Foods to Avoid When You Suspect Your Child has an Allergy

My little Keona has had bouts of cough and colds and sometimes, she has some rashes on her skin. When we had her checked by her pediatrician, he told us that the rashes on her skin is an allergy and her intermittent colds can be an allergy as well because it comes and go and comes again.

So if you suspect your child has an allergy, here are some foods to avoid:

• Nuts- all kinds of nuts - peanuts, cashew nuts, etc.
• Seafoods like shrimp, crabs, squid
• Coca cola soft drink (it has a nut, according to the doctor, I only knew it now)
• Chocolate (it belongs to the family of nuts, cacao)
• Chicken and other poultry products like eggs
  

Aside from the foods that you have to avoid, environment and the stuff that your baby use can be a contributing factor for your baby's allergy as well. When your baby is suffering from an allergy, you have to roll out all possible causes that potentially the culprit of the allergy. Here are some additional tips that worthy to be observed if your child has an allergy...

• Change bedding and mattress that your baby use as often as possible to avoid dust from accumulating.
• Always clean your room especially where your baby is staying, including windows and every nook that may be collecting dusts.
• Use a mild soap for your baby. Babies who are very prone to allergy can have it even when using baby soaps and shampoos that are hypoallergenic and claims to be very mild. My little girl's pediatrician recommends using Cetaphil gentle cleanse because it is non-soap base and non-comedogenic.
• use the mildest soap possible when doing the laundry of your child's clothes, nappies and every cloth he/she uses including bed sheets. Our pediatrician recommends us to using Perla white soap.
• Stuffed toys of your child may be cuddly but they can also be the home of so many dust so it's better to entirely get rid of them.
• If you have pets like cats and dogs, their fur can be a trigger for your kid's allergy, so avoid having your pets in contact with your child.
  

That's all for now folks, have a great day.

Keona Stays in Hubby's Office

Keona had her check-up with her pediatrician the other day. She has a cough and I am self-medicating her with the prescription of her doctor the other month, when she had also a cough. After several days of medication, her cough is not gone so we had her checked by her pediatrician.

The doctor said it's only upper respiratory infection and so there is no need for her to take antibiotic. I am glad because she has had antibiotics the other month due to pneumonia aside from the fact that it is also costly.

After the check-up, we asked Keona if she wanted to go home with grandma and grandpa or stay with her papa in the office. Keona is very outgoing and she right away said she wants to go with her papa. It is good that papa is not so much busy in the office because there's an activity going on in his company. Keona spent her after noon in hubby's office watching her favorite cartoon movies.

When I got out to work, I fetched them and we went to Jollibee for her dinner. When we reached home, she is already very sleepy since that was already around 6:30 in the evening.

How to Collect Urine Sample for Urine C and S test

Urine check is a way of determining so many diseases. When I was pregnant, I have a urine check every now and then to determine if I have diabetes and monitor for a urinary tract infection.

When my little Keona was 4 months old, she was having UTI. It is becoming recurrent that her pediatrician suspected there might be physiological problems in her urinary tract and not just mere hygienic reason that she often has UTI. She referred us to a Nephrologist- a doctor specialist of kidney diseases. We had her undergo ultrasound which reveals that she is having ureteral reflux. Then she had to undergo VCUG- vesico-urethrogram to determine the grade level of her reflux.

The result of VCUG revealed a grade 3 reflux which does not necessitate surgical intervention and just a regular antibiotic which acts as a prophylaxis to keep the bacteria in a lower level so as not to have an infection which can result to damage kidneys. In spite of her prophylaxis, she had outbreaks and she keeps on getting an infection that we finally decided to have her undergo surgical operation.

After the operation, we have to monitor Keona's urine through Urine C and S test or urine culture and sensibility. It a test wherein we have to submit a urine sample to the laboratory and they will incubate it for 48 hours to see if there will be bacteria that will grow. If there's bacteria, there are corrsponding list of antibiotics that the laboratory people will determine if the bacteria growth will be susceptible or resistant. It means that those antibiotics that the bacteria is susceptible can cure the said bacteria while the resistant one's cannot cure it.

Lately, we have urine cs test and we are very sad because there's a bacteria growth on Keona's urine C and S test. Our doctor said that there might be a problem with the collection of the urine sample that we have submitted to the laboratory and he wanted us to have repeat urine culture and sensibility test. Indeed, the second urine cs test has no bacteria. The pediatrician is indeed right, it was the way we collected the urine sample.

To avoid getting trapped with the same problem and to avoid unnecessary expense on urine c and s, here are my tips on the proper collection of urine sample especially for baby girls like our little Keona.

1. Clean the vagina of the baby properly. Wash it with water.
2. Include the labia in cleaning your baby.
3. Use the cellophane urine collector if the baby is still infant or cannot manage to sit down yet when urinating. If possible, use a newly purchased baby urine collector and not an old stock one.
4. You can may use the plastic sterile urine collector if the baby can be instructed to sit down and collect urine properly.
5. Bring it or submit it right away to the laboratory, not later than 1 hour after collection.

That's all for now folks. Have a great day. Stay blissful, blessed and healthy everyone:).

Keona has Fever

When hubby and I arrived from work yesterday. Keona was still asleep in MIL's room. When she woke up, she looks tired and cried. MIL told us that she thinks Keona is having a fever because her body temperature is unusually high. I put my hand on her forehead and neck and I feel she's having a fever so we got the thermometer and it's 37.8 degree celcius. She's having a fever indeed.

I was wondering how much is the dosage for her paracetamol syrup so I called up Doctor Mike, her pediatrician. It's 5ml every 4 hours for the tempra paracetamol for she's turning 3 years old already on the 29th. I bet she's having fever because she slept very late the other night, 2:00 o'clock in the morning and she doesn't eat much. So her immune system must be very weak. Last night she requested for her favorite french fries and hamburger so hubby bought for her.

I'm glad she's not having fever now and hope it will continue to be gone...

On another note, I am glad I don't have to report for work today because I'm supposed to go to school but since it's already semestral break, I'll just stay home. It's very timely because I can take care Keona.

That's all for now folks, have a nice day.

Hair Follicle Infection

Last night, while putting Keona to sleep, I run my fingers through her hair. That's what I usually do to help her sleep right away. But I noticed something on her head. There's something protruding so I turned on the light and checked it. Looks like a boil. So we brought her to the pediatrician today.

It turned out, it was an infection of the hair follicle. We also showed her burn from the iron on her arm. Doc Mike prescribed us with Fuskina ointment to be applied on affected area 2-3 times a day and an antibacterial medicine to prevent the infection from spreading. I just hope the infection will get away soon.

Happy weekend friends.

Fever and Cough

We were very happy playing with the shower last Saturday night. Keona was full of vigor playing with the water. When we were already settled and were about to sleep, I noticed that Keona's body temperature is unusually high. I got the thermometer and checked her body temp and indeed, I was right with my suspicion. She's having a mild fever, 37.5 degree celscius.

She was having cough as well which I suspect could be the cause of her mild fever. We brought her to Doctor Mike's clinic yesterday and she was in the mood. She said 'hi" to Doc Mike and she's very well behaved when her doctor checked her physically. She even played the toys in doc Mike's clinic.

Doc Mike prescribed her an antibiotic because she's having a lot of phlegm. I bought (Amoclav)-Co-amoxiclav and has to be taken 2x/day with a dosage of 3.5 ml. We have to let her take also Bricanyl expectorant with the dosage 3.5 ml, 3x a day. If there's fever, we just let her take Tempra paracetamol drops, 1.5 ml, every four hours.

I think the erratic weather and her being a late sleeper are the cause of these. I myself is having cough but not that really severe. I'm just taking Ascof (Lagundi) medicine so that I'll be cured. I hope everything will turn back to normal soon and my little girl will recover from her cough because she's having a hard time sleeping during the night.

That's all for now. Have a great day friends:).

Still Sleepy

Keona has been very active lately that she wanted us to dance with her while her videos are playing on DVD. She also sleep very late at night that I sleep late as well. The result? I'm still very sleepy and feeling dizzy. I'm not yet revitalized from few hours of sleep.

The weather adds to my sleepiness as well. It's cold and there's a hint that's gonna rain. This kind of weather really makes me lazy. Nevertheless, I have to go on with life and work. Have a great day friends:).

Too Yummy to Resist

When Keona saw the house helper opening the fridge yesterday, she right away ran towards her and looked what was inside. When she saw the box containing the chocolate rebel bars she right away got one sliced and popped it on her mouth.

I was not able to do anything to protest her but just looked the way how she ate the chocolate with gusto. The result? She's scratching here and there because her allergy is back. At least, I now know that it's really an allergy so it will not be mistaken as skin disease like what I used to think it is.

Keona's Fever Goes Back

I got a call from Mom today that Keona's fever is back. It shoot up top 39.1 degree celsius. I called her pediatrician and he advised me to have her take antibiotic. Cefaclor 250 mg / 5 ml and a dosage of 2.5 , 3x/day.

I hope her fever will be gone soon. I can't be out from work because we are expecting a visitor and I'm expecting to be interviewed. I wish I can just stay home and take good care of her.

Pediatrician Visit due to Rashes

We visited doc Mike yesterday because Keona has rashes. It's been about 2 weeks already that she has it and I have been putting self medication on it. I have observed it does not improve and instead spread on her body so before we'll gonna go back to work, we decided to have her checked by her pediatrician.

My instinct were indeed true. She is indeed a food allergy like me. So Doc Mike prohibited her from eating chicken, egg, chocolate, shrimp, crab,and all kinds of nuts. We eat a lot of this especially during the Christmas season. We have a stock of chocolates also as well as peanuts and now I'm keeping all of them so she'll not eat them.

Doctor Mike prescribed antihistamine medicines- allerkid, one times a day before bedtime-2.5 ml. and iterax 3x/day 2.5 ml.


After the check up and shedding so many tears (she cries a lot every time we go to Doc Mike's clinic), we brought her to children's play area in the mall. There were very few people so we like it very much. Not much crowd and we can just hop from one ride to another anytime we want.

Getting Ready with Keona's Renal Scan

This month is scheduled for Keona's renal scan. We would have wanted to do it last week but there were inevitable circumstances that hinder us from doing it. We might be doing it in the weekend or next week. Hopefully, there will be no more interruptions and we can go on with our plan.

We want her undergo it before December comes so she can join with us with some planned party. She has been wanting to go to the beach since she heard us, hubby talking about going to the beach with some office mates. Need to go to bed now. Goodnight friends!

Late Sleeper

Lil Keona has been sleeping late at night because she sleeps in the afternoon. She is also very energetic and full of enthusiasm early in the evening, playing, singing, dancing and watching her favorite kiddie shows and VCDs.

She's also a big Mama's baby. She always want me to be with her all the time when I'm home. But I understand it because I'm away during the day for I'm at work. But I always suffer sleepiness during the day as a result of her being a late sleep as well. I hope, her sleeping routine will change soon. Have a great day friends!

Sleepy Worker

That's what I am. My little girl was still asleep when me and hubby reached home yesterday. When all of us were having our dinner, we just heard her shout in the room. She was awaken from her sleep and was afraid for being alone in a dim room.

I right away went to our room and hug her. She was not still satisfied with her sleep and yet went straight to me and wanted to be carried. Few minutes after, she was already in full spirit and slept very late. So I was late as well in sleeping which result to my dizziness at work.

Mica's First Birthday

Twirlie

A pose with Jollibbee

1st birthday cake for Mica

Mica and her Mom

This post is a delayed one because I am not much active in the blogging world lately due to my vision problems. Finally, I was able to get my new eyeglasses during lunch break today so I'm back to my blog hopping and blogging.

Baby Mica's birthday was last Saturday. It was held at Jollibbee Bolton. We arrived there earlier than the schedule so we were kinda bored waiting for the party to start. Lil girl together with grandma and Grandpa arrived a little late. Mica had many visitors. There were around 60 adults and 20 children who attended the party. Adults were served chicken meal while the children were served spaghetti.

The visitors were having so much fun. Before the eating time, parlor games were played. There were parlor games played by the children and there were separate set of games for the not-so-young and young-at-heart.

So much excitement were felt by the party goers after the meal. Two mascots - Jollibbe and Twirlie entertained us through dancing. Children became very unruly wanting to get the attention of the two mascots and many want to get a picture with them.

Here are some photos...

I Dreaded Fever

I got a call from Mom last Thursday informing me that Keona was having fever. I was literally down and could not concentrate on my work. I called Doc Mike, Keona's pediatrician and he advised me to have Keona take paracetamol every four hours. Since Keona was also vomiting Doc Mike told me to have her drink Vometa (Domperedone) - 2.5 ml. every four hours.

Keona's pediatrician told me that it might just be a viral thing. We just have to observe her and if fever continues the following day, we have to bring her to the clinic and do some laboratory tests.

Keona's fever continued to go down until it reached to normal level. Thankfully, it did not return and I was really relieved.

Great Weekend

It's a lovely weekend and we just all sleep and rest to re-energize ourselves for the coming week. Keona, me and hubby feasted on mangosteen and lanzones that I bought yesterday.

Happy weekend everyone:).

Still dizzy

I don't have enough sleep and I still feel dizzy. Lil girl woke up at two o'clock in the morning and wanted to go to the living room to watch her fave songs. I protested but she cried out very loud. I had no choice but to give in or else, people around will wake up as well.

I know Lil girl is uncomfortable with her having stuffy nose and occasional cough. She still have them in spite of the medicines she's taking. So I just carry her in my arms, swing her so she was able to go back to sleep at four in the morning. Hope everything goes back to normal.

On Dengue Fever and Asthma

Dengue fever is very rampant in our place nowadays. There are so many cases of Dengue and it is very alarming. In a nearby province, it is already declared a state of calamity due to soaring dengue cases. The daughter of my office mate is also having a dengue and is now confined in the pediatric intensive care unit in a hospital. She's having a stage 3 hemorrhagic dengue. Her heart, lungs, liver and kidney are now affected so she's really in critical condition. Her vital signs are very unstable. I pray fervently for her recovery.

Hubby and me told Mom yesterday to just let Keona stay indoors. She usually go out in the afternoon and play outside but we don't allow her to go out as of this time.

The daughter of my office mate is also having an asthma so she's having also difficulty breathing. And this morning, I wondered why our one house help looked sad and I can sense that there's something wrong. Later, I found out that the other house help is having an asthma and hard-up to breath. Hopefully, she'll get better after taking medicine.

Remembering my beloved father

gathered together in prayer...my siblings & Mom

This is the month that I was very down. That was probably one of the lowest moments in my life. The pain of receiving a news that someone who is a major part of my life is gone....forever.

But on the other side of the coin, the thought of having him finally rest is also a relief. To be able to see him get rid of the daily sacrifice of breathlessness. That was four years ago. When my father passed away due to emphysema.

We remember him this month in prayer. To my Papa, you'll forever be a part of my life and the values you inculcated to us will live forever. We love you and I hope you rest in peace.

Tuesday Quotable Toots (5)

All that is worth cherishing begins
with the heart, not the head.

-Suzanne Chapin