Posts for category: Children's Health
You’ve just received a call from the school: someone in your child’s class has head lice. We know that hearing that your child has or might have head lice can be stressful, but don’t worry. Your pediatrician can help guide you through the best methods for getting rid of pesky head lice once and for all.If you notice head lice in your child there’s no way around it: you have to treat the lice. They will not go away on their own. It might give you the heebie-jeebies but it’s important to find a treatment that will get rid of these little critters quickly. You should also check all members of your family to make sure they don’t have lice too, as this problem can spread quickly.
The good news is that you can often treat lice from the comfort of your own home. While there are certain hair salons that may cater to the treatment of lice, it’s worth it to try and treat the problem yourself. There are a variety of over-the-counter shampoos and rinses that can kill lice and their eggs (also known as nits). You may want to talk with your pediatric doctor about the treatment process, which products to use and whether or not you should reapply the shampoo or rinse days after the first application.
Still seeing lice? This is a literal head scratcher for some parents, but don’t worry. This is when a pediatrician can prescribe a much stronger treatment option such as shampoos containing benzyl alcohol, or lotions containing either ivermectin or malathion (both pesticides), or spinosad (an insecticide).
Since some of these products work differently from others, it is important that you read and follow all instructions. Some products will require more than one application while others will only require one. Again, if you have any questions or concerns about your child’s lice treatment don’t hesitate to talk to your pediatrician.
Treating Your Home After Lice
The good news is that lice need blood in order to survive so they won’t live very long if they don’t have a human host. However, you will want to wash all bedding, towels and clothes that may have lice or nits on them. Make sure to wash them thoroughly in hot water that is higher than 130 degrees F. If you can’t wash these items immediately, promptly bag them until you can clean them properly.
Head lice can be annoying, but turning to a qualified pediatric doctor can help you get the answers you need to tackle this hairy little problem. Call your pediatrician to learn more.
In the past, the most common type of diabetes to affect children and teens was type 1 diabetes. This is also referred to as juvenile diabetes. In children with type 1 diabetes, their bodies do not produce insulin, a hormone responsible for helping deliver glucose into the cells. While type 1 diabetes is quite common in children, pediatricians are also seeing a rise in type 2 diabetes in children and teens. This coincides with an increase in childhood obesity rates.- Frequent urination, particularly at night
- Excessive thirst or hunger
- Weight loss, despite increased appetite
- Cuts, bruises, and wounds that don’t heal or are slow to heal
Unlike type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes symptoms usually appear gradually. While type 2 diabetes has always been considered “adult-onset” diabetes, this has changed over the years, thanks to the obesity epidemic in children. If your child is obese or overweight, they may be at an increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Symptoms of type 2 diabetes are similar to type 1 diabetes, the only marked differences in symptoms are,
- Blurry vision
- Severe fatigue
- Tingling or numbness in the hands and feet
Even though there is no cure for diabetes, there are ways that your child’s pediatrician can help manage their symptoms. The goal of treatment is to control blood sugar levels to prevent complications and lessen symptoms.
School and sports physicals help protect your child's health. In the Marion, VA, area, your pediatricians at Royal Oak Pediatric Associates, Drs. Anita Henley, Leesa Lawrence, and Tara Etter offer the physicals.
When are school and sports physicals needed?
A physical may be needed:
- For enrollment in a school, daycare facility, or camp
- If your child will be playing a school sport
- To ensure that a sports injury has healed
Physicals can catch subtle changes in your child's health that could cause serious issues without treatment. Sports physicals are needed to ensure that your child is healthy enough to play sports.
What happens during a school or sports physical?
During your child's visit to the Marion pediatrics office, your son or daughter will receive an examination that may include:
- Height, weight, temperature, pulse, and blood pressure measurements
- Examination and evaluation of your child's lungs, heart, abdomen, eyes, ears, throat, and nose
- A posture check
- Basic hearing and vision screenings
Your child's pediatrician will also examine his or her joints and assess their flexibility and strength. Since unstable joints can increase your child's risk of injury when playing sports, this part of the examination is particularly important.
She'll also review the medications your son or daughter takes, make sure your child is up-to-date on immunizations, and ask questions about any chronic conditions and diseases, like diabetes, scoliosis, heart murmurs, or asthma.
Chronic conditions won't necessarily prevent your child from playing a sport. As long as the condition is properly managed and precautions are taken, it may be possible for your son or daughter to compete. In some cases, your child may not be approved for participation until treatment for a condition concludes or an injury heals completely.
During the visit, the doctor may also discuss the importance of wearing protective gear and following safe training practices. She can offer advice on healthy eating, the safest ways to maintain a healthy weight, and other issues that may concern young athletes.
Do your children need school and sports physicals? Call your Marion, VA, pediatricians, Drs. Anita Henley, Leesa Lawrence, and Tara Etter at (276) 783-8183to schedule an appointment.
Monitoring your child’s major milestones is key to healthy development. Watching your new person crawl, walk, and talk for the first time can be endearing and exhausting at the same time. The staff at Royal Oak Pediatrics in Marion, VA are happy to assist you with anything you may need to make sure your baby’s development is full and happy.
So what are the major milestones in your newborn’s life? According to the March of Dimes, these include babies making fists, sitting up, walking, and responding to their own names. Newborns should cuddle, feed properly, and learn how to sleep on schedule.
Track your baby’s progress with apps
Many apps are available to help you track your newborn’s milestones, such as:
- Kinedu
- Glow
- Hatch baby
The best part about these apps is that they are all free mobile apps and perfect for catching the milestone that occurred away from home.
Help your little one
To help your infant along with development, hold the child’s hand, and speak clearly and freely around them. Be sure to respond to crying, body functions, or requests that your newborn makes.
How do you know if development is taking longer than it should?
- Your child will not respond to your voice
- Is not interested in the environment, i.e. doesn’t touch or hold objects
- Has difficulty with motor function
If your child shows signs such as these, do not panic. Each child has their own way of learning about the world. Still, if these begin to impair other areas of the child’s life, start a conversation with your pediatrician about helping your child get back on track.
Need assistance with sorting out what to expect from your child’s development? Contact Royal Oak Pediatrics in Marion, VA to schedule an appointment for your child. You may reach us at 276-783-8183.
Accidents happen. Perhaps your child hurt themselves falling off their bike or taking a rough tumble down the stairs. In these instances, the first thing you’ll probably do is check your child over for bumps, bruises, and possibly broken bones. It’s important to recognize whether your child could be dealing with a broken bone so that you can bring them in to see their pediatrician right away.- Pain
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Tenderness
- A popping or snapping sound at the moment of impact or injury
- Trouble straightening out the limb or affected area
- Unable to put weight on the area
- Limited range of motion or unable to move normally
First, your pediatrician will run X-rays to determine the location and severity of the break. Your doctor will place a splint or cast around the broken bone to provide support and stabilization and to restrict certain movements that could impede healing.