Common Infant Ailments
By Dana Sullivan for Your Baby Today
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.
Also see:
• Creating a sick day plan
• Baby safety checklist
The content on these pages is provided as general information only and should not be substituted for the advice of your physician.
