Health Library

Articles In This Section

• What to Do About a Stiff Neck

  A stiff neck is usually nothing to worry about. In rare cases, it can be a sign of something serious. Here's what to do about a stiff neck.

• What to Do About a Sore Throat

  Sore throats are usually caused by viruses. Here's what to do if your child has a sore throat.

• What to Do About Warts

  Warts are common skin infections. They generally don't cause any serious problems, so usually don't need to be removed.

• What to Do About Stomachaches

  Stomachaches are common in childhood, and often caused by gas, constipation or viruses. Find out when a stomachache requires a trip to the doctor.

• What to Do About Headaches

  Headaches are rarely a sign of something serious. Here's what to do if your child has a headache.

• What to Do About Diarrhea

  Diarrhea is common and usually not a sign of something serious. Find out what to do if your child has diarrhea.

• What to Do About Croup

  Croup is a viral infection that causes a telltake "barking" cough. Find out what to do if your child has croup and when to call the doctor.

• First Aid: Splinters

  Taking a splinter out as soon as you spot it helps prevent infection and makes removal easier.

• First Aid: Head Lice

  Lice commonly spread from kid to kid. They're not dangerous - but they are creepy and annoying. Here's what to do about them.

• First Aid: Nosebleeds

  Although they can be serious, nosebleeds are common in children ages 3 to 10 years and most stop on their own.

• First Aid: Rashes

  Sometimes rashes are only a minor annoyance. Other times, they are more serious and require medical treatment. Here's what to do if your child has a rash.

• First Aid: Ringworm

  Ringworm is a common fungal infection of the skin. Here's what to do if your child has ringworm.

• First Aid: Seizures

  Although seizures can be frightening, usually they last only a few minutes, stop on their own, and are almost never life-threatening.

• First Aid: Strains and Sprains

  Here's what to do if you think your child has pulled or torn a muscle, ligament, or tendon.

• First Aid: Teeth Injuries

  If your child loses a baby tooth, there's no need to replace it. But if a permanent tooth is dislodged, it's a dental emergency. Here's what to do.

• First Aid: The Flu

  Telltale signs of the flu include a sore throat, body aches and fever. Here's what to do if your child has the flu.

• Handling Injuries & Illnesses

  From minor injuries to medical emergencies, these guides help you deal with common childhood mishaps.

• First Aid: Common Cold

  Kids can get up to eight colds a year - or more. The common cold sends more kids to the doctor than any other illness.

• First Aid: Head Injuries

  Learn about the different types of head injuries, and find out what to do if your child is seriously injuried.

• First Aid: Frostbite

  Exposure to extreme cold can cause frostbite, a serious condition that requires emergency care. Here's what to do if your child has frostbite.

• First Aid: Febrile Seizures

  Febrile seizures are convulsions that happen in some children with fevers. They usually stop on their own after a few minutes and don't cause any other health problems.

• First Aid: Falls

  Although most result in mild bumps and bruises, some falls can cause serious injuries that need medical attention.

• First Aid: Fainting

  Fainting is a loss of consciousness that can be caused by many things. Here's what to do if your child faints or is about to faint.

• First Aid: Dislocations

  A dislocation happens when two connected bones are separated. These injuries require emergency medical care to avoid further damage.

• First Aid: Dehydration

  Kids can become dehydrated when their bodies lose very large amounts of fluids. It's important to replenish fluid losses as quickly as possible.

• First Aid: Chickenpox

  Chickenpox (varicella) has become less common in the U.S. due to the chickenpox vaccine, but it can easily spread from one person to another.

• First Aid: Chest Pains

  Chest pain can be caused by many things, but it is rarely a sign of heart trouble in children. Here's what to do about it.

• First Aid: Burns

  Scald burns from hot water and other liquids are the most common type of burn young kids get. Here's what to do if your child is burned.

• First Aid: Broken Bones

  A broken bone needs emergency medical care. Here's what to do if you think your child fractured a bone.

• First Aid: Animal Bites

  Animal bites and scratches that break the skin can cause infection. Rarely, animal bites can cause rabies, a dangerous, life-threatening disease.

• First Aid: Poisoning

  Most childhood poisonings happen in the home. They usually can be treated at home with advice from the poison control center at 1-800-222-1222.

• First Aid: Choking

  Choking can be a life-threatening emergency. Follow these steps if your child is choking.

• First Aid: Insect Stings and Bites

  Being stung by a bug is often just irritating and doesn't require medical treatment. But kids who are highly allergic to stings may need emergency medical care.

• First Aid: Poison Ivy/Oak/Sumac

  Mild rashes from poison ivy, oak, and sumac plants can be treated at home. But severe and widespread rashes require medical treatment.

• First Aid: Spider Bites

  Most spider bites cause mild reactions, but some can cause serious illness or allergic reactions. Here's what to do if you think your child was bitten by a spider.

• First Aid: Tick Bites

  Some ticks carry harmful germs that can cause disease. Find out what to do if your child is bitten by a tick.

• How to Handle Sunburn

  You can treat mild sunburn at home. But severe sunburn needs medical attention. Here's what to do.

• How to Handle an Earache

  Here's what to do if your child complains of ear pain.

• How to Handle a Cough

  Coughing is a healthy reflex that helps clear the airways. Many coughs are caused by viruses that just need to run their course.

• How to Handle Vomiting

  Vomiting can be caused by many things, most commonly gastroenteritis (the "stomach flu"). Here's what to do when your child throws up.

• How to Handle Pain While Peeing

  When it hurts to pee, a urinary tract infection (UTI) is usually to blame. But there are other causes. Here's what to do.

• How to Handle Heat Illness

  In hot weather, a child's internal temperature can rise and cause heat exhaustion, which can progress to heatstroke if not treated quickly.

• How to Handle Constipation

  Constipation is when a child has fewer bowel movements than usual. Ease constipation with the three Fs: fluid, fiber, and fitness.

• What Can I Do About a Fever (High Temperature)?

  Fevers are usually not cause for alarm - they're the body's way of fighting infection. Here's what to do if your child has a fever.

• First Aid: Diaper Rash

  Diaper rash is a common skin condition in babies. In most cases, the condition clears up quickly with a few simple changes.

• How to Handle an Eye Injury

  Some eye injuries can be treated at home, while others require a visit to the doctor or emergency room. Find out what to do if your child has eye pain.

• First Aid: Pinkeye

  Pinkeye is an inflammation of the white part of the eye and the inner eyelids. Although some kinds of pinkeye go away on their own, others require treatment.

• First Aid: Asthma Flare-Ups

  During a flare-up or attack, it's hard to breathe. While some flare-ups are mild, others can be life threatening, so it's important to deal with them right away.

• First Aid: Allergic Reactions

  Most allergic reactions aren't serious, but severe reactions can be life-threatening and need medical care right away.