Allergies
Spring is here, and the pollen count is rising! Are your children sniffing, sneezing, and rubbing their eyes? Click on the image for information to help you handle what can be a minor irritation for some, but a major medical issue for others.
Visit the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Website for additional treatment strategies.
Click on the flower to check daily pollen levels in Rochester.
Bike Helmet Safety
It is also time to do a safety check on bikes and helmets. Here is a quick guide. It is a great time to think about signing up for swim lessons too. Summer is on its way!
Sunscreen Basics
- SPF 30 is the best. If >30, just unnecessary chemical.
- Needs to be waterproof. Which means it works 80 mins in the water.
- Must be broad spectrum. (UVA/UVB) protection.
- Combines both physical and chemical sun blockers.
- Do not rub it in, that is simply rubbing it off!
- Reapply every 2 hours.
- AVOID MIDDAY SUN (10AM-4PM).
- Clothing is good sunscreen also.
- No perfumes.
- Okay for babies less than 6 months old.
Tanning booth exposure of one time per month increases risk of melanoma by 50%!
If you are concerned about a mole or skin growth, check out the ABCDE of skin cancer detection. If you are worried, call for an appointment.
Insect Bite Basics
Prevention is your best bet. To reduce mosquito bites, limit time outdoors at sunrise and dusk. Avoid marshes, lagoons, and chronically wet locations if possible. If you are going outside, properly apply insect repellent as noted below. Bees and Yellow Jackets like sweet things, so don't leave open pop cans outside. They may fly in! Honeybees like colorful flowers, but they can't see red ones. Just leave bees alone, and they will leave you alone.
How to apply insect repellent
- Do not use on infants less than 2 months of age.
- Don't apply more frequently or leave it on skin for longer than the package directions specify.
- Avoid using DEET around food, in small enclosed spaces, or on open sores.
- Avoid putting it around the eyes, mouth, and hands of children.
- The maximum concentration to use is 30%. Any higher does not produce greater effectiveness.
- Do not use sunscreen and insect repellent combination products. Sunscreen needs to be reapplied more often then bug spray. When layering the products, first apply sunscreen, then insect repellent. Keep in mind, that the two may not work as well when used together.
- Spray the bug spray on clothing whenever possible. Only apply directly on skin when necessary. Encourage children to wear long pants and shirts if possible.
When your Child is Bit or Stung
For mosquito bites, keep the area clean and your child's nails short. You can use calamine lotion often to reduce itching. Call us if the itching is worrisome, and we may recommend other creams or oral antihistamine medications. The swelling from bites will often be worse the second or third day.
For bee, yellow jacket or wasp stings, be sure the stinger is out. Use a flat edge like a credit card, a blunt knife or even your nail to brush the stinger out. Do not use tweezers, because this may squeeze the stinger and express venom into the site. Apply a cold compress. A paste of cold water and meat tenderizer or baking soda can also be helpful. Call 911 if your child is developing shortness or breath, dizziness, or is "clammy". Call us if your child received several stings or has hives on another part of their body away from the original sting. The area will be more swollen on the second and third days. If you worry it may be infected, please call for an appointment. Please refer to the AAP web site for more in depth information.
For bee, yellow jacket or wasp stings, be sure the stinger is out. Use a flat edge like a credit card, a blunt knife or even your nail to brush the stinger out. Do not use tweezers, because this may squeeze the stinger and express venom into the site. Apply a cold compress. A paste of cold water and meat tenderizer or baking soda can also be helpful. Call 911 if your child is developing shortness or breath, dizziness, or is "clammy". Call us if your child received several stings or has hives on another part of their body away from the original sting. The area will be more swollen on the second and third days. If you worry it may be infected, please call for an appointment. Please refer to the AAP web site for more in depth information.