More Than A Cold: Common Childhood Illnesses And How To Fight Back

thumb sucking deterrent

It’s no secret kids are prone to illness. Not only are they building their immunity but they’re often around other children who are also building their immunity. It doesn’t help that smaller kids are prone to exploring various objects and putting their hands in their mouths.

While you may not be able to keep your child from getting sick, you can get a better understanding of common childhood ailments to prepare yourself for their inevitability.

More Than The Common Cold: Everyday Illnesses And How To Fight Back
Some childhood illnesses are unfortunately common. Fortunately, this means there are a number of ways you can prepare for them to keep your child happy and healthy. Here are just a few of these everyday illnesses:

  1. The common cold. You can expect your child to become sick with the common cold up to five times a year. Steer clear of cough medicine and instead treat congestion, coughing, and a sore throat with lots of rest and fluids. If your child has a mild fever, use children’s acetaminophen.
  2. RSV. RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, affects the lungs and symptoms can mirror those of a cold. Contact your pediatrician immediately if your child seems to be wheezing or struggling to breathe.
  3. Pinkeye. Pinkeye is an inflammation of the eyelid’s tissue lining. It can cause redness, blurred vision, crusty eyes, and a yellow discharge. Antibiotic eyedrops prescribed by your pediatrician can treat this illness, but be sure to wash your hands regularly. Pinkeye is highly contagious.
  4. Influenza. The flu is never fun. Symptoms include fevers, chills, body aches, sore throat, cough, vomiting, and diarrhea. Your pediatrician may recommend an antiviral medication and a children’s fever reducer.

Is Your Child Sucking Their Thumb?
There are a number of health concerns regarding thumb sucking. The average person will carry up to 3,200 bacteria on their hands. When your child sucks their thumb, they’re introducing these bacteria into their body and risk spreading germs.

If your child is still sucking their thumb after the age of three or four, it may be in your best interest to use a thumb sucking deterrent. A thumb sucking deterrent such as a T guard finger guard can help stop thumb sucking and the health concerns surrounding the habit.

The TGuard classic is a great option for a thumb sucking deterrent. To learn more about our plastic thumb guards, contact T Guard today.