Posts for category: Child Health Care
How your pediatricians in McKinney, Texas can help when your child has an ear infection
Ear infections are a common condition for children and can make your child miserable. Your pediatrician can help your child feel better, and you will feel better too, knowing your child is in good hands. The pediatricians at ABC Pediatrics in McKinney, Texas offer comprehensive pediatric services, including treatment for an ear infection.
Children often develop ear infections because a child’s Eustachian tubes are narrow, and they can plug up easily, causing an ear infection. They can also stay plugged up because they don’t drain as easily.
Ear infections also happen when your child has a virus like a cold or the flu. Bacteria can spread to your child’s ears, causing the infection.
So, how can you tell if your child has an ear infection? There are several signs and symptoms to look out for, including:
- Frequently pulling and tugging on the ear
- Ear pain when your child lies down
- A fever of at least 100 degrees
- Fluid draining from your child’s ear
- Problems hearing and loss of balance
- Headaches and loss of appetite
- Crying and problems falling asleep
If you think your child has an ear infection, there are a few things you can do to get some relief. You can try:
- Giving your child Tylenol for pain
- Placing a warm, moist cloth over your child’s ear
Stubborn, chronic ear infections should be treated by your child’s pediatrician. When you seek out professional treatment for your child, your child can get better faster. Your pediatrician may recommend these treatments for an ear infection:
- Prescription antibiotics to treat the infection
- Placing ear tubes to help drain fluid from your child’s ears
Quick treatment for an ear infection can help your child avoid pain and protect your child’s hearing. To find out more about the treatment of ear infections, and other pediatric services, call the pediatricians of ABC Pediatrics in McKinney, Texas at (972) 569-9904. Call today!

How can I tell that it’s chickenpox?
- Sore throat
- Fever
- Stomach upset
- Headache
- Body aches
- Loss of appetite
How is chickenpox treated?
- Applying calamine lotion
- Making sure that your child is drinking enough water and staying hydrated
- Soaking in a bath with baking soda for 20-30 minutes to reduce inflammation and pain
- Applying cold compresses to the rash
- Taking an over-the-counter antihistamine (talk with your pediatric doctor first before giving your child any medication)
If your child is experiencing the typical symptoms of chickenpox, then chances are good that you won’t have to bring them into the office. The only thing you can do is wait. You should call your pediatrician if:
- Your newborn is showing signs of chickenpox
- Your child’s fever goes away and then comes back
- Your child has a high fever
- Some areas of the rash are getting larger or are painful (signs of infection)
The good news is that children today can be protected against chickenpox with a simple vaccine. The chickenpox vaccine is administered in two doses: the first vaccine is administered when your baby is 12 to 15 months and a second vaccine is administered at 4-6 years old.
If you want to protect your child against the chickenpox, then talk to your pediatrician about getting them vaccinated. Your child has enough to worry about, without chickenpox being one of them.

What causes pinkeye?
In most cases, an infection is to blame. An infectious pink eye is contagious and may result from a sinus infection or ear infection. Some viruses or bacteria can lead to contagious forms of pinkeye; however, in some cases, pinkeye may develop as a result of allergies (e.g. ragweed; grass; dust mites) or being exposed to certain irritants or chemicals.
What happens if my baby has pinkeye?
If your newborn develops pinkeye you must seek pediatric care right away, as this condition can lead to severe complications if left untreated. In most cases, your newborn will be prescribed antibiotics eye drops to help clear the infection.
How do I know that it’s pinkeye?
There are a variety of telltale signs that your little one may be dealing with a nasty bout of pinkeye. If they are old enough to talk then they may tell you that their eyes feel gritty, like there is something in them. You may also notice a thick, gooey discharge. Their eyes may also be sensitive to light. Most pinkeye also causes swelling, itching, and eye pain.
How is pink eye treated in kids?
Apart from newborns, who require immediate medical attention for pinkeye, most kids and teens whose pinkeye is caused by a virus will go away without treatment once the body has fought the virus. However, if a bacterial infection is to blame, then antibiotic eye drops will be needed to treat the bacterial infection.
If your child is dealing with recurring bouts of pinkeye they could be dealing with allergic conjunctivitis, which you should also talk to your pediatrician about. They can prescribe certain allergy medications to your child to help lessen pinkeye flare-ups.
It’s important to find trustworthy pediatric care for your child or teen. Whether you are concerned with pinkeye, ADHD, or celiac disease, a pediatrician will be able to diagnose, manage, and treat a wide range of infections and conditions.

What is a wellness visit?
While you should bring your child into the doctor’s office when they are sick, this isn’t the only time that they should be visiting a pediatrician. Regular wellness visits allow your child’s doctor to continue to monitor their health and development throughout their childhood and teen years. A wellness or well-child visit typically involves:
- Recording your child’s height and weight
- Providing a detailed medical history of your child
- Checking vital signs
- Hearing and vision screenings (depending on the age)
- A full physical examination (painless and non-invasive)
- Additional testing or blood work, if necessary
- Vaccinations, as needed
- Answer any questions that the parent may have about their child’s health and provide information and advice on ways to keep your child healthy
Furthermore, children will need to go through a series of vaccines during the first few years of life. Vaccines are one of the best ways to protect your child from serious and potentially life-threatening diseases such as polio. By keeping up with your child’s wellness and vaccine schedule you ensure that you are providing your child with everything that they need to stay healthy.
Why are wellness visits so important?
As you can probably assume already, these checkups are the best way to prevent health problems from happening in the first place (which we can all agree is so much better than just treating the problem once it comes along). Other benefits of wellness visits include:
- Providing parents with support, peace of mind, and advice regarding everything from sleep schedules and diet to medications and behavioral concerns.
- Catch problems early on, whether physical, mental or behavioral, when they can easily be managed and treated through simpler and less invasive treatment options
- Having a doctor that becomes an important part of your family; someone you can trust and rely on to always be there for your child. After all, knowing that you have a doctor that you can turn to in an emergency is invaluable.

Getting Regular Check-ups
These check-ups are also important for parents, as it gives them a chance to ask questions they may have about their child’s sleeping and eating habits, or other behaviors their child may be displaying. During your child’s regular pediatric checkups, your doctor will check your child’s height, weight, vision, and hearing. These visits begin within the first five days after birth and will continue at:
- 1 month old
- 2 months old
- 4 months old
- 6 months old
- 9 months old
- 12 months old
- 15 months old
- 18 months old
- 24 months old
- 30 months old
- 3 years old
Getting Vaccinated
Looking for a pediatrician? Need to schedule your child’s next check-ups? Our pediatric team is here to address any questions and concerns you may have. From immunizations to sports injuries, we handle it all.