Accessible about your health - disease prevention

Chickenpox in babies, also called chickenpox, is an infectious disease caused by a virus that leads to the appearance of red bumps on the skin that are very itchy. This disease is most common in infants and children up to 10 years of age and can be easily transmitted through contact with fluids released by blisters that appear on the skin or through inhalation of respiratory secretions that are suspended in the air when the person with chickenpox cough or sneeze.

At around 8 or 9 months of age, the baby can start sleeping in the crib, without having to be held to sleep. However, to achieve this goal, it is necessary to get the baby used to sleeping that way, taking one step at a time, because it is not suddenly that the child will learn to sleep alone, without being surprised and without crying.

In feeding a 7-month-old baby, breast milk, which should be offered according to the child's wishes, or infant formula, according to the pediatrician's recommendation, are still the baby's main meals. During the 7th month, the baby's diet should consist of breast milk or infant formula for breakfast and before bed, porridge for lunch and dinner, and fresh fruit porridge and breast milk, or infant formula for morning and afternoon snacks.

Baby gas is a very common problem and it usually appears two weeks after birth, because the digestive system is still in the process of development. However, it is possible to avoid or reduce the formation of gases, preventing the appearance of cramps, which normally accompany the gases.

Identifying the cause of the baby's crying is important so that actions can be taken to help the baby stop crying, such as offering a teether, in case the crying is due to teething, changing the diaper or wearing a warm coat. the baby when the cry is because of the cold.

Sebaceous milium, also called milia, or simply milium, is a skin disorder in which small white or yellowish keratin cysts or papules appear, affecting the most superficial layer of the skin. This change can be caused by excessive sun exposure, use of petroleum-based skin care products, or can appear in babies due to heat.

Home remedies for prickly heat, such as oatmeal bath, chamomile compress or calendula infusion poultice, for example, have anti-inflammatory, soothing and healing action for the skin, which help relieve the symptoms of prickly heat, such as red bumps on the skin, which cause itching, swelling, or irritation.

The size of the stomach at birth is very small and increases with the baby's growth and also with the intake of breast milk, infant formula and other foods. In the first days of life, the size of the baby's stomach increases a lot, having on the first day of birth a capacity for up to 10 to 20 ml of milk, on the third day a volume of 22 ml, reaching a capacity of 44 ml of milk on the 7th day, for example.

Infant botulism is a relatively rare but serious infection caused by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum that can contaminate water and poorly preserved food. Thus, the bacteria can enter the baby's body through the consumption of contaminated food and start to produce a toxin that results in the appearance of symptoms.

Green stools are usually not a cause for concern, being almost always related to diet, especially the excessive consumption of green foods, such as spinach and broccoli, for example, or foods with green dyes. However, green stools can also be indicative of other conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome or intestinal infections, and should be investigated and treated according to medical advice, especially if they do not disappear after 2 or more 3 days.

Botulism is a serious but rare infection that is caused by botulinum toxin, a substance that is produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum and can be found in soil and poorly preserved foods. Infection with this bacterium can cause gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, and, if left untreated, can result in muscle impairment.

Baby pharyngitis is inflammation of the pharynx or throat, as it is popularly called, and can occur at any age, being more frequent in younger children due to the fact that the immune system is still developing and the habit of frequently putting hands or objects in mouth.

Neonatal hypoglycemia corresponds to a decrease in the baby's blood glucose levels that can be noticed in the period between 24 and 72 hours after birth. This condition is more common in babies who were born premature, large or small for gestational age, or whose mother had inadequate nutrition during pregnancy.

Shortly after birth, the baby needs to undergo a series of tests in order to identify the presence of changes that indicate the presence of genetic or metabolic diseases, such as phenylketonuria, sickle cell anemia and congenital hypothyroidism, for example.

The appearance of changes in the baby's skin is very common during the first year of life, as the skin is still very sensitive and reacts against any type of substance, from the sun's rays to creams, shampoos and bacteria. Generally, the skin changes are not serious and their treatment can be easily done with creams and ointments recommended by the pediatrician.

The presence of pimples on the baby, scientifically known as neonatal acne, is the result of a normal change in the baby's skin caused mainly by the exchange of hormones between the mother and the baby during pregnancy, which leads to the formation of small red or white polka dots on baby's face, forehead, head, or back.

Fennel is a medicinal plant that has great amounts of tannins, alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids and essential fatty acids, being widely used as a home remedy to improve digestion, fight gas and colic. Fennel seeds are very aromatic and, therefore, are commonly used in cooking, for the preparation of sweet dishes, such as homemade cakes and cookies, but they can also be added to savory preparations.

Muscle contracture occurs due to an exaggerated muscle stiffness or contraction, which makes the muscle unable to relax. Contractures can happen in different parts of the body, such as the neck, cervical or thigh, for example, and can occur after practicing a very strong exercise, by making some sudden movement, by a bad night's sleep or by excess tension in the body caused by stress.