CHILD’S HEALTH/SKIN DISORDERS: ITCHING AND JAUNDICE IN CHILDREN

ITCHING

Itchy skin may be due to a variety of causes. The commonest reason for excessive itching is dry skin. Other causes include eczema, insect bites, allergic reactions or hives, scabies, or psoriasis. Treatment always depends on the cause of the itching, and if you are in any doubt whatsoever it is advisable to check with your doctor before trying any creams or lotions.

JAUNDICE IN CHILDREN

If your child has jaundice, you will notice a yellowish hue on his skin, and the whites of his eyes (the sclera) will also be yellow.

Cause

The commonest cause of jaundice in older children is an infection of the liver called hepatitis. Other causes are very rare.

Clinical features

As well as the obvious yellow hue of the skin and the whites of the eyes, a child with jaundice may have dark yellow urine and pale-coloured stools. His skin may also be itchy.

Treatment

The treatment of jaundice in children also depends on the cause and severity of the illness. We encourage you to discuss all aspects of treatment with your doctor.

When to see your doctor

A child with jaundice should always be seen by a doctor, especially if he is unwell, or drowsy.

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This entry was posted on Thursday, May 21st, 2009 at 7:26 am and is filed under General health. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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