Posts for: February, 2021
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.
We all know how accident-prone kids can be. They get bruises, bumps, cuts, and scrapes from time and time. Most of the time, these boo-boos are nothing to worry about, but sometimes a cut or laceration may require turning to your pediatrician for stitches. Does your child need stitches? We know it isn’t always easy to tell. Here are some telltale signs that your child might need stitches,- Apply pressure to the cut for five minutes. If it’s still bleeding after five minutes, it probably needs stitches
- The cut is more than ½-inch deep or longer
- The cut is around their eye
- The cut is on their face or neck and is longer than ¼ inch
- The cut is gaping open
- There is an object sticking out of it, including debris or glass
- The cut is spurting blood
When should I call the pediatrician?
If in doubt about whether or not your child may need stitches, call your pediatrician. With the introduction of telehealth visits, many pediatricians can now look at images of the injury or wound through a simple online appointment and determine whether the child or teen needs to come in for stitches. While the warning signs above are telltale indicators that your child may need stitches, even if the cut doesn’t need stitches, you should still see the doctor if:
- The cut was made by a rusty or metal object
- There is redness, swelling, pus, or other signs of infection
- The child has been bitten by an animal
- The cut hasn’t healed within 10 days
- There is still severe pain after a few hours
If you still aren’t sure whether or not your child should get stitches, it doesn’t hurt to give your pediatrician a call. Let us know the symptoms your child is experiencing, and we can determine if their injury requires a closer look from our team. Call us today; we can deal with your child’s urgent medical matters.
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.
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, likewise known as ADHD, is a condition marked by specific differences in brain activity and development that negatively impact a child’s self-control, attention, and focus. It could affect children at home, school, and in relationships. If you suspect that your child might have ADHD, consult your pediatrician at ABC Pediatrics in McKinney, TX.
It’s very common for all children to sometimes struggle with sitting still, paying attention, waiting for their turn, or following and listening to instructions. Children with ADHD, however, struggle harder, and usually, all the time.
How Do I Know If My Child Has ADHD?
Children with ADHD typically display signs from at least one, two, or all these categories:
- Hyperactive children are usually easily bored, restless, and fidgety. They might have difficulty staying quiet and sitting still. They might likewise rush through activities, resulting in careless mishaps. Additionally, they might roughhouse, jump around, or climb when they should not. Put simply, they might act in a disruptive manner.
- These are kids who get distracted easily, are inattentive, and have difficulty concentrating, staying on task, and focusing their attention. They might have trouble listening well to instructions, finishing things that they’ve started, and miss crucial details. Likewise, they might appear forgetful or absent-minded, dawdle or daydream too much, and easily lose track of things.
- These are kids who act too quickly before they think and do things. They might have trouble waiting for their turn, grab or push, and interrupt. They might also be too emotional in situations that don’t seem intense to others. Sometimes, they might engage in risky behaviors such as taking stuff that is not theirs and/or without permission.
How Do I Help My Child?
Keep in mind that self-control and focus are not things that you’re born with, as kids usually develop these traits, as they grow older. However, some children might not get better at waiting, listening, focusing, controlling their impulses, or paying attention. When this happens, it will eventually cause issues at home, school, and with relationships.
It might also mean that your child has ADHD and that you should consult with your pediatrician in McKinney, TX, as soon as possible. This way, you can start exploring the most appropriate supports and interventions for your child’s needs. Untreated ADHD could make navigating the world more difficult for your child. In turn, this could result in poor self-esteem, depression, anxiety, defiant and oppositional behavior, relationship conflicts, failure at school, and risky behaviors.
Most importantly, remember that your child will have ADHD for the rest of their life. Contrary to popular belief, you can’t outgrow ADHD—children with ADHD grow up to be adults with ADHD. But with the proper supports and accommodations in place, your child will learn to manage the negative effects and optimize the positive aspects of ADHD and go on to live a happy life, even with ADHD.
For Any Questions and Advice on ADHD, We Can Help
Set an appointment here at ABC Pediatrics in McKinney, TX, by calling (972) 569-9904.