How to Treat Adult Diaper Rash
January 27, 2012 | 
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Adult diaper rash is a common concern for incontinence sufferers. Typically, adult diaper rashes are similar in cause and symptoms to children‘s diaper rashes. It is most often caused by skin irritations such as prolonged exposure to urine or fecal matter. Good hygiene is a key to preventing this uncomfortable and irritating rash.
In all cases, preventing diaper rash is best. We have all heard the adage “prevention is worth a pound of cure”; and this holds true when discussing adult diaper rash as well. Keeping the diaper area clean and dry with frequent changing can prevent most cases of adult diaper rash. Some people use a lubricating cream daily to prevent further chaffing from the diapers.
It is also a good idea to find a proper-fitting diaper, whether you choose the disposable or cloth diaper options. You should find a diaper that fits snuggly and comfortably without being too tight. You should additionally be sure to change the diaper frequently when wet to avoid prolonged exposure to acidic urine.
One downfall of using cloth diapers is that you must additionally use a plastic pant cover to prevent leaking. These plastic pants can increase the temperature within the diaper area and transform it into a breeding ground for bacteria and other germs. This is one reason that many people choose to use disposable diaper to prevent adult diaper rash. Disposable diapers are much more absorptive than cloth diapers, which usually results in less moisture being trapped on the skin.
It is also a wise idea to let the diaper area completely dry after a diaper has been soaked. You can additionally clean the area with a soft cloth and a very mild soap. Having a good hygiene regime and acting swiftly in your changing habits are the best ways to prevent adult diaper rash. If you should try these methods and still have problems with rashes, you can buy over-the-counter remedies in the form of creams. These creams often have anti-bacterial agents in them and usually clear up mild to moderate cases of diaper rashes very quickly.
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Baby Christening Ideas – Decorating Tips For a Perfect Day
When planning your baby’s christening, at the top of your baby christening ideas “to do” list should be to decide how to decorate the church, hall or whatever venue you have chosen. Altar decorations are important as all eyes are on the family gathered there for the ceremony so a lovely floral arrangement or other suitable decorative items are a given. But, if you really want your celebration to be shine, the decoration of the pews, the entryways and windows are details that should be addressed.
By this time you may be mentally ticking over your available budget. The purpose of this article is to tell you that it’s possible to decorate the entire sanctuary in a tasteful (and affordable) manner so that the entire area is made festive, not just the few square feet where the actual dedication will be performed.
I have a few baby christening ideas that are not expensive that can guide you in your efforts to decorate the church for your baby’s dedication ceremony in an elegant and reverent manner without stressing your budget to the breaking point.
HALLS and ENTRYWAYS
Decorating the entry to the festivities gives the ceremony a sense of place and importance and we have some tips on how to get the job done without buying expensive items that you will never use again.
Landscape lanterns taken from your own home can be spaced along the sidewalks and decorated with bows for an inexpensive treatment. Borrow large potted plants from a friend to place on each side of the door and drape yards of pink or blue fabric on the handrails. For an informal gathering, arrangements of helium balloons are not out of the question.
LIGHTING
One of my favorite (and cheap) baby christening ideas is to have the baby’s christening ceremony performed by candlelight. Candles at the altar and hurricane lanterns with burning candles along the aisles will provide just enough light and create an atmosphere that is amazingly spiritual and inspiring.
The only problem with this is that some churches frown on open flames used as decorations anywhere other than on the altar. The reason for this is not only that burning candles present a fire hazard; the melting wax from the candles has a nasty way of ruining carpets and the finish of antique wooden church pews.
To avoid paying for damages, perhaps the best option for subdued lighting would be to dim the lights using the dimmer switch if one exists or to use strings of twinkle lights creatively arranged along the aisles or in floral arrangements in which case you will need to know the location of electrical outlets.
HOW MANY PEWS SHOULD WE DECORATE?
The first order of business will be to ascertain how many pews will actually be filled. You can guess at this figure by the counting the number of RSVP’s that have been received. If the number of loved ones and family that will be attending will only occupy a row or two, decorate those pews and use the rest of your budget to decorate the sidewalks and doorways leading into the church.
INEXPENSIVE PEW DECORATIONS
If your goal is to keep it simple, you can’t go wrong with pink satin bows for a baby girl, baby blue for a boy or green or some other gender neutral color for fraternal twins. To save time you can have a florist tie the bows but position them yourself to avoid additional service charges. If you have the ability to design a professional looking bow, you will only be out the cost of the satin ribbon.
Dressing up the satin bows that you made for pews is easy to accomplish with pretty nosegays of flowers. For an informal gathering, you can attach some balloons filled with helium in your colors to the bows positioned at the ends of the church pews. I have seen balloon arches used rather than flowers to decorate the front of the church as well as the pews to take the ceremony in a lighthearted yet still respectful direction. The upside is that balloons are frivolous and fun and much less expensive than fresh flowers.
These are just a few baby christening ideas for decorating your venue in a unique yet inexpensive manner.
How to Clean Vera Bradley Bags
Vera Bradley handbags come in all sorts of colors and patterns which make this designer one of the more unique ones out there. Celebrities who sport Gucci, Dolce and Gabbana and Prada bags also have their favorite Vera Bradley bags. The colors are bold, the patterns are original and the bags are versatile. The only issue that many people have to deal with when it comes to Vera Bradley handbags, or any designer bag for that matter, is cleaning.
Unlike many designer bags out there, most of the Vera Bradley handbags are machine washable. You may find yourself shocked to learn that, but thousands of people put their Vera bag in the washing machine for a good clean. You will find that your bag will get dirty even before it starts to get old. That’s just the nature of these purses, but there’s a simple solution for it.
What you have to do first is check inside your handbag to find the tag which will provide the washing instructions. Keep in mind that not every Vera accessory can be washed in the machine. These include some silk or microfiber accessories and other matching accessories. That is why it is important to read the instructions for caring for your purse. Because most of the bags are made of cotton, they are machine washable.
What To Consider When Washing Your Bag
Removable Base: The first item to note is to check inside your handbag for a removable base. Once you find this base, make sure to take it out before washing. The material used inside the baseboard is not machine washable and will lose its shape and sturdiness.
Detergent: You cannot use any detergent to wash your handbag. Some detergents are not made for cotton fabric, which is the material used to create most Vera bags. Woolite and other detergents made to wash delicate fabrics are not good for your handbag.
Drying: Using the dryer to dry your Vera Bradley handbag is not a good idea. The care instructions will describe the best drying method. Using the dryer will cause the colors to fade and may cause the handbag to shrink. The best method is to air or line dry your handbag.
Any Vera Bradley handbag that is not made of cotton should not be machine washed. Instead, you can do spot cleaning to make them look new again. Caring for your Vera handbag or purse is important to maintain its quality and durability. Above all, there is nothing like having a purse that looks brand new. By following the guidelines mentioned above, you can easily and conveniently take care of your Vera Bradley signature cotton fabric handbag.
How to Get Rid of Fish Smell
The smell of fish is something that lingers in the fishing boat, in the kitchen, the pots and pans, in your car, on your hands, in your clothes and anywhere else that is touched by the fish.
It is not a pleasant smell for most people. I know there are those that say they grew up thinking that fish was supposed to smell like fish, but most find the lingering odor after the fish is long eaten to be unpleasant.
There are many home type remedies that are professed to work. Let me list some here for you to try.
1.) Wash or clean with a solution of vinegar and water.
2.) Wash or clean with a solution of bleach and water.
3.) If it is your refrigerator or freezer, empty it and turn it off. Place a container of boiling hot water with a sliced lemon in it. Leave for about an hour. Then make sure all the smelly ice is out of the freezer area and wipe down the walls and shelves with lemon water. Wipe each item thoroughly before replacing in the refrigerator or freezer.
4.) For the refrigerator or freezer, purchase vanilla-scented fridge deodorizer. It is supposed to kill the bacteria so it will put a stop to the odor for good, not just cover it up. Can be found in a good hardware store or supermarket.
5.) For a container, pots and pans or freezer, cut two potatoes and sprinkle some common table salt on it and place in the container for a couple of hours. Then wash thoroughly.
6.) Wash items with baking soda solution. 1-2 tablespoons of baking soda to 1 quart of water. Keep baking soda in the refrigerator or freezer where you normally store fish.
7.) For pots and pans try brewing some tea for 10-15 minutes. Discard and wash.
8.) For hands, etc. rubs hands with salt and then wash with a lemon scented soap or mild lemon detergent. Liberal use of nail brush at this time will also help.
9.) For clothes, give them a good soak in NappiSan or any other nappy/diaper soaker.
10.) For the fishing boat, body, clothes and children try “Simple Green”. Usually can be found at your local supermarket.
11.) “Simple Green” can also be carried along on your fishing trip to clean the smell and residue of insect repellent and sunscreen from your flies or leaders.
12.) This one might take a while but is recommended as having worked. If you have had an ice chest leak in the car try covering with newspaper. This can also be used for the freezer problem. It takes a while for the newspaper to absorb the odor but it seems to do so.
13.) While cooking to reduce the fish smell in the area try heating a little bit of olive oil in a pan and adding cinnamon to it. The fish smell will give way to the sweet cinnamon smell.
14.) If you want to get rid of the fish smell before you cook it, soak the raw fish in a little bit of vinegar and a lot of water. Is should not affect the flavor in any way.
15.) For the microwave try soaking a wet dish towel with a squirt of dish detergent on it and then place it in the center of the microwave and run the microwave on high for a few minutes. The scented stem will clean it. Then let air for a few minutes.
Then there are also some commercial solutions. Here are a few you might want to try:
1.) Zielonka Smell Buster – made in Germany out of special high-grade stainless steel. The Smell Buster is supposed to neutralize odors as soon as it comes into contact with air and water, leaving it fresh and clean. Try an internet search to find it.
2.) Several companies manufacture a liquid concentrate which sells for about $3.00 for 1/4 to 1/2 ounce. A couple drops are put on a piece of cotton and placed in the area to absorb odors, in the cabinet or in a room.
A couple of brand names are: “Odor-Away” by Wrap-on Co., available at hardware and hospital supply stores and “Clean-Air” found at some appliance repair shops.
Hospital supply stores carry Dow Chemical Hospital Disinfectant and Deodorant Spray. Spray into cabinet and quickly shut the door.
Hope some of these solutions will work for you to get rid of the fish smell wherever it is a problem for you.
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Your Baby Is Having His First Cold – What To Do
As a new parent both you and your family are probably overjoyed. The first few months has been nothing but wonderful and you are hoping it will stay like this forever. Unfortunately everyday life does not work like that and you are bound to experience some bumps in the road along the way and nothing is worse than when your baby gets sick.
Like everyone else, you will wake up one morning and find that your little baby has got a real bad cold. Listening to that little chest being so congested can for many first time parents be very traumatic. You may not be quite sure of what to do and feel completely helpless because you can tell your baby is having a hard time breathing and he has a little bit of a fever.
In most cases of a baby cold there is no reason to panic and for most babies there is no reason to take them to the doctor either. Of course if taking him to the doctor make you feel better and safer that is what you should do. For anything you are not sure of when it comes to your child you should seek advice from somewhere. Anyway, like mentioned, with most baby colds there is normally no reason to rush to the doctor.
As for yourself when you have a cold there are certain things you should do for your baby when he has a cold. Here are a few ideas which can make it easier for both you and your baby. First of all make sure they get lots of fluids to keep them from dehydrating, this is very important.
In order for your baby to be able to breathe better, purchase one of those mist humidifiers and keep it on while the baby is taking a nap and at night time. This will help loosen up the cough secretions and let them breathe better. A humidifier will also help you if you get a cold so it is not a waste of money.
Keep their head elevated. Try to put something under the baby’s mattress to build up their head elevation. Babies always breathe better if elevated and not laying flat on their back during sickness.
If your child has a bad coughing spell, go in the bathroom turn on the shower with real hot water so it will steam up the bathroom. Sit the baby on your lap and let them breathe in the steam. This will help ease their cough.
Other things you can do to keep your child more comfortable during this time is to make sure you have things around the house to lessen the fever and discomfort like for example infant Tylenol. Also make sure to give lots of love, hugs and kisses just to let them know you are there for them.
All of this is only suggestions but hopefully it will help you get through your baby’s first cold.
How to Remove Sour Milk Smell
The odor of spoiled milk is traditionally very difficult to remove. Fortunately, there are some relatively simple and inexpensive solutions. The sooner you clean the smelly spot, the greater your chances of restoring a fresh scent to your room, house, refrigerator and house-on-wheels.
Aside from that, the smell of spoiled milk can be quite hard to remove on your clothes, especially your baby’s clothes, since babies have frequent access to milk and are most likely to spill milk on their clothes.
Baby clothes can be expensive and the kids grow out of them before they can possibly wear them. Often these adorable little outfits are passed on to another child; however, even though they are in good shape, they still have that telltale odor of spoiled milk that is almost impossible to get rid of. As always, there are ways around this dilemma.
Sour Milk Smell Removal
Avoid spilling milk if you can. Also, do not cry over the spilled milk if you indeed spilled it anyway. Do something about it instead.
* To remove stale milk smells, you first need to remove all the spilled stale milk. Use warm soapy water and perhaps some washing up liquid and clean up the affected area thoroughly first.
* After the mess has been cleared up, soak the area in white vinegar and mop up with paper towels. Put up with vinegary smell for about a week and after that, not a sign of vinegar smell or that horrible milk odor will remain.
* You can use an air freshener in the affected car to ensure a pleasant smell. Just try to let it dry for as long as possible. Soon, the milk smell will have disappeared from your surroundings.
* Use a commercial leather cleaner and odor eliminator on the leather upholstery of your car. Your dealer may carry these products. Allow the area to dry completely: residual moisture can cause mildew. Use a hair dryer or fan if necessary, being careful not to scorch carpet fibers with the hair dryer.
* You can also pour baking soda over the area where milk is spilled. Sprinkle some cold water on top of the baking soda and let it stand overnight. You can vacuum it the next day to remove the residue. If the smell still remains, you can try treating it with an enzyme odor remover.
* Take a bottle of club soda, stick your finger inside and shake to get a fizz going. With your finger still in bottle, spray on the stinky milk stain. Get it wet but not soaking. The smell might be worse at first but that it will go away as the whole thing dries unlike the untreated milk odor, which will only worsen as time passes by.
* You can also use brake cleaner if you’re particularly desperate, but use it moderately and only on carpets, rugs or hard surfaces. Just put a small dab on a clean cloth, blot the milk stain and rinse with soap and water.
If it’s baby clothes that are affected by the milk stench, then you could do the following: Fill the washing machine with hot water. Fill it at least high enough for a medium load. Add a cup of laundry detergent with one cup of dish washing detergent. Run the machine for a few minutes to mix the combination well. Turn the washing machine off.
Put the smelly baby clothes in the solution in the machine and leave them there. Let them soak overnight in the solution. Then, In the morning turn the washing machine on and let the clothes run through a full cycle. Add a tablespoon of vinegar to the rinse cycle. Vinegar is the choice product for general bad odor removal.
Finally, add a second rinse cycle to make certain that all the detergent residue gets rinsed out of the clothes. The baby’s clothes, as well as your clothes, if you’ve tried this method on those as well, will be smelling fresh and clean by the end of the process so be proud of your work.
How Often Should You Use Microdermabrasion Treatments
In 2006, microdermabrasion ranked as the forth most popular minimally invasive cosmetic procedure according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Yet, microdermabrasion treatments are not exclusive to the spa or doctor’s office. In fact, microdermabrasions have dropped down the list of top aesthetic treatments because new at-home treatments allow men and women to perform their own microdermabrasions.
So how often should you perform microdermabrasion treatments on yourself? The answer depends on you. And by implementing the following four-step plan, you can become your own microdermabrasion expert.
1. What is you main objective for performing the dermabrasion treatment?
Before buying any skin care product, you want to know what you expect from the product, otherwise you really can’t judge its benefits. What is the desire driving your microdermabrasion purchase?
Wrinkle reduction, acne scar removal, skin lightening, retexturize damaged skin, minimize freckles or age spots
2. What is your skin type?
The next determinant of how often you should use face abrasion techniques is your skin type: Sensitive, oily, dry, rough, leathery texture or a combination of these.
3. Pick a dermabrasion treatment based on your skin type and microdermabrasion goals
Naturally, if your skin is sensitive and you just want to treat freckles, you may not want to use a deep microdermabrasion product that might irritate your skin and cause hyperpigmentation. Then again, if you have rough textured skin, you don’t want a dermabrasion treatment that barely exfoliates your skin.
Here are some general guidelines for matching a dermabrasion treatment to your skin type:
Sensitive skin type- microdermabrasion creams with small, smooth edged exfoliating agents, like baking soda crystals. Use creams containing no fragrances.
Dry skin types- use a cream- or non pore clogging oil-based microdermabrasion treatment. This will remove the damaged layers of the skin while still imparting moisture.
Oily and rough skin textures- damaged, oily skin contains an extra barrier that microdermabrasion treatments must penetrate in order to work. For these types of skin, look for microdermabrasion products that contain larger, more abrasive exofiating agents like crushed apricots or pomegranate. These larger, more aggressive dermabrasion treatments will help remove oils and tough skin layers better than milder facial scrubs.
4. Repeat microdermabrasion treatments based on your skin’s response and repair rate
Once you have matched the right dermabrasion product to your skin type and skin goals, you have to monitor your skin to find the optimal frequency for repeating your microdermabrasion treatment.
One rule of thumb for performing a dermabrasion treatment is to look at your skin for signs of irritation or excess sensitivity after microdermabrasion treatments. For example, immediately after a microdermabrasion treatment, it is normal for your skin to look flushed, red and feel sensitive.
In two to three days, these symptoms should subside and your skin should look better. On this day, when you skin looks better, you can repeat the microdermabrasion treatment once again. In some cases, you may be able to use the microdermabrasion treatment once per day to reach your cosmetic goals.
The key is that you want to give your skin adequate time to repair itself after each dermabrasion treatment. Once your skin has calmed down from the previous dermabrasion and your skin is no longer, inflamed or overly sensitive, you can proceed with another at-home microdermabrasion treatment.
While you probably would not get a medial grade microdermabrasion treatment every day or even twice a week, at-home microdermabrasion treatments are much milder, so you can simply increase the frequency of the treatments to emulate professional grade results at home. In short, you will get better results from your microdermabrasion treatments once you customize them to your specific goals and skin type.
Source:
American Society of Plastic Surgeons. 11 Million Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Procedures in 2006 – Up 7%. plasticsurgery.org/media/press_releases/2006-Stats-Overall-Release.cfm. March 22, 2007.[Accessed July 18, 2007]
Cleaning Your Washing Machine
Is cleaning your washing machine important? It certainly is! The inside of your washing machine is constantly being subjected to dirty water, mineral deposits, detergent deposits, and if you launder cloth diapers it is especially important to keep your machine clean and in tip-top condition. Much like dishwashers, sinks and bathtubs get dirty even though they are meant to clean things, your washing machine can become a mess in no time. Though, most dirt and soil is washed out with the water, dirt, soap residue and other unidentifiable grungy objects can be left behind and you actually have to get rid of this dirt yourself. Every time you wash your clothes, hard water and detergents cause build up to accumulate also, inside the tub, pump and hoses. This build-up reduces the ability of your washing machine to perform and mineral build-up can be abrasive to your cloths and diapers you are washing, causing them to wear faster. Cleaning your machine eliminates these problems.
First, run a cycle of hot water along with two cups of vinegar or lemon juice to loosen up soap and grime. Remove the fabric softener receptacle and soak it in hot water and detergent. Clean the bleach dispenser with a spray cleaner and paper towels and Q-tips. Don’t forget to clean the top rim of the wash bucket as it is up and under where it can’t usually be seen easily and becomes dirty. Run the washer empty on a hot cycle one more time.
While this is going on you check all your hoses for leaks. Over time, the water hoses that came with your unit may leak or burst. It’s a good preventive maintenance practice to check these hoses from time to time for any sign of wear or weakness. Most manufacturers recommend replacing the hoses every 5 years. Make sure your hoses are not a disaster waiting to occur!
Once you’ve soaked the fabric softener receptacle, replace it and polish up the outside of your washing machine with vinegar and a cloth towel. Your washing machine now looks better and will run better as well!
Happy washing!
A Summary Of Some Common Skin Rashes In Babies
Cradle cap is a condition whereby patches of greasy yellow flakes and small pimple-like bumps appear on the scalps of healthy babies. Sometimes it may appear on the eyebrows, ears and other areas where sebaceous glands are located. It can occur in any baby, and appear during the early weeks of life and will clear by the sixth month. Some dermatologists think that high levels of maternal hormones are transmitted to the baby during the final weeks of pregnancy. This makes the sebaceous (oil) glands in the baby’s skin hyperactive which trigger overproduction of sebum which not only overstimulates the growth of new skin cells but also binds the old skin cells into flakes and crusts. It often has a mild unpleasant smell and does not cause any discomfort to the baby.
Some doctors recommend leaving it alone but I prefer to treat it early because I have seen many cases whereby the crust becomes so thick that whenever it is rubbed, large chunks of hair comes off leaving a very red and raw looking area. Treatment is to apply a liberal amount of baby oil to the affected area about 20 minutes before the baby’s bath. This will allow the crust to become soft and easy to remove. During the bath, apply a little baby shampoo to the head and using a soft hair brush or face cloth, gently brush or rub the crust off. Do this once a day until the crust has been completely removed. Sometimes it may recur after a few days so continue to wash baby’s hair in the same way. Once the baby’s sebaceous (oil) glands settle down the condition will disappear.
N.B. The oil application must be shampooed out to prevent an oily buildup which may make the condition worse. Do not try and remove the crusts and scales with the tip of a fingernail.
Heat rash consists of tiny blisters filled with sweat. It forms when the pores become blocked and prevent the sweat glands from releasing the sweat or when heat and humidity exceed the ability of the sweat glands to cool the body. Babies are especially vulnerable because their ability to sweat is not fully developed and they often wear or lie on waterproof materials. It normally develops around the neck, face, armpits and sometimes on the chest and back.
Western medication includes applying calamine lotion and antihistamines for severe itching. Sometimes applying a light dusting of corn starch powder may help to relieve the itchiness. Chinese traditional remedy is to bath the baby with boiled dried bitter gourd vine daily for 3 days.
It is best to prevent the condition from developing by dressing the baby in light cotton clothes especially in warm or hot weather. Avoid laying the baby on a plastic covered mattress or pad. Do not apply moisturizing cream or lotions or use bath oils for babies under 3 months as these products may clog the pores. Do not over wrap the baby in layers of clothes and swaddling blanket.
Nappy rash is often due to infrequent nappy change causing irritation from ammonia which is released when bacteria starts breaking down the contents of a dirty nappy. It could be due to an allergy to your washing powder or fabric conditioner if your baby wears cloth diapers or a food/drug allergy especially antibiotics. The genital area, buttocks, groins and sometimes the upper thighs will look red and inflamed. It can be dry or moist and sometimes look pimply. Babies with nappy rash may be very fussy and cries frequently or does not seem bothered at all.
“Prevention is better than treatment” so the best defence against nappy rash is a dry bottom.
Infantile eczema is an itchy dry scaly rash usually seen on the cheeks or chin, but may show up on the head, trunk, back of arms, or front of legs and is not contagious. It is first noticed at 2 to 5 months of age and is most common in families with history of allergies or asthma. In most cases it will settle down by the time the child reaches school age but for some it may continue to be a life long problem. The frequency and severity of flare ups can be dramatically reduced with careful daily washing using a hypoallergenic soap and applying moisturisers, topical steroids when needed. Avoid trigger factors such as excessive sweating, woollen clothing, soaps and bubble bath. Sometimes it may be necessary to give baby antihistamine if the itch is very intense and is making the baby very irritable.
Sometimes the eczema can become infected by bacteria and this causes extensive redness, swelling and weeping of the affected area. In this case it may be necessary for the doctor to prescribe an antibiotic cream together with a steroid cream. Children with severe eczema usually also have hay fever and asthma.
Urticaria or hives are red or pink raised areas on the skin that are very itchy and warm to the touch. It may appear on any part of the body and usually last from a few hours to a few days, but can stay for weeks or even months in some cases. Hives are usually caused by food allergies with the most frequent culprits being eggs, shellfish, chocolate, food additives, colouring or preservatives. It can also be due to allergy to certain drugs or in response to contact with animals especially cats or from insect bites.
It may come on after exposure to extreme temperature especially heat or chemicals. Most often hives will disappear on its own after the allergic reaction is over. If it causes itching and discomfort, the doctor may prescribe an oral antihistamine and calamine lotion to apply on the rashes. Avoid giving your child allergy causing food until the hives have subsided. Later try to find the offending culprit by reintroducing the food item one at a time and once you know the offending food it is important to let your child’s caretakers or school teachers know so that the food is avoided. This is because very rarely, hives can develop in the mouth and throat which can obstruct the child’s airways. You can put this information on sticker labels on your child’s feeding utensils especially in preschools when your child is too young to tell the caretakers.
Traditional Chinese therapy recommends not bathing the child as it will cause more rashes to appear and make the rash itch more. Treatment is to heat up some rice wine and apply it on the rashes 3 times a day. Most often the rashes will disappear after 2 days.
Hand foot and mouth disease (HFMD) is a skin rash with flat or raised red spots on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet and sometimes on the buttocks. Often the rash will form tiny blisters which look like the chickenpox rash but it does not itch. A day or two later the child may develop sores or blisters on the tongue, gums and inside of the cheeks. They begin as small red spots on the tongue, gums or mucous membranes which then develop into blisters or sores.
It is caused by Coxsackie virus A16 which belongs to a group of viruses called enterovirus and is normally not serious. Infection is spread by direct contact with saliva, nose and throat discharges, fluid from the blisters or the stool of an infected person who is most contagious during the first week of the illness. All infected cases recover without medical treatment by 7 to 10 days. It is most common between ages 6 months and 4 years. Very rarely, it may be caused by another strain of Coxsackie virus EV71 whereby the child develops aseptic meningitis or encephalitis (Inflammation of the brain). This strain may be fatal as in the case in Sarawak in 1997.
Treatment is to provide relief from fever or pain from the mouth ulcers and give plenty of fluids. There is no immunization for HFMD.
Thrush or candidiasis is a fungal infection from Candida albicans. It appears as a red bumpy rash in the diaper area and the bumps are sometimes pus-filled. It may be worse in the skin folds and does not respond to diaper cream. Often the primary source of infection is in the mouth which then spreads to the nappy area from the contaminated stools. It normally starts as a couple of white patches on the sides of the mouth and if not treated quickly can spread until the tongue is coated as well. This makes it painful for baby to suckle. The creamy patches look like milk curds and therefore is easily missed. Use a cotton bud to wipe the white patches. If the patches cannot be removed it confirms that the baby has thrush therefore should be taken to the doctor who may prescribe Daktarin gel for the oral thrush and cream for the nappy area. If the infection is severe it may be necessary for the doctor to prescribe Daktacort which has a small amount of steroid in it to speed up the healing process. All feeding equipment must be boiled thoroughly for 10 minutes to prevent recurrence.
Roseola infantum or false measles is a viral illness in young children between the ages of 6 months and 2 years. The rash is pink and may have small flat spots or raised bumps. These spots may have a lighter “halo” around them and may turn white if you press on them.
Roseola usually starts out with a sudden high fever often over 103° Fahrenheit or 39.5° Celsius. During this time, the child may appear fussy or irritable and may have decreased appetite, mild diarrhoea and swollen lymph glands in the neck. The fever typically lasts three to five days and end abruptly followed by the telltale rash which is usually seen on the trunk and neck, but it can extend to the limbs and face. The rash may last for several hours or days.
A diagnosis of roseola cannot be made until the fever drops and the rash appears, so the doctor may order tests to make sure that the fever is not caused by another infection.
Roseola is contagious and spreads through tiny drops of fluid from the nose and throat of infected people. There is no known way to prevent the spread of roseola. Repeat cases of roseola may occur, but they are not common.
Treatment is to keep your baby well hydrated with lots of fluids and to control the fever to prevent a febrile seizure as about 10 to 15 percent of children with roseola have a febrile seizure.
Fun, Useful Baby Gifts For New Parents
When a new baby comes into your life it is an exciting time whether it’s a niece, nephew, grandchild, friend or co-worker’s baby. Although it’s customary to buy baby gifts for their the baby shower, we often feel compelled to do something for the parents after the baby has come in addition to a baby shower gift.
Not only is this a nice “congratulations” and “welcome” gesture, getting something practical for the new parents and baby can really help them during an exciting and busy time. Here are a few suggestions for premium gifts that will leave a lasting impression with a new family.
One of the most thoughtful gifts you can give new parents is something that they can really use and appreciate. This is a very busy time for them and they will want to spend as much time with their baby (and resting) as possible.
If you want to get the new family something that is fun and practical, consider buying an adorable and useful diaper cake. Diaper cakes are made from diapers but look like tiered cakes. Diaper cakes come in many different styles, colors, themes and sizes. Diaper cakes are very versatile too as you can find them made with cloth diapers or disposable diapers.
These adorable cakes usually have small baby accessories included in the cake as decorations. These items can range from small bottles of baby powder and baby shampoo to pacifiers and stuffed animals.
These can be a great gift as decoration for the baby’s room until the diapers and accessories can be used. Diaper cakes are also great to send to the family’s home after the baby is born. This way, when they come home from the hospital, there is a lovely, fun and practical gift waiting for them.
Another nice gift to consider if you want to give something thoughtful to the new parents is gift certificates to grocery stores and restaurants. The grocery store gift certificates will be appreciated for obvious reasons, but as an added gesture you can offer to go grocery shopping for them instead of just a gift certificate.
Restaurant gift certificates are always a great hit with new parents. Who wants to cook when you have a new baby?
Tip: get gift certificates to restaurants that offer a takeout menu. This way one parent can pick up a nice, hot diner to bring home and miss minimal time with the baby.
It’s not difficult to find gifts for new parents, but with a little extra thought and some creativity, you can give a gift that can be helpful, meaningful and very special.