashes and hives</li><li>Eye irritation - redness, itching and puffiness of the eyes</li><li>Nasal Problems - runny nose, sneezing, nasal congestion</li><li>Narrowed airways</li><li>Trouble in breathing</li><li>Drop in blood pressure</li><li>Asthma</li><li>Ear and lung infections</li><li>Anaphylaxis (in more severe cases)</li></ul> Diagnosis:<ul><li>Wool allergies are sometimes misunderstood with wool sensitivity. To know whether your child is allergic to wool or just sensitive, you can try to make him/her wear a layer of clothing between their skin and the wool clothing. If your child does not experience any allergic symptoms, it's clear that your child is only sensitive towards wool. Your child can use wool products as long as they don’t come into contact with their skin.</li><li>Wool allergy is confirmed when your child develops an allergic reaction even if the wool didn't come in direct contact with your child’s skin. To confirm the allergy, you need to take your child to a doctor who will ask for your child’s medical and health history, your family’s medical history, and perform either a skin-prick or blood test.</li></ul> Wool Allergy Sources:<ul><li>Wool clothing - sweaters, scarves, bonnets, socks and gloves</li><li>Wool wax</li><li>Cosmetic products and personal products with lanolin</li></ul> Treatment:There's no permanent cure for wool allergy. Your child can, however, be given antihistamines and allergy shots to subdue the symptoms of the allergy. Guidelines to soothe your child’s skin after an allergic reaction:<ul><li>Keep the skin clean and moisturised with a gentle, fragrance-free lotion</li><li>Let the skin be exposed to air as much as possible</li><li>Avoid hot baths or showers, which may further irritate the skin</li><li>Try to stop scratching, which can make the rash worse</li><li>As a precautionary measure, avoid using woollen clothes or products containing lanolin for your baby.</li></ul>

Wool allergies are quite common but are often confused with wool sensitivity hence it is important to get a proper diagnosis done by an allergist.

Wool allergies

Palak Vyas

Dry eyes describe a condition when the eye is unable to produce tears properly or does not produce tears of a suitable consistency. Symptoms associated with dry eyes:<ul><li>Your child may experience stinging or burning sensation in the eye.</li><li>He or she feels something is caught in his/her eye.</li><li>They may have red or painful eyes.</li><li>There may be stringy discharge from the eyes.</li><li>They may experience blurred vision.</li><li>Their eyes may feel tired easily after watching TV or reading.</li></ul> Home remedies for dry eyes:<ul><li>Apply water compresses to the eye.</li><li>In cold weather, you can use a bedside humidifier at night.</li><li>Avoid taking your child in the breezy atmosphere.</li></ul> If the situation persists for more than a few days, consult a doctor.

Dry eyes can lead to constant itching and so it becomes all the more necessary to treat it at the right time.

Dealing with Dry eyes

In mastitis, your breasts might become tender, warm to touch, breast may get swollen, get a breast lump, skin redness, experience burning sensation continuously or while breast-feeding. Mastitis is an inflammation of the breast due to ineffective draining of milk. Mastitis is known to happen in only one breast but sometimes it can happen in both your breasts. Mastitis requires medical advice right away. When you are breastfeeding, milk production is a continuous process and if you do not empty your breasts, the pressure around the breasts increases and the milk builds up in the surrounding breasts tissues. This build up of milk causes redness and swelling. If the milk enters into the blood stream, your immune system might respond with fever or with chills and heat alternatively. Mastitis sometimes is also caused by bacteria entering your body through your cracked nipples or milk ducts. The risk of mastitis increases there is poor draining of milk, sore or cracked nipples, inefficient nursing, or if you wear a tight-fitting dress restricting your milk flow, if you smoke or have a poor nutrition compromising your immunity. If left untreated, mastitis could lead to abscess. Mastitis can be prevented by ensuring drainage of the milk from your breasts while breast-feeding. This can be done by allowing your baby to fully feed from one breast before offering the other.The usual treatment for mastitis includes prescription of antibiotics. Mastitis can recur if you do not treat the cause. You need to drain your breast totally during every feed. Continue to breastfeed through your bout of mastitis as this may help you. If you do not do this, you run the risk of another infection.

Mastitis is an inflammation of the breast due to ineffective draining of milk.

Mastitis in mothers

When your child is doing the opposite of what you say most of the times, it indicates the possibility of Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD). ODD occurs due to social and environmental factors during development. Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) is a childhood behaviour problem. A child with ODD:<ul><li>Won’t do what people ask</li><li>Thinks that what (s)he’s being asked to do is unreasonable</li><li>Gets angry and aggressive when asked to do something</li></ul> Every child gets cranky and disobeys when they’re tired, upset or frustrated. But a child with ODD behaves like this a lot, and the ODD behaviour is so severe that the child would refuse to do ordinary, everyday things just because (s)he required to do so. A child with ODD will defy what an authoritative figure says by arguing, disobeying, or talking back to their parents, teachers, or other adults.&nbsp;When this behaviour lasts longer than six months and is excessive compared to what is usual for the child's age, it may mean that the child has oppositional defiant disorder (ODD). In this case, it is best to see a psychiatrist or a psychologist who can help identify whether the child has ODD or not. Symptoms:<ul><li>Repeated temper tantrums</li><li>Excessively arguing with adults, especially those with authority</li><li>Staying irritated at adults</li><li>Refusing to comply with requests and rules</li><li>Trouble carrying out routine tasks at home and in school</li><li>Blaming others for their mistakes</li><li>Being vindictive towards others</li><li>Swearing or using obscene language</li><li>Saying mean and hateful things when upset</li><li>Low self-esteem</li></ul> Causes:Even though the exact cause of ODD is not known, following are presumed to be the underlying reasons of ODD:<ul><li>Biological: Some studies suggest that injuries to certain areas of the brain can lead to serious behavioural problems in children. ODD has also been linked to abnormal functioning of certain types of brain chemicals, or neurotransmitters.</li><li>Genetics: Children with close family members with mental illnesses probably inherit ODD.</li><li>Environmental: Factors such as a dysfunctional family life, a family history of mental illnesses and/or substance abuse, and inconsistent discipline by parents may contribute to the development of behaviour disorders in children.</li></ul> Diagnosis:After you report your child’s symptoms to a psychiatrist or psychologist, (s)he will begin an evaluation by performing a complete medical history and physical exam. Although there are no lab tests to specifically diagnose ODD, the doctor may sometimes use tests such as neuroimaging studies or blood tests. Treatment:Treatment for ODD is determined based on many factors, including the child's age, the severity of symptoms, and the child's ability to participate in and tolerate specific therapies. Treatment usually consists of a combination of the following: <ul><li>Psychotherapy: Psychotherapy helps the child develop more effective coping and problem-solving skills, and ways to express and control anger. Psychotherapy includes cognitive-behavioural therapy that reshapes the child's thinking to improve their behaviour.</li><li>Medication: While there is no medication that is scientifically established or formally approved to treat ODD, drugs may sometimes be used to treat symptoms of ODD.</li></ul> Prevention:It is not possible to prevent ODD but recognising and acting on symptoms when they first appear can minimise distress to the child and family.

Here are Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention.

All about Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)

Eating excess junk food like pizza and pasta can cause constipation as they are made of refined flour. The child, who is already suffering from constipation avoids going to the toilet because it is painful. Because of this, the stool stays in the stomach and gets harder and it gets more painful when the child goes to the toilet next time. This cycle continues. Make sure the child eats enough fibrous foods like fruits and vegetables so the stool gets softer and passes out easily. . For 0-1 year:Constipation among infants is not a serious problem. The child is constipated when (s)he misses passing the stool for less than thrice a week or when they pass thick/hard stool. Babies who are exclusively breastfed may not pass bowel movements every day. So, do not worry much. If your child is happy, does not cry much and does not have a gas problem, be rest assured about constipation. If you feel that your child's belly is very firm than usual, it could be a sign of constipation. In that case, you can try the following:<ul><li>Adjust your diet so that the baby gets healthier breast milk.</li><li>If your baby is below 6 months, gently massage the his/her stomach and gently move his/her legs in the bicycle movement.</li><li>If your baby is older than 6 months, you can try giving him/her semi-solid foods and fruit juices to improve bowel movements.</li></ul> Also, do not worry about the variance in the colour of the potty. The colour of the potty changes during the first year due to diet and the introduction of new foods to babies. The colours of potty may vary from black, mustard yellow, green, orange. If the colour is white or grey or chalky, it indicates the baby is suffering from liver problems and in this case, you should consult a paediatrician. For 2-6 years:If you are a parent of a toddler, keep a check on potty routine. At times children skip potty as they are more interested in playing or watching their favourite cartoon and hence avoid going for potty. Even change in routine makes them uncomfortable about going to potty. If constipation persists, you can try the following:<ul><li>Give them a glass of warm water once or twice a day if they regularly skip potty.</li><li>Give them carrot and green leafy vegetable soup.</li></ul>Also, give your child proper potty training. Set a fixed time of the day when they are supposed to go for potty. This will help maintain a regular bowel cycle. If constipation persists for more than a week, it is better to consult your child's paediatrician.

The problem of constipation in children worries a lot of parents. There are a few ways in which you can address this problem.

Constipation among infants and toddlers

Samiksha Choithani

One way to make sure that your child is latching properly during feeding is by observing the following pattern in your baby’s stool during the first week after birth: <ul><li>1 day after birth – 1 wet diaper, greenish-black stool colour, stool smears</li><li>2 days after birth – 2 wet diapers, greenish-black stool colour, 1-2 stools</li><li>3 days after birth – 3 wet diapers, yellow and soft stool, 2-4 stools</li><li>4 days after birth – 4 wet diapers, yellow and soft stool, 3-5 stools</li><li>5 days after birth – 5 wet diapers, yellow and soft stool, 3-5 stools</li></ul> If you observe a similar pattern is similar, there is no need to worry. If that is not the case, there are ways to improve latching and efficiently feed your baby.

Improper latching leads to an underweight child. Hence it is important to make sure that your child is latched well.

Proper latching during breastfeeding

Chicken pox is a communicable disease but is also self limiting, which means, the virus gradually leaves the body in few days naturally. Chicken pox is caused by Varicella-zoster virus. Most cases occur through contact with an infected person. The virus can spread through:<ul><li>saliva</li><li>coughing</li><li>sneezing</li><li>contact with fluid from the blisters</li></ul> Symptoms:<ul><li>The obvious sign of chickenpox is a super-itchy skin rash with red blisters. Over the course of several days, the blisters pop and start to leak transparent watery fluid. Then they dry out before finally healing. The first sign is usually a general feeling of being unwell.</li><li>Body aches</li><li>Fever</li><li>Feeling extremely tired (fatigue)</li><li>Feeling irritable</li><li>Loss of appetite</li><li>Headache</li></ul> Most cases of chickenpox are mild and go away on their own. But see your doctor right away if your child develops any of the following symptoms:<ul><li>The rash spreads to one or both eyes.</li><li>The rash gets very red, warm, or tender.</li><li>Dizziness</li><li>Shortness of breath</li><li>Vomiting</li><li>Stiff neck</li><li>Fever over 102 F</li></ul> Spreading: You can get the virus by breathing in particles that come from chickenpox blisters or by touching something on which the particles landed. Diagnosis: Your doctor will be able to diagnose chickenpox based on a physical exam of blisters on your child’s body. Treatment:Chickenpox generally resolves within a week or two without treatment. There is no cure, but a vaccine can prevent it. Your child's doctor may prescribe medication or advise on how to reduce the symptoms of itchiness and discomfort.<ol><li>Pain or fever: Your child's doctor will prescribe a medicine that will help with symptoms of high temperature and pain.</li><li>Avoiding dehydration: It is important that your child drinks plenty of fluids, preferably water, to prevent dehydration. Some doctors recommend sugar-free popsicles for children who are not drinking enough.</li><li>Mouth soreness: Sugar-free popsicles help ease symptoms of soreness if there are spots in the mouth. Salty or spicy foods should be avoided. If chewing is painful, soup might be a good option, but it should not be too hot.</li><li>Itchiness: ltchiness can become severe, but it is important to minimize scratching to reduce the risk of scarring. The following may help prevent scratching:</li></ol><ul><li>keeping fingernails clean and as short as possible</li><li>placing mittens or over a child’s hands when they go to sleep</li><li>applying skincare lotion prescribed by the doctor</li><li>wearing loose clothing</li></ul> Precaution:<ul><li>Do not send your child to school so that other children are safe.</li><li>Keep other kids in the house away from the infected child.</li><li>Calamine lotion is usually used to soothe the spots.</li><li>Make children wear light cotton clothes.</li><li>Make them drink plenty of fluids.</li><li>Don’t let your child scratch his/her itchy skin. This could lead to bacterial infection and leave scars.</li></ul> Prevention:Your child should get 2 dose of Chicken pox Vaccine. One at 15th month and second at 18th month to prevent the disease. Vaccine is painless, Very safe and 95% effective if both the doses are given on time.

Here are Chicken pox Symptoms, Causes, Spreading, Prevention, Precaution, Diagnosis, and Treatment.

All about Chicken pox

Often, hair loss in children is caused by an infection or other problems with the scalp. Here are some of the most common causes:<ul><li>Ringworm of the scalp: This scalp infection spreads when kids share personal items such as combs and hats.It is caused by a fungus. Kids with this condition develop patches of hair loss with black dots where the hair is broken off. Their skin may turn red, scaly, and bumpy.</li><li>Hair loss can also result due to an autoimmune disease (Alopecia areata). The immune system attacks the follicles from which hair grows. There’s no cure for alopecia areata, but some treatments can help regrow hair. With the right treatment, most kids with alopecia areata will regrow hair within one year. Full regrowth can take six months to a year.</li><li>Nutritional deficiency: Good nutrition is essential for a healthy body. When kids don’t get enough vitamins, minerals, and protein, their hair can fall out.</li></ul> A lack of the following nutrients can contribute to hair loss:<ul><li>iron</li><li>zinc</li><li>niacin</li><li>biotin</li><li>protein and amino acids</li><li>Too much vitamin A can also lead to hair loss.</li><li>Your child’s paediatrician can suggest a healthy eating plan or prescribe a supplement to make up for the nutritional shortfall.</li></ul> Non Medical hair loss causes:<ul><li>Newborn hair loss: During their first six months of life, most babies will lose the hair they were born with. The newborn hair falls out to make way for mature hair. This type of hair loss is perfectly normal and nothing to worry about.</li><li>Friction hair loss: Some babies lose hair in the back of their scalp because they rub their head repeatedly against the crib mattress, floor, or something else. Once they stop rubbing their hair should grow back.</li><li>Hair ties: Pulling your child’s hair back into a tight ponytail, braid, or bun causes trauma to the hair follicles. Hair can also fall out if your child brushes or combs it too hard. Be gentle when combing and styling your child’s hair and keep ponytails and braids loose to prevent hair loss.</li></ul>

Hair-fall can be irritating. Understanding the right cause is important so that right remedy can be applied.

Treating hair loss

<ul><li>Dust mites are very small bugs which live in humid environments and feed on scales shed by human skin. Dust mites need around 80% humidity and so as soon as the humidity falls, they die.</li><li>A protein present in the wastes of dust mites is usually found in the beds, carpets, furniture and when your child inhales such air, an allergic reaction is triggered.</li><li>Dust mites are the most common culprits behind your child's asthma. So it is very important to clean the furniture in the house properly at regular intervals.</li><li>The growth of dust mites can be prevented by dust-proofing your house using vacuum cleaner and washing pillows and mattresses in hot water time to time.</li><li>The growth of dust mites and hence the allergic reactions can be reduced by installing dehumidifiers to reduce the percentage of humidity indoors. You can also use HEPA filters in the air purifiers of your house.</li><li>Avoid carpeting in your house if your child is allergic to dust mites.</li></ul> Symptoms:<ul><li>Itching</li><li>Rashes</li><li>Vomiting</li><li>Diarrhoea</li><li>Swelling of the lips or tongue or face</li><li>Throat constriction</li><li>Difficulty in breathing</li><li>Allergies may sometimes also cause a life-threatening reaction called anaphylaxis which constricts the airway passage and requires immediate medical attention.</li></ul> Diagnosis:<ul><li>Always get your child diagnosed by a healthcare expert and never on your own. Never self-assume that your child has peanut allergy. Commercial home test kits for self-diagnosis are not recommended as they may not be of the required standards.</li><li>Your child’s paediatrician may recommend that your child undertake tests like skin prick test, blood test or food/drug challenge. It is important that these tests are performed under medical supervision as these tests might trigger an allergic reaction. Along with these tests, your child’s paediatrician will also examine your child's medical/family history, existing conditions like asthma and eczema.</li></ul>

Allergy to dust mites is usually caused by the carpets used in the house. The best way to make your baby safe is to keep your surroundings clean.

breastfeeding health concern

Following article(s) will help solve your concern.