Eye Infection

Eye infection is caused from bacteria; the eye drains a yellow mucus discharge. This condition is also called bacterial conjunctivitis or runny eyes. Your child may have symptoms such as:

Yellow discharge along the eyelids

Eyelids stuck together with pus, after sleeping

Redness and soreness of the eyes

Puffy eyelids

Try not to confuse the mucus discharge in the eye for general sleep in the eye, which we get in the mornings after we have slept.

Cause of eye infection

Eye infections with a discharge are caused by bacteria and can be a symptom of a cold. Pink eyes without a yellow discharge are common and are due to a virus.

With prescription treatment from a doctor should help and clear the problem within 3 days.

Eye infections may be spread through contact with the eye drainage, which contains the virus or

bacteria that caused the infection. Touching an infected eye leaves drainage on your hand. If you touch your other eye or an object when you have drainage on your hand, the virus or bacteria can be spread. Here are some ways to prevent the spread of eye infections:

• Wash your hands before and after touching your eyes or face and before.
• Do not share eye makeup.
• Throw away your old makeup and buy new products.
• Do not share contact lens equipment, containers, or solutions.
• Do not wear contact lenses until the infection is cured.
• Do not share eye medicine.
• Do not share towels, linens, pillows, or handkerchiefs. Use clean linens, towels, and cloths daily.
• Wear eye protection when in the wind, heat, or cold to prevent eye irritation.

Treatment for eye infection

When a child has bacterial eye infection ensure you clean the eye with luke warm and a cotton wool ball before applying prescribed ointment.

Antibiotics are generally prescribed for eye infections, in the form of a cream, lotion or drops, depending on the age of a child they may prescribe eye drops for older children.

Things to remember before treating eye infection

Ensure always to wash hands before cleaning the eye and applying the antibiotics, in case the infection spreads due to bad bacteria on the hands and in nails. And wash hands afterwards so you do not rub anywhere and become infected yourself.

Always use a separate facecloth and towel than any person with an infection, and watch where your child is touching so they don’t create a worse infection and remember to wash their hands too.
Once the sore area has been cleaned and treated, if the eye looks worse or the redness does not improve in the 3 days treatment consult a doctor immediately.

Head Lice

Head lice are common in children who are at school age, and they are some times called nits, their about 2-3 mm in length and have pincer like legs which they will use to grip the hair tightly.

And they are also very hard to see, especially in children with darker hair. As the most common of all human parasites, head lice can affect anyone of any age, and it does not matter about how clean you and your hair are.

head lice can only walk from one head to another on pieces of hair. This is why they are so well known amongst school children. The close proximity of children in a classroom will make head lice infestations a lot more likely and annoyingly recurring problem for some parents and children.

Signs  of head lice

Itching and scratching of the scalp is the most obvious sign that your child has head lice/nits, but not everyone has symptoms so it is worth checking the hair regularly, especially if you know of anybody close who has a head lice infestation.

The best way to catch an infestation early is to check your child’s hair on a weekly basis. The hair should be checked with a head lice detection

comb while the hair is wet or damp, allowing a plenty of time to spare to do a thorough look through especially with thick hair. Add a few drops of tea tree oil to the water and then wet the hair with it, If you lean the child over a light coloured cloth and comb their hair in small sections from root to tip you’ll soon see any lice and eggs drop off.

If you find your child has an infestation, all members of the household should be checked for lice too.

To avoid head lice repeating check and treat all the family at the same time.

Treating head lice

There are plenty of lotions and shampoo’s and nit combs available at your pharmacy. I find all these products highly priced, especially if you and your children have repeated episodes of head lice infestation.

I use just normally hair conditioner, but lots and lots of it and leave on for 5 minutes and then get a fine toothed nit comb or general fine toothed comb and check the hair a section at a time. Always double check the hair after the first check. Don’t just give up if you can not see or find anymore, because eggs could be hiding also as well as more head lice.

The sooner you treat and get rid of a head lice infestation the easier it will be, because the longer you have head lice, the more they create and lay new eggs and then they hatch and then they create further eggs and they hatch, and so on and so fourth.

Vaginal Infections

Certain bacteria live inside the vagina, which is healthy bacteria that is supposed to be there, to help assist in keeping the vaginal area clean and healthy. This healthy bacteria helps to ward off other nasty bacteria’s, as well as viruses and fungus that causes many vaginal infections. Anything that lowers the acidity of the vagina can cause itchy horrible infections.

It’s normal for women of childbearing age to have a vaginal discharge. The amount and colour of the discharge can change during your menstrual cycle, sexual excitement and pregnancy.

Symptoms of a vaginal infection include:

• unusual vaginal discharge which may be unusual in colour and smell unpleasant
• irritation and soreness of the vulva (the skin around the outside of the vagina)
• vaginal itching   
• pain during sex   
• bleeding after sex   
• abdominal pains   
• redness, swelling, lumps, blisters, or ulceration of the vulva or anus pain when passing urine   

It’s important that you see your GP if you have any of these symptoms.

Causes of vaginal infections

Certain types of bacteria live inside the vagina naturally. Many situations such as hormonal changes, stress, or using scented soap to clean the genital area can unbalance the levels of acid in the vagina. This can cause healthy bacteria living naturally inside the vagina to grow faster than usual, and cause a vaginal infection.

A forgotten tampon, can also encourage bacteria to grow and cause an infection. Rarely, it can also produce a life-threatening complication known as ‘toxic shock syndrome’.

Vaginal infections can also be caused through unprotected sexual intercourse or skin-to-skin contact. Which are known as sexually transmitted infections (STI’s).

Diagnosis of common vaginal infections: 

If you have any symptoms, visit your GP, your local GUM (genito-urinary medicine) or sexual health clinic. Your GP may refer you to a sexual health clinic for specialist treatment.

Always’ s get tested by a swab and urine test, to diagnose any vaginal infection. By a professional Gp or nurse.

Common vaginal infections are:

• Thrush
• Bacterial vaginosis
• Trichomoniasis
• Chlamydia
• Gonorrhoea
• Genital herpes
• Genital warts

All the common vaginal infections above, all have some kind of difference within  the symptoms. So always get advice from you’re practitioner. Get tested for all infections, including STI’s and be on the safe side. Because as the saying goes, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Vomiting

Vomiting – All infants will at some point vomit when they are ill. Breastfed and bottle fed children can both be very sickly as babies. Unwell children will vomit. It is unpleasant for any child who is vomiting, but it is rarely dangerous to them, but you should always get your child checked out by a GP, because it is better to be safe than sorry.

Causes of vomiting

Different things can make children vomit:

If your child vomits a small amount and is otherwise well, it could be the child has eaten too much.

Vomiting may occur in cases of an upset tummy, or a viral infection in the stomach which will cause diarrhoea and vomiting.

If a child gets an infection of the urinary system, the throat, or chest, and runs a high temperature, this often causes vomiting. Children who are under a lot pressure at school or at home may occasionally vomit. If vomiting occurs often you should consult your doctor.

Treating vomiting 

After a child has vomited, get them to rinse their mouth with water to get rid of the nasty sour taste in the mouth. Smaller children will need more assistance with this.        

• A child often feels sweaty, exhausted, and cold after they have vomited. Wipe their face with a damp cool cloth. And let them sleep always keep a check on them in case they are sick again.
• Make sure the child does not become dehydrated by giving them plenty of fluids to drink. Diluted juice or water is best.
• Water is easier for the stomach to handle if it’s not ice cold. If the child wants to drink too much, too fast, give them a clean facecloth soaked in cold water to suck, or an ice-cube or an ice-lolly.
• Breastfeeding can be continued, but if vomiting continues, call the doctor

Preventing dehydration 

• If vomiting occurs together with diarrhoea, it will result in dehydration, This may not be serious if it only lasts for a couple of days, but if it occurs repeatedly your doctor or health visitor should be consulted.
• They may advise you to buy carbohydrate and electrolyte solution or powder at the chemist. They are also available on prescription from your GP.
• If your child continues to vomit or have diarrhoea, call the doctor.

Symptoms of dehydration 

With children who are still in nappies/diapers and have been vomiting, you will need to remember how many damp changed nappies you have used, and with older children it will be how many times they go to the toilet for a wee.

If the child is crying badly, with no teardrops may be another sign of dehydration. Check the inside of the mouth and tongue is moist and producing saliva. If the child won’t drink, they will need too, so call the doctor.

If your ever in doubt about any problem to do with your child’s health. Don’t hesitate to call for help from a Gp or ambulance if serious.

Vaccinations

All vaccinations work by stimulating the immune system in a way the actual infection would, but without causing the full disease.

Why should we give our children vaccinations – All of the infections that there is an immunisation for can develop into serious illnesses, with potential to cause disability or death.

If the majority of children are immunised, the spread of any infection in the community is significantly reduced and unvaccinated children are at less risk of catching the illness due to the large majority of children being vaccinated .

Some people disagree and think that there is no longer any need to immunise our children. Polio is now almost never seen in the UK . However, these diseases haven’t yet disappeared. And if more people choose not to immunise their children, then the number of children at risk of catching a disease will be higher and outbreaks of the will occur with maybe some disastrous consequences to some children.

Vaccines are given to children as part of the routine to protect them against:

• diphtheria
• tetanus
• pertussis (whooping cough)
• poliomyelitis (polio)
• Haemophilus in fluenzae  type B
• meningitis C
• pneumococcal infection ( eg pneumonia, septicaemia and meningitis)
• measles
• mumps
• rubella (german measles)

The following vaccines are given if opted for:

• tuberculosis (TB)
• hepatiti s B

Some vaccinations need a course of vaccines to allow your child’s immune system to progressively build its defence. A booster is needed for some vaccines to top up immunity for pre-school children and teenagers.

Most vaccines will be given by injection, usually into the fat of your child’s outer thigh. A nurse or GP at a health centre or GP surgery will probably give your child the vaccines.

Your child should receive all the standard immunisations unless he or she has a fever at the time the injection is due. The vaccines could increase the fever and make it difficult to see any side-effects.

If your child has had previous reactions, talk to your GP, practice nurse or health visitor.

Live vaccines, such as MMR and BCG, shouldn’t be given if your child:

• is being treated for cancer or has been treated for cancer in the last six months
• has a weak immune system
• is on immunosuppressant medicines
• has had a bone marrow transplant in the last six months

You should also check with your GP if your child has any other condition where their immune system is not working fully, or if your child is on a course of steroids, for asthma.

You don’t have to delay in getting your child immunised for any of the reasons below.

• has a minor illness, without a fever, such as a cough or cold,
• has a family history of side-effects to a vaccine, inflammatory bowel
• has a history of allergy, inflammatory bowel disease or autism
• is being treated with antibiotics, or topical steroids
• was premature or very small baby,
• is being breastfed or if you are pregnant
• has a stable neurological condition, such as cerebral palsy
• has asthma, hay fever or eczema

The side-effects your child may get depend on which vaccine they have been given. If they do occur, the side-effects are usually only minor.

• A fever
• a slightly raised temperature
• some sickness and/or diarrhoea
• swollen glands
• a small lump at the site of the injection, which may last for a few  weeks
• irritability
• Redness and swelling of the injected area

To lower your child’s temperature and relieve any discomfort, you can give your child liquid paracetamol.

A severe reaction from a vaccine is very rare. Symptoms of a severe reaction include:

• a very high temperature
• a fit, called a febrile convulsion
• a rash
• difficulty with breathing
• floppiness or lethargy
• inconsolable crying with a high-pitched cry

You should let your GP know if you notice any of these symptoms.

Nappies

Your baby’s stools in their nappies will tend to be sticky and greeny black in colour called meconium the first few weeks after they are born, then they will change to a more yellow colour which will not smell if baby is breastfed. Bottle fed baby’s stools are a darker brown and smelly.

The milk formula your baby drinks sometimes makes a difference and some make babies motions dark green in colour,  Bottle fed babies stools are firmer than breastfed babies.

Some babies tend to have motions each time they feed, some especially breastfed babies can go without a bowel movement for a week. When your baby is trying for a poo then he/she will strain and may make a few odd noises, but if the stools are soft then your baby is not constipated.

From birth up until a few weeks old your baby’s stools will differ from day to day, if you do notice a dramatic change in the appearance or smell then always contact a Gp/health visitor for advice and get baby checked over.

Nappy changing

Baby’s bottoms are delicate, so whilst changing nappies always be gentle and don’t leave them in wet or soiled nappies for long as their bottom will become red, chapped, and will be very uncomfortable for baby.

Remember before changing nappy to make sure you have everything you are going to need for the change and change baby somewhere low down so baby doesn’t fall.

Things to remember for nappy change:

Changing mat or towel

Nappy

Baby wipes (fragrance free/alcohol free)

Cotton wool

Bowl of warm water

Baby lotion

Clean clothing if necessary

Always remember to wipe from front to back so you don’t cause any infection and use mild baby soap and plain warm water.

Nappy rash

The majority of babies at some point get nappy rash, this is commonly caused by the skin being in contact with urine an bacteria from stools whilst having a dirty nappy on too long, which burns and irritates babies skin.

Other causes for nappy rash include;

Changes in diet due to weaning

Rubbing and chaffing

Strong soap or bubble bath

Diarrhoea

Teething causes redness of the bottom

Baby wipes containing alcohol

Sensitive skin

To protect baby from getting a nappy rash try to change as soon as you possibly can when babies nappy becomes wet or soiled, usually between 10 to 12 times a day a new baby needs changing. Make sure the whole of the nappy area are cleaned and patted dry very well and wiping from front to back. If nappy rash does occur then there are plenty of nappy rash creams on the market to use and do the cleaning and drying properly to ensure no more germs can infect babies bottom and make the problem worse.

If possible when ever you get a chance to let your baby roam free on a towel or baby changing mat, without a nappy on to let their bottom’s breathe and get fresh air to them. Never leave a baby unattended on a floor or higher level as he/she could fall and have a serious accident.

Cold

All colds are horrible for our children, especially when the child/children are too young to blow their nose properly themselves, and then they become all stuffy and bunged up and then their chest begins to cause them a problem with chest infections or coughs.

It is most common during winter months to become struck down with colds and flu’s and affects children and adults of all   ages.

Anybody with a cold or influenza is contagious from the day before the illness breaks out, and until three days after they feel better. The infection is spread via droplets from coughing and sneezing.

Colds are also spread by people coughing or sneezing into their hands, due to not having a tissue and touching anything, and then lots of people will pick up the cold which has been transferred from hand. if someone has the virus on their hands and then puts them close to their eyes or nose. This is possibly the most common way of catching a cold.

Cold Symptoms

• A sore throat
• pain on swallowing
• Sneezing
• Runny nose
• Hard to breathe through the nose
• Headache
• Coughing
• Feeling unwell.
• A high temperature (Be careful with temperature/fever in children)

Having a cold causes no serious trouble and will clear up in one or two weeks.

If you have a cold or feel you may be getting one then be sure to rest, and drink plenty of fluids (water preferably and warm drinks for soothing a sore throat). Also if it is an adult with cold/flu try not to smoke, because this will just irritate your mucous membranes in the nose more. Use a bowl of hot water and a towel over your head, and breathe in deeply to loosen the mucous. For children try a vapour rub to ease their breathing and let them rest.

For sore throats and coughs try over the counter medicines, always ask the advice of your chemist for any medicines and especially for children or babies. Liquid paracetamol/Ibruprofen for children usually helps as most medicines are not recommended for children of certain age groups. Always read the labels for age and dose and child’s nose. never give any more than stated on the bottle.

For babies with a stuffy nose and finding it hard to breathe, you can use saline nasal drops to help ease the nose and breathing. Also vapour inhalants sprinkled on a tissue away from babies reach will fill the air and make it easier for baby. Never apply to a babies nose.

Always ask your pharmacist for advice and assistants and remember to throw away any used tissues/handkerchiefs to stop the spread of infections.

Always remember to ask advice from a gp or pharmacist if you are not sure about anything and need advice.

Dieting

Dieting and trying to lose weight can be a lengthy process and lot’s give up very quickly. What you need to remember is not to expect miracles to happen, dieting is hard but if stuck too, you will notice the results of all your hard work.

For long term weight loss you need to burn more calories than you consume. This means doing more sports activities than you have ever done such as;

Aerobic exercise

Brisk walking

Jogging

Tennis

Eating low calorie foods such as;

Salads

Fruits

Skimmed milk

Whole wheat bread

Low fat yoghurts

Eat plenty of fibre foods such as;

Oatmeal

Banana

Apple

Whole wheat bread

Chickpeas

Peas

Broccoli

Orange

Pasta

Tips for low fat dieting

Eat smaller portions

Eat fish or chicken instead of red meat

Drink more water

Eat low fat snacks

Steam, grill or bake food

Cut alcohol to a minimum

Eat plenty of fruit and vegetable portions a day

A diet which is high in fibre and low in fat will help you lose weight slowly but safely as to not affect your body to much. You need to also cut down on sugary foods, fatty foods and eat low fat dairy products instead of full fat.

A good way of fitting in the exercise to burn the calories of would be, if you drive everywhere, then try and ditch the car and walk to places at least once or twice a day. Or if you have children and they enjoy playing energetic games, then join in and run around with them.

If you have a spare hour throughout your day then go swimming twice a week, swimming is a great hobby and you will probably meet new people who like you are dieting, and then you will feel more motivated to stick to the diet and exercise.

Make your household a healthy house and get rid of any food that could be tempting for you such as;

Chocolates

Crisps

Biscuits

Fizzy drinks

Bacon

Cooking oil

Sweets

Then everybody in your house can help you along with your diet by dieting with you and invite them to swim and exercise with you. In the long run you will all benefit from this, and will all feel like new people when the pounds begin to drop you when standing on those scales.

So I wish you all the luck in world with your dieting and always remember to stick with the diet and that the results will not happen straight away, everything we do takes time to see a result. So good bye to the old you and good luck to the new you.

Valentines Day

Valentines Day, February 14^th is a day for couples to show their other half how much they love and care for them; it is traditional on this day for couples to send a valentines card to the one they love, giving flowers or chocolates, it doesn’t have to mean you have to be in a relationship to send or receive a valentines card, some people send cards to people they admire or have a crush on and the other person is blissfully unaware of their feelings. They send them anonymously via post not signed so they don’t know who has sent them the valentine’s card.Lots of lovers write verses or poems in their lover’s valentine’s card for sentimental reasons and some times rude  poems for fun. Here are a few for you to read and you could also use in a lovers valentines card this year to spice things up and let you’re valentine know exactly how you feel about them.

Roses are red

Violets are blue

I love you

Will you love me too?

I love you, I love you,

I love you almighty I wish my pyjamas

Were next to your nightie

Now don’t be mistaken

Don’t be misled

I mean on the washing line

Not in the bed.

I’m going to wrap myself in paper

I’m going to stick myself with glue

I’m going to tie a big red bow on me

And mail myself to you.

If I go to heaven and your not there

I’ll paint your name on the golden stair

If your not there by judgement day

I’ll know you’ve gone the other way

But just to prove my love is true

I’ll go to hell to be with you.

Roses are red

Violets are blue

Sugar is sweet

And so are you.

A ring is round

It has no end

To be your wife

I do intend.

You’re charming and disarming

Desirable and true

You inspire and impress me

That’s why I love you.

Now you have written the valentines card out with the poems or verses in, your next quest is to make sure you’re lover has the most special valentines day of his/her life and enjoys every moment of it.

What is your plan for this year maybe a meal, a romantic night in or a gift?

What ever you decide always make sure you spend lots of time telling your partner/spouse how you feel, make them feel special so he/she enjoys every moment and brag’s to their friends for a long time to come.

Crying Babies

Do you ever sit at night and think why has my baby been crying all day? Or what is he/she crying for? Have you not found any answers yet as to why you and baby are having problems, there could be lots of reasons for the crying as this is the only way your baby can express to you how they feel and what they need.

Lots of parents feel they are failing their crying babies because they don’t know why baby’s crying and the different cries to the differing needs of their child. But all is not lost eventually when you and baby get to know each other better, both of you will realise which cry is for which need and also baby will know how you are feeling too, so if you feel stressed or anxious your child feels it too this is a learning process for both you and baby.

By the time baby reaches four to six months old you will be able to notice the difference between the painful cry, hunger cry, boredom moaning and groaning and the uncomfortable cry when baby needs bum changing. Lots of babies have crying episodes, whether it is because of colic pain or just having a bad day.

Excessive crying from a baby may sound much like the normal cry you hear but there might be a strange tone to it, especially if your child is ill and has not been diagnosed with the cause of the illness. This illness could be down to a cold or colic or an unknown underlying health problem, if ever you are not sure or fear your child is not there usual self, always consult a doctor.

If baby is crying constantly for long periods of time and you know they are clean, dry, warm and well fed and it is not teething pain always be on the safe side and get baby checked out by a doctor. Be aware if any rash shows up or a temperature and you know there’s definitely something not right get child checked out straight away.

When you know for sure this problem is not related to any serious health problems or illness’s then try to rule out other things all the crying could be for such as,

• Soiled nappy/diaper
• Hungry
• Thirsty
• Over tired
• Cold or too warm
• Wind
• Teething pains
• Tiredness
• Constipation
• Bored
• Wants attention
• Needs comforting

If you try all of these and still your baby is crying a lot then you may need to get a second opinion from a different doctor, if you have already seen a GP to rule out there are no underlying health issues and still don’t get an answer to the problem your baby could just be an attentive baby and constantly wants fussing, playing with toys and attention seeking from anybody who will give it. But will soon get out of this habit given time.

The best thing to do is try not to pick baby up at every whim and spend certain amount of time at different periods throughout the day with your crying baby and eventually he/she will settle and realise they are not getting all your attention when they want it.