When it comes to children’s health, there’s a certain science to knowing when it’s better to wait symptoms out and observe and when to go to the doctor. A few coughs and sneezes here and there may not merit a visit to the pediatrician, but if the situation involves the following symptoms, a check-up isn’t just better, it’s necessary:
1. Headaches
Many children complain about headaches. Sometimes, it’s due to staring at tablets or TV screens for a long time or not having enough sleep. Such headaches would pass eventually. But if your child reports headaches along with difficulty maintaining their balance or vomiting, then you should take them to a pediatric clinic in Salem or any other location right away.
Health specialists explain that headaches accompanied by persistent vomiting may be due to a bump to the head, which caused pressure on the brain. Headaches, along with balance problems, may indicate issues with the ears and the eyes. So, visit your doctor if the headaches happen along with other symptoms. Be sure to take note when your child started to notice the problems and if these are recurrent. It’s best to keep a record of the child’s symptoms so you can inform your doctor as much as you can.
2. High Fever
Fevers are common among children. What happens here is the part of the brain called hypothalamus increases body temperature to get rid of an infection. Usually, they shouldn’t be a cause of concern since they often clear up even without any treatment. The only exception is if the fever, a rectal temperature of 100.4 degrees, strikes a 3-month old or younger infant. Children this age don’t have a strong immune system yet to fight infections, so they’d easily go weak.
A bacterial infection can spread easily throughout the body and put your baby in serious risks. Call your doctor immediately or go straight to the emergency room. For children older than 3 months, take them to their pediatrician only if the fever is not going down or when they start to act erratically despite taking medicines.
3. Rashes
In general, children experience this symptom because the skin got in contact with an irritant, such as a garden plant or insects that bi their skin. This problem usually goes away after a few days, so there’s nothing to worry about. Ease your child’s discomfort by using a mild soap to treat the rash, and then applying a clean towel gently to dry the skin.
Use a damp cloth every now and then to reduce the feeling of itchiness and irritation. Discourage your child from scratching or rubbing the affected area. If the rashes don’t subside after three days and you notice that your little ones can’t sleep or do their normal routines anymore because they’re in pain, take them to the doctor right away. Rashes that appear like bruising also merit a visit to the pediatrician.
It’s difficult to know whether to observe your kids first when they feel uneasy or to let doctors see them already. If you do see the mentioned signs, though, choose the latter. It’s best to be sure that your little one is safe from life-threatening illnesses or infections.
