Peninsula Pediatrics

Category: Allergies & Reactions

Spring Safety for Children

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Spring brings longer days, warmer weather, and more time outdoors for kids. While the season is great for outside play, it also comes with a few safety considerations parents should keep in mind. Seasonal allergies, bike safety, sun exposure, and insect protection are all worth thinking about as children spend more time outside.

Quick answer: To keep kids safe outdoors this spring, watch for seasonal allergies, make sure bike helmets fit properly, apply SPF 15 or higher sunscreen and use shade during peak hours, and prevent insect bites with an EPA-registered repellent. Here is what Peninsula Pediatrics wants Rockaway families to know.

What spring allergies affect children?

Many kids experience seasonal allergies, especially in spring when trees, grasses, and other plants release pollen into the air. Allergies happen when the immune system reacts to substances called allergens, even though they are usually harmless. Common symptoms in children include a stuffy or runny nose, sneezing, sniffling, itchy and watery eyes, and throat clearing. These can resemble a cold, but allergies often last longer and may show up around the same time each year.

It is not always easy to avoid pollen entirely outdoors, but you can reduce allergens entering the home. Keeping windows closed and using air conditioning helps limit indoor pollen. Showering and changing clothes after outdoor play reduces the pollen brought inside. If symptoms become persistent or interfere with daily activities, talk with your pediatrician about treatment options, which may include an antihistamine, decongestant, or nasal sprays.

How should a bike helmet fit my child?

Spring is a popular time for children to start riding bikes again after winter. Bike riding is great exercise, but safety should always come first. One of the most important ways to prevent serious injuries is a properly fitted helmet. Studies show that wearing a helmet can reduce the risk of head injury by about 85 percent and facial injury by about 65 percent during bicycle crashes.

Make sure your child’s helmet fits snugly, sits level on the head, covers the forehead, has a secure chin strap, and meets U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission standards. The helmet should not move around or slide down over the eyes when your child moves their head. Children should wear helmets every time they ride a bike or scooter, go rollerblading, or do similar activities. Wearing helmets as adults models the habit for kids.

How can I protect my child from the sun?

No matter the season, kids should wear sunscreen during the day, even when it is cloudy. Spring and summer mean more time outside, so sun protection matters. Use sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher on exposed skin and apply it about 15 to 30 minutes before going outside. Reapply every two hours, or after swimming or sweating.

Other ways to protect kids include keeping them in the shade when possible, especially during peak sun hours between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., and dressing them in protective clothing such as light, long-sleeved, tightly woven fabrics and wide-brimmed hats. Sunglasses help protect their eyes. Babies younger than six months should be kept out of direct sunlight whenever possible and protected with shade and clothing.

How do I prevent insect bites and stings?

Springtime also brings insects such as mosquitoes, bees, and wasps. While most bites cause only mild irritation, they can be uncomfortable and occasionally lead to allergic reactions. You can help by checking play areas for insect nests, especially near tree stumps, trash cans, or holes in the ground, encouraging kids to wear shoes outdoors instead of going barefoot, and using insect repellent.

Use only insect repellents registered with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). These contain ingredients such as DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or another EPA-registered active ingredient. Always read the label and follow all directions and precautions when applying.

Frequently asked questions about spring safety for kids

How can I tell if my child has seasonal allergies or a cold?

Allergy symptoms like a stuffy or runny nose, sneezing, and itchy, watery eyes often last longer than a cold and tend to return around the same time each year. If symptoms persist or interfere with daily activities, talk with your pediatrician.

How should a bike helmet fit a child?

It should sit level, cover the forehead, fit snugly with a secure chin strap, meet U.S. CPSC standards, and not slide over the eyes when your child moves their head. Helmets should be worn for biking, scooters, and rollerblading.

What SPF sunscreen should children use?

Use sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher on exposed skin, apply it 15 to 30 minutes before going outside, and reapply every two hours or after swimming or sweating. Babies under six months should be kept out of direct sunlight.

Which insect repellents are safe for kids?

Use EPA-registered repellents containing ingredients such as DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus, and always follow the label directions.

If you have any questions about allergies, sun protection, or other spring safety concerns, please call our office. Peninsula Pediatrics proudly cares for families across the Rockaways, including Rockaway Park, Belle Harbor, Neponsit, Rockaway Beach, Arverne, and Far Rockaway.

Fall Allergies vs. Early Colds: How to Tell the Difference

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It’s that time when it’s common to hear sniffles and coughs across the neighborhood! The fall season brings both viruses and allergies, and distinguishing between the two can feel tricky. But knowing the difference can help you take care of your child and ease their discomfort. In this blog, we share how to spot the differences between allergies and a cold.

Colds are viral infections that children often pick up at school or just about anywhere! With a typical cold, your child may experience a stuffy or runny nose, cough, sore throat, possibly a fever, and aches. These symptoms often begin gradually, peak within a few days, and then improve over one to two weeks. The mucus may become thick or yellowish as the body fights the virus. In contrast, allergies are the body’s response to an environmental trigger, like pollen from trees, grass, weeds, mold spores, or indoor irritants such as pet dander and dust mites. Unlike colds, allergy symptoms often start suddenly, linger for several weeks (or as long as exposure continues), do not typically include a fever, and are less likely to cause body aches. Children with allergies might have a clear, watery nasal discharge, frequent sneezing (sometimes in rapid bursts), itchy or watery eyes, itchy nose or throat, and sometimes a dry cough from post-nasal drip.

One of the most helpful clues to determining whether your child has allergies or the cold is how long the symptoms last and how they progress. A viral cold is usually short-lived. The symptoms begin, worsen a bit, and then improve in about 5 to 14 days. Allergies, on the other hand, often stay longer, commonly three weeks or more, if the child remains exposed to the allergen. If your child’s nose has been stuffy for weeks and they’re still playful, eating well, and comfortable otherwise, they likely have allergies.

Knowing whether your child has a cold or allergies matters for home care and whether your child can safely go to school or daycare. A cold is contagious, so children need to stay home until they’re fever-free (24 hours without fever-reducing medicine) and feeling up to being around others. Allergies, however, are not contagious. Recognizing allergy symptoms early means you can start routines for cleaning the air at home, steps to avoid allergens, and possibly medications recommended by the pediatrician.

For colds, the focus is on keeping your child comfortable, which means making sure they get good rest and plenty of fluids. It’s also important to manage their fever or aches if present. Antibiotics aren’t needed unless an ear or another bacterial infection develops. For allergies, you can help reduce triggers by keeping windows closed during high-pollen periods, using an air filter, teaching your child to wash their hands and face when returning indoors, and discussing with your pediatrician whether an antihistamine or nasal spray should be used. If symptoms persist or interfere with sleep or daily life, a referral to an allergy specialist might be helpful.

If your child has a fever above 102°F, persistent cough or wheeze, ear pain, or symptoms that continue to worsen or don’t improve in 10-14 days, please call our office. Also, if you suspect allergies and over-the-counter approaches aren’t enough, especially if symptoms affect your child’s sleep or ability to concentrate, please contact us. Our pediatrician can help determine whether testing, medications, or specialist care is needed.

Skin Rashes and Eczema in Children

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Quick answer: Children get many kinds of rashes, from heat rash to allergic reactions like poison ivy. Most can be eased at home by keeping the skin cool, dressing in light clothing, washing with cool water, and discouraging scratching, which worsens irritation. Contact your pediatrician if you are unsure or the rash worsens.

There are various types of rashes and skin irritation that kids can experience and it’s important to be aware of their symptoms to know how best to treat them. Skin rashes can cause a great deal of discomfort or itch. Your child might be tempted to scratch themselves which can make the irritation or flare up worse. Many rashes that start out small can also spread quickly, making it a stressful experience for the whole family. Luckily, there are several ways to ease discomfort and treat skin rashes.  During the warmer months, children can develop heat rashes, which are more common in babies and younger kids. Heat rashes occur when the sweat gland pores become blocked and sweat can’t be released. You’ll notice patches of small pink or red bumps, especially on areas where the skin folds such as the armpits, elbows, thighs, and neck. To treat a heat rash, you’ll want to keep your child cool by dressing them in light clothing and keeping them in areas where there are fans and air conditioners and away from where they can become overheated. It’s also important to wash their skin with cool water and avoid using any ointments.  Rashes can also occur from allergic skin reactions. Contact with plants like poison ivy can cause a burning itch and swelling. If your child develops a rash from poison ivy or other plants, it is recommended to wash all of their clothes and shoes in soap and water, as well as your child’s skin in areas where they have been exposed. To ease the intensity of the itch, apply calamine lotion or 1% hydrocortisone cream, which can also reduce inflammation. Don’t use any ointments containing anesthetics or antihistamines as these can cause allergic reactions.  Another type of allergic-related rash is hives, which are pink or red welts on the skin. The welts can be in various sizes and may flatten out later. It is sometimes difficult to pinpoint what is triggering the hives as they can be a reaction to certain food ingredients and additives, minor infections, or personal products like deodorant. Hives can also be a reaction to stress, exercise, or sunlight. In most cases, however, hives go away after a couple of weeks, though they may frequently reappear. The most common way they’re treated is by using antihistamines which can be applied via a topical cream or by taking over-the-counter tablets. If the cause of the hives is known, avoiding that trigger can also clear out the hives.  Eczema is another common rash in children and a chronic condition where kids might have to deal with it as an ongoing skin problem. Usually, children who get eczema have sensitive skin compared to others as the rash is caused by not having enough of a special protein called filaggrin, which protects the skin from the environment. Cold weather, overheating, sweating, dry air, and chlorine from swimming pools can trigger flare ups. To treat this rash, families can apply moisturizing ointments that are fragrance-free, dress their kids in soft fabrics, regularly wash their kids’ clothes, and advise their children not to scratch to avoid an infection.   Some rashes can be caused by insect bites and stings. When this happens, it’s important to clean the skin and remove any insect or sting from your child’s skin. Swelling can be treated by applying a cold compress or an ice pack for several minutes. You can also use calamine lotion or 1% hydrocortisone cream. There are also rashes that can be caused by parasites like sandworms and ringworms or microscopic parasites found in water. An anti-parasitic medication may need to be prescribed in these cases.  If your child has a serious rash that needs to be examined or a rash that doesn’t go away, please call our office to talk to our pediatrician. 

Frequently asked questions

What causes heat rash in children?

Heat rash occurs when sweat gland pores become blocked and sweat cannot be released. It is more common in babies and younger kids and appears as small pink or red bumps, especially in skin folds like the armpits, elbows, thighs, and neck.

How do I treat a heat rash?

Keep your child cool by dressing them in light clothing and staying near fans or air conditioning, away from overheating. Wash the skin with cool water and avoid using ointments.

What should I do about a poison ivy rash?

Contact with plants like poison ivy can cause a burning itch and swelling. Wash all clothes and shoes in soap and water, and try to keep your child from scratching, which can make the irritation worse.

Related reading: Keeping Your Baby Safe and Cool During the Summer, Spring Safety for Children, contact our office. Peninsula Pediatrics proudly cares for families across the Rockaways.