At this Perth naturopathic clinic we use homeopathy to effectively treat both the acute infections and the more chronic health disorders of children. As a qualified naturopath, Michael Blanch will also consider dietary factors that may be impacting on your child’s health.
For discussion of the treatment of children less than two years of age, see the separate page: Treatment of Babies and infants. We will mainly discuss the treatment of toddlers and children up to puberty and the early teenage years on this page.
Children suffer many acute problems in their first few years. There is nothing abnormal about this. It is necessary for the immune system to be challenged and to learn. A cold every couple of months that goes for a week or two is to be expected. In fact, if a child goes for a long time without an acute illness it is not healthy; that means they may come down with something more serious in time.
In the meantime, there are homeopathic remedies that we use at our Perth clinic to minimise the symptoms of colds and flus, help prevent any secondary infections of the chest, tonsils or ears, and to deal with these problems, should they occur. Ear infections and “glue ear” are dealt with on a separate page: Treatment of Ear Infections.
Please note that in all cases we advise the parent’s to follow their instincts and to see a doctor or seek hospital treatment if the child is not responding to homeopathic treatment and the condition is worsening.
Tonsillitis in children, both streptococcal and viral can be effectively treated by homeopathy, and chronic swelling of the tonsils and of the adenoids can often be minimised and avoid the need for surgery. In any recurring serious infection, the homeopath focuses not only on the acute problem, but will treat the child with constitutional medicines to resolve the tendency to recurrences.
Other infections treated include boils, impetigo (school sores), worms and parasites, ringworm (a fungal infection), warts, gastro-enteritis, bronchitis, bronchiolitis, fevers and febrile convulsions. All may respond to the homeopathic approach, but please note the caveat in bold above.
Fevers are a normal and natural part of many of these conditions. They represent a healthy reaction of the immune system. They are rarely a problem, even when high. For more on fevers and how to deal with them, see our page on the management of fevers.
Homeopathy and naturopathy also treat chronic problems in kids. These are are those recurring issues that fail to get better by themselves. These include allergies such as hay fever and rhinitis, and as already mentioned, enlarged tonsils and adenoids. Behavioural issues in kids respond well to treatment, including ADD and ADHD and we also treat many cases of autism.
Other problems that are frequently encountered in children and treatable by homeopathy are asthma, nocturnal enuresis (bedwetting), frequent lice infections, susceptibility to and reactions from mosquito bites, nosebleeds, nasal polyps, hernias, inflammation of the appendix, lachrymal stricture and poor appetite.
Purely emotional problems also respond, because homeopathy balances the whole person – mentally, emotionally and physically. Problems with toilet training, fears (phobias) and anxiety, separation anxiety, sleeping problems and sibling jealousy are all treated. Our Perth naturopathic clinic sees many cases of emotional issues and we find their treatment rewarding as kids respond so well and quickly.
The problems of boys, such as foreskin problems like phimosis, undescended testes and acne at puberty are usually treatable. For the problem of girls at puberty, see the page on treatment of women’s problems.