Food Allergies and Asthma in Kids
What are food allergies? Some bodies — especially young ones — react to certain foods as they would to dangerous intruders. Their immune systems unleash a barrage of chemicals against proteins in these foods, causing the misery known as an allergic …
Learn MoreThe Way We Were
The first time I met up with eating disorders was in middle school. I had transferred from an artistic, diverse, public elementary school to a liberal arts school for the “gifted.” I was one of three or four people who was not white and one of four or…
Learn MoreColds and Kids
Why does my child get so many colds? The common cold (also known as an upper respiratory infection) is caused by a virus. Trouble is, there are at least 200 different known viruses, with new ones occasionally appearing. Children develop immunity to th…
Learn MoreChild’s Play
Think back to the happiest moments of your childhood. Chances are, you weren’t sitting at a desk or finishing up a chore. More likely, you were running around at the park, jumping in a creek, or building a new civilization in your backyard. For kids o…
Learn MoreAcne
Why do I have acne? No matter what you may have heard, eating lots of chocolate or greasy food won’t give you zits. The real culprit is biology. You may not be able to prevent acne entirely, but you can definitely take steps to clear up your skin and …
Learn MoreMedicines: Helping Children Swallow
At one time or another, almost every child will refuse to take a pill or swig of medicinal syrup. Here are some tips to help the medicine go down:Be honest. Do not tell your child that the medicine is candy (he might suddenly crave a handful). Instead…
Learn MoreDiaper Rash (Toddler)
What is diaper rash? By the time your child reaches the toddler years, you’ve probably already seen your share of diaper rashes: red, inflamed skin hiding under the diaper or training pants. The rash — usually found in the genital area, the inner thi…
Learn MoreCough (Children)
Is coughing bad for my child? Most of the time it’s good for her. When your child has a cold, coughing clears infected mucus from her lungs and keeps nasal mucus from dripping down into them. If she didn’t cough, a little sniffle could turn into pneum…
Learn MoreScarlet Fever: Symptoms and Treatment
What is scarlet fever? Scarlet fever, also known as scarlatina, was once one of the most serious scourges of childhood, sweeping through families like wildfire and causing numerous deaths. But with modern antibiotics, the disease is far less dangerous…
Learn MorePinworms
What are pinworms? Pinworms are small, white, threadlike worms that infect up to 50 percent of children. If your child’s infected, he’ll probably scratch and complain of itching around the anus, especially at night. You may be able to see the worms, w…
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