Taking care of your child requires a lot of work and education. While anyone can get sick, it is often more dangerous when a child gets sick. They may not be able to fight off infections and viruses on their own. If you would like to know more, check out these three common health risks to kids.

1. Whooping Cough

There is a vaccine for whooping cough, but it wears off by the time you reach your teens (however you can get booster shots to keep your immunity). For this reason, older teens and adults can easily pass this disease on to young kids who haven't been vaccinated yet.

At first, the symptoms mimic those of a cold, but as the disease progresses, it worsens. Eventually, the cough becomes so intense that your child's face may turn red or blue. The tell-tale sign of whooping cough is a high-pitched gasp of air after a coughing fit. Treatment typically includes hospitalization and antibiotics.

2. Skin Problems

Skin problems are common in general, but kids are often more susceptible to certain skin disorders. For example, diaper dermatitis can lead to seborrheic dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis, and/or overgrowth of yeast. This can lead to itching, but scratching may break the skin, allowing infection to enter, especially if the scratch is exposed to fecal matter.

Atopic dermatitis, AKA eczema, is another common problem for kids. Eczema leads to red, itchy patches of skin, rashes, thickened skin markings, etc. Using sensitive soaps and cleaners can help reduce the symptoms, but kids often grow out of eczema. However, they may still have sensitive skin for life.

Finally, warts are another common problem for children. Warts can be caused by the human papillomavirus, but the pox virus can also spread them. Warts often appear on the hands, fingers, and feet, and they can spread from kid to kid. You can't cure the underlying cause of warts, but you can treat warts as they appear.

3. Childhood Obesity

Obesity is a major problem for many Americans, and children are no different. It's estimated that 19.3 percent of children are affected by obesity. Obesity in children is particularly dangerous because it can lead to chronic obesity in the future. The more bad habits your child learns, the harder they will be to break as an adult.

In addition, the longer you struggle with obesity, the more wear and tear it puts on your body. Therefore, a child who suffers from obesity is starting their life at a disadvantage. If left untreated, childhood obesity can lead to diabetes, arthritis, limited mobility, etc.

Children have different issues than adults, but childhood diseases and bad habits can lead to future complications. If you want to better protect your child, you must stay vigilant. To learn more, contact a pediatric care clinic in your area today.

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