Water, water everywhere!

While there are no specific guidelines on the amount of water recommended for children, it is a good rule to drink throughout the day, not just when thirsty. Teach children to reach for water before soda or juice, and remember that they will need more water when it’s hot outside and when they’re engaged in physical activites, including swimming. They can become dehydrated quickly when hot and playing in the sun. If kiddos are outside during the heat of the day (i.e., between 10 AM and 7 PM), have plenty of water available, and make sure they take frequent breaks in the shade or the cool of the house. Remember – infants under 6 months of age do not need water, as they are getting all of their hydration from breast milk or formula, and they should not be outside for long periods of time during heat waves.

Sun, sun, sun... here it comes!

In planning your summer activities, don’t forget sun protection! This includes hats, sunglasses, protective clothing, and sunscreen. The sun’s energy is composed of ultraviolet light A (UVA) and ultraviolet light B (UVB). When ultraviolet light enters the skin, it causes visible and invisible damage. Sunburn, tan, and freckles are signs of immediate injury from the sun. In fact, it is estimated that 80% of lifetime sun exposure occurs before the age of 18. Here are some sun-safety tips for protecting your family:

If your child should sustain a sunburn, there are no proven remedies to reverse damage or speed healing. Symptomatic relief can include moisturizing lotions, cold compresses, ibuprofen or acetaminophen in proper doses for your child’s weight, cool baths, and loose, cool clothing. Oral antihistamines can help with the itching that typically accompanies healing. Your child should not be exposed to the sun again until the sunburn has healed. If your child has large areas of sunburn, or blistering to the skin, they should be evaluated in the office.

Mosquitos and ticks and fleas, oh my!

Insect repellant comes in many different effective forms, including aerosol sprays, liquids, creams, and sticks. DEET is the best defense against biting insects and lasts from three to eight hours, depending upon the strength present in your product, which can vary from ten to thirty percent. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that insect repellant applied to children contain no more than 30% of DEET. Some helpful hints:

Creepy Crawlies

After a day outside, inspect your child’s skin carefully (bath time is the perfect time to do this) for evidence of ticks.

The proper way to remove a tick is to use a set of fine tweezers and grip the tick as close to the skin as is possible. Do not use a smoldering match or cigarette, nail polish, petroleum jelly (e.g., Vaseline), liquid soap, or kerosene because they may irritate the tick and cause it to behave like a syringe, injecting bodily fluids into the wound.

The proper way to remove a tick is to use a set of fine tweezers and grip the tick as close to the skin as is possible. Do not use a smoldering match or cigarette, nail polish, petroleum jelly (e.g., Vaseline), liquid soap, or kerosene because they may irritate the tick and cause it to behave like a syringe, injecting bodily fluids into the wound.

The proper technique for tick removal includes the following:

If the tick is NOT attached to your child’s skin (i.e., walking on it), then it cannot cause disease. After removing a tick from your child, it is helpful to keep the tick (i.e., in a plastic bag) and note, if possible, how long it was attached and if it was engorged at the time of removal. Any child with a history of tick bite exposure and subsequent rash should be evaluated in the office promptly.