Health Issues Parents Need To Watch For

If you’re a parent, you know that kids get sick. However, you may not know the signs of some of the more common illnesses that kids get. Sometimes, they simply have the cold or a stomach virus, but other times, it’s a more serious issue that requires medical attention. Here are a few of these diseases and their symptoms. If your child has some of these symptoms, you may want to take them to a doctor just to make sure what they have isn’t anything serious.

Chickenpox

It’s fairly easy to tell if your child has chickenpox—the disease is known for the many little red rash that pops up all over a kid’s body. However, while this used to be very common, today, most kids have been vaccinated against it. However, that doesn’t mean it won’t appear. Adults can actually get chickenpox, too, if they’ve never had it.

Lice

Head lice can run rampant through a school, infecting dozens of kids before the outbreak is caught and dealt with. If your child comes home complaining that their head itches, you should look through their hair to see if they have any of these little parasites in there. You can use a very fine-toothed comb to remove the pests and their eggs. There are also special shampoos that kill lice. If you hear of an outbreak at your child’s school, make sure to remind them to avoid sharing hats, bows, and combs.

Lyme Disease

Lyme disease is a type of bacterial infection. Being bit by an infected tick is the most common source of Lyme disease. Usually it’s pretty easy to tell if someone has this infection: they will have a small red spot surrounded by a larger red ring that looks like a target. Not everyone gets this rash, though, which is why it’s important to take your child to the doctor if they start showing symptoms similar to the flu and have been in an area where they may have come into contact with ticks (any area with tall grass or woods). Typically, Lyme disease can be handled with antibiotics.

Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease

This disease with a long name is caused by a virus, but it’s fairly minor. Those who have hand, foot, and mouth disease may run a fever, have a rash, and have sores in and around their mouths that are painful. The rash is generally found on their feet and hands. Unfortunately, there’s no cure or vaccine for it, but it generally only lasts 7 to 10 days.

Roseola

Roseola is caused by a virus, and it usually only hits those between six months and two years old. It starts out as an upper respiratory infection, but then the child will have a sudden high fever of over 100. Once the fever breaks, you’ll notice a pinkish-red rash on their body, neck, arms, legs, and face. There’s no vaccine yet, but doctors can help reduce the fever and deal with the rash.

These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to treat, diagnose, or cure any diseases.