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Going to the beach this summer? For many families, beach time is an exciting thing to look forward to during the summer season. But before you head out with the children for fun in the sun, sand, and water, we’d like to share important tips to keep your family safe.
One of the crucial things to do first before you arrive to the beach is to apply liberal amounts of sunscreen on your children’s skin to keep them protected from the sun’s harmful rays.

The most effective sunscreen to use is one with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 and a “broad-spectrum” label. As it takes time for sunscreen to absorb, make sure to apply it 15 to 30 minutes in advance. Sunscreen should be reapplied every 2 hours and after swimming or sweating.

To keep your children’s eyes safe from the sunlight, make sure they wear sunglasses with 99% UV protection. If you’re at the beach during the sun’s peak hours, bring an umbrella that you can anchor to the sand and use as a shade. Just keep in mind that sunscreen will still need to be applied as the umbrella does not provide enough UV protection.

Many kids love playing or swimming in the water when they go to the beach. But there are a lot of hazards and safety issues to consider, including drowning. Only allow your child to go in the water in areas where there are active lifeguards on duty. It’s also important that you keep your eyes on your children when they’re in or near water. If your children are young, an adult should accompany them in the water.

Children who lack swimming skills should wear life jackets, including while participating in any boating activity. Keep a look out for how high the waves are. If the currents are strong or if you have any doubts about your child’s safety in the water, do not let them go in.

Another water precaution to be aware of is that the ocean has marine life that can harm your child, including jellyfish. Lifeguards will often put up warnings in areas where jellyfish or other dangerous marine life are around. You can also scan the waters for them. If your child does get a sting by any chance, get them out of the water immediately and inform a lifeguard who can assist them. Avoid rubbing the area where your child was stung or using ice packs as these can make the sting worse. Instead, you’ll want to rinse the area with vinegar and have your child checked by the doctor. There are certain creams and pain relievers that can be used to make your child feel better.

A fun activity to do on the beach is to play in the sand or build sand castles. Just be careful not to let your kids dig holes that are too deep for them as they might fall and become at risk for suffocation. Advise your child on how to properly play and dig in the sand to prevent them from getting sand in their eyes.

Lastly, always monitor the weather as thunderstorms pose dangers on the beach. If you’re at the beach when a storm hits, find a building or shelter for your family immediately. If you have any questions or concerns about summer and beach safety, please call our office!

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. 

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the leading cause of injury death in babies. Following the American Academy of Pediatrics’ sleep safety guidelines can significantly reduce the risk of SIDS. In this blog, we cover these guidelines and tips to ensure a safe sleep environment for your infant. 

 

The AAP recommends putting babies on their backs on a firm and flat surface without any soft bedding, like pillows, blankets, and stuffed toys. Soft bedding and inclined sleeper products can cause accidental suffocation and should be avoided. Instead, it’s best to use a fitted sheet and keep everything else out of your baby’s crib. A great reference to use for finding a safe crib or bassinet is Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Their website also provides updates on product recalls. 

 

Babies should not sleep on their stomachs as this increases their risk of SIDS. Research indicates that SIDS might be caused by defects in the part of the brain that controls breathing and waking up. When your baby is lying down on their stomach, they will sleep more deeply and may not wake up when they need oxygen. It’s also important to avoid the side position as your baby may roll onto their stomach. Some premature babies in NICU might need to be placed on their stomachs, but this should be done only temporarily under physician guidance. Once they’re stable, they should be placed on their backs so they become accustomed to sleeping in this position. After 12 months of age, babies can sleep safely on their stomachs. 

 

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends avoiding bed sharing. If you have twins or multiples, they should sleep in separate cribs and never together. Additionally, babies should not be allowed to routinely sleep in car seats, strollers, infant carriers, or swings. If your baby does fall asleep in any of these products, it’s important to move them to a firm sleep surface as soon as possible. 

 

Another way to ensure that your baby stays safe is to keep their environment free of any exposure to nicotine. Never smoke or allow anyone else to smoke around your baby. Secondhand smoke increases the risk of SIDS as it can impair your baby’s breathing. You’ll also want to avoid letting your baby’s sleep environment get too warm as overheating is a risk factor for SIDS. Check for any signs of overheating like flushed skin or sweating. The best temperature for your baby’s room is normal room temperature. Sharing a room with your baby can make monitoring their environment and sleep easier and has been known to reduce the risk of SIDS by 50%. 

 

Some parents have questions about whether or not it’s safe to swaddle their infant. Swaddling is safe as long as you follow key guidelines. Babies should not be swaddled tightly nor should weighted blankets be used. Use a thin blanket instead and spread it out flat with one corner folded down. Then, place your baby face-up on the blanket so that they’re still sleeping on their back as they should and place their head above the folded corner. Wrap the left corner of the blanket over their body, tucking it between their right arm and their right side. The right arm should then be tucked and the right corner of the blanket should be folded over their body and under their left side. Then, fold the bottom of the blanket loosely and tuck it under one side of them. If your baby looks like they might roll over, stop swaddling right away.  At night, preferably use a zippered or velcro sleep sack.

 

If you have any questions or concerns about sleep safety or your baby’s health, contact our office.