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Cough in Babies - Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
Newborn babies are prone to viral infections like cough and the common cold because their immune systems are not developed enough to fight viruses. A persistent cough in babies can lead to a painful throat along with aches and shivers. To help get rid of these symptoms, it is important to know the causes and symptoms of cough, and how it can be prevented.
Video: Cough in Babies – Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
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Types of Cough
There are four types of cough that affect babies: wet cough, dry cough, croup cough, and whooping cough. Here is an overview of the cough types and what they mean for your child.
Croup Cough
Croup is a disease associated with a dry, woofing, and harsh cough. In this condition, the child suffers from a swollen upper trachea or windpipe. The swelling below the vocal cords is responsible for the barking sound. You may also notice that the child makes a high-pitched sound during breathing, known as stridor.
Dry Cough
This is a broken cough resulting from infection due to cold or influenza in babies. It affects the upper respiratory tract, including the nose and throat. You may notice that such a cough gets worse in warm temperatures or the moment the child retires to bed.
Wet Cough
A wet cough occurs when phlegm and fluid secretions accumulate in the lower respiratory tract, which comprises the windpipe and lungs.
Whooping Cough (Pertussis)
A child with whooping cough will show symptoms comparable to normal cough, but it worsens with frequent bouts of coughing, especially during nights. The recurrent coughing fits will be followed by a series of 5 to 15 abrupt coughs one after the other. The child may take deep breaths that sound like whooping.
What Causes Cough in Babies?
A baby's cough is a response to the mucus in the system as a way to get rid of it, and also is a reaction to the irritation caused by the swollen airways and throat. There are several reasons for coughing in babies, but the most common reason is cold or flu.
1) Cold
A cold can result in a cough, and the baby will be troubled by a runny or stuffy nose accompanied by watery eyes, sore throat, and fever.
2) Flu
Flu is similar to a common cold. In this condition, the baby will have a runny nose, fever, and can also experience diarrhoea or vomiting. The cough because of flu will be dry and not 'chesty', meaning that your baby will have lesser mucus to cough up.
3) Croup
If the baby is suffering from croup, the swollen airways will cause coughing. With narrow airways, babies will find it difficult to breathe.
4) Whooping cough
The child will cough up a lot of mucus and make a 'whoop' sound while breathing in air. It is generally a bacterial infection.
5) Asthma
Asthma can be one of the reasons for the baby to begin coughing. A baby suffering from asthma will have tightness in his chest, and a wheeze while breathing in and out.
6) Tuberculosis (TB)
Continuous coughs that refuse to go away can be a sign of TB. A cough resulting from TB will stay for close to two weeks. A baby might cough blood out, feel breathless, and show loss of appetite, accompanied by fever.
7) Viral infections
These can lead to conditions such as bronchitis and pneumonia.
8) Choking
If you notice the child coughing all of a sudden and wheezing because of a blockage in the nose or throat, it could be because he has inhaled a foreign object.
Cough Signs and Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of cough should raise an alarm for parents because it could be the cause of a serious illness as well. The symptoms vary according to the cause of the cough. Some of the symptoms are given below:
A cough as a result of cold is loose and may form mucus. It gets worse at night because when the child lies down, mucus drops from the back of his nose and mouth into the windpipe. At times, the cough might stay for up to six weeks even when other symptoms of cold have gone.
A cough resulting from asthma is mostly worse at night. It could be accompanied by wheezing and breathing difficulties.
In case you notice a barking, hoarse cough, it is a possible sign of croup.
If your child has just recovered from a cold but is troubled with bouts of coughing for many weeks after the cold, it could be whooping cough. The condition can get serious and the child may appear somewhat blue because of temporary oxygen deficiency during breathing.
If a child less than a year old keeps coughing and has breathing difficulties, these could be symptoms of bronchiolitis.
Tests for Cough
Most children having a cough don’t require any tests. You can find the cause of cough by keeping a note of the history of coughs in your child. Also, note the other symptoms that accompany the cough. Generally, cough tests for babies which are prescribed by doctors include a chest X-ray for checking pneumonia.
Treatment for Baby Coughing
If your child is experiencing coughing fits too often, you can consider the following treatments:
1. Feeding soups or hot liquids can give relief from discomfort and irritation in the chest and can loosen mucus.
2. It is suggested that the child be allowed to inhale air with moisture. You can ensure this in the following ways:
Keep a cool-mist humidifier where your child rests.
You can even let a warm shower run in a closed bathroom and sit in it with your child once the room is filled with steam for around 10 minutes.
You can try keeping a wet towel in your child's room.
3. A child with a dry cough or croup cough may feel better after inhaling cool air. The cool air will lessen the inflammation in the respiratory tract. You can try this in the following ways:
Keep your windows open to let the child breathe in the cool and humid air.
You can also take your child on a drive with the car windows open.
You can let the child snuffle the vapour from a freezer or open refrigerator.
4. You can give cough medications after consulting a paediatrician.
5. There are vaccinations for whooping cough for children. But remember, even after the vaccination, there is a possibility that the child may develop a mild degree of the disease.
Make sure you consult your child’s paediatrician for all the above options.
Effective Home Remedies for Cough in Infants
You can find some relief for your coughing baby by turning to these effective baby cough remedies available at home:
Breast milk: If possible, breastfeed your baby because breast milk contains antibodies which help the baby’s body build immunity against germs, viruses and bacteria.
Massage with infused coconut oil: Heat half cup of coconut oil with one pearl onion, 2-3 tulsi leaves and one betel stem. Switch off the gas and add a pinch of camphor. Applying this oil on areas such as the chest, neck, and underarms can ease nasal congestion and trigger an open and smooth airflow.
Garlic and carom (ajwain) pouch: Garlic and carom seeds are good for cold treatment because of their anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties. For this, dry roast two big cloves of garlic and one tablespoon of ajwain. Once it cools down, place the mixture in a clean muslin cloth to make a tight pouch. Keep the pouch hidden under the baby’s pillow or cot. The aroma from the pouch can help in opening up the blocked nose and provide relief from congestion. You can also heat the pouch a little bit and gently rub it on your baby's chest. Make sure the pouch isn't too hot, though.
Massage with mustard oil infused in garlic and carom seeds: For this, take about one-fourth cup of warm mustard oil infused with crushed garlic. Massage this oil on the soles of the baby’s feet and chest. A pinch of carom seeds can be added to this too. Mustard oil has a warming effect that helps soothe congestion.
Turmeric paste: Mix some turmeric powder in water to form a paste and heat it in a ladle. Apply the paste on the chest, forehead and feet. The heat from the turmeric can absorb the mucus and provide relief.
Eucalyptus oil: This oil has expectorant properties (helps bring up and expel mucus) and can be used for cold relief. Add 1-2 drops of eucalyptus oil in cotton and keep it in the baby’s room.
Tomato and garlic soup: These ingredients, when added to soup, help in strengthening the immune system and preventing the occurrence of cold and cough.
Ajwain water with jaggery: Ajwain contains antimicrobial properties. Boil one cup of water with a pinch of ajwain and one teaspoon of jaggery. Then strain, cool, and give one teaspoon once a day for cough relief.
Carrot juice: Carrots contain beta carotene and choline which are effective against asthma. Give your baby carrot juice diluted in boiled water.
Kesar tilak: This is a traditional remedy in which a few threads of saffron (kesar) are rubbed to form a paste and applied on the sole and forehead of the baby at night. It is believed that it helps in absorbing the water stored in the baby’s forehead.
Hair oil made from drumstick leaves: Heat half a cup of coconut oil and add some drumstick leaves (that are rich in Vitamin C). When the leaves release their oils, cool the mixture. You can use this oil on the baby’s hair during bouts of cough, cold and congestion.
Chicken soup: Chicken soup can relieve cold symptoms, congestion, and cough.
Honey: It is known for its mucolytic effect or its capability to soften dry cough. You can administer a spoon of honey for soothing your baby's cough. Make sure you administer this remedy only if your baby is older than 1 year as honey can trigger botulism (a kind of poisoning) in babies under 1 year of age.
Ginger and tulsi: Crush ginger and tulsi to extract the juice, and add honey before giving it to your baby.
When to Visit a Doctor
Most coughs in babies get better in a few days with the help of care and rest. However, if your baby shows any of the following symptoms, you should visit the doctor:
If the child is suffering from a dry cough which lasts for more than four days
The dry or wet cough is accompanied with a cold and fever, wheezing, and spells of coughing
The child is wheezing rapidly, groaning, turning blue, or rapidly retracting and expanding his stomach
The child is experiencing a loss of appetite and weight
How to Keep Baby Away From Cough
You can protect your child from cough in the following ways:
Make sure your child is covered up if the weather is cold
Seek treatment for asthma if that is the trigger of persistent coughing
Protect against infections with appropriate vaccines
Don’t let the child eat whole nuts or play with small objects that can be easily inhaled. This will prevent choking
Ensure basic hygiene like washing hands to stay away from cold and flu germs
Ensure that your child is in a room with appropriate levels of humidity
These tips can go a long way in preventing the recurrence of cough in your child.
Resources and References:
Fatherly
WebMD
Also Read: Dry Cough in Babies Read more
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Mama Knows Best: New Motherhood and our Challenges with Breastfeeding
Motherhood is a fulfilling experience and changes our outlook on life. While tiring and frustrating at times, a single look at our bundle of joy makes us forget all the worries bogging us down. Sometimes guilt-ridden and unable to cope with all the challenges, we panic. But with time, we learn that life does get easier as we grow as mothers and understand that we can look after our children like no one else.
New Motherhood
As new mothers, we need all the support and advice we can get. More often than not, you will get bombarded with well-meaning advice and suggestions from family and friends. However, the way every child is different every family is unique too. Also, what may have worked for the earlier generation might not be feasible for the current generation. Thus, take in all the advice, retain what is necessary, and adapt them according to your needs and requirements.
Our Experiences as New Mothers
As new parents in a foreign country without any family support, we had to make decisions to make our life easier. My older child couldn't latch, and lacking the time and energy to visit a lactation specialist every day, I exclusively pumped with the Philips Avent Electric breast pump and fed my child till she was eight months old. The decision was frowned upon by elders back home but it was the best that we could do considering the situation. I could still provide my child the benefits of breastmilk with the flexibility of my husband feeding her at times. I got the much-needed rest and could carry on properly throughout the day. It was a lifesaver that kept our sanity and helped us function as parents.
My fellow mother Meghalee Nath who had faced similar experiences and had also used the Philips Avent Manual breast pump shares her story:
“On my journey with breastfeeding my child, I faced a lot of problems initially. My milk production was very low and my kid was not getting adequate nutrition. After a lot of advice from a lot of people to switch to formula, I decided to do my own research and bought the Philips Avent Manual Pump. And it really saved me. I would feed my child and pump out milk so that my body could make more milk, and in doing so after a while my milk production increased and after a couple of months, I was able to feed my baby properly with adequate milk flow”.
Whether you resort to formula or exclusive pumping or pumping to increase milk flow the decision should depend on your needs and feasibility.
Conclusion
As your child will go through all the phases of being a baby to a toddler, a teenager, and then an adult, unforeseen situations will arrive leaving you with the dilemma of choosing a solution. Seek professional help and advice, talk to close friends and family about your concerns, and fine-tune them to meet your child's abilities.
Stay strong and believe in your superpowers! Mama knows best!
About the Authors:
Meghalee Nath: Meghalee is a caring wife, a passionate pet parent, and a mother to a beautiful daughter. An English Graduate and a homemaker by choice, she is the founder of the parenting blog, Momscove.com.
Lavita Saikia: Lavita loves to write and spend time with her family. She had worked with leading publishing companies in India after which she moved to the USA and now works as a writer/copy-editor in Illinois. She is also the co-editor of Momcove.com.
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Impact of Working Parents on Child Development
Parents are the first teachers in a child’s life and play a pivotal role in shaping their adult lives. With the advent of the family style where both the parents are at work, this parent-child relationship has also faced a positive and negative impact. There is more disposable income for the parents to spend on the child but less time to engage effectively with their children.
How Working Parents Affect a Child’s Development
Earlier, with the joint family system, raising a child was no a difficult feat at all as there were multiple caregivers for a child apart from the mother. Aunts, uncles, grandparents - everyone helped in the upbringing of the children in the family. Nuclear families have, however, mushroomed and increased all over the country, leaving working parents with almost no family member to leave their child with. This style of parenting came with its own positives and a few downfalls as well. It leads to greater maturity levels and experience that the parents can share with their children, while reducing a considerable time that they could have spent with them.
The below-mentioned points help you get a detailed view of the good effects and problems faced by children of working parents:
1. Positive Effects
Let us first focus on the many positives that the children of parents (both of whom are working) can experience.
Quality Lifestyle
With both the parents working, a high-quality lifestyle is more affordable for most households. There is more money that parents could spend on their children for their educational or extra-curricular needs.
Life Experiences
Since both the parents go out to work, they have a plethora of life lessons and experiences with them to share with their children. This helps the child to have a more mature outlook towards their lives.
Valuing Time
As both the parents have to go out to work, they most often have very few hours to spend at home with their kids. This teaches the children that time is indispensable and doesn't come back once it slips away. They understand the value of time faster while making the most of it.
Make Children Independent
Children of working parents become independent from a very early age. Since they realise that their parents are at work, they learn to take their decisions themselves making them good and confident decision makers.
Dealing with Stress
Children learn from their surroundings. When they notice how their parents balance their work life and home life, it makes them more respectful towards others and helps them to cope up with stress better later in their lives.
2. Negative Effects
Though both the parents working have a significant positive outcome in the lives of their children, they come with a few negatives as well. Let's look at the negative impacts of a working couple on the child's development:
Psychological Effects
With the nuclear family style, couples have to move out into the cities for their jobs. Their parents are unwilling to settle down in the city leaving their hometown and babysit the children. This leaves the parents with very little support form their own families. As a result, they have to hire nannies or admit their kids in daycare facilities. The quality of attention towards the child is sure to decline with outside help.
Behavioural Changes and Mood Swings
As the children are left with the nannies or at the daycare, they tend to suffer from restlessness and have a hard time managing their mood swings. As the parents are unable to spend more time with their children, it tends to make them more stubborn and aggressive.
Bonding With the Parents
Sometimes when both the parents are busy at their work and have very less time to spend at home with their kids, the bond that the children have with their parents suffer. As the kids grow up, this gap may widen.
Significant Tips on Raising Children for Working Parents
Just as each child is unique, every family and their ways of parenting their child are unique. Since the scenario of working parents raising a child is quite a common phenomenon now, we offer you some helpful tips to successfully share a strong bond with your kids.
1. Adjusting Job Timings and Working Life
It is a very well-known fact that parents usually come home tired and have very less enthusiasm and energy in spending time with their child at home. It is really important that parents who step out for work to boost the family income spend quality time with their children. Check your office policy on the rights of working parents if the child is sick and utilise it to be with your child when she is not feeling well.
2. Having the Child's Grandparents at Home
We have become better human beings for the way our parents have raised us. So, if the grandparents are willing to volunteer to babysit your child, you have the least to worry about. This arrangement allows the kids to develop a bond with their grandparents, and gives you a breather when both of you are busy at work. From the financial aspect, this the most low-cost and low-risk arrangement for your child.
3. Hiring a Babysitter
A babysitter is one of the options you can consider if both of you have to go to work and leave your baby at home. They can provide all-round support while you are at work and your child can get undivided attention.
4. Daycare/Childcare/Boarding School
Childcare solutions for working parents are cost-effective and help children build their social skills. You can provide your child with a large variety of books, toys, and other educational resources. As various policies and laws govern daycare centres, they tend to be more organised and alert in their functioning. Moreover, the children get to interact with a lot of other children, helping them to socialise from very early on. If you have grown up kids, sending them to boarding schools is also an option. But you should ensure that your child knows the reason why you are opting for this arrangement so that they don’t nurse a grudge later in their lives.
5. Keeping the Children Busy with Hobbies
It would be a very nice idea to introduce the kids to a wide range of activities. They can be a mix of both physical and creative activities. It will help them channelise their energy in the right way and also develop a knack towards them. They can pursue any of the activities as a hobby later in their lives.
6. Invest in Quality Time with Children
Time is irreplaceable and invaluable. With working parents and child neglect being the most serious problem afflicting many households, it is very important to spend quality time with your child every day. Switch off your mind from any other thoughts, and instead, focus on the time you give your child. It has a huge impact on their lives and can help you achieve the equilibrium to raise your child successfully while you work.
Every parent, whether working or non-working, wants to raise a child who can contribute positively to society. Parents play a vital role in shaping the lives of their children. Even if both parents in a nuclear family are working, make sure that there is enough time dedicated daily to spending time with the kids.
Also Read: Impact of Working Mother on Child Development Read more
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Vitamin B6 and Fertility
There are a lot of couples out there who are trying to conceive but with no success. If you are one of them, then you might want to check on your vitamin B6 intake—a water-soluble vitamin that is found in a variety of foods. We all know that vitamins are essential nutrients for the body, however, a lot of people still don't consume healthy, nutritious, well-balanced diet that can provide them with vitamins and minerals. Vitamins and minerals help in the growth, repair, and protection of the entire physical and physiological functioning of our body. Vitamin B6 is just one member of the family of vitamins, but studies have shown that this nutrient plays a pivotal role in fertility.
Impact of Vitamin B6 Deficiency on Fertility
Vitamin B6 is great for your body, especially in aiding fertility. If your body lacks this fundamental vitamin, here’s what you’re likely to face.
Vitamin B6 plays an important role in maintaining and balancing the hormones in your body. A deficiency of vitamin B6 will mean hormonal imbalance for you, especially an imbalance of oestrogen and progesterone.
An irregular menstrual cycle, caused by the imbalance of hormones is another downside of vitamin B6 deficiency.
Studies have shown that people who have Vitamin B6 deficiency also complain of excess retention of water in their bodies, causing them to feel bloated.
The lack of vitamin B6 will also have a psychological impact on you, it is known to cause mood swings. This again is attributed to the fact that the lack of vitamin B6 largely affects your hormonal balance.
Lacks of Vitamin B6 also results in poor sperm and affects female egg quality. This is why this vitamin is important for both men and women.
The luteal phase is a crucial stage of the menstrual and reproductive stage. It is the second half of your cycle, just after menstruation. This phase is important not just for fertility but also for your overall health. It prepares your body for yet another cycle. The lack or deficiency of vitamin B6 has a negative impact on the luteal phase. A lot of hormones come into the picture during this phase. For the effective functioning of these hormones, it is important that you have the right nutrients, vitamin B6 included.
How Does Vitamin B6 Boost Fertility?
Now that we’ve established the importance of vitamin B6 and the impact of the deficiency of the same, here’s a look into vitamin B6 for conception and how it can boost fertility.
1. Balances Oestrogen and Progesterone
As mentioned above, vitamin B6 plays a crucial role in maintaining a balance of our hormones. Consuming foods rich in Vitamin B6 can balance the hormones oestrogen and progesterone, which are the two key players in reproduction.
2. Increases Cervical Mucus
Cervical mucus is extremely important as it helps in easy transportation of the sperm to the egg. In addition to that, it nourishes and protects the egg and sperm. Vitamin B6 helps in the generation of cervical mucus.
3. Strengthens the Luteal Phase
Vitamin B6 is known to strengthen the luteal phase. By this, it means that it makes your uterus more receptive to the factors of pregnancy. Adequate amounts of Vitamin B6 in your body can generate hormones that make the uterine lining stronger and increase the levels of progesterone, thereby increasing your chances of conception.
4. Restores Libido
Studies have shown that vitamin B6 can increase or restore libido or the sex drive as well. This is due to the increase in the hormone progesterone.
Dietary Sources of Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 is found in a wide variety of foods. The foods include turkey, fish, oatmeal, brown rice, wheat germ, soya bean, walnuts, green leafy vegetables, bananas, avocado, eggs, milk, peanuts, and potatoes.
Should You Take Vitamin B6 Supplements for Fertility?
Vitamins function best when all the vitamins are present in the right amount. One vitamin alone won't be enough. This is why it is recommended that people consume multivitamins unless there is a deficiency of a particular vitamin. As far as Vitamin B6 is concerned, taking its supplements won't provide you much, So, it is recommended that you consult your healthcare provider before taking any supplements on your own.
Recommended Daily Intake of Vitamin B6 for Fertility
The Vitamin B6 fertility dosage varies for men and women. If you’re thinking “how much vitamin b6 should you take for fertility?”, then here’s the answer.
1. From Your Diet
You are most likely to get all the Vitamin B6 you need from your daily diet if it is rich in nutrients. Through your diet, men should get around 1.4mg of Vitamin B6 and women should get 1.2mg of it.
2. From Supplements
The same holds good for supplements as well. The daily dose of vitamin B6 through supplements should be 1.4mg for men and 1.2mg for women. Make sure you look for food based or organic supplements, as opposed to synthetic, lab-made supplements. Food-based supplements are more natural and absorbed better by the body.
Does Excess Consumption of Vitamin B6 Cause Any Side Effects?
Too much of anything can be bad for you, and the same holds true for vitamin B6 as well. Studies have shown that excessive consumption of vitamin B6 can lead to a condition known as peripheral neuropathy, in which one can lose the sense of feeling in their arms and legs. In some cases, vitamin B6 can cause stomach ache, nausea, loss of appetite, fatigue, and headaches as well.
What Can Decrease Vitamin B6 in Your Body?
Certain conditions or your habits can decrease the levels of vitamin B6 in your body. But the good thing is you can control them. Find out what decreases Vitamin B6 in your body and what you can do:
Stress is a known culprit for many diseases, disorders, and deficiencies, and the same goes for vitamin B6 deficiency as well. Stay away from situations or people that are causing you stress.
Excessive consumption of coffee or caffeinated products can cause vitamin B6 deficiency as well. Make sure you limit your coffee intake to not more than one cup a day. You can switch to healthier drinks like chamomile tea, lavender tea, or other herbal teas.
Stop consuming excessively processed foods. Instead, switch to a wholesome, healthier diet that is rich in vitamins and minerals.
Make sure you don’t overcook or excessively heat up your food as your food may lose its nutritional value. Eat fresh food and consume lots of green veggies and fruits.
Now that you know the benefits of Vitamin B6 for fertility, its effects, and the dangers of its excessive consumption, you can go ahead, and under the consultation of your doctor, make the necessary lifestyle changes and incorporate vitamin B6 into your diet. Also, knowing when to take B6 for fertility during the ovulation phase or the luteal phase, is important, so again, consult your healthcare practitioner. Incorporate a good exercise regime as a part of your daily routine as well. Physical activities like running, swimming, or even walking can have a good impact on your overall health and improve your chances of conception.
Also Read: Herbs to Boost Fertility Read more
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Ingrown Toenail in Children - Causes, Symptoms & Remedies
If your child's toe looks all red and swollen, it may be because of an ingrown toenail. Ingrown toenails commonly occur in children. If your child is wearing a pair of tight socks and tight shoes, then he may have ingrown toenails.
In some cases, it is an inherited tendency. Sometimes, an ingrown toenail can cut through the skin and may lead to various infections. Certain home remedies can prove beneficial in fixing the disorder, provided you take action fast.
What is Ingrown Toenail?
An ingrown toenail happens when a toenail grows abnormally or when the corner or edge of the toenail starts curving inwards into toe’s soft skin which can trigger pain and infection due to all the bacteria that typically dwells around in and around the feet. The toe may appear red, swollen, and tender particularly around one of its corners, generally the big toe.
Causes of Ingrown Toenail in Children
Some of the causes of ingrown toenails in children include:
1. Cutting Nails Inappropriately
The most common cause of ingrown toenail is trimming nails too short. When a nail is cut too short, the surrounding skin may cover the ends of the nail, as a result, the nail may grow back in the skin. Nails which are torn instead of cut may also become ingrown as they lack defined corners. Further nails that may have been cut in a rounded form than straight across can become a reason for them to break into the soft toe skin.
2. Ill-fitting Shoes
Tight shoes are another probable cause of an ingrown toenail. If your child's feet are growing fast and he wears the same old shoes, then he may have an ingrown toenail. A pair of ill-fitting shoes can thrust the soft skin on the corners of the nail to move over the nail, driving the nail to develop into it.
3. Toe Injuries
If your child keeps stubbing his toes frequently, then he may have ingrown toenails. Also, if a baby or toddler loses his toe due to some injury, the new nail may grow unhealthily than a prevailing one.
4. Stress on the Toe
Stressing the toe by kicking a football over and over can even result in ingrown toenails. Children who indulge in plenty of physical sports have higher chances of developing ingrown toenails because of persistent torment to the toes.
5. Heredity
If your child has ingrown toenails without any possible reason, then it may be because of heredity. Some people are born with oddly curved nails which place them at an increased risk of developing this illness often.
Symptoms of Ingrown Toenails
Common symptoms of ingrown toenails are mentioned below.
A painful toe
Swelling around the affected area
Redness around the edge of the nail
Pus formation or liquid discharge
Foul odour
A warm sensation
Home Remedies for Ingrown Toenails
If your child's toenail is not infected, you can treat it with home remedies. You can try the following remedies for ingrown toenails:
Soak your child’s affected foot in warm, soapy water to reduce swelling and pain. Let him immerse his foot in this solution twice a day for about 20 minutes.
While the affected foot is in the water, massage the inflamed portion of the cuticle lightly away from the nail.
Apply an antibiotic ointment on the affected area to provide relief from inflammation and to prevent infection. Do this 2 to 3 times daily for a week.
You can dip a cotton bud in olive oil and use it to propel the skin gently away from the ingrown nail.
Tips to Prevent Ingrown Toenails in Your Child
Some useful tips to help avert the problem of ingrown toenails in children are given below.
Check your kid’s toenails from time to time like after baths to be able to detect any signs of an ingrown toenail.
Make sure you trim your child's toenails properly; they should be in straight line and not too short.
Ensure that your child wears a pair of shoes that fit him perfectly. Also, take note of the shoe width along with the correct length.
Educate your child about how to maintain good foot hygiene. Ask him to keep his feet dry. Changing socks frequently is essential if your kid’s feet are prone to excessive sweating.
Refrain from digging out the nail or ripping it out as it can heighten the incidence of ingrown toenails.
When to Consult a Doctor
If you have tried the above remedies but they are not working, it is time to consult a doctor. You may want to consult a paediatrician if your baby has the problem of ingrown toenails. In case your baby has ingrown toenails, look for the following signs:
Bleeding
Oozing of pus or any discharge
Bad smell
Extreme pain
Your doctor based on the condition of your child’s foot may propose a minor surgery wherein he may be required to cut off the corner of the affected nail so that the infected tissue can heal easily. The doctor may also suggest a course of antibiotics.
FAQs
Some frequently asked questions regarding ingrown toenails are given below:
1. How Long Will Ingrown Toenail Last?
It usually depends on the severity of the case. Sometimes, a child may have ingrown toenail for several weeks. However, if there is no visible infection, home remedies may exhibit a significant improvement in the condition within a few days.
2. Will the Ingrown Toenail Come Back?
If you do not take proper care of toddler ingrown toenail, your child may face this problem again. The same stimuli that may have activated an early ingrown toenail can cause the condition to return.
If your child has an ingrown toenail, he must be in excruciating pain. Unfortunately, an ingrown toenail is a common condition in kids and can make playing, running, and even putting on shoes difficult for him. This condition can linger on for weeks and may get infected if not cared for properly.
Also Read:
Bed Bug Bites on Infants and Kids
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Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Mom of a 1 yr 9 m old child
3 hours ago
Q. hi mam , my baby 1 year and 9 month old just now onwards stop breast feeding .pls suggest formula milk to my baby
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
3 hours ago
A. your baby is more than 1 year 9 months of age any milk including buffalo milk cows milk ok. if there is no relief it is better you see your doctor for proper examination particularly physical examination if there is need for doing investigations to find out the problem and treatment ok
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
3 hours ago
Q. #AskTheExpert hello dr.
baby planning kar rhi kuch tips btayiye conceive ho jaye
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
3 hours ago
A. it's a natural process ok. if there is no relief it is better you see your doctor for proper examination particularly physical examination if there is need for doing investigations to find out the problem and treatment ok
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
1 hour ago
Q. when baby is kick? I'm 13 weeks pregnant
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant
Ayurvedic Gynaecologist
1 hour ago
A. during first pregnancy you may feel the baby movements after 24 to 25 weeks of pregnancy and till then only mild flatters may be felt but which you may not be feeling if you are doing some work
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 2 months
1 hour ago
Q. I’m in my 31 week 1 day of pregnancy. What will be my delivery date??
As I have low lying placenta with grade 1 maturity.
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
55 mins ago
A. you had to correlate is ultrasound examination. if there is no relief it is better you see your doctor for proper examination particularly physical examination if there is need for doing investigations to find out the problem and treatment ok
Rashmi has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 2 months
1 hour ago
Q. My hemoglobin is 6.4 from 28 weeks of pregnancy. Now I’m 31 weeks pregnant. What should I do?
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 7 m old girl
55 mins ago
A. Haven’t when you having some kind of iron supplement because they’re very good during the time of pregnancy if you are not having one you need to start with and whatever tabs you take you should just take it with any good juice specially pomegranate juice that’s going to help in doubling the impact of the medicine that you’re taking secondly try and include more of Iron which diet like spinach broccoli beetroot pomegranate black rice sweet potato these things are exceptionally healthy for you to consume
Rashmi has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 2 months
32 mins ago
Q. This is my cbc report
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 7 m old girl
28 mins ago
A. No there is nothing visible on my wall so I can really really cannot help you can you please repose the question once again providing all the necessary details as once I’m certain what are you talking about what’s mentioned in the report according to that I can provide you proper help on your question
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