Little Nosey Ones

Like many parents, I have also invested a fair bit on air purifiers to remove allergens in the bedroom when my children sleep at night. A three layer air cleaning process is fairly common. The first step is the carbon prefilters which traps larger particles like hair and some odours. The second layer of volatile organic compound (VOC) filters trap odors and airborne pathogens; and lastly the HEPA filters reduce indoor allergens such as dust and pollen. The icing on the cake, negative ion air purifiers which releases negative ions into the air. Negative ions are abundant in nature. Negative ions are supposed to be further clean up the air off any mold spores, pollen, pet dander, odors, cigarette smoke, bacteria, viruses, dust and other hazardous airborne particles. Negative ions are also said to increase your sense of well-being and mental clarity. At this point in time, let me caveat that yes, air purifiers does a wonderful job cleaning up allergens and pollutants in th...

Diagram of the Human Respiratory System If you have been to a doctor,  you would probably have seen URTI written in your diagnosis at one point or another.  So what is URTI?  Upper Respiratory Tract Infection (URTI), also known as the “common cold” or the “flu”, is easily transmitted via the inhalation of aerosol droplets when an infected person sneezes or coughs or through direct contact with the respiratory secretions and saliva of an infected person. While most symptoms are mild and self-limiting, there are cases of severe infections and flu-related complications. It is therefore imperative that everyone takes preventive measures to avoid URTI. If, however, you are diagnosed with URTI, it is also vital that you take protective measures to reduce or eliminate the transmission of the virus or bacteria, so that the infection does not spread to others, including your friends and family members! Don’t let the Cold get to You. Here’s what you can do: Wash your han...

I’m stunned! I never knew there were so many types of rhinitis in children. There are acute rhinitis, allergic rhinitis, chronic simple rhinitis, chronic hypertrophic rhinitis, atrophic rhinitis, dry rhinitis, caseous rhinitis and eosinophilic rhinitis. I shall spend more time researching on the other types of rhinitis by for now, let’s discuss the most common form of pediatric rhinitis: allergic rhinitis. So what is allergic rhinitis? What is Allergic Rhinitis Allergic rhinitis, also commonly known as hay fever, is a type of inflammation in the nose which occurs when the immune system overreacts to allergens in the air. Signs and symptoms include a runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, red, itchy, and watery eyes, and swelling around the eyes. The fluid from the nose is usually clear. Causes of Pediatric Allergic Rhinitis There are generally FOUR main causes of allergic rhinitis, namely, Genetics, Environment, Diet and Disease. Genetics – A baby with a history of fa...

An asthma attack can be a daunting experience even for those with prior experience. Potential signs of an imminent attack can include shortness of breath, tightness in the chest, coughing, and wheezing. These are potential tell-tale signs of what is asthma attack. These are also signs that you need to whip out the inhaler right away to relieve these symptoms. Asthma attacks can occur anywhere, at any time, without any warning. It is therefore important for sufferers always carry or have their medications nearby. Asthma attacks can generally be classified as either Mild or Severe. A mild attack is usually more common than a severe one. In a mild attack, the symptoms usually goes away within a few minutes or within a few hours after receiving treatment. On the other hand, severe asthma attacks last longer and immediate medical attention is needed. As a suffer or caregiver, you need to recognise the symptoms and treat mild symptoms of an asthma attack in order to prevent a sev...

Asthma is a disease resulting from chronic inflammation of the airways. It is estimated to affect 20 per cent of children in Singapore. Common symptoms of asthma are recurrent wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and cough. Asthma Triggers and Prevention/ Avoidance Tips Asthma symptoms may be triggered by different factors, ranging from external factors such as airborne pollutants/irritants (e.g. haze, tobacco smoke) and allergens (e.g. house dust mites, animal dander) to physical activity and emotional factors (e.g. anxiety, stress). There is at present no known cure for asthma but with appropriate treatment, most children with asthma can lead normal lives. Common triggers and suggestions to avoid them are: Viral infections : Build up a healthy immune system with balanced nutrition, good sleep and regular exercise/physical activity. Basic hygiene practices e.g. hand washing. Influenza vaccination. Tobacco smoke: Smoking cessation for smok...

JOHOR BAHRU: A 14-month-old baby girl has died, believed to be due to diphtheria on 15 Oct 2018. The child started out having fever and sore throat on 4 Oct and was taken to a private clinic by her mother for initial treatment on 11 Oct. The next day, the child was taken to the emergency unit of a hospital after having breathing difficulties and loss of appetite. Multiple Organ Failure The girl was then admitted into the pediatric ward and later the pediatric’s intensive care unit on 13 Oct as she had become weaker and needed respiratory aid. On Monday, 15 Oct, the patient succumbed to severe diphtheria with multi organ failure. Health director-general Datuk Dr Noorhisham Abdullah in a statement said that test was done on a throat swab sample of the patient and it showed the presence of the corynebacterium diphtheriae bacteria and the ministry was now waiting for lab confirmation. The baby did not receive diphtheria immunisation because the family had refused it. ...

I recently read a post from The Asianparent which talks about a common condition called Tongue Tie. This has brought emotions which I had been trying to bury for the past 2 years. I brought my son for a tongue tie release surgery when he was only two months old. It was the worst decision in my life. I probably would never be able to forget the ordeal for the rest of my life. For parents who are unfamiliar with the condition, let me extract some key points from the article. If you want to skip the standard textbook write up on tongue tie and read about my personal experience, scroll down. What is Tongue Tie A tongue tie or ankyloglossia, is a condition where a short thick tissue connects the bottom of a tongue’s tip to the floor of the mouth. This restricts the movement of the tongue, making it difficult for a baby to stick his tongue out, breastfeed, swallow or sometimes even vocalise. Symptoms of a Tongue Tie Here are some most common characteristics of th...

Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) is a viral infection, usually caused by Coxsackievirus A16, Enterovirus 71. HFMD is a major concern in the world among parents with young children. Thousands of children in are affected by HFMD each year. Besides teaching children to wash their hands properly and avoid contact with infected kids, you can prevent Hand Foot Mouth Disease by safeguarding your child with Biocair’s BioActive Anti-HFMD Pocket Spray. BioCair Anti-HFMD has been in the market for some time. How effective is it against the disease? Biocair Anti-HFMD Pocket Spray protects your child. BioCair BC-65 Anti-HFMD Pocket Spray Ingredients : Ingredients of BioCair Anti-HFMD Pocket Spray include ultra pure water and BC-65. What is BC-65?   BC-65 is non-alcohol, non-toxic formulation that kills 99.999% of viruses, bacteria, fungus and spores within 60-seconds of direct contact. Scientifically Tested, ISO Certified Production   Bio...

I recently came across a product called THYMOS Anti HFMD/Flu Spray.  Manufacturer of the product claims that it is effective in killing 99.99% of influenza and the hand, foot and mouth disease virus. The product is a spray meant for use on surfaces such as clothing, toys, and other places that requires cleaning. It is NOT a hand sanitiser meant to be used on the human body. Manufacturer claims a single spray can last up to 10 days. Despite the claims, it seems that the effectiveness against HFMD is baseless and there is no strong evidence showing that the product is as effective as claimed. At the end of the day, good hygiene and frequent hand wash is still paramount to protect against any viruses and bacteria. Have you used this product or are you using it right now? I would like to hear your comments. Leave your feedback below.

Meet Elderberry. A natural remedy that has a long history and may have been cultivated by prehistoric man. Elderberries are one of the top antiviral herb on earth that strengthens your immune system naturally. What Is Elderberry? Sambucus is a genus of flowering plants in the family Adoxaceae. The different species of Sambucus are commonly called elderberry or elder. The berries and flowers of the elder plant are used as medicine. Elderberry is native to Europe, Africa and parts of Asia, but it’s become common in the U.S. It has deciduous leaves, white flowers (elderflowers) and berries that turn from green to red to black when ripe. Elder is commonly found growing in woodlands and hedgerows. Sambucus nigra is the full scientific name of the most common variety used for medicinal purposes. Sambucus nigra is the species on which the majority of scientific research has been conducted. It’s a deciduous tree growing up to 32 feet tall with cream-white flowers and blue-blac...

Latest craze over brown sugar boba tea across Asia The boba tea  (bubble tea) craze back again. From the popular bubble tea chain, to the little known shop strategically located a stone’s throw away from primary/secondary schools. This drink is practically found everywhere in Singapore. Sweet, cooling with chewy pearls, it is a favourite for many upper primary/secondary school children and adults alike. We all known too much of bubble milk tea is not good. But let’s see what’s in it that is not desirable for our bodies. The Bad Guys in Bubble Tea What is so bad about a cup of milk tea? There is really nothing great in a cup of milk tea for the school going children. They generally contain sugar, non-dairy creamer, caffeine and carbohydrates. Sugar . Sugar is not really the worst ingredient in our milk tea. Particularly now where we can choose the amount of sugar. Ask for less sugar or even no sugar. A 500ml cup of milk tea can contain more than 25g of sugar. ...

Sambucol’s Black Elderberry Original Syrup and the For Kids Syrup are trusted by worldwide to keep you and your family strong and healthy throughout the year. Elderberry contains loads of health benefits and I have detailed them in this post here.  Below are a summary of the benefits of elderberry. Elderberry has loads of health benefits according to Dr. Axe Where to Get It You can get your Sambucol Black Elderberry Original Syrup , and the Sambucol Black Elderberry For Kids Syrup online at iHerb. They are currently running a discount programme for purchases of 2 or more bottles.

I have grown up believing that Vitamin C is the best remedy for the common cold and flu. While it is not entirely wrong, it wasn’t until I became a parent myself that I started to research more into nutrition and vitamins that could help my little ones avoid catching, or recover faster from the common cold or flu. It was then that I realised that hey it’s a mineral called Zinc, when taken together with Vitamin C, is far more effective in reducing the severity and the duration of the common cold. What exactly are the benefits of Vitamin C with Zinc? Lets talked about them individually. Vitamin C Citrus fruits are rich in Vitamin C. Vitamin C is considered as a safe and effective nutrient commonly associated as a cure for the common cold, which many experts have since dispelled this claim. In actual fact, Vitamin C’s benefits are far more than what we probably know. Vitamin C are known to protect against immune system deficiencies, cardiovascular disease, prenatal he...

Your little child is 18 months old and is “qualified” to go to a childcare. For those who does not go to infant care, this is the time when they start to enter either a childcare centres or playgroups. This is also where you see your usually healthy child starts to fall sick much more frequently. This is a problem that many parents will encounter. Why is it so? Immunity System First and foremost, this has to do with the child’s immunity. Before going to childcare centres, the child predominantly only comes into close contact with his/her immediate family members such as parents or siblings. Their social circle is relatively small, and hence the sources of the contacting germs and viruses is relatively small, so it is less likely to get sick. After attending kindergarten, the child’s social circle has expanded in an instant, and the chances of getting more infections will increase. Humans begin to be more exposed to various types of germs and viruses from the age of two...