My six-year-old son has dust allergy and suffers symptoms such as red eyes, sneezing and runny nose. Please advise.
— Himani Sharma, Mumbai
He may be suffering atopy wherein one displays allergic symptoms pertaining to different body systems. In his case, it could be allergic rhinitis and conjunctivitis. Avoid dust exposure or known allergy triggers. Also use of an antihistaminic prescribed by a pediatrician will reduce severity of symptoms. If symptoms worsen, do an allergy test.
Chicken pox is a common summer disease. I have two children aged three and seven years. What precautions should I take to keep them safe?
— Vimala Sahayaraj, Chennai
Chicken pox and other viral diseases spread through fomites and respiratory droplets. So, ensure your children follow good respiratory, cough and hand hygiene. Encourage them to wash hands regularly and wear a mask. Also, getting your child vaccinated against chicken pox is the best prevention.
My five-year-old is struggling to speak fluently. Initially we thought he would outgrow it but now we are worried whether he has a speech defect. Physically, there seems to be no visible problem. Please advise.
— Mythili Vinayak, Bangalore
Usually by age five, children speak clearly with good vocabulary proper sentence formation and. If your child doesn’t do that well, he could be suffering speech articulation disorders. Or it could be the symptom of an underlying developmental disorder. Immediately consult a paediatrician to advise you on the next course of action. Don’t delay, because early intervention is critical for better prognosis and treatment.
My ten-year-old daughter has very dry skin. It worsens when exposed to sunlight. Please suggest a remedy?
— Sheela D’Souza, Mangalore
She may have an inherent dry skin. Usually dry skin condition worsens when exposed to sunlight, dry weather etc. It could also be due to photosensitivity. I recommend liberal use of a non-cosmetic moisturiser followed by sunscreen before stepping out in sunlight. Also eEnsure she is adequately hydrated. If symptoms persist, then 
(Dr. Yogesh Kumar Gupta is a pediatrician and neonatologist, Fortis Hospital, Bangalore)