Summer Day Fun

Summer Day Fun

The days are getting hotter and the kids are out of school.

You need a good way to keep everyone cool.

What can you do but head to the pool?

Days at the pool or lake or ocean are often the way we spend our summers and children adore the water and the sunny days. However, summer can also be the setting for disaster from water and sun if you do not take precautions.  I will highlight a different potential summer danger once a week during June.

Danger #1:

Sun burns—the skin of babies and young children is much more delicate than that of an adult and needs to be protected.  A few bad sunburns at a young age can increase the risk for skin cancer later in life.  Help protect your children when out at the pool, or even when at the park or in the backyard if planning to be out for a long time. To avoid skin damage in your child, follow these simple rules

  • A baby less than 6 months should not be in direct sunlight.
    • Keep the baby in a shaded area such as under an umbrella, canopy or tree.
    • Dress your baby in lightweight clothing that will cover his/her body; meaning pants, long-sleeved shirts and hats that cover the ears. Cotton clothes are usually the best.
    • Hats should give some protection to your baby’s eyes, but you may also want to use child-sized sunglasses with UV protection
    • For older babies and toddlers, you may use sunscreen
      • Chose a sunscreen made for children
      • Chose a sunscreen that says “Broad-spectrum”, meaning it protects against UVB and UVA rays
      • Sunscreen greater than SPF 20 is adequate
      • Try the sunscreen on a small area of body first to make sure no allergies to cream exist
      • Apply all over, avoiding eyelids and palms of hands. Do not forget earlobes, backs of knees and bottoms of feet
      • Reapply frequently, especially if child is in and out of the water.

 

May Allergies

Hi, I am Doctor Days!  Do you remember the grade school joke “If April showers bring May flowers, what do May flowers bring? “

The answer to the joke is “Pilgrims.”  However, in reality, May flowers bring allergies!  This May we are seeing a lot of people suffering from the symptoms of allergies.  In children, allergies may be present with a variety of manifestations, including:

  • runny nose
  • red, watery eyes
  • sneezing
  • chronic dry cough
  • worsening of asthma
  • frequent clearing of throat or “clucking” of tongue
  • dry skin patches and frequent scratching

Allergies are treatable in a variety of ways depending on the type and severity of symptoms.  Some examples of treatments for allergies are:

  • nasal sprays
  • topical creams
  • oral antihistamines
  • removal or avoidance of specific allergens determined by allergy  testing

 

If you enjoy being outside at this time of year, but your children are suffering, please stop in to see us at Healthy Days Pediatrics.  We will discuss your child’s current symptoms and create a treatment plan for him or her.

Remember, Start Healthy, Stay Healthy!!