Effects on Child Development

The first few years of a child’s life are important to form a basis for good education, morality, self-discipline and social integration. Consistency of approach, skills and qualifications of careers have been shown in many studies to improve the chances of a child reaching his or her full potential. However, the choice of childcare can be extremely difficult, even traumatic for parents. Social scientists have recently started drawing on popular folktales such as urban legends in order to uncover some of the complex socio-psychological elements in the decision, which is often more protracted and involved for middle-class parents[1]. Here it is also possible to see the influence of older story-telling elements such as Grimm’s Fairy Tales where children learn about the dangers of allowing strangers into the home.

Child’s Skin Care

Babies, and children, have perfect skin: soft, velvety, smooth and blemish-free. So what happens to skin, when children enter their pre-teens and teens? Raging hormones, an unhealthy diet and pollution, all combine to play havoc on the skin’s surface, and your child’s face soon feels like sandpaper and resembles the surface of the moon

A rash is a reaction of the skin. It can be caused by many things, such as a drug reaction, an infection, or an allergic reaction. Many different agents can cause similar rashes because the skin has a limited number of possible responses. Very often the associated symptoms in addition to the rash help make the diagnosis, such as a history of tick bites, exposure to other ill children or adults, recent antibiotic use, environmental exposures, or prior immunizations.

Babies up to 6 months should be kept out of the sun completely.

- All children need regular daily applications of sunscreens that are waterproof and sweat proof. Some of these sunscreens are available in spray form, which is often more convenient for children.

- Depending on the size of the child, approximately one ounce of sunscreen should be applied to the entire body surface one half-hour before going outside and should be reapplied after swimming.

- Parents should also note that if their child has freckles, this is a sign that their skin has sustained some sun damage.

- Moles present at birth need to be evaluated by a dermatologist. In some cases, they may need to be removed because of a possible risk that they may develop into a melanoma later in life.

- Teenagers, who are often very concerned about having a tan, should be reminded that tanning creams are safe and will give them the same look without the harmful rays of the sun.

- Tanning beds are not good for anyone!

Child’s Teeth and Caring Tips

Teeth (singular tooth) are small whitish structures found in the jaws (or mouths) of many vertebrates that are used to tear, scrape, and chew food. Some animals, particularly carnivores, also use teeth for hunting or defense. The roots of teeth are covered by gums. Teeth are not made of bone, but rather of tissues of varying density and hardness.

When to Start Caring for a Child’s Teeth

Proper dental care begins even before a baby’s first tooth appears. Remember that just because you can’t see the teeth doesn’t mean they aren’t there. Teeth actually begin to form in the second trimester of pregnancy. At birth your baby has 20 primary teeth, some of which are fully developed in the jaw.

Running a damp washcloth over your baby’s gums following feedings can prevent buildup of damaging bacteria. Once your child has a few teeth showing, you can brush them with a soft child’s toothbrush or rub them with gauze at the end of the day.

Even babies can have problems with dental decay when parents do not practice good feeding habits at home. Putting your baby to sleep with a bottle in his or her mouth may be convenient in the short term — but it can harm the baby’s teeth. When the sugars from juice or milk remain on a baby’s teeth for hours, they may eat away at the enamel, creating a condition known as bottle mouth. Pocked, pitted, or discolored front teeth are signs of bottle mouth. Severe cases result in cavities and the need to pull all the front teeth until the permanent ones grow in.

Parents and child care providers should also help young children develop set times for drinking during the day as well because sucking on a bottle throughout the day can be equally damaging to young teeth.

Children on Tuberculosis

According to Wikipedia, tuberculosis (abbreviated as TB for tubercle bacillus or Tuberculosis) is a common and often deadly infectious disease caused by mycobacteria, in humans mainly Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis usually attacks the lungs (as pulmonary TB) but can also affect the central nervous system, the lymphatic system, the circulatory system, the genitourinary system, the gastrointestinal system, bones, joints, and even the skin. Other mycobacteria such as Mycobacterium bovis, Mycobacterium africanum, Mycobacterium canetti, and Mycobacterium microti also cause tuberculosis, but these species are less common in humans.

When someone with untreated TB coughs or sneezes, the air is filled with droplets containing the bacteria. Inhaling these infected droplets is the usual way a person gets TB.

One of the most dreaded diseases of the 19th century, TB was the eighth leading cause of death in children 1 to 4 years of age during the 1920s. As the general standard of living and medical care improved in the United States, the incidence of TB decreased. By the 1960s, it wasn’t even in the top 10 causes of death among children of any age group.

But TB is making a comeback in the United States today — particularly among the homeless, those in prison, and those rendered susceptible because of HIV infection.

Signs and Symptoms

In older infants and children, primary pulmonary tuberculosis (the first infection with the tuberculosis bacteria) usually produces no signs or symptoms, and a chest X-ray shows no signs of infection. Rarely, there may be enlargement of the lymph nodes and possibly some coughing.

In most cases, only a tuberculin skin test (used to figure out if someone has been infected by the tuberculosis bacteria) is positive, indicating that the child has been infected. Children with a positive tuberculin test, even if they show no disease, will usually need to receive medication.

This primary infection usually resolves on its own as a child develops immunity over a 6- to 10-week period. But in some cases, it can progress and spread all over the lungs (called progressive tuberculosis) or to other organs. This causes signs and symptoms such as fever, weight loss, fatigue, loss of appetite, and cough.

Another type of infection is called reactivation tuberculosis. Here, the primary infection has resolved, but the bacteria are dormant, or hibernating. When conditions become favorable (for instance, a lowered immunity), the bacteria become active. Tuberculosis in older kids and adults may be of this type. The most prominent symptom is a persistent fever, with sweating during the night. Fatigue and weight loss may follow. If the disease progresses and cavities form in the lungs, the person may experience coughing and the production of saliva, mucus, or phlegm that may contain blood.

Treatment

A doctor may recommend hospitalization for the initial evaluation and treatment of TB, especially if:

* the child is a young infant
* there are severe drug reactions
* there are other diseases along with TB

However, most kids with tuberculosis can be treated as outpatients and cared for at home. The treatment is usually in the form of oral medications. In some cases, three or four drugs may be prescribed. Even though treatment may require months to complete, it’s vitally important that the full course of medications be taken in order for tuberculosis to be cured.

Vigrx VigRx is a prescription drug, which contains no side effects, along with being natural and safe.

Childs Mouth and Cleaning Tips

Sores and other problems in and around your child’s mouth can be painful and worrisome. Follow this chart for more information about common causes of mouth problems in children.

From Mouth Wipes to Brushing and Flossing

As with any other part of your child’s body, your child’s mouth needs to be cleaned regularly to keep it healthy, working properly and looking good. Research is now showing that the health of your mouth affects the health of the rest of your body, too. If your child’s mouth is clean and healthy, the rest of his or her body will be better off too. Oral hygiene needs to start early. This means taking action even before your child gets his or her first tooth. Wipe your child’s tongue, gums and cheeks at least once a day, before bed or nap time, with a clean, damp washcloth wrapped around your finger. You can also use a terrycloth finger cot. This fits over a finger and is made for this purpose. Most drugstores carry them.

It’s best if you can look into your child’s mouth while you clean it. Lay your baby in a bassinette and stand behind his or her head as you use the wipe. As your child grows, sit down and have your child stand or kneel between your legs, facing away from you. Then, your child can tip his or her head back into your lap.

While you are looking in your child’s mouth, keep an eye out for anything that doesn’t appear normal. This could be white or red spots in the mouth, bulges that you can’t identify, or other changes. Ask your child’s dentist about anything you see.

As soon as the first teeth appear, it is especially important to clean along the gums around the teeth. This is where plaque is most likely to cause cavities and inflamed gums. Plaque is a sticky white or yellowish substance that contains bacteria. Wiping is a good way to clean your child’s mouth until the first few teeth begin to show. Then it is best to switch to a soft-bristled, infant-sized toothbrush. Use a very small smear of toothpaste.

Your child’s teeth don’t touch each other when they first come out. There is space between them. But as your child grows, the back teeth will move into position against one another. This can occur as early as age 3 or as late as age 6. When these back teeth start touching each other, it’s time to start flossing your child’s teeth. Flossing is essential because toothbrush bristles cannot reach between the baby teeth. This makes the areas between teeth at high risk for cavities

Brushing

Young children can’t brush and floss their own teeth well. Parents should be involved in brushing and flossing until a child is 7 or 8 years old. However, children should be encouraged to participate in brushing as soon as they can hold a toothbrush. Young children learn best by watching and copying their parents’ actions. They will be more interested in learning to brush and floss when they see their parents doing so every day.
The most important time to clean your child’s mouth is just before bedtime. While we sleep, saliva flow slows down and the mouth provides less protection against cavities than it does during the day. First, let your child brush his or her own teeth and enjoy this experience. Don’t worry about how well he or she does it. Then, brush your child’s teeth a second time.

Have your child kneel or sit in front of you and tilt his or her head back in your lap. Gently pull one cheek aside with your finger so you can see the outside surface of the upper back teeth.

Remember that how well you brush your child’s teeth is just as important as how long you brush. Once you are comfortable with a set brushing pattern, you will be able to do it quickly, even if your child is not in the mood or being fussy. Follow these five steps:

1. Upper/outer: Place the toothbrush against the outside surface of the very back tooth on one upper side. Angle the toothbrush up toward the gums. Gently brush the area where the gums and tooth meet. Brush each tooth as you move the brush around the outside of all the upper teeth to the last tooth on the other side.
2. Lower/outer: Move to the last back tooth on one side on the bottom. Brush the outside of each tooth as you move around to the other side.
3. Lower/inner: Move to the inside (tongue side) of the lower teeth and brush each tooth as you move around from one side to the other.
4. Upper/inner: Move the brush to the inside of the upper teeth and move from one side to the other as you brush.
5. Brush the biting surfaces of back teeth on the top and bottom.

Your child might protest at first, but over time, you’ll both become comfortable with this routine. Then, careful brushing will be a part of the bedtime ritual.

The right brush can sometimes make all the difference. Use a brush that is designed for your child’s age. The smaller the brush head, the easier it is to see where you are going. It’s also easier to aim the bristles along the gum line and to clean thoroughly. Use a soft-bristled brush. Don’t scrub: Brush gently! Scrubbing can damage tissues and could make brushing uncomfortable for your child. Never brush your child’s teeth with a toothbrush that has been used by someone else. This can transfer bacteria and viruses into your child’s mouth that could cause disease, including cavities.

Flossing

Once any two of your child’s teeth touch each other, it’s time to start flossing. Flossing helps to prevent cavities by removing plaque and food particles caught between teeth. It should be an important part of your child’s dental routine. Floss is available in many different sizes, coatings, flavors and forms. If you have trouble using the floss wrapped around your fingers, you can purchase floss holders in most drugstores.

Floss after brushing. This way, there is still some toothpaste in the mouth. The floss will spread it between the teeth.

To floss without using a floss holder:

1. With a younger child, lean the child’s head back into your lap so you can see into his or her mouth. An older child can stand in front of you (facing away) and tip his or her head back against your chest.
2. Take about 18 inches of dental floss and wrap one end around each of your middle fingers until there is about 4 inches of floss left.
3. Using your thumbs and index fingers as guides, gently slide the floss between two teeth, using a saw-like motion. Once at the gum line, wrap the floss to form a C shape against one of the two teeth. Slide it up and down against that tooth.
4. Next, wrap the floss against the other tooth and repeat the up-down motion.

Toothpaste

The fluoride in toothpaste does more to prevent cavities than the brushing itself. Start using fluoride toothpaste when your child is 6 months old. You can use any toothpaste that your child likes. Child and adult toothpastes contain the same amount of fluoride. Use only a small amount of toothpaste. More is not better. Too much toothpaste makes it harder to see what you are doing when you brush. It also puts your child at risk of developing white or brown spots on his or her permanent teeth (called fluorosis). Use a dab of toothpaste no bigger than your child’s pinky fingernail. As your child grows, so will the fingernail, so you will use a little more as your child gets older. Be sure the toothpaste has not reached its expiration date. This will give your child the full benefit of the fluoride.

Children: Elbow Fracture

Fractures about the elbow are very common in children, but the anatomy of the child’s elbow may make the diagnosis less obvious than in a mature skeleton. An understanding of the ossification and fusion of the secondary growth centers about the elbow is essential to avoid overlooking these injuries and to optimize treatment. If plain radiographs are equivocal, an arthrogram of the elbow may clarify the anatomy and diagnosis. Early neurologic and vascular complications are not uncommon and must be recognized before fracture reduction. Many late complications, such as malunion, osteonecrosis, and physeal bridging, are largely preventable by correct early diagnosis and treatment. Anatomic reduction of articular surfaces, restoration of physeal anatomy, and near-anatomic alignment of fracture fragments in the frontal plane are the corner-stones of successful treatment of pediatric elbow fractures.

What is an elbow fracture? An elbow fracture (FRAK-chur) is a break in one or more of the bones in your child’s elbow. It may also be called a broken elbow. The elbow is the joint where the upper arm bone (humerus) meets the two forearm bones (radius and ulna). The elbow joint helps greatly with arm movements.

What causes an elbow fracture? A fall on an outstretched hand, in an attempt to stop a fall, often causes an elbow fracture. This may also happen by falling directly on a bent elbow. Your child’s elbow may be broken while playing sports. A bad twist of the elbow and overuse of the elbow may also lead to fractures. Broken elbows may occur because of a direct blow or if the elbow is hit straight on.

What are the signs and symptoms of an elbow fracture? Your child may have pain, swelling, and bruising in the injured elbow. Your child’s arm may bleed if the skin is broken. The bones may poke through the skin, not look normal, or look bent or out of place. He may have a hard time moving his elbow, arm, or hand, or may refuse to use his elbow or arm. Your child may hold the elbow with his other hand to lessen the pain. Your child’s arm, elbow, or hands may feel weak, numb, or tingly.

How is an elbow fracture diagnosed? Imaging tests may be needed to see if your child has a broken bone. These may also be done to check for other injuries, such as a bone, muscle, or blood vessel problem. Your child may have one or more of the following:

• Bone scan: During this test, pictures are taken of your child’s bones. Your child is given a small, safe amount of radioactive dye in an IV. Caregivers can look at the pictures for broken bones, infection, or cancer in the bones.
• Computerized tomography scan: This test is also called a CT or CAT scan. This is a type of x-ray that uses a computer to take pictures of your child’s arm and elbow. Your child may be given a dye before the pictures are taken to help caregivers see the pictures better. People who are allergic to iodine or shellfish (lobster, crab, or shrimp) may be allergic to some dyes. Tell your child’s caregiver if your child is allergic to shellfish or has other allergies or medical conditions.
• Magnetic resonance imaging scan: This test is also called an MRI. The test uses magnetic waves to take pictures of your child’s arm and elbow.
• X-ray: This is a picture of the bones and tissues in your child’s elbow. X-rays of the elbow and arm may be done to check for broken bones or other problems. Several pictures of your child’s bones may be taken. X-rays of both your child’s injured and uninjured elbows may be needed.

How is an elbow fracture treated? Treatment will depend on how bad your child’s fracture is and whether other parts of his elbow are affected. Your child may need one or more of the following:

• Devices: Keeping the broken elbow from moving is very important. A splint or cast with a sling may be put on your child’s elbow and arm. This may be used to decrease pain and prevent further damage to the broken bones.
• Medicine: Medicines may be given to help with your child’s pain. Your child may need antibiotic medicine or a tetanus shot if he has a break in his skin.
• Supportive therapy: Ice packs may be put on your child’s elbow to decrease swelling, pain, and redness. Physical therapy may be needed once swelling and pain are gone. A physical therapist may assist your child with special exercises. This may help his elbow recover faster and become stronger.
• Surgery: Your child may need surgery with an elbow fracture, especially if his bones are out of place. It may also be needed if your child’s fracture does not heal with other treatments. Surgery helps return bones to their normal position by putting them together with pins, wires or screws. Surgery may also be done if your child has other injuries, such as nerve or blood vessel damage.

Child Hair Designs

Kids Hair Cut at Home

If your child is afraid of the hairdresser’s, then try to cut their hair at home. They will feel safe and comfortable and you will save time and money

. However if you don’t have any hair cut experience, you might want to seek out a step by step guide on children’s hair cutting.

Hair Care Troubles and Hair Tips for Kids

Trouble washing your child’s hair?
Try to use a mild shampoo in his or her favorite color or scent. Sometimes children are more willing to wash their hair with a fun shampoo, especially if it doesn’t sting their eyes.

If you’re having trouble combing their hair, try to create trust and reassurance by allowing them to comb and brush their own hair on their own terms.

Do not brush your child’s hair 100 strokes before bedtime in the traditional manner. Although combing the hair will promote shine and condition, brushing to this extend will over stimulate the sebaceous glands and make the hair greasy and heavy. Doing a quick brush to get the tangles out should be sufficient. Remember to use a comb on wet hair rather than a brush or you risk creating static electricity, which leads to breakage.

Some signs can show any type of child mistreatment

Aggressive, disruptive, and sometimes illegal behavior; Anger and rage, or feelings of sadness or other symptoms of depression; Anxiety or fears, or flashbacks and nightmares; Broken bones or internal injuries; Burns; Changes in a child’s behavior or school performance; Constant hunger or thirst; Cuts and bruises; Dirty hair or skin, frequent diaper rash; Drug and alcohol abuse; Hard-to-believe stories about how accidents occurred; Lack of interest in surroundings; Lack of supervision; Passive or withdrawn behavior; Poor self-image; Sexual acting out; Self-destructive or self-abusive behavior, suicidal thoughts; School problems or failure; The child seems guarded and startles easily; The child loiters at school or friends’ houses; The child seems reluctant to go home

Physical Signs of Child Abuse
1. Unexplained burns, cuts, bruises, or welts in the shape of an object
2. Bite marks
3. Anti-social behavior
4. Problems in school
5. Fear of adults

Emotional Signs of Child Abuse
1. Apathy
2. Depression
3. Hostility or stress
4. Lack of concentration
5. Eating disorders

Sexual Signs of Child Abuse
1. Inappropriate interest or knowledge of sexual acts
2. Nightmares and bed wetting
3. Drastic changes in appetite
4. Overcompliance or excessive aggression
5. Fear of a particular person or family member

Signs of Neglect
1. Unsuitable clothing for weather
2. Dirty or unbathed
3. Extreme hunger
4. Apparent lack of supervision

Chickenpox on Children

Chickenpox is a common illness among kids, particularly those under age 12. An itchy rash of spots that look like blisters can appear all over the body and may be accompanied by flu-like symptoms. Symptoms usually go away without treatment, but because the infection is very contagious, an infected child should stay home and rest until the symptoms are gone.

Chickenpox is caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV). Kids can be protected from VZV by getting the chickenpox (varicella) vaccine, usually between the ages of 12 to 15 months. In 2006, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended a booster shot at 4 to 6 years old for further protection. The CDC also recommends that people 13 years of age and older who have never had chickenpox or received chickenpox vaccine get two doses of the vaccine at least 28 days apart.

A person usually has only one episode of chickenpox, but VZV can lie dormant within the body and cause a different type of skin eruption later in life called shingles (or herpes zoster). Getting the chickenpox vaccine significantly lowers your child’s chances of getting chickenpox, but he or she may still develop shingles later.

Symptoms

Chickenpox causes a red, itchy rash on the skin that usually appears first on the abdomen or back and face, and then spreads to almost everywhere else on the body, including the scalp, mouth, nose, ears, and genitals.

The rash begins as multiple small, red bumps that look like pimples or insect bites. They develop into thin-walled blisters filled with clear fluid, which becomes cloudy. The blister wall breaks, leaving open sores, which finally crust over to become dry, brown scabs.

Chickenpox blisters are usually less than a quarter of an inch wide, have a reddish base, and appear in bouts over 2 to 4 days. The rash may be more extensive or severe in kids who have skin disorders such as eczema.

25 Signs That You Are Pregnant

Pregnancy (latin graviditas) is the carrying of one or more offspring, known as a fetus or embryo, inside the uterus of a female. In a pregnancy, there can be multiple gestations, as in the case of twins or triplets. Human pregnancy is the most studied of all mammalian pregnancies. Obstetrics is the surgical field that studies and cares for high risk pregnancy. Midwifery is the non-surgical field that cares for pregnancy and pregnant women.

On the chart below are 25 of the most common signs of pregnancy and what they mean. You can also click the sign to get more information on each sign of pregnancy. The three categories of pregnancy signs are: possible, probable and positive.