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 According to the Children’s Hospital of Orange County, the best defense against colds and flu is proper hand washing. Now is the time to educate your child about how and when to wash her hands. A smart tip: Have her sing the ABCs, which is how long it should take for her to wash. Also, instruct your child to turn off the faucet with a paper towel. Tell your little one to avoid sneezing or coughing into her hands, or touching her face. She can decrease the chances of getting sick by playing outside, rather than sitting around indoors. The air tends to be drier inside, which allows for more bacteria to grow and viruses to develop within a child’s body. CHOC notes that common symptoms indicating the development of a cold or flu include color changes on the inside of the lips or fingernails, increased sweating, grunting and wheezing. •> TOY SAFETY Lead Law A new law prohibiting toys with high levels of lead will be in effect next month. However, consumers need to be aware of toys purchased prior to the ban. The new law restricts the lead levels in toys to a maximum of 300 parts per million. Some toys have been found to contain lead levels higher than 5,000 parts per million. Toys sold during the holiday season tend to have higher levels of lead, so check the gifts your child may have recently received. How can lead contamination affect children? Lead contamination lowers IQ and causes developmental and growth problems, among other detrimental effects. Toys that are very bright in color may contain high levels of lead. The Web sites leadcheck.com and healthy toys.org may inform you about the amount of lead in toys, metal jewelry and other child-related items. 10 great brain foods for children  How can you make sure your child is going to stay alert at school? Provide the ingredients necessary for your child to be a successful student. Specific foods are known to improve cognitive ability, memory, alertness and academic performance, according to Lindora Medical Clinics. The top 10 brain foods to keep your child alert during those long school days include: > EGGS increase memory capacity. > OATMEAL includes whole grains, which offer more energy; as a result, students are more likely to retain information. > BERRIES contain antioxidants that improve cognitive function. > VEGGIES, particularly broccoli and spinach, increase memory capacity. > LENTILS assist with the nerve function in the brain. > WILD SALMON AND TUNA include omega-3 fatty acids and fish oils, which increase new brain cell growth. > LIVER AND LEAN BEEF contain high levels of iron, which is usually left out of a child’s diet. > NUTS – including peanuts, walnuts, almonds, pecans and cashews – contain vitamins and minerals necessary for cognitive function. > YOGURT offers protein and calcium, which boost alertness levels. > WATER prevents dehydration; an increase in fluids facilitates the ability to concentrate. And there’s an added benefit: Students are less apt to be irritable. Ashley Eliot is an editorial assistant for OC Family magazine. DOC TALK With Dr. Daphne Wong Q: How do I know when to call the doctor when my child has cold symptoms? A: All children will get colds or upper respiratory infections. Symptoms include runny nose, congestion, mild fever of 101-102 degrees, sore throat, cough and decreased appetite. The natural course of a cold includes a fever for about three days, with most symptoms gone by seven to 10 days. The cough, however, may last for two to three weeks. A healthy older child with a cold usually doesn’t need to see a doctor, unless she has difficulty breathing; turns blue; and has a fever greater than 102 degrees, a prolonged fever or a return of a fever after it initially goes away; symptoms don’t improve within 10-14 days; and the child is excessively sleepy or cranky. It may be difficult to distinguish a cold from a more serious infection in children less than 3 months of age; visit your doctor. Unfortunately there’s no cure for the common cold. Antibiotics treat bacterial infections, but have no effect on viruses. The best a parent can do is make her child comfortable. Dr. Daphne Wong is on staff at Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC). |
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