Childhood is a phase of learning, development, and building strength or immunity, but is also the period when children are prone to illness. As a parent, seeing your child ailing is one of the distressing feelings, no matter how common the illness is. Furthermore, the myths about childhood illness that are passed through generations or spread online add more to your anxiety. But understanding the facts is the key to childhood illness prevention and a crucial part of being a responsible parent. In this blog, we will bust some of the myths about child health to help you act smarter and better in making sure your child’s overall health and development.
Read Also: When Should My Child See a Paediatrician? Signs You Should not Ignore
Let’s Dispel the Myths About Childhood Illness that Every Parent Should Know
To ensure accurate healing and proper health of your child, look at the following myths and facts
Myth 1: When my child has green nasal discharge, it might indicate a bacterial infection
Fact: While nasal discharge, which is green in colour for several days, may indicate bacterial infection is present, the colour of the drainage alone can not determine it. The most likely reason behind your child experiencing green nasal discharge can be due to fever, as well as other symptoms. In reality, a common cold can contain mucus that starts watery and clear and becomes progressively thicker and more opaque, turning into a yellow or green shade. Due to an increasing number of certain immune system cells as well as an increase in the enzymes produced by these cells, the green colouration occurs. This discharge tends to clear or dry on its own over the next few days. Therefore, you must know that green nasal discharge without fever or other symptoms may be caused by a common cold and resolves over the course of days.
Myth 2: If my child gets frequent nosebleeding, it means there is a serious medical condition
Fact: According to experts you child is supposed to have at least one or probably many nosebleeds, especially during the early years. Some preschoolers experience several nosebleeds a week. This can be scary to see your child have nose bleeding but this is neither abnormal nor it has to be dangerous. Your child may experience nosebleeding due to several reasons, such as nose picking, cold symptoms, cold air during the winter months, dry air, or seasonal allergies. While this is common, frequent nosebleeds can be associated with a rare problem of blood clotting. If your child experiences frequent nosebleeds, you can take some preventive measures, such as using a humidifier at night, applying a saline nasal spray, or gently applying a small amount of Vaseline or antibiotic ointment inside their nostrils. Additionally, you can keep their nails trimmed to prevent trauma from nose-picking.
Myth 3: I should stop giving milk products to my child if they have a cold
Fact: Often, fever and cold affect your child’s appetite, making them reluctant to eat or drink anything. If they do not vomit, it is absolutely fine to give milk to your child. Even milk can be a superior option to plain water to maintain hydration during a cold. If your child is refusing to eat or drink anything, which is very typical of a child with a fever, milk can provide some nutrition and reduce the risk of dehydration. Milk provides energy and nutrition, which will help them fight infections or germs. Even infants with fever are required to have formula or breast milk, not plain water, to maintain extra hydration. There is nothing like milk that increases the mucus or leads your child to have a thicker, runny nose. So, milk will not upset your children; you can give them milk when they are having a cold and a fever.
Myth 4: Not wearing enough warm clothes when going out in cold weather will make my child sick
Fact: We have all heard that we should wrap ourselves properly in cold weather, otherwise we will catch a cold. Although it is essential to wear appropriate warm clothes in cold weather, especially when going out, exposure to cold air outside does not necessarily cause your child to catch a cold or a virus, such as the flu, regardless of whether they are wearing appropriate clothing. Colds and other viral infections are spread through close contact from one person to another with illness. While spending time outside in cold weather does not make your child sick, if they have asthma or respiratory issues, cold air can trigger or worsen asthma symptoms. This is also a fact that cold air can cause your child to have a runny nose temporarily, which is called nonallergic rhinitis.
Myth 5: A high fever will be harmful for my child, and fever should be given to bring the normal temperature back.
Fact:One of the most common concerns about child health is fever, which worries most parents. However, fever is common in children, indicating that their body is working effectively to fight off an infection. Fever does not always need drastic steps, such as an ice bath and lowering the temperature, as it is not harmful for your child or cause brain damage. But if the fever causes harm and prevents your child from drinking, eating, or sleeping, or causes body aches and headaches, then fever reducers are recommended. When your child is doing well, even with a fever, such as resting comfortably, drinking or playing, and sleeping soundly, that means they do not require any fever reducers.
However, any newborn infant younger than 8 weeks with a rectal temperature of 100.4 °C or higher requires immediate attention and evaluation by a healthcare provider, even if theinfant seems well. Also, when fever has symptoms like moderate to severe pain, a change in mental state, dehydration, such as not drinking and urinating enough, shortness of breath, or new rashes, and the fever lasts more than 3 or 5 days, then it requires immediate evaluation. Persistent or recurring fever can be a warning sign of an underlying health condition that requires a pediatric check-up.
Final Note,
While myths about childhood illness will always be there, you must stay aware of your child’s health and symptoms. Above all, trust your instinct. If you suspect something is amiss with your child, consult a professional for accurate guidance. You can consult Dr Prince Parakh, an efficient paediatrician, to ensure your child’s health and well-being.
