"My child ______ - is that normal?"
Seeking advice on whether one needs to bring your child to see the doctor is a common concern.
Fortunately, Human doctors (many of whom are parents themselves) are on hand to share their expert advice over at our free Q&A.
1. Toddler scratching away at his head non-stop? Get him checked for eczema, which is easily treatable with a shampoo wash
Itchy scalp can be due to a type of eczema that causes a red and flaky scalp. It's easily treatable with a mild shampoo and steroid cream/lotion.
There are of course other causes of scalp itch like head lice, which is much less common in Singapore.
Full answer here.
2. Snoring and blocked noses can be a sign of allergic rhinitis and obstructive sleep apnea
Swollen nasal passages due to allergic rhinitis (a form of allergy) can cause snoring due to a narrow airway.
This can lead to obstructive sleep apnea and lack of oxygen at night, which in turn can lead to:
- poor quality sleep
- disruptive sleep and daytime tiredness
- poor concentration and poorer school results.
Full answer here.
Read more: The Essential Guide To Paediatric Sleep Apnea in Singapore (2020)!
3. Don't be too worried about a shaky tooth that doesn't seem to be falling out
Loose teeth generally fall out by themselves, and there's no need to be concerned. However, if it's causing difficulties in eating, extraction is an easy solution.
Full answer here.
4. What to do for a permanent tooth that's growing out of place
Permanent teeth can sometimes "correct their position themselves" if there are no blockages.
Best thing to do is to get an X-Ray to check!
Full answer here.
5. Coughing for longer than 8 weeks? Try honey
1-2 teaspoons of honey a day has been shown to be as or more effective than some OTC cough medications.
Honey is also very safe in children older than 2 years old.
Full answer here.
6. Recurrent ear infections may require more than just antibiotics
If a short course of antibiotics doesn’t help, a tiny tube called a “grommet” can be inserted into the eardrum to improve the ventilation of the middle ear.
Full answer here.
7. Frequent stomachaches may be a manifestation of emotions
Stomach pain that occurs at a specific time (i.e. before bedtime or in the morning) may be related to a reluctance to cut play time or to go to school.
Clues that suggest other causes for stomach pain include:
- weight status
- eating and bowel habits
- whether the discomfort bothers her during play time.
- fever, vomiting and loose stools
Full answer here.
8. Strawberry hemangiomas largely disappear by themselves and do not need treatment.
Strawberry hemangiomas at the following locations can cause complications:
- around the eye causing visual obstruction, or
- at a site that affects feeding or breathing, or
- if it is increasing rapidly in size with bleeding and ulceration
Treatment options include:
- oral steroids or medication
- laser
- surgery
Full answer here.
9. Baby drinking less milk than normal? Here's what to know
If your child weighs about 5.5kg, he or she will require 120-150ml/kg of formula milk daily.
However, babies sometimes can have short periods of growth spurts when they drink a lot, and other times when they drink lesser.
Full answer here.
10. Waiting for your child to "outgrow" acne may be too late. Get it treated ASAP to prevent scarring
About 20% of children get acne that persists into adulthood.
This can result in permanent scarring, hence it's important to treat it early.
Full answer here.
11. The golden window for your child to get assessed for braces: ages 8 - 10
It's better to get your child checked regularly from a younger age so they don't "miss the boat" for corrective treatments.
For example, expanders to expand the jaws may prevent the need for teeth extraction later on.
Full answer here.
12. Frequent eye blinking may be habitual, but other causes need to be ruled out by a proper eye examination
Frequent blinking in young children is very common. It can be due to eye irritation or blurred vision, so it's important to see an eye specialist for a proper eye examination.
Full answer here.
13. Squinting and lazy eyes must be treated before the age of 8, or it cannot be reversed
Visual maturity is reached at the age of 8 years old.
If patching is not done properly before this age, there is a high risk that the lazy eye cannot be reversed anymore.
Full answer here.
14. Cafe au lait birthmarks are easily removed, but get your child checked if she has >6 brown patches
Café au lait are harmless brown birthmarks. They can be easily removed with lasers when your child is aged 10.
However if she has 6 or more brown patches, you should bring her to see a paediatrician or dermatologist to ensure she has no other associated disorders.
Full answer here.
15. Don't remove earwax
Cleaning the ear may cause infections as harmless bacteria in the ear gets cleared away, allowing harmful organisms to grow.
Really bothered by earwax? One helpful tip is to apply a few drops of clean olive oil into each ear after a shower. This helps to keep earwax soft and runny so that it flows out more easily.
Full answer here.
16. Frequent nosebleeds are easily treatable
In Singapore, nosebleeds are often due to recurrent sneezing, which causes tiny blood vessels in the nose to break.
This is easily treated by applying a special silver nitrate stick to the area in clinic.
Full answer here.
17. Tongue ties should be assessed and treated early
Your baby is more likely to cooperate when the tongue tie is treated at an earlier age.
By the time he or she's a toddler, sedation may be necessary for his or her safety.
Full answer here.
18. Important tips to improve your baby's sleep
The following can all affect your baby's sleep:
- Medications
- Food with colouring or salt, as well as snacks like chocolates
- Allergies that cause them to snore
- Attachment problems
Children below 2 years old should get ZERO screen time. Anything that emits light will affect the sleep hormone.
Full answer here.
Would you like to ask any related health questions?
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