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Archive for the ‘Safety Guidelines’ Category

DON’T BURN BABY BURN: PREVENTING SUNBURNS IN YOUR KIDS

Friday, May 11th, 2012

Summer is such a great time to spend outside at the pool or beach, at a baseball game, on a picnic or at a playground but we never want play days to be spoiled by painful sunburns. It’s important to protect our children’s skin to avoid sunburns which damage their skin with ultraviolet light. This damaged skin can lead to wrinkles and cancer later on. Actually, one severe sunburn can potentially double your child’s risk of melanoma when they are older.
  
 Here are some simple tips to keep your kids safe in the sun this summer:

1. Once your kids are older than 6 months of age, always put sunscreen on them 15-30 minutes before going outside and reapply at least every 2 hours. If your children have been swimming then reapply sunscreen more frequently. Remember that water-resistant sunscreen wears off in the water.

2. Remember to cover with suncreen the easy to forget areas with the pnumonic “BEENS”: Back of knees, Ears, Eye area, Neck and Scalp.

3. Use sunscreen with Sun Protective Factor (SPF) of 30 or higher and a sunscreen which protects from both UVA and UVB light (a “broad spectrum” sunscreen). Parents who want to use the safest products on the market should use sunscreens that contain zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. These compounds are not absorbed by the skin and are less irritating than PABA or oxybenzone or retinyl palmitate containing sunscreens.

4. My children called sunscreen “SUN SCREAM” because of the less than enjoyable application process. Put some fun in the whole experience by letting older children help you to choose a scented or colored sunscreen. Avoid these fancy sunscreens if your children have sensitive skin or an allergic skin condition like eczema.

5. Wear clothing to protect exposed skin, especially with fair skinned children. Dark-colored, loose-fitting long pants and long-sleeved shirts made from tightly woven fabric offers the best UV protection from the sun. T-shirts generally have SPF ratings below 15. If you are able to see through a T-shirt then the sun can shine through that shirt and burn a child.

6. Wear a hat with a wide brim that will shade a child’s face, ears, head and back of the neck from the sun. Avoid straw hats with holes that can let sunlight through to the skin. Hats should be made of a tightly woven fabric like canvas that will protect skin from UV rays. When wearing a hat any exposed skin must be covered with appropriate suncreen.

7. Wear sunglasses which wrap around the eyes and which block close to 100% of the UVA and UVB rays. This will protect the skin around the eyes, prevent the cornea from burning and will reduce the risk of cataracts later in life.

8. Love the shade, not the sun whenever you can. If you are in the shade still protect your children with appropriate clothing and sunscreen because reflected sunlight off of concrete, hard surfaces, sand or water can still produce sunburn.

9. Any child with a bad sunburn that makes him look ill, produces fever or blisters (a sign of a 2nd degree burn) should be seen in our office. If your child develops a sunburn but remains playful and active and does not have blisters then there are several things you can do to treat the sunburn:

  • Place a cool compress over the sunburn.
  • Apply an aloe gel over the sunburned skin. If you can, place the aloe container in a refrigerator for a few minutes. A gel which is cooled will be more soothing to the skin.
  • Give ibuprofen or acetaminophen to help control pain and treat any fever or chills that may follow the sunburn.
  • Encourage your child to drink plenty of fluids to help replace fluid losses that accompany sunburns.

Avoid over-the-counter topical pain relievers (anesthetics) that contain benzocaine. These may actually increase the pain and some individuals may be sensitive or allergic to the benzocaine.

Take these precautions and enjoy your time in the sun this summer with your family.

David Roos, M.D.

5/11/12  

 

Infants’ Tylenol recalled over bottle design problems. Read about the precautions for the new infant tylenol dosing schedule.

Tuesday, February 21st, 2012

Infants’ Tylenol recalled over bottle design problems
Johnson & Johnson on Friday recalled an estimated 547,000 bottles of infants’ Tylenol following complaints from parents about its new bottle cap and dose syringe. The company’s McNeil Consumer Healthcare division said that the drug was safe and that there were no reports of adverse effects. The Wall Street Journal (2/17),ABC News/The Associated Press (2/17)

Acetaminophen is one of the most common drugs given to kids and one of the hardest to give correctly, because it’s sold in many forms. This chart can help you choose the right dose for your child, from birth to 96-plus pounds.

View and print this acetaminophen dosage chart.

Take note! As of July 2011, infant concentrated drops are being phased out in the United States and replaced with less-concentrated form of the medicine. The concentrated drops are still safe to use as long as the dose is correct. They are three times as concentrated as the new infant medicine, so use caution: Know your child’s weight and follow the dosage chart.

Find out how to tell the difference between the old and new infant acetaminophen.

Whether you’re giving your child the old infant drops, the new infant liquid, children’s liquid, or another form of acetaminophen, bear in mind these important points:

  • Don’t give acetaminophen to a baby under 3 months without the approval of one of our doctors’, nurse practitioner’s or physician assistant’s approval.
  • The proper dose for your child is based on weight, not age.
  • Always use the measuring device that comes with the medicine — not a spoon from the kitchen.
  • Never give acetaminophen to a child who’s taking other medicines unless directed by a doctor. The other medicine may also contain acetaminophen, creating a dangerous overdose.
  • Don’t confuse concentrated infant drops with infant liquid (called infant drops by some manufacturers, but not labeled “concentrated”) or children’s liquid. Concentrated infant drops are three times stronger than the infant liquid so the dose must be smaller.
    Hint: Drops come with a dropper; infant liquid (or non-concentrated “drops”) comes with a syringe; children’s liquid comes with a cup.
  • Don’t exceed five doses in 24 hours.
  • Call our office if you have any questions about Tylenol dosing.

David B. Roos, M.D.

 

Halloween Safety Tips

Monday, October 31st, 2011

Halloween is an exciting time of year for kids. Here are some tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) to help ensure they have a safe holiday.

All Dressed Up:

• Plan costumes that are bright and reflective. Make sure that shoes fit well and that costumes are short enough to prevent tripping, entanglement or contact with flame. • Consider adding reflective tape or striping to costumes and Trick-or-Treat bags for greater visibility.

• Because masks can limit or block eyesight, consider non-toxic makeup and decorative hats as safer alternatives. Hats should fit properly to prevent them from sliding over eyes. • When shopping for costumes, wigs and accessories look for and purchase those with a label clearly indicating they are flame resistant.

• If a sword, cane, or stick is a part of your child’s costume, make sure it is not sharp or too long. A child may be easily hurt by these accessories if he stumbles or trips.

• Obtain flashlights with fresh batteries for all children and their escorts.

• Do not use decorative contact lenses without an eye examination and a prescription from an eye care professional. While the packaging on decorative lenses will often make claims such as “one size fits all,” or “no need to see an eye specialist,” obtaining decorative contact lenses without a prescription is both dangerous and illegal. This can cause pain, inflammation, and serious eye disorders and infections, which may lead to permanent vision loss.

• Teach children how to call 9-1-1 (or their local emergency number) if they have an emergency or become lost.

 

Liquid OTC (Over The Counter) Acetaminophen (Tylenol) Formulations Become Standardized by 2012

Monday, August 1st, 2011

Liquid OTC (Over The Counter) Acetaminophen (Tylenol) Formulations Become Standardized by 2012

Acetaminophen has become the most widely used medication for pain relief and fever control. There are currently 2 different preparations of acetaminophen liquid formulations (80 mg per 0.8 ml, 160 mg per 5 ml). Acetaminophen can also be found in multi-symptom formulations as well. Additionally, there are many different “store-brand” formulations of “fever-reducer” and “pain-reliever” products that contain acetaminophen.

Due to the different concentrations of acetaminophen and the many different products available that contain acetaminophen, there is an increased risk of accidental overdose of this product. In order to decrease the likelihood of accidental overdose, the manufacturer’s of acetaminophen will no longer make the concentrated infant formulation. The only liquid formulation that will be available is 160 mg per 5 ml. (1 tsp.). This formulation will be available for all infants and children less than 12 years of age. An infant that weighs around 7 pounds will get a dose of 1/4 tsp. and a child that weighs around 22 pounds will get a dose of 1 tsp. (5 ml.).

Please contact our office if you have any questions regarding dosing medications for your children. It is important to be familiar with the medication you are planning to use, the dosage strength of the medication and using the correct measuring device when administering the medication to your infant or child.

 

Summer Bug Safety And Insect Repellents

Monday, July 25th, 2011

Summer Bug Safety And Insect Repellents
Insect bites can be a summertime nuisance but can also spread illnesses like Colorado tick fever (ticks), West Nile virus (mosquito), Lyme disease (deer tick), encephalitis (mosquito), plague (fleas), and Rocky Mountain Spotted fever (tick). These diseases may have symptoms like rashes, fever, severe headaches, and joint complaints.
Prevention is the first priority for insect safety. Don’t use scented soaps, hair sprays or perfumes that might attract insects on your children.
Avoid areas that might have higher concentrations of insects like stagnant pools of water, uncovered foods, tall fields of grass, and gardens where flowers are blooming. Avoid dressing your child in clothing with bright colors or flowery prints that might attract insects.
If you plan to be in an area that may have insects then an appropriate insect repellent is suggested. We don’t recommend combination sunscreen/insect repellent products because sunscreen needs to be reapplied every 2 hours but insect repellent should not be reapplied. To prevent or reduce insect bites use insect repellents containing DEET such as “Off” or “Cutter”. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the CDC recommend the use of 10-30% DEET products in children over the age of 2 months. DEET products should not be used in infants younger than 2 months of age. Products containing 10 to 30% DEET are equally effective but the duration of protection is different. The duration of protection is approximately 2 hours for 10% DEET and 5 hours for 30% DEET. Parents should choose the lowest concentration of Deet that will provide the needed length of protection. Read the DEET product label to determine the concentration of that particular product because there is wide variation in the different products. Children should always wash the repellents off when they return indoors. Parents who want to protect an infant less than 2 months of age from mosquitoes or other flying insects can cover their infant with a fine mesh mosquito net. Plan ahead and keep your children safe from summer bugs.
David Roos, M.D.

 

Health Alert

Tuesday, June 7th, 2011

Health Alert

The FDA is advising parents, caregivers, and health care providers not to feed Simply Thick to infants born before 37 weeks gestation. Simply Thick is a thickening agent used to help in the management of swallowing disorders.  There have been 15 reports of signicant health issues, including 2 deaths, involving premature infants who were fed Simply Thick for varying amounts of time. The FDA is actively investigating the link between Simply Thick and these illnesses and deaths. Parents and caregivers who have questions or concerns related to this product should contact our office.

 

Parent Tips

Thursday, May 19th, 2011

Parent Tips: General Do’s and Don’ts for you child

  1. Don’t threaten your child with taking them to the doctor if they don’t behave. This can cause you child to develop a fear of coming to the pediatrician. If you don’t follow through when you say something like this your child, he or she may not trust what you say in the future.
  2. Don’t promise your child the will not be getting a shot when they come to our office. Your child may be missing a vaccine you are unaware of or may need to receive medication via injection. Please don’t say “here comes the mean nurse”. Our nurses are here to make sure your child is healthy and grows into a healthy adult. We have an excellent nursing staff that do their best to make your child’s visit, with or without shots, as painless and quick as possible.
  3. Never leave your infant or toddler in the house alone, not even for a few minutes. A lot of things can happen in a short amount of time.
  4. Don’t allow your child to wander at night. They may wander around the house (or even outside) and get hurt.
  5. We recommend that guns either not be kept in the home or be kept unloaded and locked in a safe to which your child does not have any access.
  6. When cleaning a baby girl be sure to wipe from front to back. Fecal material can get into to vaginal and/or urinary opening and cause an infection.
  7. Do not give babies under the age of 12 months honey. Honey can contain botulism spores which your child cannot digest or neutralize.
  8. Don’t use bubble baths when bathing a girl. Bubble bath is a known irritant of the vagina and urinary opening in little girls and may lead to bladder or kidney infections.
  9. It may be a good idea to leave your baby with a competent babysitter every so often so that your child will become used to being away from mom and/or dad in case you have to leave them at some point.

    10.  

 

 

 

Car Seat Safety

Tuesday, April 19th, 2011

Each year thousands of infants and children are involved in car accidents, in many cases, causing significant injuries or deaths. Proper use of car safety seats helps to keep children safe. The Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) have new recommendations regarding car seat use for children this year. The AAP now recommends that all infants and toddlers should remain rear-facing until they are 2 years old OR until they reach the highest weight or height allowed by their car seat’s manufacturer. There are 3 types of rear-facing car seats: infant-only seats, convertible seats, and 3-in-1 seats. When children reach the highest weight or length allowed by the manufacturer of their infant-only seat, they should continue to ride rear-facing in a convertible seat or a 3-in-1 seat. All children 2 years or older, or those younger than 2 years old who have outgrown the rear-facing limits for their car seat, should use a forward-facing car seat with a harness for as long as possible-up to the highest limits allowed by the car seat manufacturer.

All children whose weight or height is above the forward-facing limit for their car seat, should use a belt-positioning booster seat until the vehicle seat belt fits properly; This is typically when the child reaches 4 ft. 9 in. (55in.) and is between 8 and 12 years old. When children are old enough and large enough to use the vehicle seat belt alone, they should always use the lap and shoulder seat belt for optimal protection. SEAT BELTS ARE MADE FOR ADULTS. A seat belt fits correctly when: 1. The shoulder belt lies across the middle of the chest and shoulder; It should not go across the neck or throat. 2. The lap belt is low and snug across the upper thighs; It should not go across the abdomen. 3. Your child should be tall enough to sit against the vehicle’s seat back with their knees bent without slouching and can stay in this position comfortably throughout the car ride.

A word about air bags…. All new cars come with air bags. When used with seat belts, air bags work well to protect teens and adults. However, airbags can be very dangerous to infants and young children, especially those children riding in rear-facing car seats, and to preschool and school age children who are not properly restrained. If your vehicle has a front passenger air bag, infants in rear-facing car seats must ride in the back seat. ***All children under the age of 13 should be securely restrained in the back seat for optimal protection.

 

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