Everything we've written about Seasonal health
Jul 2, 10 | Posted by: David Melbye, M.D.
Is that a Tick?
A couple of weeks ago we were in the Dells on vacation. The day after we got home we were getting ready to go outside and play when I heard my wife yell from the bathroom,”Dave, can you come here quick?!” When I got to the bathroom mywife was standing next to my daughter Kate with a comb in her hand and pointing to the top of her head with a horrified look on her face. I looked at her head expecting to see a gaping wound, but what I did find was a tick attached to her scalp. Three things immediately popped into my head. Is that a tick? How do I get it off? Does she need antibiotics? More »
Jun 30, 10 | Posted by: Kristin Bencik Boudreau, D.O.
Ah, Summer- If only there were no Bugs!
Yeah, the heat is finally on in Milwaukee! Unfortunately, that also means the bugs are out. I just returned from a vacation in Michigan where you couldn’t walk out the door at dusk or dawn without being swarmed by mosquitoes. My kids spent the weekend at the cabin (with the grandparents) and their faces were covered in bites. So, what can you do? Well, common sense things like long sleeve pants and shirts if you are going to be outside at those heavy bug times. Avoid areas with standing water like ponds and pails of water. Insect repellent is highly recommended, not only are those bugs a nuisance, they also can carry diseases like West Nile Virus or get secondarily infected. So, what kind of insect repellent should you use? More »
May 21, 10 | Posted by: David Melbye, M.D.
Hand, Foot and Mouth
We are seeing a lot of kids with “Hand, Foot and Mouth” disease right now. This is a viral illness caused by the Coxsackie virus. The symptoms are fever, painful red mouth blisters on the tongue and back of the throat and blisters on the hands and feet. Kids can get any combination of these symptoms. Some will only get the mouth sores, some will only get the blisters on the hands and feet and some will get both. The lucky ones only get the feet and hand blisters because those are typically only a temporary cosmetic issue and not painful. The mouth sores can be very painful and often times kids will not want to eat or drink. This illness is contagious and often spreads quickly through daycare and school. More »
Apr 16, 10 | Posted by: Sharyl Paley, M.D.
Spring sun
Well, it’s hard to believe but we are actually having a spring in Milwaukee. I am so excited that my kids can take advantage of their spring break and actually play outside. I even bet that Dr. Melbye is happy that he can enjoy opening day- I bet it is the first one that he can remember not having to be all bundled up in order to stay warm.
With this great weather though comes sun. Most of us have not seen this much sun since last September and our skin is not use to it. Even on a day when it is only 50 or 60 the sun is strong- and as we all know our kids want to be outside as much as possible. It is now time to remember to get out the sunscreen. Too bad I forgot this until I saw my son’s pink cheeks. Even though the kids may complain remind them or even put the sunscreen on them. It is best to put it on 30 minutes before going outside, but don’t hold them up. Better to just get it on them. I like investing in new one’s each year to make sure that they are fresh. I prefer to use Bull Frog, but there are many good sunscreens out there. Make sure you look for one of these active ingredients: titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, or parasol 1789 (avobenzone)- these block both uva and uvb rays.
Remember, we can enjoy the sun in Wisconsin, just remember to put on sunscreen and to re-apply, especially if your kids are going to be out most of the day. Also, remember put it on yourself also. Your kids model what you do, and if they don’t see you putting it on, chances are they also will stop.
Mar 10, 10 | Posted by: David Melbye, M.D.
What’s the deal with fevers?
Let me start by saying that babies under the age of 2 months are different than older kids. Any baby under the age of 2 months with a rectal temperature greater than 100.4 degrees should be evaluated urgently in a pediatric emergency department.
Having said that, kids over the age of 2 months are a different story. More »
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