When the baby is ill

Many parents would like advice from the pharmacy on how to help their offspring with health complaints themselves. However, self-medication for babies and children is a delicate subject that requires intensive counselling. It is also not recommended in every case. Children with chronic illnesses such as asthma or diabetes, for example, require special medication and in many cases are best treated under medical supervision. In cases of doubt and unclear symptoms, it is better for parents to take their child to the doctor rather than just the pharmacy.

Self-medication is often aimed at relieving symptoms without treating the underlying cause of the illness. In children, however, symptoms such as fever, coughing or diarrhoea can indicate serious illnesses that need to be treated by a doctor. Fever, for example, is an alarm signal if it occurs together with neck stiffness. In the case of a cough, the range of possible causes extends from simple colds to asthma or pneumonia.

Persistent diarrhoea often occurs with gastrointestinal infections. This is not a trifle in small children. The loss of water and electrolytes can lead to rapid dehydration. The skin loses tension, the mouth is dried out and they excrete little and dark-coloured urine. The pharmacy team should point out that severe, colicky abdominal pain, fever and blood in the stool in conjunction with diarrhoea also require a visit to the doctor.

Consultation is also important when choosing medication. It should go without saying that parents should only use medicines authorised for the age group when self-medicating. Many medicines that are safe for adults can cause severe side effects in children. The liver and kidneys as elimination organs are not yet fully developed and cannot break down or excrete drugs from the body as quickly as in adults. This means that drugs remain in the body for longer and can be potentially harmful.

Some medicines are not suitable for children per se. In children, acetylsalicylic acid can trigger Reye’s syndrome, a rare but serious disease that affects the liver and brain. The opioid codeine, which is contained in some cough medicine and painkillers, can cause serious breathing problems in children. Pseudoephedrine is an active ingredient in many cold medicines. It can lead to hyperactivity, insomnia and heart problems in children. In these cases, the pharmacy team should recommend suitable alternatives.

Some herbal remedies are also not as harmless as many people think. For example, the pharmacy team can explain that medicinal teas containing fennel can be problematic for babies with flatulence. These are no longer recommended for children under the age of four, pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers, as there is insufficient safety data available. The main reason for the caution is the estragole it contains: The ingredient has shown carcinogenic effects in studies on mice and rats, particularly with regard to the formation of liver tumours.

The dosage of medication is difficult for children. It often depends on weight and not only on age. A small error in dosage can lead to an overdose, which can cause serious side effects. Too low a dose can in turn lead to the medicine not working sufficiently. After administering a medicine, parents should observe the child’s symptoms. In the event of unusual reactions or a worsening of the symptoms, it is best to seek medical help.

In general, it should be noted that children can have allergic reactions to medication and interactions are possible. When dispensing, the pharmacy team should routinely check whether there may be interactions with other medicines that the child is taking. It is also important to note that symptoms such as skin rashes or breathing difficulties can be possible allergic reactions to the medication. Treatment should then be discontinued immediately and the next steps discussed with a doctor. It should always be questioned whether a juice, suppository or tablet is absolutely necessary if the child is not feeling well. Non-medication options are often also available, such as a gentle clockwise abdominal massage for abdominal pain.

If children are always given a medicine straight away when something hurts, this can have a psychosocial impact. Children learn from their parents and can develop the idea that medication is the solution to every health problem. This can influence their attitude to health and illness in later life. The pharmacy team makes a contribution by providing expert advice on when medicines are suitable for self-medication and when they are not.

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