3 Dangers Of Self-medicating Children
Self-medicating children and even adults is one of the most dangerous and unadvisable practices that exist. However, despite the dangers this represents, it is very common for parents to give medicine to their children without consulting a professional.
Self-medicating children, a dangerous practice
Self-medication is the administration of natural prescriptions or medications without proper medical supervision. The side effects of this practice can severely harm health in the short and long term. The worst thing is that, in some cases, it can be fatal.
On many occasions, a simple stomach ache is wrongly treated with painkillers. Another very common mistake is administering antibiotics to children when they have a fever.
Both the medical prescription and the proper dose are essential to effectively treat a clinical condition. And this is the responsibility of professionals in the area.
The fact is that administering a drug incorrectly can have serious health consequences.
The consequences of self-medicating children
1 – Antibiotic resistance
One of the main problems with administering antibiotics without proper medical supervision is developing resistance to these drugs.
In many occasions respiratory, gastrointestinal illnesses or fevers are treated with antibiotics. However, 85% of these diseases are caused by viruses, so they do not need antibiotics.
2 – Possible poisonings
Administering a drug incorrectly is dangerous, but so is administering an inappropriate dose. Aspects such as the child’s weight and height are essential in this regard.
If the dose is low, it will probably not be able to cure the child’s infection and, on the contrary, if the dose is higher, the child may suffer an intoxication that could even put his/her life in danger.
3 – Adverse effects of self-medicating with antibiotics
Self-medicating children with antibiotics when not needed can cause a number of adverse effects. Among the most common are: diarrhea, skin rashes, respiratory problems, tiredness, intoxication and severe allergies that can lead, in the worst case, to death.
Mistakes that should be avoided
- Follow other parent’s advice regarding medication. The reason is that the appearance of the child’s symptoms is very similar to that of another and therefore the condition is assumed to be the same. It is important to remember that the pediatrician is the only specialist capable of diagnosing and prescribing.
- Keep any leftover prescription medications and give them when the child becomes ill again. Once again, it is necessary to consider that, even if they seem to be the same symptoms, it is better to take the child to the pediatrician and for him to make the correct diagnosis.
- Searching for information on the Internet is also another big mistake that many parents make. The main reason is that on the web there is a lot of information, useful and not useful, and only a person with adequate knowledge is able to discern between them.
- Do not be afraid of the possibility of dealing with a serious illness without having a professional diagnosis. It might end up being something simpler to deal with.
Self-medicating children, a problem with a solution
The specialist for treating children’s illnesses is the pediatric specialist. He is the only one with the knowledge to make a diagnosis and prescribe proper treatment.
You should never compare one child’s symptoms with those of another, nor should you look for information on the Internet. Much less, of course, self-medicating children. The consequences of this practice can be fatal.
Unfortunately, self-medicating children is a more frequent practice than is believed. Therefore, it is necessary to inform and become aware of this topic.
It doesn’t matter if the parents work and don’t have a lot of time, a way should always be found to take the child to the doctor when they have any uncomfortable symptoms.
A child’s health is at stake and something that seems harmless at first glance can end up damaging his health. Self-medication is not trivial and it is extremely important to be aware of its risks.
