Should Our Child Definitely Do '000'? [Lee Jin-kyung's Health Tips]

'To Do or Not to Do' Confusing Health Habits

[Asia Economy Reporter Jin-kyung Lee]

● Should you scrub your child's skin during bath time?

Some people feel refreshed after scrubbing their skin, but many find it painful due to increased skin sensitivity. Especially children often dislike scrubbing and sometimes run away during bath time. In fact, excessive scrubbing can harm skin health. Using a rough towel to scrub can remove not only old dead skin cells but also normal epithelial cells. These epithelial cells help maintain skin moisture and protect against external irritants. When they are stripped away, the skin becomes more vulnerable to environmental factors, dries out, and can cause itching as well as dry eczema. If you really want to scrub, it is recommended to do so about once a month according to the skin's epidermal regeneration cycle. Soaking the body in warm water for about 30 minutes and then gently scrubbing with a soft cloth in the direction of the skin texture with even pressure is advised.

● Is it necessary to have circumcision done in childhood?

Since children who have not yet completed puberty do not know how their genital size and thickness will change, rushing into surgery may result in insufficient excess skin, potentially missing the opportunity for full genital growth. This can lead to stress or other issues in adulthood, so careful consideration is recommended. For children, maintaining appropriate weight to prevent the penis from retracting due to fat is important, and unless absolutely necessary, surgery should not be rushed before puberty is complete. However, if the glans is not well exposed causing hygiene difficulties or frequent inflammation, surgery may be necessary even at a young age. Therefore, if the child experiences significant discomfort or health problems, it is best to visit a hospital for consultation and carefully decide the timing of surgery.

● Is it okay to pierce a child's ears at a young age?

Sometimes children want to look pretty with earrings and ask to have their ears pierced. The external shape of our ears grows along with the body and is usually fully developed around ages 7 to 8. Medically, it is recommended to pierce ears after age 8 if possible. Children's skin is much more delicate and vulnerable to infection compared to adults, so piercing too early is not recommended. Potential side effects of ear piercing include itching, swelling, and discharge. Additionally, if the skin reacts to metal causing metal allergies or if the child has a tendency to develop keloids (raised scars) at wound sites, piercing should be avoided. If piercing is necessary, it should be done safely and hygienically at a dermatology specialist hospital after consultation with a professional.

● Is it necessary to remove earwax from children?

Forcibly removing earwax with cotton swabs or other tools is not recommended. Earwax protects the ear, and without it, the ear is more susceptible to bacterial infections. Excessive removal can cause injuries to the ear canal or damage the skin inside the ear. Also, earwax can be pushed deeper, sticking to the ear canal walls or eardrum. Usually, earwax naturally falls out during jaw movements such as chewing or talking. Therefore, there is no need to forcibly remove it. However, if earwax is packed tightly causing hearing difficulties, a feeling of fullness, or echoing sounds, it is best to visit a hospital for safe removal.

● Should you wash a child's hair every day?

Many children dislike washing their hair daily, but is it necessary? Not necessarily. Children's scalps produce less oil than adults, so washing every day is not required. Washing is needed after sweating a lot or after going outside on days with heavy fine dust, but otherwise washing every two days is acceptable. Some active children may still have scalp odor even with frequent washing; in such cases, using a shampoo specifically for children helps remove scalp impurities and maintain scalp health. Adult shampoos often contain many chemicals and should be avoided.

● Should you allow a child to rub their eyes habitually?

Some children habitually rub their eyes frequently. Many parents worry that this might damage or worsen their child's eyesight. In fact, frequent eye rubbing transmits pressure to the cornea and conjunctiva inside the eyelids, making them prone to injury. Prolonged irritation can cause structural changes, and bacteria on the hands can enter through wounds, leading to infectious eye diseases. Injuries to the white part of the eye can develop into conjunctivitis, and inflammation of the colored part can lead to keratitis, so caution is necessary. If the eyes feel itchy, dry, or have foreign particles, it is better to apply a cold compress or use preservative-free artificial tears (2-3 drops) rather than rubbing. If discomfort, pain, or itching persists, visiting an ophthalmologist promptly to identify the cause is advisable.

● Should children use dental floss when brushing their teeth?

Since children's teeth are closely spaced, using dental floss is better than interdental brushes used by adults. Using floss does not cause teeth to spread apart. If bleeding occurs after flossing, it may indicate gum inflammation due to food debris, so that area needs more careful care. Flossing is best done before brushing. If daily flossing is difficult, at least flossing with parental help during evening brushing is important to develop the habit. For children under 5, parents should thoroughly brush both front and back surfaces of teeth to prevent cavities. Until early elementary school, children lack wrist strength, so brushing in small circular motions on both left and right sides is recommended. By upper elementary school, children can brush like adults.

● Should you allow a child to pick their nose habitually?

Some children pick their nose and eat boogers, but ignoring or finding this cute is not advisable. Boogers contain dust, allergens, viruses, and bacteria. Frequent ingestion can irritate the stomach, causing gastritis or indigestion, so caution is needed. Habitual nose picking can weaken nasal mucosa, causing frequent nosebleeds and may be associated with emotional instability. It is important to warn and help the child break this habit. Children who frequently touch their nose often have nasal allergies, so visiting a specialist hospital for testing and diagnosis is a good approach.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.