Dr. Tammi Williams, M.D.

Without pictures, it is hard to say for sure. If your daughter has not had a previous history of eczema, it would be unusual for this to start at her age. Eczema can intensify and become bigger with itching, but it does not “spread” per se. I would be concerned that the rash is something else as well and would recommend you visit a pediatrician for another opinion. The antibiotic given typically would be considered if there was thought that it was actually an infection, but amoxicillin does not cover the bacteria that cause skin infections well. If it is an infection, it is not likely to respond to amoxicillin.

Most definitely, but their response to the pain can vary. Some babies will exhibit little to no discomfort. You just happen to “find” a new tooth in their mouth without realizing they were teething at all. Other babies are clearly uncomfortable with the most painful portion being when the teeth are actually breaking through the gum. Usually, once they finally get through the gym, the pain subsides.

You should always take the antibiotic for the entire duration that is prescribed. Most antibiotics are prescribed for a 10-day course, but there are a few that are shorter than this. The most important thing is to complete the entire prescribed course to prevent the infection from returning and to decrease the risk of developing resistance to antibiotics.

While it is rare, there are some reports of adolescents experiencing myocarditis, or an inflammation to the heart muscle, after the COVID vaccine. If he is experiencing chest pain, I would advise that he be seen and evaluated by a doctor to be sore that this is not the case.

There are several viruses that are well known for causing blistering in and around the mouth. It is the most likely cause of blisters in the mouth, particularly when there are several

Poor appetite in toddlers can have a variety of causes from behavioral to underlying medical issues. You want to be sure that the toddler is not “filling up” on other things like milk, juices, and frequent snacking throughout the day. It is quite common for toddlers to over-consume milk or juice. This leads to a decreased appetite for food and can cause significant anemia to develop. At times, the underlying cause can be behavioral. Toddlers may refuse to eat because they are trying to exert their own independence and don’t want to feel like they are being forced. Encouraging self feeding and not force feeding are important to minimize this component of it. If the above changes do not seem to produce any positive change, I would recommend having the child evaluated by the doctor as they can sometimes have underlying reflux or GI issues that may be contributing to their lack of desire to eat.

Ear pain can be quite significant and can certainly cause a toddler to cry. Toddlers do not have an ability to verbally communicate fully so crying can sometimes be the only way that they can express their pain. There are certainly other things that can make toddlers cry uncontrollably as well, so I would definitely recommend having your child checked by the doctor to see if the ear is the source of the pain

In general, it is recommended to use nursery water to mix formula in young infants. Nursery water is bottled water with the fluoride left in. Fluoride, in appropriate quantities, is important for babies because of their rapidly growing bones and teeth. In a pinch, bottled water is generally safe to use.

Anxiety has been definitively linked to stomach pain in kids. It is not the only cause, but it can definitely be a contributor. Anxiety and stress can lead to an increased production of acid in the lining of the stomach. This, in turn, can cause irritation to the lining to the stomach and ultimately, reflux. Pain or vomiting right after eating, feeling full quickly, and feeling of acid or burning in the chest or throat can be symptoms of this.

A true “allergy cough” is typically a dry, rotating cough that occurs because of post nasal drainage draining to the the throat. Treating the allergies will typically cause the cough to resolve. Most allergy treatment begins with the use of a daily oral antihistamine. These can be purchased over the counter with dosing for her age noted on the label. If the use of this does not improve things, a nasal spray for allergies can be used in combination with the antihistamine for improved results. If you treat the allergies appropriately and the cough does not resolve, I would recommend to visit her doctor. A persistent cough in children can also occur in the presence of an infection or with asthma.

The underlying cause of almost any middle ear infection is the presence of mucus. The nose and ear are connected internally by a little canal or tube, called the Eustachian tube. When mucus and congestion occur in the nose, it can travel to the middle ear through the Eustachian tube. Once the mucus is present in the middle ear, it can become stagnant and just sit there. Stagnant mucus is like heaven for bacteria, so once bacteria begin to land or deposit in that mucus, they can rapidly multiply and cause infection. This is why middle ear infections are almost always preceded by either a “cold”, or respiratory illness, or allergies that are producing a lot of mucus.

Tonsillitis generally indicates that you have inflammation of your tonsils. This is most commonly caused by either a viral or bacterial infection. Due to the presence of infection, it can very commonly create an odor to your mouth or breath. This should resolve or go away as the infection resolves.

Blessings, Tammi

In general, antibiotics are “safe” to take at any age. If there is a clear bacterial infection present that needs to be treated, it is beneficial to give the antibiotic. All medicines carry the risk of side effects or allergy, but these occur less commonly. If you observe any reactions or intolerable side effects, call your doctor to let them know.