Motherhood is tough, but some times just knowing that your kid is not the only one going through it...can be a huge relief on your heart. The one that scared me the worst ( with each child ) was the Night Terrors. There is just something about being woken in the middle of the night to your child screaming, that is scarier than any Halloween costume!
So get ready for this season Moms!
Good Night dear friends!
Story sponsored by3 'scary' medical problems for kids
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For University of Utah Health Care BrandView
It's that time of year when creating the perfect look as a ghost or goblin means your child might win an award for best costume at a Halloween carnival.
Dressing up to appear scary is one thing but when a health condition causes red, itchy skin or watery eyes with a fever that creeps on unexpectedly, the problems can make mom and dad's heart jump more than any ghoul hiding in the shadows.
University of Utah Health Care's Nathan Bexfield, M.D., gives a rundown of some common ailments that can give parents a scare and offers tips for helping little trick-or-treaters get on the mend in time to enjoy one of the most fun holidays of the year.
Fifth Disease
One minute your child's skin is normal and the next thing you know, what appears to be a series of red welts have erupted. For a second, you wonder if your child has been slapped in the face.
But if other mild symptoms appear, such as a low grade fever, headache, runny nose, sore throat, itching and nausea, there's a chance your child could have Fifth Disease.
Fifth Disease is a viral illness that causes a condition called an exanthem, which is another name for a rash or skin eruption. Fifth disease is also known as "slapped cheek" disease because the rash can cause a child's cheeks to become quite red.
Fifth disease is spread from one child to another through direct contact with fluid from the nose and throat. It can also be spread through contact with infected blood. It is moderately contagious.
It's caused by the human parvovirus B19 and if your child picks it up during the winter months, he or she isn't alone. The disease is most common in the winter and spring among school-aged children.
Symptoms usually show up four to 14 days after being exposed to the disease. About 80 percent of children have very mild symptoms for about a week before getting the rash.
About 20 percent will have no symptoms at all before the rash appears. The rash generally starts on a child's cheeks but spreads to the trunk, arms and legs. It lasts about four days.
Physicians usually treat symptoms of Fifth Disease, but because it's a viral infection, there isn't a cure.
"We often recommend drinking fluids, taking acetaminophen or ibuprofen and using an antihistamine for itching," said Bexfield.
"It's also helpful to practice basic hygiene practices, like hand-washing with soap, and for little kids, remembering to cover their mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing."
He noted that pregnant women should try to avoid exposure to children diagnosed with Fifth Disease if possible.
"If a pregnant woman has been exposed to parvovirus, she should tell her obstetrician," he said.
Hand-Foot-and-Mouth Disease
What is Hand-Foot-and-Mouth Disease?
It's an illness caused by a virus that results in a distinctive rash. It causes small, blister-like bumps in the mouth, and a rash on the palms of the hands and feet.
The rash may also appear in the diaper area and on the legs and arms. The lesions in the mouth usually appear at the back of the throat.
Like Fifth Disease, Hand-Foot-and-Mouth Disease is caused by a virus. It's common in children, particularly children younger than age 10. It is seen most often in the summer and fall.
The virus is usually spread through fecal-oral contact, although other modes of transmission have been reported.
"Unfortunately Hand-Foot-and-Mouth Disease is highly contagious. It's not uncommon to see outbreaks occur in daycares or in other places where young children are in close contact," said Bexfield.
Symptoms include blister-like bumps in the mouth (usually near the throat and tonsils), the feet, and the diaper area, and rash on the arms and legs. Young children may also display a fever, lack an appetite and generally behave out-of-sorts.
Hand-Foot-and-Mouth Disease is usually diagnosed through a visit to a health care provider. The rash and mouth blisters of hand-foot-and-mouth disease are unique, and usually allow for a diagnosis simply on physical exam. A swab of the throat or stool could be sent to the laboratory for testing, but results often take two weeks or more.
There is no specific treatment for Hand-Foot-and-Mouth Disease, although increasing fluid intake, allowing for rest and using approved pain relievers can help with symptoms. In some cases, physicians may recommend an anesthetic mouth rinse to help with pain in a child's mouth.
Night Terrors
It seems like your child is in a blissful state, fast asleep after a long day. But just when you're finally finding some time to relax on your own, you're jolted by screams from your child's bedroom to find him screaming, kicking and thrashing all while he's still apparently asleep.
The culprit may be a night terror, which is a partial waking from sleep where a child is frightened, but cannot be awakened. The child's eyes are open, but a parent often can't get him or her to pay attention.
After anywhere for a couple minutes to a half-hour, the child usually falls back to sleep and often doesn't remember a thing in the morning (while you might still be worried about what happened).
Night terrors, however, are common, says Bexfield. He recommends parents do the following to help a child through a night terror:
•Try to help your child return to normal sleep. Do not try to awaken your child. Make soothing comments. Hold your child if it seems to help him or her feel better. Shaking or shouting at your child may cause the child to become more upset.
•Protect your child against injury. During a night terror, a child can fall down a stairway, run into a wall, or break a window. Try to gently direct your child back to bed.
•Prepare babysitters for these episodes. Explain to people who care for your child what a night terror is and what to do if one happens.
•Try to prevent night terrors. A night terror can be triggered if your child becomes overly-tired. Be sure your child goes to bed at a regular time, and early enough to give him or her enough sleep. Younger children may need to return to a daily nap.
He also suggests making an appointment with a pediatrician if night terrors continue to interrupt a child's sleep on a regular basis, or if a child does something dangerous during an episode.
"While unsettling, night terrors are generally not harmful," said Bexfield. "But if they seem to be occurring on a frequent basis, it never hurts to get in touch with a doctor to talk more about the problem.
Found the article HERE:
PS Remember that Motherhood is tough...but you are tougher!
