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Tell Me Where It Hurts
by
Pamela Kramer
Parents, December 2005
Don't know exactly what's wrong with your child?
Decode her confusing symptoms -- and help her feel
better fast -- with our expert guide to common
kiddie aches and pains.
Strange Symptom:
Pulling at or Poking Her Ear
What it probably is: An ear infection or pressure
and pain caused by a cold. She may also have fever,
earache, and pus or fluid draining from the ear.
Ease your child’s discomfort by applying a warm,
moist compress to the ear and giving her an
over-the-counter pain reliever. Call your doctor,
but keep in mind that he may not prescribe
antibiotics right away, since most ear infections
clear up on their own after a few days. (He may make
an exception for children under 2 years old or
children with severe symptoms.)
But don't rule out: Teething -- nerves in the gums
travel along the jaw line toward the ears. Other
symptoms are drooling, chewing on her fingers, and
swollen, red gums. Massage her gums with a clean
finger or a wet washcloth and offer her a cool
teething ring to gnaw on.
Strange Symptom: Pressing Fingers into His Forehead
and Temples
What it probably is: A headache caused by allergies,
a cold, eyestrain, dehydration, hunger, or lack of
sleep. Give your child juice or a light snack if he
hasn't eaten in a while. If he doesn't feel better,
have him lie down in a cool, dark room, put a cold
compress on his forehead, and give him acetaminophen
or ibuprofen. Call the doctor if the pain persists
for more than a few hours, if your child also has a
fever or stiff neck (which could signal meningitis)
or if he gets throbbing headaches regularly.
But don't rule out: A sinus infection, since pain in
the sinus cavities often radiates up into the
forehead. Other symptoms can include fever, a runny
nose, bad breath, and pain in the upper jaw and
teeth. Your doctor may recommend over-the-counter
pain relievers or prescribe an antibiotic.
Strange Symptom: Holding and Rubbing His Tummy
What it probably is: A stomachache caused by a viral
infection or indigestion. This is usually a pain
above the belly button that may be accompanied by
diarrhea, vomiting, or fever. Have your child lie
down, and put a warm heating pad on his stomach.
Giving him plenty of liquids can also help. Call
your doctor if the pain gets worse, or if vomiting
and diarrhea are severe.
But don't rule out: Constipation, lactose
intolerance, or even appendicitis. If your child
hasn’t pooped in a while and he complains of pain
low in his abdomen, it's probably constipation. Kids
who are lactose intolerant repeatedly complain of
stomach pain after drinking milk or eating dairy
foods, and they usually have diarrhea and gas.
Appendicitis is rare, but if your little one
complains of sharp pains in his lower right abdomen
and he also has fever and chills and is sweating
profusely, go to the emergency room.
Strange Symptom: Sore Bottom
What it probably is: Irritation due to poor wiping
and constipation. Help your child wash her bottom
with warm, soapy water, then pat it dry with a soft
towel and apply petroleum jelly or diaper cream.
You'll also want to make sure she drinks plenty of
water and eats high-fiber foods to ease
constipation. See your doctor if the problem doesn't
go away. He may recommend a stool softener or a
prescription ointment.
But don't rule out: A urinary-tract infection.
Though it may seem surprising, children often can’t
articulate exactly where it hurts down there. Other
symptoms include fever, frequent trips to the toilet
with little urination, and cloudy or foul-smelling
pee. Your pediatrician will most likely prescribe
antibiotics.
Strange Symptom: Loud Snoring
What it probably is: A cold or allergy that is
causing mucus to obstruct her airway. She may
display other symptoms of a cold and complain about
a sore throat in the morning (since breathing
through her mouth at night is irritating her
throat). To help her sleep better, elevate her head
with an extra pillow (for a baby, place a book
underneath one end of the mattress) and run a
cool-mist humidifier. Using saline nose drops just
before bedtime can also help.
But don't rule out: Obstructive sleep apnea -- if
snoring persists for more than two weeks. Kids with
enlarged tonsils or adenoids, or those who are
overweight, are most likely to have this condition
in which the airway becomes blocked during sleep.
Symptoms include gasping for air at night and
drowsiness during the day.
Strange Symptom: Bright-Red Cheeks
What it probably is: Windburn. Soothe these dry, red
patches that resemble sunburn by regularly applying
unscented baby lotion or petroleum jelly and using
only mild soap or plain water at bath time. In the
future, limit the amount of time your baby spends
outside when it’s cold (and put petroleum jelly on
his cheeks when you do go out), and always dress an
older child in a scarf or face mask.
But don't rule out: Fifth disease, a mild viral
infection that is common during childhood and
usually produces a rash on the face that lasts for
three or four days. Once that fades, the rash often
appears on the arms, legs, and back. There’s no
treatment, and it usually goes away in seven to ten
days. However, women who are pregnant should let
their doctor know if they are exposed to fifth
disease, since it puts them at risk for miscarriage
and other complications.
Strange Symptom: Rubbing Her Legs or Saying They
Hurt
What it probably is: Growing pains. These usually
occur in both legs and are most common during the
night. Ease your child's aches by gently rubbing or
massaging her calves and thighs -- and showing her
how to do the same whenever they hurt. Soaking in a
warm bath and light stretching can also help.
But don't rule out: Sprains and muscle strains from
excessive running, jumping, and playing sports.
These minor injuries are usually in just one leg,
and the pain is often localized. Have your child
rest her muscles, keep her legs elevated, and apply
ice packs for 20 minutes every hour during the day.
Ibuprofen or acetaminophen can also help. Call your
doctor if the pain persists for more than 48 hours,
if she can’t bear weight on the leg or she limps, or
if the area swells.
Strange Symptom: Yellow or Green Nasal Discharge
What it probably is: A cold or sinus infection.
Other symptoms include fever, headache, and
difficulty breathing through the nose. Call your
doctor if it doesn't clear up in two or three days.
But don't rule out: A foreign body -- such as a
small bead or piece of candy -- stuck in the nose.
The discharge will most likely have a foul smell and
will come from only one nostril. If your child is
old enough, block the unobstructed nostril with your
thumb and have your child blow hard to try to remove
the object. (Don't use tweezers to try to extricate
it -- you may only push the object farther up the
nostril.) If that doesn't work, call your doctor
right away.
Strange Symptom: Bad Breath
What it probably is: Tartar buildup on the teeth.
Help your child thoroughly brush his teeth and gums
after every meal, and floss once a day to get rid of
stubborn food particles. You should also encourage
him to drink water between meals to wash away
bacteria and keep his mouth moist. If the odor
persists, see your dentist, since it can be a sign
of tooth decay.
But don't rule out: Strep throat, tonsillitis, or a
sinus infection. These can cause thick fluids like
pus, mucus, or phlegm to collect in the back of the
throat. Call your doctor if your child has any other
symptoms of infection, including fever, sore throat,
and swollen glands in the neck.
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