Eczema or atopic dermatitis as it is medically termed is a condition of the skin where certain areas of the body are greatly affected like the elbow and the back of the knee; significantly, it does not affect the diaper area amongst babies. Fortunately, children can outgrow the condition. However, there are some instances when eczema cannot be avoided.

Eczema presents as dry irritated skin; the skin can be scaly at times and the itchiness persisting. Although eczema’s cause is not exactly known, it is attributed as a reaction of the skin to an allergy. A history of asthma and hay fever in the family also talks about the probability of a child acquiring one.

Thankfully, the use of cortisone creams for eczema are widely accepted. These cream serve to reduce the inflammation, thus, decreasing the itchiness and the possibility of infection. As a mother, make sure that even before you use one, always consult the pediatrician for recommendations regarding the dose to be used and other considerations that you must take note of; this is even if there are over-the-counter cortisone creams. Be reminded that your child’s skin is sensitive and delicate which warrants a recommended dosage from a doctor. Additionally, the potency of a certain cream ranging from mild, medium, strong and very strong needs an order to be prescribed by the doctor as the side effects as well as the adverse reactions should be prevented.

Nonetheless, cortisone creams are best applied after bathing your child since the skin is a little damp. After bathing your child, make sure that the skin should be patted dry and not rubbed but again, leave room for a little dampness. Usually, doctors recommend twice a day application. It is also best to apply the cortisone cream before a recommended moisturizer to keep the medication working closely to the skin. The moisturizer ointment or cream should not be a lotion.

Again, do not excessively apply as your child is not an adult. The worst your child can suffer from with prolonged exposure and application beyond what was told to you are allergic reactions, indigestion, dizziness and even a stunted growth.

Re-evaluate the improvement of the reddish patches suffered by your child; if it does not work out as planned, then, call your doctor immediately. He might suggest a higher dose or may have to reassess the condition of your child although sometimes, a relatively dose is given and then adjusted by the caregiver as he sees fit.

Apart from the aforementioned, other home therapies to be used at the same time with cortisone creams are also suggested to lubricate the skin and to further to suppress the inflammation.

Clothes that are woolen in nature, the tight and rough ones should avoided in your child’s closet. Additionally, the frequent use of soap and other products that make the skin dry should be eliminated from your bathroom. Choose the moisturizing soaps as these do not reduce the oil component of your child’s skin.

Overall, practicing and teaching your child about good hygiene will greatly help.

Everyone wants to have their child pick up the best traits of each of his parents. If the dad is highly intellectual or if the mom is very attractive, one would wish to have the child of these two, inherit both qualities, so the child would end up smart and beautiful. Physical attributes are not the only traits that are passed on to children; our body’s genes also pass on health problems and diseases. What are these common inherited health problems? And How can we determine if the child is affected or not?

There are 6 common inherited health problems that affect a lot of families in the United States of America. First health problem is with vision, according to Dr. Stuart Dankner M.D., a pediatrician ophthalmologist in Baltimore; problems such as near sightedness, lazy eye, and color blindness are all hereditary. Parents can suspect if their child has visual problems if they observe him experiencing any of these symptoms, frequent headaches, squinting and tearing up especially after reading or watching TV. If eye problem is present in both parents, it is best to have the child regularly checked by an ophthalmologist. The second health problem is eczema; a skin disorder characterized by dry, red, itchy skin patches believed to be caused by an allergic reaction to certain irritants such as extreme weather, egg and dairy products. Eczema is easy to spot, and if the parent suspects her child of having such condition, it is advisable to seek consult from a specialist. The third hereditary health problem is migraine; these severe headaches have a 50% chance of getting passed on if one parent has it, more so if both of them have it. Similar to how adults manifest migraine, children will also feel a throbbing pain on the front or sides of the head, usually accompanied by nausea and vomiting as well as sensitivity to light and sound. As always, it is always best to consult a specialist to manage and treat this condition. The fourth problem is Irritable Bowel Syndrome or IBS, the major symptom of this disease is abdominal pain and alternating diarrhea and constipation. If found to have IBS, consult with a pediatrician and modify the child’s diet eliminating food that triggers such condition. The fifth health problem that can be passed on is allergies; there is more than 50% chance of inheriting allergies if either of the parents has it. Allergies can be triggered by different sources and can manifest in various ways such as colds, runny nose, skin rashes, eye swelling and in severe cases breathing difficulties. The child’s pediatrician might prescribe mild antihistamines to manage allergies. The final health problem that can be inherited by the child is psychological and emotional issues. Personality disorders, mood disorders and several anxiety disorders are highly genetic and children are strongly predisposed. To spot children who might be experiencing psychological or emotional disturbances, observe the child for depression, unusual sadness, irritability, and mood swings.

Early detection of these hereditary health problems is as important as treating the disease itself. Be very observant and always be wary of what your child has, learn how to spot the unusual.

Does the use of Tylenol in teens increase their chances of getting asthma? According to a recent study conducted by Professor Richard Beasley an epidemiologist and director of the medical research institute of Wellington, in New Zealand, teens using Tylenol are at a higher risk of developing asthma as well as eczema and other allergic nasal conditions compared to those teens who are not taking them. Based on the results of his study, approximately 43% of teens who use Tylenol at least once per year develop asthma, and this percentage increases by 2.5 if the medication is taken at least once in every month.

 What is Tylenol anyway? And why do teens use them? Tylenol is a drug, generically known as acetaminophen, invented during the 1950’s by Dr. James Roth, an American gastroenterologist.  Tylenol was primarily created as a safe substitute for Aspirin since this drug has fewer side effects compared to the latter that causes bleeding tendencies and increases the risk of acquiring Reye’s syndrome a fatal condition that affects the body’s major organs most especially the brain and liver. This drug is used to relieve pain, minimize fever, and relieve discomforts and symptoms of colds, cough and allergies.  Tylenol is an over the counter drug, it is widely available anywhere, and a doctor’s prescription isn’t required to purchase this. Popular brand names include Motrin, Zyrtec, Bendryl and Tylenol plus, manufacturers create several preparations for this drug like tablets, soft gel capsules, and liquid suspensions depending on the its indication. In some cases Tylenol is combined with codeine and other narcotics to make it a more potent analgesic and pain reliever.

 Tylenol has potential risks and side effects. Excessive intake causes paracetamol toxicity which damages the liver leading to acute or chronic liver failure. An overdose of this drug can also cause poisoning, which is very fatal.  In the United States; Tylenol is responsible for 39% of all drug-related acute liver failure cases. Almost half of all the other drugs combined. The danger of excessive intake of this drug not only affects adults but also pregnant women, children and teens. As mentioned the intake of this drug place children and teens at a higher risk of developing asthma. Although not yet proven, significant findings show that since the invention of this drug more than 50 years ago, the incidence of asthma has been slowly increasing. Should it be a coincidence or not, this information needs to be closely looked at and researched further. 

 Like in any other drug, Tylenol should be taken with precaution most especially in children and teens. When taking Tylenol, be a responsible drug user, read the drug literature, look for more information and other resources; and if the situation calls for it, seek your doctor’s advice.  It can not be stressed enough how important it is for people to be extra careful when taking this drug, it’s strongly advised for patients to take the drug as directed. It is always better to be safe now rather than to be sorry in the future, when nothing can be done.