Croup is a common airways infection affecting babies and young children. It usually affects those between six months and three years old but can affect younger and older children too. It affects the upper airways – the throat and nose – to cause a distinctive barking cough and a harsh sound (stridor) when they breathe in. A low-grade fever and blocked or runny nose and a hoarse voice may also develop. Croup is commonly caused by a virus called the parainfluenza virus. Usually, croup can be managed at home and clears up within 24 to 48 hours. However, if children also develop difficulty breathing or look short of breath, it is important to seek urgent medical attention.

Cradle cap, a type of seborrhoeic dermatitis, is a skin condition common in babies. It usually occurs in their first six weeks. It causes yellow scaly patches on the scalp or face that can appear oily. A red rash can emerge under the scales or in folds of skin such as the groin area. In most cases this gets better on its own over two to eight weeks. It is not harmful to your baby and should not cause them discomfort or to be unwell. Adults do not get cradle cap, but they may suffer other forms of seborrhoeic dermatitis, such as dandruff or a red flaky rash over their nose and cheeks.

Colic is a really common condition in babies, and symptoms vary but there's usually fussing and crying for a prolonged period of time. Some babies can look like they are in intense pain and either scream inconsolably or fuss and whimper constantly. At times some babies can clench their fists, arch their back, and even go red in the face. Prolonged crying means that a baby can swallow air, usually harmless. If this is the case, passing gas can sometimes provide them with some relief.

Bronchiolitis is a very common lung infection that happens in young children, typically those under 2 years old, and is caused by a virus. The bronchioles are small airways in the lungs, branching off the two main bronchi, and the ‘itis’ part of bronchiolitis means inflammation, so bronchiolitis is inflammation and congestion of these small airways.  Symptoms of bronchiolitis start off similarly to a cold with a blocked and runny nose, cough, and possibly fever. Children can also sound quite wheezy.  Bronchiolitis is most commonly caused by a virus called RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) during the winter months and often it gets better by itself. In about 20% of cases of all ages, hospital admission may be required and it’s thought that up to 1 in 3 young children get bronchiolitis at some time.

It’s really common for babies to suffer from dry skin and eczema, and can first emerge before or around 6 months. It affects about a quarter of children and up to 60% of people with eczema develop it during their first year of life. The exact cause of eczema is unknown but genetics are thought to play a big role so it’s more common if someone in your family has eczema, allergies, or asthma, or if they have light skin and hair. It may also be triggered by environmental factors such as central heating, hard water and the use of soaps. The good news is that even though children may develop eczema in childhood, it doesn’t necessarily mean they will have it forever as many of them grow out of it by 5-6 years old. And - with the right attention to triggers, moisturising routine and recognising flare-ups - it can be treated more quickly.

As a parent, it can be a tough job to work out whether your child has an anxiety disorder or they’re just dealing with the challenges of growing up. As a paediatrician, I face this dilemma daily in my clinic. I’ll try to help you decide the difference between a healthy state of anxiety and an unhealthy one, and where to go next.

Nappy rash is a really common skin infection that occurs in young children as a reaction to urine or poo. A fungal infection called candida is often involved in the inflamed skin, leaving a very bright red notable rash around the genitals. The skin can also become hot, sore and blister-filled. Rarely, it is caused by other skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis.

Ear infections are very common in children and most likely comes with a viral cold. Your child might feel unwell with a fever, sickness, and feeling of their food. Ear infections usually affect the middle ear, which we call otitis media. The pain comes as products of infection and inflammation build up behind the eardrum, pushing it. They may complain that hearing comes and goes, or they may feel pain on the cheek side of the ear or under it, which might be worse when eating. It’s usually just one ear affected. Sometimes infections affect the outer part of the ear. This may be the case if you have symptoms of wetness with white or yellow discharge, and the ear may feel itchy or sore just inside. This points more towards otitis externa, where the ear canal leading to the eardrum is infected.

Foetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is a condition which occurs as a consequence of women drinking alcohol during their pregnancy. It covers a wide range of symptoms and affects each baby differently. Examples include facial changes and learning disabilities, trouble with coordination or attention and hyperactivity. It can also affect the kidneys, bones, and the heart, and cause growth problems. The term foetal alcohol spectrum disorder is often used interchangeably, but more specifically describes certain collections of symptoms related to damage by alcohol during pregnancy, of which FAS is the most severe end of the spectrum. Symptoms may be subtle and there may be no physical signs, but it’s thought to be underdiagnosed, and numbers have risen in recent years along with alcohol abuse.

Roseola is a very common illness that affects babies and young children. It is caused by two strains of the herpes virus (6 and 7). There is a full range of signs and symptoms affecting children to varying degrees but for the majority, it isn’t usually serious and most people get it only once. Adults can become infected with the disease if they have never been exposed to it as a child but unlike the chickenpox infection, it is usually milder in healthy adults.

Most sore throats are caused by viruses, and will not respond to antibiotics. They need good self-care, pain relief, fluids and time to get better. Some sore throats are caused by bacteria, and these will tend to need a course of antibiotics to get better. ‘Strep throat’ is a colloquial term used to describe a bacterial throat infection caused by streptococcus bacteria. Group A Streptococcus (Strep A) is one of the causes of bacterial sore throat, and it usually produces more severe symptoms than a viral sore throat. You may have severe pain, fever, swollen lymph nodes in the neck, an absence of other viral symptoms such as cough, and symptoms that last longer than a viral infection would be expected to last. If your doctor suspects a bacterial throat infection, they may take a swab to check the bacteria. Or if they are confident, may start a course of antibiotics immediately.

Whooping cough is a common bacterial infection that affects the airways and lungs, usually in toddlers and children. It’s spread from one child to another by coughs and sneezes and is highly contagious. There are many different types of coughs in children, so it is important to be able to differentiate. It causes a persistent cough that can last for several months. For this reason, it is also referred to as the 100-day cough. As doctors, we call it pertussis. Hand hygiene, coughing and sneezing into tissues which are immediately disposed of, and staying away from others while they are infectious are paramount to reduce the spread. It forms one part of the usual childhood immunisations.