Google

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

How to Treat Supot-supot or Skin Asthma or Hives?




When I was a child, I and my siblings often suffer from a skin disorder locally called Supot-Supot. This Supot-supot, I later found out is called by the doctors as Skin asthma or Hives.

Hives or skin asthma usually starts with small, almost a dot, red, itchy, raised rashes that may appear in any part of the body. As the rashes are scratched, it grows bigger and bigger until they join together.

Because we live in a barrio my mother thought the cause of the rashes is kulam or a witch’s inflicted disease. Treatment was then for us drinking a concoction of bitter herbal medicines. And for the relief of itch, she would apply Caladryl on our rashes. She would have us dress in black to make the rashes go away (it always puzzled me how). And she would give us a warm bath and make us stay in room with all the windows closed.

I never believed in my mother’s beliefs, because instead of relief, we suffered more with her remedies. So when my daughter suffered from hives, I didn’t do, not even one, of the remedies she treated us with. Instead I went to my pediatrician and I learned that the disease is an allergy, and I learned to properly deal with it.

Hives is very itchy. It’s painfully itchy. A child won’t be able to avoid scratching. And this is not good because the scratching causes the rashes to grow bigger (as it was mentioned earlier). It may as well cause abrasions or bruises which may lead to skin infections.

Causes:

  • Hives is an allergic reaction. So it is caused by a wide array of substances. For example:
  • Medicine
  • Food like shellfish, citrus, fish, eggs, nuts even milk
  • Pollen
  • Insect bites
  • Animal fur/hair like that of cats and dogs



Hives may also be caused by some conditions like:
  • Sudden change of temperature
  • Stress
  • Extreme temperature (either hot or cold)
  • Heavy sweating
  • Infections
  • Diseases



Treatment:

Hives doesn’t need to be treated. The rashes usually go away in a few days. But if it’s causing difficulty in breathing, nausea and dizziness, fever and weakness and if it has persisted for at least more than 4 weeks, it is best to see a doctor.

 Remedy to alleviate the itching:
  • Cold compress – you can use water, milk, tea, or boiled guava leaves. When we say cold, it means cool enough, not freezing. Wet a cloth with any of the suggested and cover the rashes with it. Let stand until the coolness disappear.
  • Take a cool bath – not necessarily icy cool, just the normal tap water temperature. My pediatrician advised me to add oatmeal. They have this powdered oatmeal in sachets specifically for baths. If you do not have oatmeal you can also use baking soda. ½ box for every bath.
  • Aloe Vera Gelly – I have discovered this lotion years ago and it helps a lot. It’s a Forever Living Company product. It’s all natural so it is safe. It also helps cool the rashes.


IMPORTANT:

  • Avoid scratching. But since children cannot avoid it, have your child use mittens or soft cloth gloves to help prevent him from bruising himself.
  • Have your child wear long clothes to cover the rashes that he may not be able to scratch it with his finger nails.
  • Never give your child a warm bath. It will only make the rashes itch more!
  • Watch your child for signs of weakness or difficulty in breathing, should these conditions be present, don’t waste time. Bring him to the hospital at once.
  • Discover the triggering conditions so as you know to avoid. 

Stumble Upon Toolbar

Home Remedy when Kids have Sore Throat

Sore throat is a common health problem among children, but usually is left unattended so it progresses to more severe cases like cough, cold and even flu


Symptoms:


When your child complains of an itchy throat, that's the start
Hoarse voice,
Difficulty in speaking because the throat is sore,
Sometimes fever is present


Remedy:
Have your child drink lots of water, and freshly squeezed citrus juices, preferably with less sugar.
Gargle with lukewarm water mixed with vinegar

Stumble Upon Toolbar

Thursday, April 7, 2011

What to do when your child has a flu.

Flu

Flu is not as simple as we thought. It is caused by a virus and it is transferred from one person to another through coughing, sneezing, sharing of eating utensils and having a direct contact with people sick from it. Recovery can be expected in 1-2 weeks time, but there are instances when the infection may develop to life-threatening complications.

Children are mostly at risk because their immune system is not yet as developed as to that of the adults although, it affects all ages.

Symptoms:
  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Weakness or feelings of fatigue
  • Muscle aches
  • Joint aches
  • Sore throat
  • Cough
  • Cold
  • Irritated, watery eyes
  • Fever and chills 


What to do when your child is down with fl?
  • Give paracetamol to relieve the fever and pain.
  • Rest and plenty of water are necessary.
  • Monitor the temperature.
  • If fever persists and your child is shivering or is having chills, better consult a doctor. 


Caution: 
  • Don’t give aspirin to your children.
  • Flu is caused by a virus so don’t give your child antibiotics unless your pedia instructs you to. (antibiotics are for bacteria caused diseases)


Prevention:
  • Prevention is better than cure. Have your child vaccinated against flu.
  • Teach your child to practice good personal hygiene, like proper hand washing. Hand sanitizers are also a great help when hand washing can’t be possible.
  • Teach your child to avoid touching his eyes, nose mouth and to cover her mouth and nose when someone sneezes or coughs near or in front of him.

Stumble Upon Toolbar

Google