(DISCLAIMER: This is NOT a medical advice nor does it substitute for one. These are home remedies that has worked for us. Please consult your child’s doctor before you try them at your own risk.)
TIP FOR MANAGING AN AILING CHILD: Ear Infection
1) Start with an OTC pain killer
2) Moist warm compress over ears helps
3) Cuddle and distract baby
4) Most ear infection resolve without an antibiotic but if it is recurrent or kid is <2ys you may need it
TIP FOR MANAGING AN AILING CHILD: Eczema or Dry skin
1) Try to find the irritant that triggers it (like cloth, soap, detergent etc)
2) Apply calamine lotion or 1% hydrocortisone
3) Avoid itching with a bandage
4) Use a cool moist compress
5) Take an colloidal oatmeal + baking soda bath.
6) Moisturize the skin (after bath) with strong OTC creams like Eucerin, Neutragena or baby oil
7) Avoid non-moisturizing soap
8) Use a humidifier
9) Use a humidifier
10) Use cotton or silk clothes (no wool or acrylic)
11) I have seen some use ½ cup bleach in a bathtub full of water. Soaking in it apparently kills the bacteria on skin. Use this only for older kids
TIP FOR MANAGING AN AILING CHILD: Eye Sty
1) Leave it alone and don’t pop it
2) Apply warm compress as many times as possible
3) To prevent, avoid old cosmetics, thoroughly cleaning any contact lens and washing hands
TIP FOR MANAGING AN AILING CHILD: Flu
1) Drink lots of electrolytes
2) Take rest and use non-aspirin pain medicines
3) To prevent, get whole family vaccinated
4) Wash hands or use the hand-gel
5) Eat lots of immune building veggies and fruits
TIP FOR MANAGING AN AILING CHILD: Headache (for older kids only)
1) For tension head ache, try massage, shower, relaxation, low dose pain killer, some exercise
2) Eucalyptus or peppermint oil helps ease pain
3) For migraine, try going to sleep in a dark room, meditation, relaxing music or yoga
4) Promising research is being done on herbs like feverfew and butterbur, high dose B-2, magnesium supplements and Coenzyme Q10
5) Some older kids coffee caffeine may help
6) For frequent headache, keep track of triggers and avoid it
TIP FOR MANAGING AN AILING CHILD: Hives
1) Record and identify trigger – like food, medicine, pollen, pet, insect sting or latex
2) Use OTC antihistamine to minimize itching
3) Use a cool moist compress and bandage to cover
4) Take a cool bath and wear soft natural fiber clothes
5) Try oatmeal bath
TIP FOR MANAGING AN AILING CHILD: Indigestion (for older kids, not infant)
1) Eat less and chew your food
2) Eat more easily digestible food like fruits and veggies. Avoid soda, spicy or fatty food
3) Exercise
4) Drink peppermint tea
TIP FOR MANAGING AN AILING CHILD: Jammed finger (for older kids, not infant)
1) Use ice pack
2) Keep your hand elevated
3) Use a buddy tape over injured and adjacent finger
4) If pain doesn’t subside, check out if finger is broken/cracked or bent
TIP FOR MANAGING AN AILING CHILD: Nausea/Vomiting in infants
1) In babies a little spit is not vomiting. Vomit is forceful. So give baby’s stomach a rest,
2) Give small sips to avoid dehydration
3) Try oral electrolyte
