Effects of sophisticated treatment for kids
Dear Dr. Donya,
I would like to know if there is any short or long-term effects for a two-and-half year old child having to go through treatment such as CT scans for the brain and lumbar punctures.
The tests were done as the child had a high fever and threw a fit for the first time, but the fit was only for a couple of minutes without violent movement.
The results of the tests turned out to be OK, but the doctors found out that it was sinusitis that caused the fever.
Could you advise on the best treatment to cure sinusitis?
-- Budi
Dear Budi,
Both procedures are quite safe for children. Physicians sometimes need to do further investigation to find out what is happening to the kid. I've listed some side effects of CT scans and lumbar punctures.
A CT scan is generally a safe procedure, but as with any medical procedure, some complications could occur.
Common side effects of CT scan are headache, backache. Unusual complications can be lumbar root pain, hearing abnormalities. Very rare complications can be herniation, hematoma, excessive drowsiness and signs of an allergic reaction (rash, flushing).
A lumbar puncture (LP), which is also called a spinal tap, is performed when doctors need to examine the spinal fluid that bathes the brain and spinal cord, the most common reason is if meningitis is suspected. Meningitis is an infection of the coverings of the brain and spinal cord (the meninges).
The lumbar puncture itself is generally quite safe and not nearly as uncomfortable as you might imagine. Complications are headache, infection, chemical irritation of meninges and very rare puncture of a nerve. Extreme care and cleanliness are always used when doing a lumbar puncture. And the procedure is done as rapidly as possible to minimize discomfort.
CT scans and X-rays cannot tell the cause of an infection and therefore cannot substitute for a lumbar puncture. All complications are prevention and from my personal experience, none of these complications happen.
I would suggest that you not worry about it and for the sinusitis, administer a complete course of antibiotics for 10 to 14 days to cure it. As you know, your daughter's fit was from a febrile convulsion.
-- Dr. Donya
Dear Dr. Donya,
This is my third week in London. I'm an Indonesian and have never been abroad before.
I have problems with my skin, it's so dry. I also have problems with dandruff, it's so terrible because I have long and black thick hair (I've never had a problem with dandruff before). My fiance said maybe it has been caused by water here. They have given me quite a few chemical things like chlorine and chalk to purify the water. Please advise me on these problems.
-- Rina
Dear Rina,
For your condition, first of all you have to differentiate whether the condition is dry skin or a disease. I think you have a problem of dry skin rather than a disease. I will give my advice on two subjects: skin and hair.
For your skin I think it is from dry skin. The problems of skin disease can be:
1. Seborrheic dermatitis usually afflicts the face and certain areas of the body, not the body in general.
2. Ichthyosis has the same effect as the above. But for your dry skin, it could be caused by an irritant, such as a warm shower or the use of certain soaps or shampoos. What you should do is;
1. Stop using warm water when you shower, use cold and if you cannot tolerate it, use as low a temperature as you can tolerate.
2. Stop using soap, especially strong soap. Pick soapless detergents or as little detergent as possible. Use soap only for the dirty and sweaty areas of the body such as the groin, armpits but not for the body.
3. Use an oil moisturizer such as baby oil to put on the body after showering.
4. Apply vaseline during the day as often as you can.
For your hair, stop using nizoral because it is for fungal infection and it is a strong shampoo. Use zinc parithion and stop scratching your scalp when you wash your hair, just massage the hair and leave it on for five to 10 minutes before rinsing off and use cold water not warm.
The condition of seborrheic dermatitis will be scaly red patches on the scalp more than dandruff. If you suspect you might have a disease, go to see skin doctor.
-- Dr. Donya