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11 Home Remedies for Mosquito Bites in Babies
Mosquitoes are literally everywhere these days, both indoors and outdoors. In reality, there is no sure shot way to avoid mosquito bites, but there are ways you can prevent your kids from getting bitten in the first place. Keep reading to find out how.
Natural Home Remedies for Mosquito Bites On Babies
Your child's skin is sensitive which is why the practice of preventing the use of topical (chemical-based) agents goes a long way towards maintaining healthy skin. Here are 11 simple but effective herbal remedies for mosquito bites on babies.
Baking Soda
Baking soda restores pH level, and just one teaspoon of baking soda dissolved in 1 cup of water alone will reduce itchiness instantly! Just apply it for 10-15 minutes after dipping into it with a clean cloth.
Lemon
Lemons provide anaesthetic and anti-inflammatory benefits and are the simplest and most natural cure for mosquito bites on babies. Just cut up a lemon into two pieces and gently rub it over the affected regions. Another alternative is to apply a few drops of freshly squeezed lemon juice on the skin.
Apple Cider Vinegar
A warm bath with two to three cups of apple cider vinegar added into the bathtub works wonders against multiple mosquito bites on your child's body. Just try it and see yourself.
Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera is known to treat itching, swelling, pain and has natural antiseptic properties which makes it a good home remedy for treating mosquito bites on babies. The way you apply, it is by keeping it in the fridge for around ten to fifteen minutes and gently rubbing it over the affected areas.
Toothpaste
Toothpaste varieties that free from fluoride an Guide To Mosquito Repellents For Infantsd Sodium Lauryl Sulfate can be used for treating mosquito bites in babies. Just dab over the affected areas directly to eliminate itchiness and painful swellings within a brief time period.
Tea Bags
If you don't mind the unconventional route, then tea bags will come to save the day where mosquito bites are concerned. Tea bags contain tannins which are known as astringent agents - perfect for treating mosquito bites by draining fluids from affected spots quickly.
Ice Cubes
Ice cubs prevent pain and reduce swelling in areas bitten by mosquitos. It's one of the best home remedies for providing pain relief against mosquito bites in babies. Just get a couple of ice cubes and wrap them in a clean cloth. Place them over the affected areas and dab gently for about 15 minutes for an effective treatment.
Honey
Did you know that honey's got an amazing shelf life? It's time to take out that stash of honey and apply a thin layer over your child's affected areas for an instant natural treatment. Honey is known to eliminate inflammation and soothe areas that are affected by mosquito bites.
Garlic
Garlic has been used as an ancient remedy for treating swelling and inflammation for years. It is also used for treating mosquito bites and the way you use it is by rubbing garlic over the skin areas that were bitten by mosquitos. Wait for several minutes and rinse the skin with water afterwards.
Sea Salt
Sea salt has rich anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, which makes it a simple yet amazing mosquito bite remedy for baby. Just grab some from the kitchen, mix with it water and clean over the bitten areas to reduce swelling and inflammation.
And that's it! These are some simple but effective cures for treating mosquito bites in babies. Just try them out, and you'll notice a difference immediately.
Also Read: Mosquito Repellents for Babies Read more
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Scars in Children - Causes and Remedies
Every scar has a story behind it. But, when it is your child who has a scar, obviously you will be worried. As a parent, you will think of the possible reasons behind it, bad and worse, but you need not worry. Scars are a normal part of life, particularly for children. It is normal for children to get scars; children play outside in the grass and dirt, fall and wounds and scars become like a part of their skin. However, kids heal fast too. But do you know what a scar actually is and how does it form? Know everything about scars and ways to get rid of them.
What is a Scar?
A scar is characterised by a mark that is usually darker than a person’s natural skin tone; it is caused by the damage and subsequent repair of skin tissue. Damage to the skin can occur from a cut, burn, scrape or sore.
How Does a Scar Form on a Child?
When the skin suffers a wound, connective tissue that are made up of collagen cells are sent by the body to cover up the damaged area. The collagen cells repair and restore skin, over the course of some days. While this restoration of skin is happening underneath, the upper layer dries up, forming a rough, dry, dark patch of covering, called a “scab”. When the skin is fully repaired, the scab is shed off. The ‘repaired’ skin usually has a distinct appearance as compared to the skin surrounding it. This is called a scar. However, every wound doesn’t necessarily cause scarring. Extremely shallow wounds sometimes heal without causing a visible scar formation and scars themselves fade over time.
Medical Treatment for Scars
The formation of a scar is a part of the natural healing process, hence it does not require any treatment. Still, a commonly asked question from new parents is: will my baby's scar go away? Treatment of scars to minimise their appearance or remove it completely is purely aesthetic. Commonly used medical treatments for scars in children are:
Scar removal creams: These can be bought from pharmaceutical stores. You should apply it when the wound is freshly healed. Use special scar removal cream specifically created for babies, as normal ones contain steroids that could be harmful to your baby.
Steroid treatment: Steroid injections are used to treat bumpy and raised scars like keloid scars, which sometimes even expand from the original wound. This type of treatment is rare for children.
Surgical removal of scars: A surgical procedure is generally done to remove a protruding scar. This is an expensive method, but it usually gets the best results as far as aesthetic appearance is concerned.
Laser treatment: A highly energised beam is used to burn and remove a large scar tissue. Unlike surgical treatment, laser treatment does not remove the scar, but it is very successful at reducing the appearance of scars. However, a laser treatment is not recommended for a child.
Silicon sheet therapy: In this type of treatment, a plaster containing silicone gel is stuck on the scar. This therapy can be used on fresh wounds as well as bulging scars. It applies pressure to the wound and prevents the formation of scabs while protecting the inner layers where the collagen is rebuilding the skin tissue. This way, development of a discoloured scar is negated.
Cryotherapy: This is a method that employs freezing cold temperatures to heal. To remove bulging scars or other outgrowths in cryotherapy, these extruding portions are frozen solid and crumbled away.
All of these treatments, including scar removal cream for babies, shouldn’t be tried without the doctor’s approval. Your doctor is in the best position to determine if the probable side effects of these treatments could be too high for your baby. So, consult with your doctor before you go for any treatment.
Home Remedies for Scars
Home remedies work well for treating scars. Other than hypertrophic and keloid scars, both of which constitute more than just a change of colour or texture or a normal scar, normal scars fade over time without medical treatment.
These home remedies can help quicken the disappearance of scars.
Aloe Vera: The thick, translucent gel found in aloe vera leaf, is known for its skincare properties. Aloe vera is a natural anti-bacterial, anti-fungal moisturiser. Just cut open an aloe vera leaf to extract the gel. Rub the gel over the wound, leave for 30 minutes and wash away. Do this twice daily.
Coconut Oil: Coconut oil has been used for ages to get rid of scars. To use coconut oil to treat a scar, heat it in a pan until warm and rub it over the scarred area for 2-4 minutes. This can be repeated up to three times daily.
Sandalwood: Sandalwood can be purchased in the form of dust. Mix one tablespoon of sandalwood powder with a few drops of carrier oil to form a paste. Use a cotton swab to dab this on the scar and wash after 20 minutes. Repeat twice daily. You can also mix sandalwood powder with turmeric powder in equal ratio, and add some drops of rosewater to make a paste and apply it on the scar.
Tea Tree Oil: Tea tree oil is one of the essential oils widely used in a lot of skincare products for its anti-fungal, antibacterial, antiviral and antiseptic properties. You can simply add two drops in a spoonful of water and rub it over the scar twice or thrice daily. You can also mix tea tree and coconut oils in a fixed ratio and use in the same way!
Cocoa Butter: Cocoa butter is a pale yellow vegetable fat that is extracted from cocoa beans. It is the same substance used to make chocolate. It is a natural moisturizer and contains vitamin E, which is useful for skin repair. Use this before going to bed at night. Simply apply some cocoa butter on the scar and massage it on the skin in a circular motion. Leave this overnight. Repeat daily.
Honey: Honey moisturises the skin, and when dry, exfoliates the skin as you wash it away. Massage a little bit of honey over the scar and cover with a bandage. Leave the bandage on overnight and wash it away in the morning. Repeat daily till the scar fades.
Apple Cider Vinegar: ACV protects skin from the harmful microbes and contains vitamin C, which helps in repairing the skin. It also dries naturally and helps eliminate dead skin cells. Simply dilute ACV with water, and use a cotton ball soaked in it to dab over your child’s skin. You can also add honey to this mixture, to boost the skin-toning properties of this remedy. Leave it for 30 minutes and wash off. Repeat twice daily.
Lavender Oil: Lavender oil can be used alone or you can even mix it with olive oil to form a thicker texture. Massage it warm onto the scarred area and leave for 30 minutes before washing it off. Repeat twice daily.
Olive Oil: Apply olive oil on the scar and massage gently. Leave it for 30 minutes to dry. Simply wipe away excess oil with a tissue or paper towel. Repeat twice daily.
Toothpaste: Toothpaste is used to treat scars of acne and other skin sores. Rub a pea-sized amount of toothpaste over the scar and leave it overnight before washing it away. Note that toothpaste has a burning effect, so it shouldn’t be used on unhealed scars that your baby may have.
How Can Scars Be Prevented?
Prompt action taken when the wound is suffered can minimise scar formation. Scar tissue is most active in the first few minutes after the occurrence of the wound. Keep applying steady pressure for 10 minutes or more on a fresh wound.
In case of face injury, apply pressure to the scar using clean gauze. This prevents the formation of hard tissue, leading to scarring. However, the wound needs to be washed and cleaned before doing this or foreign matter like dirt could get stuck in, causing dark spots after healing.
Wounds in children heal at a rapid rate. However, a boost in nutrition is always a help. Vitamin C is essential for healing a scar, so include vitamin C in your baby’s diet.
What If the Scar Gets Bigger and Does Not Fade Away?
The formation of scars is unpredictable; however, they fade away rather quickly in young ones. For example, simply try remembering how many scars you still have, that you got as a child? Only deep scars remain for years.
There are two types of scar formation that actually gets bigger instead of fading.
Hypertrophic Scar: These scars are bumpy and raised from surrounding skin. They do not spread outside the site of the initial wound. Hypertrophic scars mostly form on burn wounds.
Keloid: Keloid scars are smooth and raised, and resemble blisters. This kind of a scar could spread beyond the original wound, over the surrounding skin to form large, unsightly patches.
If such a scar appears on a prominent part of the body, like the face, you should refer to your paediatrician. The paediatrician will be able to identify the type of scar and give further advice on how to reduce scars on a child's face through medical treatment.
As parents, we always want the best for our children. Children also get an inferiority complex if they have scars on their face thinking that people may stay away from them. Though we cannot control how other people react, we can only show love and support to our kids and encourage them to look beyond their scars.
Also Read: Burn Injury in Children Read more
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Does Taking Progesterone During Pregnancy Help Prevent a Miscarriage?
A miscarriage is a traumatic experience for every mother-to-be. A miscarriage can stop you from experiencing and enjoying motherhood, hence many doctors or gynaecologists generally prescribe progesterone supplements to a pregnant woman to ensure that she has a safe delivery.
Progesterone is a hormone associated with menstrual cycle and pregnancy. But the use of progesterone supplements during pregnancy to prevent miscarriage is highly debatable. The hormone progesterone is normally produced in the body and has the main function of thickening the uterus lining and preparing it for pregnancy. Miscarriage and low progesterone levels are inter-related. But there is no clarity regarding the relationship between progesterone levels and miscarriage. This article aims to shed light on this issue so that you will be able to decide if you should take progesterone supplements or not.
As per research, taking progesterone supplements during pregnancy cannot prevent the occurrence of a miscarriage even in case of a threatened miscarriage. However, a research mentions that it is imperative to take progesterone supplements when the pregnancy results from some sort of assistive method such as In Vitro Fertilization (IVF).
Is Low Progesterone in Pregnancy Associated with Miscarriage?
When the uterus is unable to support the growing foetus for some reason, the level of progesterone drops and it results in a miscarriage. Other theorists believe that even if the body is about to terminate a pregnancy due to reasons such as chromosomal irregularity in the foetus, it can lead to a low progesterone level and is a sign of the impending miscarriage. In such a case, progesterone supplements are useless.
Some practitioners, from clinical experience, believe that in the case of recurrent miscarriages, progesterone supplementation has lead to a successful pregnancy. Progesterone supplementation may also be suggested to those women who have low levels of progesterone. Supplemental progesterone has a chemically identical structure to progesterone that the body generates. So, many practitioners prescribe it anyway, by justifying that it won't harm as it is only a supplemental hormone that the body is already producing.
Can Progesterone Prevent Miscarriage?
Earlier, physicians routinely prescribed a drug known as DES to women with the idea that it prevents miscarriage but later it was found that the use of this drug resulted in abnormalities in children born to the mothers who took it. Though several physicians currently feel it is safe to use progesterone, there is no proof for the same.
Studies conducted by the New England Journal of Medicine have shown that progesterone does not really help in preventing miscarriage. The 2015 study looked at several women who had miscarriages due to several reasons. Progesterone supplementations did not result in more live births. However, several moms claim that the additional progesterone supplements helped them to stay pregnant after repeated miscarriages. Thus, the role of progesterone in preventing a miscarriage is highly debatable.
A threatened miscarriage is when a mother-to-be loses lose her baby within 20 weeks of gestation. Studies have shown that progesterone is beneficial in reducing the rate of miscarriage. However, the rate of threatened miscarriage has not reduced drastically with the use of progesterone.
When Is Progesterone Treatment Recommended?
Some doctors suggest progesterone injections during pregnancy to prevent miscarriage, as an increased level of this hormone is required in the body to sustain the pregnancy.
The following are the cases when your doctor might recommend progesterone supplementation:
When you have undergone fertility treatments, progesterone supplementation will keep your estrogen and progesterone levels in balance.
When you have undergone a frozen embryo transfer, it helps prevent a corpus luteum from being formed.
History of repeated miscarriage without a cause.
History of preterm labour.
Presence of a cervix that is shorter than normal.
Progesterone in early pregnancy is necessary to prevent miscarriage. However, if the level of progesterone drops, the uterine lining might not be able to carry forward the pregnancy and will result in a miscarriage.
How Is Progesterone Given?
Progesterone treatment is administered either by injection or vaginally. However, it is believed that injections are more effective than vaginal suppositories. The upper area of the buttocks is the preferred site for giving injections. But, if you have to administer it yourself, then you should go for the upper thigh region.
Side Effects of Taking Progesterone to Prevent a Miscarriage
Common side effects of injecting progesterone are:
Redness, swelling, or pain on the body part where the injection was administered.
Hardness or itching around the body part where the injection was administered.
Following are the side effects of progesterone (when taken in another form):
Drowsiness
Fluid retention
Breast tenderness
Nausea or diarrhoea
Irritability or depression
Are There Any Serious Reactions?
A major side effect of progesterone is the formation of a blood clot. However, you should consult a doctor immediately, if you notice any of the following signs too:
Swelling in legs
Redness
A warm spot in the leg
Pain while bending the leg
Although progesterone allergy does not occur, you might be allergic to substances used by the manufacturer to make the solution, such as cottonseed oil. In case you notice rashes, itching, redness at the injection site or if you experience any difficulty in breathing, seek professional help immediately.
The subject of progesterone is a tricky one. No one can say for sure whether or not progesterone contributes positively, especially in the case of women who have had multiple miscarriages in the past. If you still want to take progesterone, talk to your physician and see if there are any viable alternatives.
Disclaimer:
The above article does not intend to promote or demote the usage of progesterone supplementation during pregnancy. The reader is advised to seek a doctor's opinion before taking any sorts of supplementation.
Also Read: 10 Tips to Lower Your Chances of Miscarriage after IVF Read more
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The Importance of Positive Discipline for Preschoolers
Struggling to get your kids to behave in an acceptable manner? It's not you, it's discipline. Confused? Read on.
We Are All Aware of Discipline. What Then is Positive Discipline?
What's the first thought that comes to mind when you say the word discipline? Punishing your child for being a “bad boy” or “bad girl”, right? Well, positive discipline is completely different: it is based on the principle that there are no bad children, only good behaviour and bad behaviour.
Why is Positive Discipline Important?
The word discipline is derived from the Latin word disciplina, which means teaching. Strange then that its meaning has changed from teaching to punishment over time. Although discipline may seem effective, it often strikes fear in the heart of your child, and may even cause him to resent you. This is probably why discipline is also known as negative discipline; after all, it does do more harm than good. The approach of positive discipline is the exact opposite. Here, when children do something they aren't supposed to do, parents teach them to behave as they should instead of punishing them.
3 Steps to Enforce Positive Discipline
1. Keep Your Emotions in Check
When your child does something wrong, it's easy to lose your temper and yell at him. Don't! Stay calm and reassess the situation, and you'll often find that it isn't as bad as you think. Remember, spanking and scolding your kid will only hurt your child – both physically and mentally.
2. Tell Your Child Why Her Behaviour is Wrong, Then Have Her Make Up for It
Consider this situation: you have asked your child to put away his scattered toys a couple of times. Instead of doing that, he throws them across the room and looks defiantly at you. Now, your immediate reaction will naturally be to tell him that what he did is bad, and he better clean up or he will get in trouble. There is a high probability that he will not move a muscle, because although it is obvious to you, he doesn't know why his behaviour is unacceptable. Educate him by telling him something like, ”if you don't put away your toys, you won't be able to play with them next time as they will be swept away by the maid.” Be calm and firm while speaking with him, and your child will definitely listen to you – if not immediately, then after some time.
3. Appreciate Your Child
Sometimes, children misbehave simply to get your attention. It may sound strange, but if a child is not getting enough attention, she will even appreciate negative attention like scolding and spanking. Make sure you compliment your child when she does something well, or even if he simply makes a good effort. Appreciation for good behaviour will definitely reduce bad behaviour.
Positive discipline may seem like a newfangled concept, but it has been around for quite some time. Although it is hard to master, it has been proved to have long-term benefits. A few of them are stronger parent-child relationship, reduced misbehaviour, and self-discipline. Great perks, right? Read more
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Important Tips for New Mothers
Ecstatic, that is how I felt when I held my baby for the first time. It has been five weeks since then and the feeling still remains. My heart still skips a beat when she smiles at me. Well, you do not really need a reason, it's everything— the way they interact, play, sleep, and we tend to find reasons to cuddle our child and say I love you.
So becoming a mother for the first time, this is how the experience was for me. Honestly, the journey wasn't simple. I was slightly impatient during the third trimester of my pregnancy, and now there are times when I feel that it was better then. I had my moments of uncertainty, emotional outbursts and irritation of not knowing what to do. Here are some tips that helped me cope with the challenges I faced.
1) Do not wish to be perfect
You hear this many times,"Strive to be a happy mom and not perfect". It is really imperative to follow this advice. You cannot do everything perfectly, set restraints on what is achievable and dismiss what is too ambitious.
2) Garner all the help you can
Though you might feel that you want to be there with your baby at all times, it is practically impossible to do so. There are times when you haven't slept all night and badly need some sleep. It is always important to let the child get comfortable to the touch of at least some family members. At times, let someone other than you put them off to bed, or walk them around the house, and play with them
3) What to do and what not to do
I am sure all new moms these days face this constant conflict between traditional practices that our mothers, grandmothers have followed, and then doctors' advice to avoid these practices. Keep yourself open to options. Research on the pros and cons of each alternative and make an informed decision.
4) Take some me time out
While this phase of motherhood is very busy, still ensure that you take some time out for yourself. Use this time to do things that make you feel better. You can plan for this by making a simple timetable or chart of the feeding and sleeping schedule of the baby. After four-six days, you will start seeing a pattern emerge and you can plan accordingly.
It is also important for you to be vocal about your needs, ask for what you need without having the guilt of being self-centred. Do whatever it takes for you to feel refreshed. If you do not feel good, things will only be difficult for you.
5) Create memories
Between the pressure of doing it all right, we tend to get carried away and end up focusing only on taking care of the baby. However, it is equally important to create memories. Don't let this time pass by—make a photo album, plan a simple photoshoot at home. If your family members are away from home, video call them regularly. If you tend to stray from the typical, research for innovative ways to record this unique and wonderful experience with your child.
Disclaimer: The views, opinions and positions (including content in any form) expressed within this post are those of the author alone. The accuracy, completeness and validity of any statements made within this article are not guaranteed. We accept no liability for any errors, omissions or representations. The responsibility for intellectual property rights of this content rests with the author and any liability with regards to infringement of intellectual property rights remains with him/her. Read more
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Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 2 months
13 hours ago
Q. #asktheexperts What should I buy for my baby however I'm just expecting in 2 month
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
13 hours ago
A. you can get information regarding essentials of the new ones watch any YouTube channel. 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 5 months
12 hours ago
Q. I got faint line all my pregnancy test and I missed my periods for 10 days but USG and TVs test confirm there is no pregnancy is there any chance that it is very early stage that's why it is not visible???? or TVs test is the last thing that can tell that really there is no pregnancy
Read moreRashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 7 m old girl
12 hours ago
A. I think it would be advisable for you to get an ultrasound done with your doctor that’s going to give you a clarity because if there is a pregnancy it would be visible at least at least that sack is visible if it’s a regular pregnancy so it would be advisable to have a test with your doctor
Dr. Minal Acharya has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
8 hours ago
Q. mere twins baby girl and boyhai one month 8 days old kya mai ghutti de sakte hun ya gripe water de sakte hun aur kab se start kar sakte hun
Dr. Minal Acharya
Nutritionist
8 hours ago
A. dear Mum, you should not give any sort of gripe water or ghutti to your baby. these are unhealthy and dangerous and can cause infection to your baby. so, these should be completely avoided.
Dr Vandan H Kumar has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
8 hours ago
Q. I am currently 32 week pregnant.I recently had growth scan.mu baby is in cephalic presentation. Does this change as I approach my due date. Also my EDD is July 25 and EDC is July 2. what is my expected due date. Also what is EDC?
Dr Vandan H Kumar
Paediatrician
7 hours ago
A. edc is expected date of delivery only.
that is 40 weeks
You will get more information for your query with your family doctor. You may meet your dr in person for proper guidance .
It is important to remain in contact with your doctor.
Abhaya Rajput has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 7 months
7 hours ago
Q. why I am getting dizziness in my pregnancy
I am going with 3rd month of my pregnancy it's a very strong dizziness I feel at times means every day .....no other symptoms of pregnancy .Please help with elaboration .All okay means isn't part of this journey.
Read moreAbhaya Rajput
Mom of a 14 yr 4 m old boy
36 mins ago
A. Hello there ma’am please do not worry about it too much. But it is really very difficult to say anything without proper examination. It is advisable to get yourself evaluated by a gynaecologist and follow doctors advise properly. You can also book online doctor’s appointment on FirstCry where the doctor can guide you properly.
Thanks and take care
Dr Priyanka Kalra has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
7 hours ago
Q. I am currently 32 week pregnant and had growth scan recently.My baby is in cephalic presentation.does this change after 36 week or does this remain the same?
Dr Priyanka Kalra
Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
6 mins ago
A. usually fixed. better to show to specialist always as they get the correct diagnosis. try to avoid self and extra medication that will only complicate this and create more damage to the child
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