| Allergies | Allergies | Allergies | A | English | Allergy | Child (0-12 years);Teen (13-18 years) | Body | Immune system | Conditions and diseases | Caregivers
Adult (19+) | Cough;Eye discomfort and redness;Runny nose;Rash;Wheezing | | 2021-03-23T04:00:00Z | | | | | | 8.10000000000000 | 60.8000000000000 | 1477.00000000000 | | Health (A-Z) - Conditions | Health A-Z | <p>This page explains what allergies are, types of allergens, the signs and symptoms of allergies, and also the causes. It also gives examples of common allergies and what to do if your child has an allergic reaction. </p> | <h2>What is an allergy?</h2><p>The immune system protects us by attacking harmful substances such as viruses and bacteria. An allergy is the immune system’s response to a substance called an allergen.</p><p>The allergen is not harmful for most people. However, when a child has an allergy, the immune system treats the allergen as an invader and over-reacts to it. This results in symptoms from mild discomfort to severe distress.</p><p>Allergic disorders, including food allergies, are common in childhood. Many children with allergies also have asthma.<br></p> | <h2>Types of allergens</h2><h3>Common food allergens</h3><div class="akh-series"><div class="row"><div class="col-md-12">
<figure><img src="https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/akhassets/Common_food_allergens_EQUIP_ILL_EN.jpg" alt="Illustration of eggs, nuts, shellfish, fish and milk" /> </figure>
<p>The most common food allergens include:</p><ul><li>
<a href="/Article?contentid=809&language=English">peanuts</a></li><li>
<a href="/Article?contentid=812&language=English">tree nuts</a> such as hazelnuts, walnuts, almonds, and cashews</li><li>
<a href="/Article?contentid=806&language=English">eggs</a></li><li>
<a href="/Article?contentid=808&language=English">cow's milk</a></li><li>
<a href="/Article?contentid=813&language=English">wheat</a></li><li>
<a href="/Article?contentid=805&language=English">soy</a></li><li>
<a href="/Article?contentid=807&language=English">fish</a></li><li>
<a href="/Article?contentid=810&language=English">shellfish</a></li></ul></div></div></div><p>Food allergens can also be hidden in common party dishes such as cookies, cakes, candies or other foods. Always ask the cook or the host if dishes contain foods your child is allergic to.</p><p>Far more people have a food intolerance than a food allergy. Unlike a food allergy, a food intolerance does not involve an immune reaction. Rather, it produces unpleasant symptoms as food is digested. These symptoms appear over a few hours rather than as soon as the food is swallowed or inhaled.</p><h3>Common airborne allergens</h3><p>Dust mites are common airborne allergens. These tiny bugs live in warm, damp, dusty places in your home and survive by eating dead skin cells. Their waste is a major cause of allergies and asthma.</p><div class="akh-series"><div class="row"><div class="col-md-12">
<figure><img src="https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/akhassets/Common_airborne_allergens_EQUIP_ILL_EN.jpg" alt="Illustration of moulds, dust mites, pollens, pet dander and cockroaches" /> </figure>
<p>Other common airborne allergens include:</p><ul><li>pollen from trees, weeds and other plants</li><li>mould</li><li>pet dander (dead skin cells from pets)</li><li>cockroaches</li></ul></div></div></div><h3>Other common allergens</h3><ul><li>
<a href="/Article?contentid=800&language=English">Insect bites or stings</a></li><li>Medicines</li></ul> | <h2>Key points</h2><ul><li>An allergy is the immune system’s over-reaction to a substance that is generally not harmful to most people.</li><li>If you suspect that your child has an allergy, an allergist can do tests to find out exactly what is causing the allergy and discuss with you how to manage these allergies.</li><li>To reduce your child’s exposure to airborne allergens, have a pet-free home and remove carpeting.</li><li>To manage a food allergy, make sure your child avoids all foods they are allergic to, learns how to read food labels and ask about the ingredients in served food.</li><li>If your child has a severe allergy, tell their teachers and other caregivers.</li><li>If you suspect your child is having an anaphylactic reaction, give epinephrine (if available) and call 911. </li></ul> | | <h2>Signs and symptoms of allergies</h2><p>Allergic reactions will vary from child to child and from allergen to allergen. Where you live can also affect the type and severity of the allergy.</p><h3>Symptoms for food allergens and insect bites or stings</h3><p>Your child’s response to a food allergy or insect bite will depend on how sensitive they are to that food or bug. Symptoms can include:</p><ul><li>itchy mouth and throat when food is swallowed</li><li>skin rashes, such as
<a href="/Article?contentid=789&language=English">hives</a> (raised, red, itchy bumps)</li><li>sneezing</li><li>itchy, runny or stuffy nose</li><li>
<a href="/Article?contentid=782&language=English">conjunctivitis</a> (red, swollen eyes) or itchy, watery eyes</li></ul><h3>Symptoms for airborne allergens</h3><p>Common symptoms with airborne allergens may include:</p><ul><li>sneezing</li><li>itchy nose or throat</li><li>stuffy or runny nose</li><li>red, itchy and/or watery eyes</li><li>headaches or plugged ears</li></ul><h3>Symptoms of severe allergic reactions</h3><p>Anaphylaxis is the most severe type of allergic reaction. Even exposure to small amounts of allergens can trigger anaphylaxis in some allergic children.</p><p>The signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis may include sudden onset of:</p><ul><li><a href="https://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/Article?contentid=789&language=English">hives</a>, itching, redness of the skin</li><li>swollen eyes, lips, tongue or face</li><li>difficulty breathing, tightness of the throat or difficulty swallowing</li><li>abdominal (belly) pain, nausea, <a href="https://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/Article?contentid=746&language=English">vomiting</a> or sudden onset of <a href="https://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/Article?contentid=7&language=English">diarrhea</a></li><li>coughing</li><li>stuffy and/or runny nose, watery eyes, sneezing</li><li><a href="https://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/Article?contentid=779&language=English">fainting</a>, confusion, lightheadedness or dizziness</li><li>rapid or irregular heartbeats</li><li>cold, clammy, sweaty skin</li><li>voice changes</li></ul><p>Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency and requires immediate medical care. Give <a href="https://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/article?contentid=130&language=English">epinephrine</a> (if available) and call an ambulance.</p> | <h2>What causes an allergic reaction?</h2><p>Allergens may come in contact with the skin or be breathed in, eaten or injected.</p><p>When the body detects an allergen, it sends a signal to the immune system to produce antibodies called immunoglobulin E (IgE). Those antibodies cause certain cells in the body to release chemicals called histamines. Histamines travel through the bloodstream to fight the invading substance or allergen.</p><p>Your child’s allergic reaction depends on which part of their body has been exposed to the allergen. Most commonly, allergic reactions affect the eyes, inside of the nose, throat, lungs or skin.<br></p><p></p><p></p><div class="asset-video"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/psCQwkPLAV0"></iframe> <br></div>
<p></p> | | <h2>What your child's doctor can do for allergies</h2><p>If you suspect your child has an allergy, they should see an allergist. This is a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating allergies.</p><p>To identify your child's allergy, the allergist will usually:</p><ul><li>examine your child</li><li>ask for your child’s allergy history</li><li>ask for a description of your child’s allergic symptoms</li></ul><p>Your child might then have skin tests, blood tests, a chest X-ray, a lung function test or an exercise tolerance test. The allergist will explain these tests to you.</p><p>When the tests are done, the allergist will use the results to make a diagnosis. You and your child will meet the allergist at a later date to discuss them.</p><h3>How to prepare for an allergy test</h3><p>Your child may need to stop using certain medications for a period of time before an allergy test. These medications may include antihistamines. Always ask your doctor if your child should stop taking medications before the visit.</p> | | | <h2>Taking care of your child with an allergy at home</h2><p>If your child has a severe allergy, your doctor might give you a prescription for an epinephrine auto-injector such as an EpiPen or Allerject. Your doctor can show you how and when to use the auto-injector. You or your child may need to carry one at all times.</p><p>As much as possible, try to prevent allergic reactions by reducing your child's contact with the allergen(s). The steps you take depend on the substance to which your child is allergic. Discuss this with your child's doctor.</p> | <h2>How to prevent allergic reactions</h2><h3>Food allergens</h3><p>Your child must avoid all foods they are allergic to. Some children may outgrow their allergies, but others may have to avoid the allergen for life.</p><p>Avoiding a food allergen can be difficult. As a result, many children unintentionally eat food they are allergic to.</p><p>If your child has a food allergy, teach them to be aware of the foods to avoid and all the possible names of those foods. You and your child should learn to read labels on food packaging and ask questions about served food. Your child should also know why it is important to look for an allergen in ingredients.</p><p>It is also important to tell all caregivers about your child’s allergy and any foods or drinks your child must avoid.</p><h3>Airborne allergens</h3><ul><li>Have a pet-free home. Or if you have a pet, keep it out of the child’s room and bathe it regularly.</li><li>Remove carpets and rugs from the home, especially from your child’s bedroom. Hard floor surfaces do not collect dust as much as carpets do. If you have carpeting, you should try to vacuum at least once a week.</li><li>Reduce the relative humidity in the home.</li><li>Wash bedding in hot water. This will help reduce dust mites.</li><li>Control contact with outdoor pollen by closing windows in peak seasons. Use an air conditioning system with a small-particle filter.</li><li>Get rid of items in the home that collect dust. These include heavy drapes or old, unclean furniture.</li><li>Clean your home often. Change your home furnace filter regularly as recommended.</li><li>Seal pillows and mattresses if your child is allergic to dust mites.</li><li>Keep bathrooms and other mould-prone areas clean and dry.</li></ul> | <h2>When to get medical help for an allergic reaction</h2><p>Call 911 or take your child to the nearest emergency department if they have anaphylaxis. Signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis may include:</p><ul><li>
<a href="/Article?contentid=789&language=English">hives</a>, itching, redness of the skin</li><li>swollen eyes, lips, tongue or face</li><li>difficulty breathing, tightness of the throat or difficulty swallowing</li><li>abdominal (belly) pain, nausea, vomiting or sudden onset of diarrhea</li><li>coughing</li><li>stuffy and/or runny nose, watery eyes, sneezing</li><li>
<a href="/Article?contentid=779&language=English">fainting</a>, confusion, lightheadedness or dizziness</li><li>rapid or irregular heartbeats</li><li>cold, clammy, sweaty skin</li><li>voice changes</li></ul><p>Your child should go to the nearest emergency department even if they have received epinephrine, as the symptoms can start again after the epinephrine is given.</p> | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | <h2>Virtual care services for children<br></h2><p>Boomerang Health was opened by SickKids to provide communities in Ontario with greater access to community-based services for children and adolescents. For more information on virtual care services in Ontario to support a child with allergies, visit <a href="http://www.boomeranghealth.com/services/allergy/">Boomerang Health</a> powered by SickKids.<br></p> | | <img alt="" src="https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/AKHAssets/allergies.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | | | | | | allergies | allergies | https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/AKHAssets/allergies.jpg | | Read about what allergies are, types of allergens, the signs and symptoms of allergies and how to respond to an allergic reaction. | Main | | |
| Cleft lip and cleft palate: Spoon feeding and cup drinking | Cleft lip and cleft palate: Spoon feeding and cup drinking | Cleft lip and cleft palate: Spoon feeding and cup drinking | C | English | Plastics | Baby (1-12 months);Toddler (13-24 months) | Mouth | Mouth | Non-drug treatment | Caregivers
Adult (19+) | NA | | 2020-06-16T04:00:00Z | | | | | | 7.20000000000000 | 70.2000000000000 | 1257.00000000000 | | Health (A-Z) - Procedure | Health A-Z | <p>Introduce spoon feeding and cup drinking to your child with cleft lip and/or cleft palate.</p> | <p>Feeding should be an enjoyable time for both you and your baby. First get your baby used to spoon feeding. Once your baby is familiar with spoon feeding, you can introduce drinking from a cup. Your baby needs to be completely weaned from bottle drinking and using a cup before they can have surgery to fix their cleft palate. The cup your baby drinks from needs to be leaky and free flowing in order for them to get the liquid out of the spout.<br></p> | | <h2>Key points</h2><ul><li>Feeding should be an enjoyable time for both you and your baby. </li><li>When spoon feeding, first introduce iron-rich foods to your child.</li><li>After your baby becomes familiar with spoon feeding, you can introduce drinking formula or breastmilk from a free-flowing cup. </li><li>Before the operation to repair a cleft palate, your baby needs to be completely weaned from bottle drinking and effectively drinking from a cup.</li><li>Introduce these new skills slowly and consistently. </li></ul> | | | | | | | | <h2>Spoon feeding</h2><p>Choose a time of day when you have time to spend helping your child get used to the spoon. Try to relax and stay calm while introducing spoon feeding to your child. </p><p>Here are a few tips to follow when feeding your baby with a spoon:</p><ul><li>Place your baby in an upright, supported sitting position. Your baby will need more support if they are not yet sitting independently. </li><li>Use a small, flat spoon rather than a larger, deep spoon to make it easier for the mouth and upper lip. </li><li>Offer small tastes of the food to get your baby's attention. Your baby will show interest by having bright eyes, opening their mouth or leaning their head towards the spoon. </li></ul><p>Your baby needs to feel in control of each bite while gradually learning how to move new food textures around the cleft palate.</p><p>Progress at your baby's pace. Give your child time to taste the food and play with it.</p><h3>An open cleft can allow food to enter the nasal cavity</h3><p>An open cleft can allow poorly swallowed food to enter the nasal cavity and come out of your baby's nose. Your baby will likely sneeze to clear the nose if this happens. This is normal for babies with a cleft palate, and it is important to remain calm. Gently wipe their face and stay positive to keep feeding enjoyable. Your baby needs to learn how to move a new food texture past the cleft to prevent this from happening.</p><p>If your baby loses a lot through their nose, try giving smaller bites each time and go more slowly. Most children will learn this skill well with time. It is important to know that food in the nose can be uncomfortable but is not dangerous. As long as your child is gaining weight and growing appropriately, this is not a concern. </p><h3>Common foods you can give your child</h3><p>First introduce iron-rich foods, such as cereals or purees, to your child. Ask your primary care provider about other
<a href="https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/AKHAssets/INM_NRC_track2-2_intro_to_food_pdf.pdf">foods of different tastes and textures</a> to give your baby. </p><p>These are some common iron-rich food you can give your child:</p><ul><li>puréed, minced, diced or cooked:</li><ul><li>meat</li><li>fish</li><li>chicken</li><li>tofu</li></ul><li>mashed beans, peas or lentils<br></li><li>eggs<br></li><li>iron-fortified infant cereal</li></ul><h3>Introduce one food at a time<br></h3><p>When introducing foods that are common food allergens (peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, shellfish, fish, milk, soy and wheat), it is best to offer no more than one new food per day. You can also wait a few days before you introduce another common food allergen. This makes it easier to identify a food that may have caused a reaction. Once your child is able to handle a number of foods well, you can start to mix the different types of foods that you offer. </p><p>Some foods may be irritating to the nasal passages. Citrus fruits and tomatoes have an acidic quality that can be more uncomfortable. Once your child gains more control in eating with their cleft palate, eating these types of foods will be easier. </p><h3>Finger feeding is okay</h3><p>Although it is messy, you can give your baby opportunities to explore food with their fingers to become familiar with food textures through hand-to-mouth experiences. These experiences are especially helpful if your baby refuses food from a spoon. </p><h2>Cup drinking</h2><p>Before the operation to repair a cleft palate, your baby needs to be completely weaned from bottle drinking and needs to be drinking from a cup. This is because after the palate repair, the bottle nipple can rub against the stitches and break down the repair. </p>
<figure>
<span class="asset-image-title">Silicone-topped sippy cup</span>
<img src="https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/AKHAssets/pink_sippy_cup.jpg" alt="Pink sippy cup with clear, silicone spout" />
</figure>
<figure>
<span class="asset-image-title">360-degree style cup</span>
<img src="https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/AKHAssets/360_cup.jpg" alt="Green sippy cup with flat, round top instead of a spout" />
</figure>
<figure>
<span class="asset-image-title">Hard-plastic cup with snap-on lid</span>
<img src="https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/AKHAssets/Disposable_sippy_cup.jpg" alt="Disposable, plastic sippy cup with hard-plastic spout" />
</figure>
<p>There is no specific cup for a child with a cleft palate. Several types of cups are available, including cups with lids, spouts, specialized flow spouts and handles. A lid can help prevent too much spillage. The lids come with or without spouts. Spouts can be soft (made out of silicone) or hard (made out of plastic). </p><p>Whatever cup a child with a cleft palate uses:</p><ul><li>It must be leaky and free flowing, with no suction needed to get liquid out. </li><li>The spout must be less than 1 inch (or 2.5 cm) long.</li></ul><h3>Helping your child use a cup</h3><p>When offering the cup, sit your baby on your lap or in an infant seat or highchair. Gently tip the cup to allow a controllable amount of liquid into your baby's mouth. They will likely sputter, cough and dribble, but do not worry. This reaction is common for all babies when learning to drink from a cup. If this continues to happen, you may want to try thickening the liquid slightly so it flows more slowly. You can do this by mixing strained fruits or vegetables with the fluids you are offering your child.</p><p>Choose a particular meal or snack when you will consistently give liquid from a cup, then always offer the cup during this chosen meal.</p><h3>Weaning from the bottle to a cup</h3><p>The hardest times to wean a child are typically from the first bottle in the morning and the last bottle before the child goes to sleep. You should choose a meal time that is mid-morning or mid-afternoon because these are the easiest to maintain. Use a liquid your baby likes and is familiar with. For example, if your child is drinking formula from a bottle, then offer this formula from a cup.</p><p>If your child becomes upset or is pulling away from the cup at first, give a short break, then try again. Do not offer the bottle immediately after your child becomes upset when the cup is offered because they will quickly learn that if they refuse the cup, you will provide the bottle instead.</p><p>Once your child is comfortable using a cup and shows they can drink the same amount of fluid as they would from a bottle, you can begin replacing one bottle feeding with cup drinking. You can then work on a second meal time to offer the cup.</p><p>Introduce this new skill slowly. Be supportive, persistent and consistent while your child gradually learns this new skill.</p><p>Please contact your occupational therapist if you have any questions or concerns.</p> | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | <h2>References</h2><p>Caring for Kids. (January 2020). Feeding your baby in the first year. Canadian Paediatric Society (CPS). Retrieved from: <a href="https://www.caringforkids.cps.ca/handouts/feeding_your_baby_in_the_first_year">https://www.caringforkids.cps.ca/handouts/feeding_your_baby_in_the_first_year</a></p><p>American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association (ACPA). Family Resources. ACPA Family Services. Retrieved from:
<a href="https://cleftline.org/family-resources/">https://cleftline.org/family-resources/</a></p> | | | | | | | clpfeeding | clpfeeding | https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/AKHAssets/cleft_lip_and_palate_spoon_feeding.jpg | Eating with a cleft lip and palate | Find tips for introducing spoon feeding and cup drinking to your child with cleft lip and/or cleft palate and making the experience enjoyable. | Main | | |
| Fainting | Fainting | Fainting | F | English | NA | Toddler (13-24 months);Preschooler (2-4 years);School age child (5-8 years);Pre-teen (9-12 years);Teen (13-18 years) | Body | Cardiovascular system | Conditions and diseases | Caregivers
Adult (19+) | NA | | 2019-07-22T04:00:00Z | | | | | | 7.50000000000000 | 66.7000000000000 | 501.000000000000 | | Health (A-Z) - Conditions | Health A-Z | <p>Discover the signs and symptoms of fainting, what causes it and how to help your child if they have fainted.</p> | <p>Fainting, also called syncope, happens when a person suddenly loses consciousness and then rapidly returns to normal.</p> | | <h2>Key points</h2><ul><li>Fainting is a sudden and temporary loss of consciousness with a rapid return to normal.</li><li>Your child may feel dizzy, nauseous, hot or cold right before they faint. Their face may also go pale.</li><li>The most common cause of fainting is a drop in blood pressure. Other, more serious, causes include an underlying heart condition, low blood sugar or a seizure.</li><li>See your child's doctor to discuss the possible cause of any fainting episode. Call 911 if your child has stopped breathing or does not “come around” shortly after fainting.</li></ul> | | <h2>Signs and symptoms of fainting</h2>
<p>Right before fainting, your child might:</p>
<ul>
<li>feel dizzy or light headed</li>
<li>feel weak</li>
<li>see dark spots</li>
<li>hear muffled sounds</li>
<li>feel nauseous (want to <a href="/Article?contentid=746&language=English">vomit</a>)</li>
<li>feel hot</li>
<li>feel cold and clammy</li>
<li>become pale</li>
<li>start to sweat</li>
</ul> | <h2>Causes of fainting</h2><p>Fainting can happen for a number of reasons. The most common cause of fainting is a temporary slowing of the heart rate and a drop in blood pressure. This type of fainting is called a “vagal” or “vasovagal” episode.</p><p>A child is more likely to have a drop in blood pressure if they:</p><ul><li>are
<a href="/Article?contentid=776&language=English">dehydrated</a> (from excessive sweating, diarrhea or vomiting)</li><li>have not been eating</li><li>have been standing still for a long time</li><li>are unwell</li></ul><h2>Other common causes of fainting</h2><p>A child might also faint if they</p><ul><li>are frightened</li><li>are in severe pain</li><li>stand up too fast</li></ul><p>Fainting may be more likely in a closed setting or one that is hot and humid. It may also happen in response to a stimulus that is noxious (unpleasant or potentially harmful), such as a very bad smell or the sight of blood or a needle.</p><h2>Conditions that appear similar to fainting<br></h2><p>There are some conditions that make it appear that a child is fainting when something else is wrong. These mimics of fainting include:</p><ul><li>an underlying heart condition or heart rhythm disturbance</li><li>exposure to a medication, toxin or drug</li><li>
<a href="/Article?contentid=1726&language=English">hypoglycemia</a> (low blood sugar)<br></li><li>
<a href="/Article?contentid=781&language=English">anaphylaxis</a> (allergic reaction)</li><li>
<a href="/article?contentid=2057&language=English">seizures</a></li><li>migraine
<a href="/Article?contentid=29&language=English">headaches</a></li><li>hyperventilation</li><li>panic attacks<br></li></ul><p>Fainting during exercise or exertion (carrying or pushing something heavy) can be a sign of an underlying condition and should be discussed with your child's doctor.</p> | | | | | <h2>How to help your child if they have fainted</h2>
<ul>
<li>Check to make sure your child is breathing. If necessary, call 911.</li>
<li>Keep your child lying down or, if possible, sit them forward with their head between their knees.</li>
<li>Loosen any tight clothing around your child's neck.</li>
<li>Make an appointment with your child's doctor and explain exactly what happened.</li>
</ul> | | <h2>When to see a doctor</h2>
<p>See your child's doctor to identify the cause of a fainting episode.</p>
<p>Call 911 right away if your child:</p>
<ul>
<li>has stopped breathing</li>
<li>does not quickly become alert after fainting<br></li>
<li>has changes in their speech, vision or ability to move</li>
</ul> | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | fainting | fainting | https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/AKHAssets/fainting.jpg | | Discover the signs and symptoms of fainting, what causes it and how to help your child if they have fainted. | Main | | |
| Needle pokes: Reducing pain in children aged 18 months or over | Needle pokes: Reducing pain in children aged 18 months or over | Needle pokes: Reducing pain in children aged 18 months or over | N | English | Pain/Anaesthesia | Toddler (13-24 months);Preschooler (2-4 years);School age child (5-8 years);Pre-teen (9-12 years);Teen (13-18 years) | Body | Nervous system | Non-drug treatment | Caregivers
Adult (19+) | NA | | 2018-12-18T05:00:00Z | | | | | | 7.50000000000000 | 71.9000000000000 | 696.000000000000 | | Health (A-Z) - Procedure | Health A-Z | <p>Find out how to reduce the pain of needle pokes in children aged 18 months or over.<br></p> | <p>Your child might need a needle poke to receive a vaccine, have blood work or receive fluids intravenously (through an IV) during a hospital visit. All these procedures are important for protecting or helping to treat your child, but they can cause pain. This can be stressful for both children and parents.</p><p>You can use a number of methods to help reduce the pain and anxiety associated with needle pokes. These include numbing cream, distractions and comfort positions.</p><div class="asset-video">
<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TGGDLhmqH8I?rel=0" frameborder="0"></iframe> </div> | | <h2>Key points</h2><ul><li>Needle pokes (such as vaccines, blood work and IV starts) can cause pain, which can be stressful both for children and parents.</li><li>There are methods you can use to help reduce your child’s pain and distress during needle pokes.</li><li>Before the procedure you can use a topical anaesthetic and distract your child.</li><li>During the procedure, you can hold your child, rub your child's skin and stay calm.<br></li></ul> | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | <h2>During the needle poke</h2><h3>Hold your child</h3><p>
<a href="/Article?contentid=3629&language=English">Holding your child</a> comfortably in your lap helps to calm them during their needle pokes and encourages them to stay still.</p><h3>Rub your child's skin</h3><p>Rub your child's arm before, during and after the needle poke. As you rub an area of the arm away from the injection site, the feeling of touch from your hand competes with the pain your child experiences from the needle. This will help reduce your child's perception of pain.</p><h3>Stay calm</h3><p>If you are feeling anxious before and during your child’s needle poke, your child is likely to pick up on it and feel anxious themselves. Even though you may be nervous about the procedure, try your best to remain calm. Use your normal speaking voice and take slow, deep breaths.</p><p>For more detailed information on these suggestions, especially for vaccinations, please download the fact sheet
<a href="https://immunize.ca/sites/default/files/Resource%20and%20Product%20Uploads%20%28PDFs%29/Products%20and%20Resources/Pain%20Management/Parents/painreduction_under3_web_e.pdf" target="_blank"><em>Reduce the pain of vaccination in children under 3 years</em></a> or
<a href="https://immunize.ca/sites/default/files/Resource%20and%20Product%20Uploads%20%28PDFs%29/Products%20and%20Resources/Pain%20Management/Parents/painreduction_kidsandteens_web_e.pdf" target="_blank"><em>Reduce the pain of vaccination in kids and teens</em>.</a><br></p> | | | <h2>Planning ahead</h2><h3>Talk to your doctor</h3><p>Discuss your plan to ease your child's pain with your child’s healthcare team so they can support you.</p><h3>Talk to your child</h3><p>If your child is aged four years or older, talk to them about the needle poke ahead of time in language they can easily understand.</p><ul><li>Tell your child what is going to happen, for example, “The doctor is going to use a needle to give you a vaccine in your arm."</li><li>Explain why your child needs the needle poke, for instance, “The vaccine will protect you from getting sick."</li><li>Describe how the needle poke will feel, for example, “It might feel like a little pinch."</li><li>Say what will be done to manage your child’s pain, for instance, "We’ll play a game so you don’t notice the needle poke much."</li></ul><h2>Before the needle poke</h2><h3>Numbing cream</h3><p>You can help reduce the pain of needle pokes by applying a topical anaesthetic (<a href="/Article?contentid=3627&language=English">numbing cream</a> or gel) to the area where your child will receive their vaccine. In Canada, numbing creams are available over the counter.</p><ul><li>Discuss this option with your child’s team in advance.</li><li>Make sure your child is not allergic to any ingredients in the numbing cream or gel.</li><li>Apply the numbing cream or gel 30 to 60 minutes before the needle poke, according to the specific product's instructions. Once it is applied, the cream lasts up to three hours.</li></ul><h3>Distract your child</h3><p>Use items such as favourite toys, mobile devices or bubbles to help
<a href="/Article?contentid=3629&language=English">distract your child</a> during needle pokes. You can also sing, talk or tell jokes to distract them from any pain they might be experiencing.</p><p>Your healthcare team can also offer you items from a
<a href="/Article?contentid=1258&language=English">comfort kit</a> to help distract your child. Ask your healthcare provider about the kit before your appointment.</p> | | | <h2>Further information</h2><p>For more information about the Comfort Promise bundle of options to reduce the pain of needle pokes, please see the following pages:</p><p><a href="https://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/Article?contentid=989&language=English">Needle pokes: Reducing pain in infants aged up to 18 months</a><br></p><p><a href="https://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/Article?contentid=1258&language=English">Pain relief: Comfort kit</a><br></p><p><a href="https://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/Article?contentid=3627&language=English">Needle pokes: Reducing pain with numbing cream</a><br></p><p><a href="https://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/Article?contentid=3628&language=English">Needle pokes: Reducing pain with sucrose or breastfeeding</a></p><p><a href="https://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/Article?contentid=3629&language=English">Needle pokes: Reducing pain with comfort positions and distraction</a><br></p> | | <img alt="" src="https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/AKHAssets/pain_free_injections_children.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | | | | | | | | https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/AKHAssets/pain_free_injections_children.jpg | Strategies when getting a needle | Discover the CARD system, which offers strategies your child or teen can use to cope with the pain and fear associated with vaccination. | Main | https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/AKHAssets/CARD_Vaccination_Poster.pdf | |
| Poison ivy | Poison ivy | Poison ivy | P | English | Dermatology | Child (0-12 years);Teen (13-18 years) | Skin | Skin | Conditions and diseases | Caregivers
Adult (19+) | Rash | | 2014-05-21T04:00:00Z | | | | | | 6.10000000000000 | 75.8000000000000 | 801.000000000000 | | Health (A-Z) - Conditions | Health A-Z | <p>Learn how to recognize a poison ivy plant, prevent rashes and how to treat the rash if your child is exposed.</p> | <p>Poison ivy is a plant that grows at sea level in moist shady regions east of the Mississippi River. It can cause a rash when it makes contact with the skin (contact dermatitis). The rash occurs when the skin reacts to substances in the oily sap (called urushiol) in the plant's roots, stems and leaves.<br></p> | <h2>What does the poison ivy plant look like?<br></h2><p>Poison ivy usually grows up large tree trunks as a shrub or as a vine.</p><ul><li>Each leaf has three leaflets that can be either shiny, smooth and hairless, or rough, hairy and velvety.</li><li>The leaves are reddish in the spring, green in the summer and yellow, orange or red in the fall.</li><li>The plant may have yellow-green flowers, or green or off-white berries.</li></ul>
<figure class="asset-c-80">
<span class="asset-image-title">Poison ivy</span><img src="https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/akhassets/Poison_ivy_seasons_EQUIP_ILL_EN.png" alt="Poison ivy with green leaves in summer, green and red leaves in spring, and a mix of green, yellow and red leaves in fall" /></figure> | <h2>Key points</h2><ul><li>Poison ivy is a plant that can cause a rash when it makes contact with the skin.<br></li><li>Each leaf has three leaflets that can be shiny, smooth and hairless, or rough, hairy and velvety.</li><li>The rash is caused by oily sap in the plant's roots, stems and leaves.<br></li><li>To prevent poison ivy rash, stay away from the plant and wear protective clothing. A helpful rule for avoiding poison ivy is "leaves of three, leave them be".</li><li>Wash exposed skin and clothing thoroughly. This may help to prevent a reaction.</li><li>The rash should go away after a few weeks. Mild rashes can be treated with antihistamines. Very severe rashes might require steroids.</li><li>See your doctor if your child develops a <a href="/article?contentid=30&language=English">fever</a> or if the area around the rash becomes redder or swollen or has a milky discharge.</li></ul> | | <h2>Signs and symptoms of a poison ivy rash</h2><p>The symptoms of a poison ivy rash may include:</p><ul><li>redness</li><li>extreme itching</li><li>
<a href="/Article?contentid=789&language=English">hives</a></li><li>swelling</li><li>small or large blisters, often forming a line or streak</li><li>crusting skin</li></ul><p>The typical rash can last from one to three weeks.<br></p><p>The rash usually occurs on skin surfaces that are exposed directly to poison ivy. People can also be exposed to poison ivy's oily sap through indirect contact, including:</p><ul><li>scratching or rubbing, which moves the sap to other skin areas</li><li>contact with clothing, a pet, tools, sports equipment or other things that may have come into contact with the plant.</li></ul><p>If poison ivy is burned, the sap can cling to smoke particles and become airborne. This can cause reactions involving the skin, the eyes or the <a href="https://pie.med.utoronto.ca/htbw/module.html?module=lung-child">lungs</a>.</p> | | | | <h2>How to treat a poison ivy rash</h2><h3>Mild rash</h3><ul><li>Place cool cloths on your child's skin.</li><li>Have your child take cool showers or lukewarm baths.</li><li>Give your child an antihistamine.</li></ul><p>Try not to let your child scratch. This can cause infection and scarring and may spread the sap to other parts of the body. If the rash is very severe, your child may need to take steroid medication by mouth.</p><p>Reactions may vary from person to person. Some people may not react to poison ivy at all, while others may have a very severe reaction.</p><h3>Signs of a serious reaction to poison ivy<br></h3><p>Your child has a serious reaction if:</p><ul><li>nothing helps to ease the itch</li><li>the skin around the rash seems to be infected</li><li>they develop a
<a href="/article?contentid=30&language=English">fever</a></li><li>the rash appears on their eyelids, lips, face or genitals</li><li>their face swells</li></ul> | | | <h2>How to prevent a poison ivy rash</h2>
<p>The best way to prevent a rash is to avoid contact with the plant by learning to recognize it. A helpful rule for avoiding poison ivy is "leaves of three, leave them be".</p>
<h3>What to do if your child cannot avoid an area where poison ivy may be present</h3>
<ul>
<li>Apply a product to their skin that helps prevent the skin from absorbing the plant's sap. These products are available over the counter and usually contain bentoquatam.</li>
<li>Have your child wear clothing such as pants, long sleeves, boots and gloves when they are around poison ivy. Depending on your child's age, help them or remind them to remove exposed clothing carefully.</li>
</ul>
<p>Poison ivy sap can remain active for a long time. For this reason, use hot, soapy water to wash your child's clothing, shoes and anything else that may have made contact with the plant.</p>
<p>If your child touches poison ivy, it is possible to prevent a rash by:</p>
<ul>
<li>washing their skin well with warm water and soap</li>
<li>washing everything that may have sap on it.</li>
</ul> | <h2>When to see a doctor</h2><p>See a doctor if your child:</p><ul><li>develops a
<a href="/Article?contentid=801&language=English">skin infection</a> (increasing redness, swelling, pain or a milky discharge from the irritated areas)</li><li>is not responding to any of the treatments for a mild rash.</li></ul><p>Take your child to your nearest hospital emergency department right away if they are having trouble breathing or swallowing.</p> | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | <img alt="" src="https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/AKHAssets/poison_ivy.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | | | | | | poisonivy | poisonivy | https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/AKHAssets/poison_ivy.jpg | | Learn how to recognize a poison ivy plant, prevent rashes and how to treat the rash if your child is exposed. | Main | | |
