| Water safety and drowning prevention | Water safety and drowning prevention | Water safety and drowning prevention | W | English | Prevention | Child (0-12 years);Teen (13-18 years) | NA | NA | Healthy living and prevention | Caregivers
Adult (19+) | NA | | 2020-11-09T05:00:00Z | | | | | | 7.00000000000000 | 72.3000000000000 | 1552.00000000000 | | Health (A-Z) - Conditions | Health A-Z | <p>Learn how to keep children safe in or around water.</p> | <p>Timing is critical when it comes to saving your baby or your child from a near-drowning (submersion) episode. If enough oxygen is not being delivered to the brain, severe damage can occur within a few minutes. If your child's heart has stopped beating for more than eight to 10 minutes, their chances of surviving are greatly reduced.<br></p><div class="asset-video">
<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CI1BvnNEQNY" frameborder="0"></iframe><br>
<p>For more videos from SickKids experts in collaboration with Youngster, visit
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoKMd2cYwegtZX19uHdNLQA">Youngster on YouTube</a>.</p></div> | <h2>Where can drowning happen?</h2><p>Drowning can happen in as little as 20 seconds, even in shallow water that is only inches deep. Most drowning or near-drowning cases happen in backyard pools, bathtubs and inflatable pools. Natural bodies of water, toilets and drainage sites are other places where drowning can occur. Always supervise children near any water and keep young children within arm's reach.</p> | <h2>Key points</h2><ul><li>Drowning can occur in as little as 20 seconds.</li><li>Most accidents happen when swimming, boating or bathing in the bathtub.</li><li>Always supervise children near any water and keep young children within arm's reach.</li><li>Do not put your life at risk trying to save your child. If you must enter the water to perform a rescue, bring a flotation device with you.</li><li>If your child is unconscious and not breathing, have someone call 911 and get an AED right away.</li><li>After a drowning episode, see a doctor if your child develops fever or difficulty breathing.</li></ul> | | <h2>How can you tell if your baby or your child is drowning?<br></h2><p>Be sure to monitor your child at all times when they are in, or near, water. Watch for signs of drowning because a child in distress will be
<strong>unable</strong> to yell for help.</p><h3>Signs of drowning</h3><ul><li>head tilted back with mouth open</li><li>floating face down</li><li>gasping for air</li></ul> | | | | <h2>Rescue</h2><h3>Avoid putting yourself at risk trying to save your child</h3><p>You should not put your life in danger trying to rescue your baby or your child. If your only option is to enter the water, bring a flotation device with you. This can be a life-jacket or even a pool noodle. </p><h3>CPR</h3><p>CPR stands for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. CPR is an emergency procedure that involves a combination of chest compressions and rescue breaths (mouth-to-mouth resuscitation).
<a href="/Article?contentid=1044&language=English">CPR given to a baby</a> younger than 12 months of age is different from
<a href="/Article?contentid=1041&language=English">CPR given to an older child</a>.</p><p>Once you are safely out of the water and if your child is not responsive, not breathing or only gasping, call for help and begin CPR right away.</p><h2>Assess your child’s state</h2><h3>Checking for alertness and injuries </h3><p>Check to see if
<strong>your baby</strong> is responsive by rubbing their back, flicking their feet and calling their name.</p><p>Check to see if
<strong>your child</strong> is responsive by tapping them on the shoulder and asking loudly, "Are you OK?"</p><ul><li>If you get an answer or a physical response, quickly check to see if they have any injuries. If they need medical attention, have someone call 911 right away.</li><li>If you get no answer or physical response, shout for help, ask someone to call 911 and have them get an AED (automated external defibrillator) right away, if available, while you begin CPR. If you are alone, call 911 from a cell phone that you can put on speaker and begin CPR.</li></ul><h3>Check for breathing</h3><p>Check for normal breathing (no gasping) by watching your child's chest for any movement. If you are alone, make sure your child is breathing normally before you leave to call 911. Carry your baby with you to make the call.</p> | | | <h2>Swimming safety</h2><h3>Backyard swimming pools</h3><p>If you have a backyard swimming pool, check to make sure that it follows local by-laws. Make sure a fence surrounds the pool on all sides. The pool should be completely fenced-in if a child could otherwise exit the house through sliding doors and directly enter the pool unsupervised.</p><p>A pool fence should to be 1.2 metres (4 feet) high and have a self-latching gate. The latch should be out of your child's reach so they cannot open it on their own. Keep toys and furniture away from the pool fence to prevent children from climbing over it to get into the pool.</p><p>If any door in the house leads directly to the pool, it should close by itself and have a lock that a child cannot reach and open. The pool should always have a safety cover over it when it is not in use.</p><h3>Other pool safety tips</h3><ul><li>Always have an adult watching children in the pool. This adult should know basic life-saving skills and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for a baby and a child.</li><li>Keep life-saving equipment, such as a safety ring with a rope, near the pool.</li><li>Enrol children in swimming and water safety lessons by the time they are age four. Water safety programs for adults and younger children are also a good idea.</li><li>Even if your child has taken swimming lessons, have an adult watch them closely in and around water.</li><li>Children can drown in seconds; do not turn away to answer the phone or focus on something else. Do not assume that a child in trouble will be able to make noise to alert you.</li><li>Always check the pool first if a child is missing.</li></ul><h3>Lakes and rivers</h3><p>Because lakes and rivers are not fenced in, it is even more important to watch children closely when at the cottage or the beach. Remember these safety tips.</p><ul><li>Give your children your full attention. Make sure they know to always tell an adult before they go swimming. Young children should always be supervised when playing in or around water.</li><li>Children under the age of three or children who cannot swim should wear a life jacket or personal flotation device (PFD) in or around water. Young children should always be within arm's reach.</li><li>Put children on a buddy system so that if one is in trouble the other can call for help.</li><li>Make sure children swim close to shore. They should be able to see you at all times.</li><li>Teach young children how to swim or play within arm's reach.</li><li>Swim at supervised waterfronts and beaches.</li><li>Choose a safe place to swim. Check for hazards on the beach and in the water, including water pollution levels.</li><li>Watch for boats and jet skis while swimming.</li></ul><h2>Boating safety</h2><p>By law, boaters must have life jackets or PFDs for each person aboard the boat. Life jackets offer a higher level of protection, but PFDs may be less bulky and more comfortable.</p><p>No matter which option you choose, it must be the right size, fit properly and be in good condition. If you want your child to wear a life jacket or PFD, set a good example and do the same.</p><p>Pay special attention to your children's PFD. Each one should be chosen according to your child's size and weight, have a collar to keep their head up in the water, a handle on the collar to lift them and a safety strap so the PFD does not slide up over the head.</p><h3>Other boating safety tips</h3><ul><li>Do not rock the boat. Move slowly when you enter the boat because it could tip over, or tip you out, if you are not careful.</li><li>Remind children to keep their arms, legs and head inside the boat at all times.</li><li>At least one adult should be able to see the child at all times to make sure the child does not fall into the water. Even if the water is shallow, it might be in a rocky area.</li><li>If sleeping on the boat, make sure young children cannot open a door or window and get outside unsupervised.</li></ul><h2>Bath time</h2><p>Drowning can even happen in a bathtub. This is because very young children do not have the motor skills to lift their heads above water or get themselves out of the water if they are in danger. Small children can even drown in water that is just a few centimetres deep.</p><p>Once an infant is in the tub, pay full attention to them. Do not turn your back or rely on another child to watch them.</p><p>Lock the door to the bathroom to prevent a child from entering and getting into dangerous situations there. For example, they may attempt to run a bath on their own in the same way they have seen a parent do it.</p><p>Many parents use bathing aids such as bath seats or rings to free up their hands to wash their baby. These plastic seats use suction cups to attach to the bottom of the tub and are designed to secure an infant until they can sit up unassisted. Although a bath seat can be convenient, it is not a safety device. Never leave an infant unattended while they are placed in one.</p><p>Whether or not you use a bath seat, children in the tub should be within arm's reach at all times and should not be left alone even for a second.</p> | <h2>When to call a doctor</h2><p>Get medical attention right away if you see any of these signs in your baby or your child:</p><ul><li>persistent coughing</li><li>difficulty breathing</li><li>blue colour on skin and lips</li><li>loss of consciousness (fainting)</li><li>fever</li><li>being moody or very sleepy</li></ul> | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | watersafety | watersafety | https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/AKHAssets/water_safety_and_drowning_prevention.jpg | | Did you know drowning can occur in as little as 20 seconds? Learn how to keep children safe in or around water. | Main | | |
| Helmets: How to get your child to wear one | Helmets: How to get your child to wear one | Helmets: How to get your child to wear one | H | English | Prevention | Child (0-12 years);Teen (13-18 years) | Head | NA | Healthy living and prevention | Caregivers
Adult (19+) | NA | https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/akhassets/Helmet_safety_front_EQUIP_ILL_EN.jpg | 2022-07-13T04:00:00Z | | | | | | 6.90000000000000 | 73.6000000000000 | 953.000000000000 | | Health (A-Z) - Procedure | Health A-Z | <p>A step-by-step guide for parents on how to fit a safety helmet and encourage a child to wear one.</p> | <p>Making sure that your child always wears a helmet when they are cycling or playing particular sports is the best way to prevent head injuries. To do this, it is important to know how to fit a helmet correctly and teach your child why it is important to use a helmet for protection.</p> | | <h2>Key points</h2>
<ul>
<li>A child's helmet should be centered on their head, over the forehead. It should not slip forward or back or from side to side.</li>
<li>Always buy a helmet that is the right size for your child at the time you buy it. The front and back straps should meet just under the ear in a 'V' shape.</li>
<li>Make sure the helmet is snug but not too tight. The strap under the chin should not be loose, but it should allow your child to open their mouth.</li>
<li>Encourage your child to wear a helmet by wearing a helmet yourself and talking about why it is so important to protect their brain.</li>
</ul> | | | | | | | | <h2>How to get your child to wear a helmet</h2>
<p>Your child's attitude can be a barrier to wearing a helmet, but it does not offer any protection against injury. Many children insist they do not need to wear a safely-fitted helmet. Some older children might worry about messing up their hair or might say that they do not need to wear a helmet because none of their friends do. However, there is a lot you can do to help your child commit to wearing a helmet.</p>
<h3>Set a good example</h3>
<p>As a parent, you are a role model to your children. Your actions could be your child’s best <a href="/Article?contentid=1984&language=English">protection against head injury</a>. Research shows that when parents wear a helmet, their children are more likely to want to wear one. Demonstrate the importance of wearing a helmet by wearing one every time you ride your bike. Most professional athletes use helmets when taking part in sports.</p>
<h3>Start early and be consistent</h3>
<p>Get your child used to wearing a helmet as soon as they start riding a tricycle or bicycle. If you allow your child to ride occasionally without a helmet, they will not believe that helmet use is really important. Helmets should be worn on all rides, no matter how short. Tell your child that they will not be able to use their bicycle unless they wear a helmet.</p>
<h3>Talk to your child about why you want them to protect their head</h3>
<p>Unlike your elbows or your ribs, your <a href="https://pie.med.utoronto.ca/htbw/module.html?module=brain-child">brain</a> is you. It stores everything you think, feel and experience. Children often do not fear death, but they may understand the dangers of their sport better if you discuss the loss of mental abilities that can come with repeated concussions. These can include learning difficulties, social problems and attention disorders. Even a single serious brain injury can have lifelong effects on a person's thoughts and emotions.</p>
<h3>Demonstrate the importance of a helmet</h3>
<p>As part of science class, many kids take part in the well-known "egg drop" experiment. Kids build a protective structure that allows a raw egg to survive a fall of almost two metres.</p>
<p>If your child is working on a similar project, discuss how egg protection is very similar to head protection. You can also mention this to your child's teacher; it is a real opportunity to combine physics with health promotion.</p>
<p>A small watermelon works well for the experiment too. Try dropping one from a height of two metres. Then drop another watermelon that is protected with a helmet. Your child will easily see benefits of helmets right away.</p> | | | | | | | | | | | | | <h2>How to fit a helmet correctly</h2><p>Helmets that do not fit or that are not fastened correctly are no help to the
<a href="https://pie.med.utoronto.ca/htbw/module.html?module=brain-child" title="The Brain">brain</a>. Use the tips below to make sure that your child is wearing a helmet properly.</p><p>A helmet must not slip forward or back. The frontal lobes, a part of the front of the brain that is important for memory and decision-making, and occipital lobes, a crucial vision centre at the back of the brain, need protection. This can only be achieved when the helmet is centred on your child's head.</p>
<figure class="asset-c-100"><img src="https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/akhassets/Helmet_safety_side_EQUIP_ILL_EN.jpg" alt="Correct helmet position and incorrect helmet position" /><figcaption class="asset-image-caption">Make sure that the helmet is level at the front and back, it should not be tilted back on an angle. Adjust the straps so the helmet fits securely.</figcaption> </figure>
<p>The helmet must fit snugly, but not tightly and not sit too high on the head. It should cover the forehead and must not slip from side to side. The straps from the front and back of the helmet should form a 'V' around the ears and meet just under the ear. When fastened, the helmet straps should allow the mouth to open to drink or shout, but the strap under the chin must not be loose.</p>
<figure class="asset-c-100"><img src="https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/akhassets/Helmet_safety_front_EQUIP_ILL_EN.jpg" alt="Checking helmet fit" /><figcaption class="asset-image-caption">Check to make sure the helmet is secure and fits snugly.</figcaption> </figure>
<p>Do not buy a large helmet and let your child grow into it. Make sure that the helmet fits perfectly at the time you buy it. You can adjust the fit for comfort using the small foam pads included with the helmet.</p><p>Take a look at this video for more tips.</p><div class="asset-video">
<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Zie-UrMfMKk?rel=0"></iframe> </div><p>Your child should not wear anything under the helmet, such as a hat. Helmets are designed to provide the most effective protection from head injuries when they are worn directly next to the head. If you are concerned about keeping your child warm during the winter, you can buy helmets with outer warmth protection that help keep children's heads warm during activities.</p> | | | | | | | | | | | | | | helmetsafety | helmetsafety | | How to get your child to wear a helmet | | Main | | |
| Sex, gender and sexual orientation: An overview | Sex, gender and sexual orientation: An overview | Sex, gender and sexual orientation: An overview | S | English | Adolescent | Teen (13-18 years) | NA | NA | Support, services and resources | Adult (19+)
Caregivers | NA | https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/AKHAssets/Gender_Stick_Person.jpg | 2021-07-30T04:00:00Z | | | | | | 10.2000000000000 | 46.3000000000000 | 1258.00000000000 | | Flat Content | Health A-Z | <p>It is common for people to confuse sex, gender and sexual orientation, but they are all different things. Read more to better understand the complete story of who your child is on the inside and how they want to present to the world.</p> | <h2>What is gender?</h2><p>Traditionally, gender has been defined as being either one of the two sexes: male or female. But gender is actually a much broader concept. There is a lot more to gender than the sex your child was assigned at birth, and it does not tell the complete story of who they are.</p> | | <h2>Key points</h2><ul><li>There are four main concepts of identity to understand, and each one is distinct: sex, gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation.</li><li>Sex is determined by biological features including chromosomes, hormones, internal reproductive organs and external sexual anatomy.</li><li>Gender identity is how you feel about your gender on the inside as a woman, a man, both, in between or something else.<br></li><li>Gender expression is how you demonstrate your gender to the world, and it may match traditional gender norms or may differ from those norms.</li><li>Sexual orientation is who you are attracted to, sexually and romantically (emotionally).</li></ul> | <h2>Identity</h2><p>It is common for people to confuse sex, gender and even sexual orientation, but they are all different things. Each category exists independently and has its own spectrums. It can be helpful to visualize these concepts through the illustration below.</p>
<figure class="asset-c-80">
<img src="https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/AKHAssets/Gender_Stick_Person.jpg" alt="A grey stick person with gender identity at the head, sex at the groin, sexual orientation at the heart and gender expression all encompassing." /></figure>
<h2>What is sex?</h2><p>Sex is determined by biological features including chromosomes (e.g., XX, XY), hormones (e.g., estrogen, progesterone, testosterone), internal reproductive organs (e.g., uterus, vagina, prostate) and external sexual anatomy (e.g., vulva, penis, testicles). People are usually assigned male or female at birth and this marker goes on legal documents such as a birth certificate.</p><h3>What does it mean to be intersex?</h3><p>Intersex is a term that describes someone who is born with or develops reproductive or sexual anatomy that doesn’t seem to fit the typical definitions of female or male. One example of an intersex person might be someone who has androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS). When a person has AIS, their body is resistant to certain sex hormones and can develop differently than what would be expected for the chromosomes that person was born with.</p><p>Some people who are intersex will choose to self-identify as intersex and some will adopt a gender identity that best reflects how they feel on the inside.</p><h2>What is gender identity?</h2><p>Gender identity is how you feel about your gender on the inside. It is the psychological sense of feeling like a woman, a man, both, in between or something else. Your child's gender identity is something that they come to understand for themself. The most common gender identity is cisgender – someone who feels their gender identity matches their assigned sex at birth – but there are many other recognized gender identities. These include, but are not limited to, the following:</p><ul><li>Agender – someone who identifies as having no gender</li><li>Bigender – someone who identifies as having two full genders</li><li>Gender creative – children who identify and express their gender in ways that are different than what society/cultures expect</li><li>Gender fluid – someone who sees their gender as changeable</li><li>Genderqueer – someone who does not conform to society’s expectations for their gender roles or gender expression</li><li>Non-binary –someone whose gender identity is neither male nor female</li><li>Pangender – someone who identifies with multiple and/or all genders</li><li>Trans or transgender – someone whose gender identity differs from their assigned sex at birth</li><li>Two-spirit – a term used by some Indigenous communities to describe the sexual and gender diversity in Indigenous cultures</li></ul><p>Most children by the age of three are aware of their own gender, although it is okay to question their gender identity as they grow older. The formation of identity can be influenced by biological sex, hormones and the environment. Identity can also shift and evolve over time.</p><h2>What is gender expression?</h2><p>Gender expression is how you present to the world. It is the way you demonstrate who you are, and it can match traditional gender norms but does not have to. Gender expression can be motivated by gender identity, sexuality, mood and many other things (e.g., needing to wear a uniform for work or a costume for a performance).</p><p>Your child can demonstrate their gender through their name, pronoun choice, clothing, voice, hairstyle and the ways that they act and interact with others (intentionally or unintentionally). Gender expression is most commonly classified as either masculine, feminine or androgynous, which has elements of both masculinity and femininity. The ways gender is communicated is flexible and may change depending on the day or setting:</p><ul><li>Your child may wear an androgynous uniform at work and wear bright feminine colours at home.</li><li>They might keep their hair neat and short during the day and wear fun wigs at night.</li><li>They may have a deep masculine voice when they are sad and moody, but use a higher-pitched feminine tone when they are feeling giddy and excited.</li></ul><h3>What are gender norms?</h3><p>Gender expression is something that is interpreted by others around you based on the traditional gender norms of your society and culture. Gender norms are the expectations that your society traditionally has for women and men (e.g., men wear pants; women wear dresses). These can include expectations about how each gender should:</p><ul><li>be classified, identified and treated under the law</li><li>speak and be spoken to</li><li>perform their respective gender roles</li><li>dress or wear their hair</li><li>play with toys and engage in sports activities</li><li>form relationships and families</li><li>be educated and which industries they should work within</li></ul><p>There are many different norms for gender expression, and they vary by culture, generation, region, and between communities and peer groups. Because gender expression and norms are constantly changing, it is important to remember that there is no one “right” way to demonstrate gender. Your child's gender expression is their choice.</p><h2>What is sexual orientation?</h2><p>Sexual orientation is who you are attracted to, sexually and/or romantically. Sexual attraction is the desire to have sexual contact with someone, while romantic attraction is the desire for emotional relationships and intimacy. The label of your child's sexual identity will usually describe the relationship between their gender identity and the gender identities of the people they are attracted to. The most common sexual orientation is straight – someone who is primarily attracted to the opposite gender – but there are many other recognized sexual orientations. These include, but are not limited to, the following:</p><ul><li>Gay – a male who is attracted to males</li><li>Lesbian – a female who is attracted to females</li><li>Bisexual – a male or female who is attracted to both males and females (not always equally or at the same time)</li><li>Pansexual – someone who is attracted to people of any gender</li><li>Asexual – someone who is not sexually attracted to any gender</li><ul><li>Some asexual people experience romantic attraction, and others do not</li></ul><li>Queer – a general term for someone who is not straight</li></ul><p>If your child's sexual orientation is not straight, they may identify as belonging to the “queer community” or the LGBTQ2S+ community. LGBTQ2S+ stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning and two-spirit; and the plus indicates that nobody is left out.</p> | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | <h2>Resources<br></h2><p></p><h3>AboutKidsHealth Teens</h3><p>
<strong>
<a href="https://teens.aboutkidshealth.ca/adolescenthealth">Adolescent Health Learning Hub</a> - </strong><a href="https://teens.aboutkidshealth.ca/Article?contentid=3953&language=English&hub=gender#adolescenthealth">Sex, gender and sexual orientation</a>. Share this article with your child so they can learn more about sex, gender and sexual orientation.</p><p>Killermann, S (2015, March 27). Breaking through the Binary. Retrieved from
<a href="https://www.genderbread.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Breaking-through-the-Binary-by-Sam-Killermann.pdf">https://www.genderbread.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Breaking-through-the-Binary-by-Sam-Killermann.pdf</a>.</p><p>Exploring Gender Diversity.
<em>Trans Care BC</em>. Retrieved from
<a href="http://www.phsa.ca/transcarebc/Documents/HealthProf/Exploring_Gender_Diversity.pdf">http://www.phsa.ca/transcarebc/Documents/HealthProf/Exploring_Gender_Diversity.pdf</a>.</p><p>Gender.
<em>Trans Care BC</em>. Retrieved from
<a href="http://www.phsa.ca/transcarebc/trans-basics/gender">http://www.phsa.ca/transcarebc/trans-basics/gender</a>.</p><p>Sex&U.
<em>The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada</em>. Retrieved from
<a href="https://www.sexandu.ca/">https://www.sexandu.ca/</a>.</p><p>Sexual Orientation.
<em>HealthLinkBC</em>. Retrieved from
<a href="https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/health-topics/abj9152">https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/health-topics/abj9152</a>.</p><p>What is intersex?
<em>interACT: Advocates for Intersex Youth</em>. Retrieved from
<a href="https://interactadvocates.org/">https://interactadvocates.org/</a>.</p> | | | | | | | | | | | Sex, gender, and sexual orientation | Learn about the main concepts of identity including sex, gender and sexual orientation, and what each of these represents. | Main | | |
| Poison ivy | Poison ivy | Poison ivy | P | English | Dermatology | Child (0-12 years);Teen (13-18 years) | Skin | Skin | Conditions and diseases | Caregivers
Adult (19+) | Rash | | 2022-07-13T04:00:00Z | | | | | | 6.10000000000000 | 75.6000000000000 | 801.000000000000 | | Health (A-Z) - Conditions | Health A-Z | <p>Learn how to recognize a poison ivy plant, prevent rashes and how to treat the rash if your child is exposed.</p> | <p>Poison ivy is a plant that grows at sea level and can be found in every province in Canada, except Newfoundland. It can cause a rash when it makes contact with the skin (contact dermatitis). The rash occurs when the skin reacts to substances in the oily sap (called urushiol) in the plant's roots, stems and leaves.<br></p> | <h2>What does the poison ivy plant look like?<br></h2><p>Poison ivy usually grows up large tree trunks as a shrub or as a vine.</p><ul><li>Each leaf has three leaflets that can be either shiny, smooth and hairless, or rough, hairy and velvety.</li><li>The leaves are reddish in the spring, green in the summer and yellow, orange or red in the fall.</li><li>The plant may have yellow-green flowers, or green or off-white berries.</li></ul>
<figure class="asset-c-80">
<span class="asset-image-title">Poison ivy</span><img src="https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/akhassets/Poison_ivy_seasons_EQUIP_ILL_EN.png" alt="Poison ivy with green leaves in summer, green and red leaves in spring, and a mix of green, yellow and red leaves in fall" /></figure> | <h2>Key points</h2><ul><li>Poison ivy is a plant that can cause a rash when it makes contact with the skin.<br></li><li>Each leaf has three leaflets that can be shiny, smooth and hairless, or rough, hairy and velvety.</li><li>The rash is caused by oily sap in the plant's roots, stems and leaves.<br></li><li>To prevent poison ivy rash, stay away from the plant and wear protective clothing. A helpful rule for avoiding poison ivy is "leaves of three, leave them be".</li><li>Wash exposed skin and clothing thoroughly. This may help to prevent a reaction.</li><li>The rash should go away after a few weeks. Mild rashes can be treated with antihistamines. Very severe rashes might require steroids.</li><li>See your doctor if your child develops a <a href="/article?contentid=30&language=English">fever</a> or if the area around the rash becomes redder or swollen or has a milky discharge.</li></ul> | | <h2>Signs and symptoms of a poison ivy rash</h2><p>The symptoms of a poison ivy rash may include:</p><ul><li>redness</li><li>extreme itching</li><li>
<a href="/Article?contentid=789&language=English">hives</a></li><li>swelling</li><li>small or large blisters, often forming a line or streak</li><li>crusting skin</li></ul><p>The typical rash can last from one to three weeks.<br></p><p>The rash usually occurs on skin surfaces that are exposed directly to poison ivy. People can also be exposed to poison ivy's oily sap through indirect contact, including:</p><ul><li>scratching or rubbing, which moves the sap to other skin areas</li><li>contact with clothing, a pet, tools, sports equipment or other things that may have come into contact with the plant.</li></ul><p>If poison ivy is burned, the sap can cling to smoke particles and become airborne. This can cause reactions involving the skin, the eyes or the <a href="https://pie.med.utoronto.ca/htbw/module.html?module=lung-child">lungs</a>.</p> | | | | <h2>How to treat a poison ivy rash</h2><h3>Mild rash</h3><ul><li>Place cool cloths on your child's skin.</li><li>Have your child take cool showers or lukewarm baths.</li><li>Give your child an antihistamine.</li></ul><p>Try not to let your child scratch. This can cause infection and scarring and may spread the sap to other parts of the body. If the rash is very severe, your child may need to take steroid medication by mouth.</p><p>Reactions may vary from person to person. Some people may not react to poison ivy at all, while others may have a very severe reaction.</p><h3>Signs of a serious reaction to poison ivy<br></h3><p>Your child has a serious reaction if:</p><ul><li>nothing helps to ease the itch</li><li>the skin around the rash seems to be infected</li><li>they develop a
<a href="/article?contentid=30&language=English">fever</a></li><li>the rash appears on their eyelids, lips, face or genitals</li><li>their face swells</li></ul> | | | <h2>How to prevent a poison ivy rash</h2>
<p>The best way to prevent a rash is to avoid contact with the plant by learning to recognize it. A helpful rule for avoiding poison ivy is "leaves of three, leave them be".</p>
<h3>What to do if your child cannot avoid an area where poison ivy may be present</h3>
<ul>
<li>Apply a product to their skin that helps prevent the skin from absorbing the plant's sap. These products are available over the counter and usually contain bentoquatam.</li>
<li>Have your child wear clothing such as pants, long sleeves, boots and gloves when they are around poison ivy. Depending on your child's age, help them or remind them to remove exposed clothing carefully.</li>
</ul>
<p>Poison ivy sap can remain active for a long time. For this reason, use hot, soapy water to wash your child's clothing, shoes and anything else that may have made contact with the plant.</p>
<p>If your child touches poison ivy, it is possible to prevent a rash by:</p>
<ul>
<li>washing their skin well with warm water and soap</li>
<li>washing everything that may have sap on it.</li>
</ul> | <h2>When to see a doctor</h2><p>See a doctor if your child:</p><ul><li>develops a
<a href="/Article?contentid=801&language=English">skin infection</a> (increasing redness, swelling, pain or a milky discharge from the irritated areas)</li><li>is not responding to any of the treatments for a mild rash.</li></ul><p>Take your child to your nearest hospital emergency department right away if they are having trouble breathing or swallowing.</p> | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | <img alt="" src="https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/AKHAssets/poison_ivy.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | | | | | | poisonivy | poisonivy | https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/AKHAssets/poison_ivy.jpg | | Do you know what poison ivy looks like? Learn how to recognize a poison ivy plant and how to treat the rash if your child is exposed. | Main | | |
| Sickle cell disease: Overview | Sickle cell disease: Overview | Sickle cell disease: Overview | S | English | Haematology | Child (0-12 years);Teen (13-18 years) | Body | Cardiovascular system | Conditions and diseases | Caregivers
Adult (19+) | NA | https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/akhassets/Sickle_cell_vaso_occlusion_MED_ILL_EN.png | 2023-04-18T04:00:00Z | | | | | | 8.50000000000000 | 60.1000000000000 | 978.000000000000 | | Health (A-Z) - Conditions | Health A-Z | <p>An easy-to-understand overview of sickle cell disease for parents.</p> | <h2>What is sickle cell disease (SCD)?</h2><p>Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited blood disorder. It is not contagious. Most children with SCD are of African ancestry, but children of Middle Eastern, Mediterranean and South Asian ancestry are also affected.<br></p>
<figure class="asset-c-80">
<span class="asset-image-title">Sickle cell shape</span>
<img src="https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/akhassets/Sickle_cell_comparison_MED_ILL_EN.png" alt="A red blood cell with normal hemoglobin molecules and a sickled red blood cell with abnormal hemoglobin molecules" />
<figcaption class="asset-image-caption">Red blood cells carry a protein called hemoglobin, which brings oxygen to all the parts of the body. People with sickle cell disease carry sickle-shaped hemoglobin cells that tend to get stuck in the smaller blood vessels.</figcaption>
</figure> | | <h2>Key points</h2><ul><li>Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited blood disorder.</li><li>The two main characteristics of SCD are long-term anemia and recurrent episodes of vaso-occlusion.</li><li>Anemia is a result of increased breakdown of red blood cells. Children may appear pale and have yellow eyes from time to time.</li><li>Vaso-occlusive episodes are blockages of the blood vessels by deformed red blood cells.</li><li>Infection, fatigue and dehydration are possible triggers for a pain crisis.</li><li>Do not use ice packs to treat pain.</li></ul> | | <h2>Signs and symptoms of sickle cell disease</h2><p>The two main characteristics of SCD are a long-standing
<a href="/Article?contentid=841&language=English">anemia</a> and recurrent episodes of vaso-occlusion:</p><ul><li>
<strong>Anemia</strong> is caused by a lack of either hemoglobin or red blood cells in the body. When this happens not enough oxygen gets delivered to the body and can cause paleness, tiredness or fatigue, and weakness. For example, your child may become tired sooner than their peers when doing an activity. Sickle-shaped cells do not live as long as normal red blood cells. They die faster resulting in an increased breakdown of red blood cells. The liver sometimes cannot keep up with filtering all the broken-down cells and the bilirubin from the broken-down cells can build up in the system making the whites of the eyes appear yellow from time to time.</li><li>
<strong>Vaso-occlusive episodes</strong> are blockages of the blood vessels anywhere in the body caused by deformed red blood cells. Sickle-shaped red blood cells cannot flow through the body as well as normal red blood cells leading to blockages and a lack of oxygen in the affected area of the body. Symptoms depend on where the blood vessels are blocked. If a blood vessel going to the brain is blocked, then there will be symptoms of a stroke, such as weakness on one side of the body. If the blood vessel going to a leg bone is blocked, then there will be pain in the leg.</li></ul>
<figure class="asset-c-80">
<span class="asset-image-title">Vaso-occlusion in sickle cell disease</span>
<img src="https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/akhassets/Sickle_cell_vaso_occlusion_MED_ILL_EN.png" alt="Normal blood flow with healthy red blood cells compared to blocked blood flow from sickled red blood cells" />
<figcaption class="asset-image-caption">Healthy red blood cells are soft, round and flexible. Sickled red blood cells are sticky and hard and can block blood flow.</figcaption>
</figure>
<h3>Pain crises</h3><p>The most common symptom of a vaso-occlusive episode is bone pain. Any bone can be affected, including the arms, legs, back and skull. These episodes, commonly called pain crises, are unpredictable. Some children feel unwell before the actual onset of pain and can let an adult know.</p><p>Possible triggers for a pain crisis include:</p><ul><li>infection</li><li>stress/fatigue</li><li>dehydration</li><li>exposure to cold and very hot temperatures</li></ul><p>Some pain crises happen without a known reason.</p><h3>Preventing pain crises</h3><p>You can help prevent a pain episode by:</p><ul><li>Giving your child lots of fluids to drink so they are not thirsty.</li><li>Dressing your child in a few layers of warm clothing in the winter when they are leaving home.</li><li>Sending an extra sweatshirt and socks to school with your child in case they become wet during recess or at any other time.</li><li>Recognizing fever as a sign of infection and having your child seen immediately by a doctor.</li><li>Making sure your child avoids vigorous exercise without the ability to take breaks and drink fluids, especially during hot days.</li></ul><p>Even with these measures, though, children may still have a pain crisis.</p> | | | | <h2>Treatment</h2><p>See Sickle cell disease: Treatment to understand what to do if your child with sickle cell disease is unwell. Find information about:</p><ul><li>Temperature</li><li>Pain assessment</li><li>Pain management</li><ul><li>Medications</li><li>Physical strategies</li><li>Psychological strategies</li></ul></ul><p>With SCD, the spleen function is not as good at destroying the cell coating of some bacteria. If your child is under the age of five, they should be on preventative antibiotics. Also, they should be receiving additional vaccinations to prevent infections caused by the pneumococcal and meningococcal bacteria.</p><p>Fever in a child with SCD is considered an emergency and requires prompt treatment with antibiotics. Fever is a sign of infection.</p><p>A thermometer must be available at home for assessing the temperature of your child if they are feeling unwell. A temperature higher than 38°C under the arm and higher than 38.5°C by mouth requires that they be seen promptly at an emergency department.</p><p>Medicines such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen will reduce fever but will not affect the infection that is causing the fever. Using them can lead to a false sense of security or to the fever not being taken seriously. Do not give your child these medicines to treat a fever.</p><h2>Fluid requirements for children with sickle cell disease</h2><p>Children with SCD excrete higher volumes of urine compared with their peers because their kidneys cannot concentrate urine.</p><p>Correspondingly, when a child produces more urine than usual, they must also increase their fluid intake. This is particularly important in SCD, as dehydration can trigger pain crises. When a child with SCD is dehydrated, blood cells also become dehydrated and change shape, causing blood vessel blockage and acute pain. Make sure your child has easy access to water at all times.</p>
| | | | <h2>Special situations where parents should call 9-1-1</h2>
<p>If any of the following occurs, call 9-1-1 right away:</p>
<ul>
<li>difficulty breathing</li>
<li>loss of consciousness</li>
<li>severe headache</li>
<li>difficulty speaking or slurring of speech</li>
<li>weakness of limbs</li>
<li>seizure activity</li>
<li>fever greater than 39°C</li>
<li>unexplained lethargy/sleepiness</li>
<li>persistent vomiting</li>
<li>recognition of an enlarged spleen</li>
</ul> | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder. Learn about the signs and symptoms, potential treatments and when to call 911. | Main | | |
