Bugged by Bug Bites?
Most insect bites usually cause a small red bump and begin to disappear the next day. Often times, it may look like localized hives, one large or several small ones. The red bump is the body's allergic reaction to the venom injected by the insect. For itchy insect bites, apply calamine or a 1% hydrocortisone cream. If the bite is extremely itchy, try an oral antihistamine, like Benadryl.
Should You Take Your Child to an Urgent Care Center?
Only if it's after hours and if you've talked with our after hours nurse. Most illnesses can safely wait until the following day, and our nurse advice line can help you decide. If the nurse refers you to an urgent care center, ER, or follow up in our office the following day, there is no charge for the call. If you're concerned about poison exposure, call the Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222. Do not wait for your child to act or look sick.
Breastfeeding Bootcamp – A First Time Mom & Pediatrician’s Experience by Dr. Hillary S. Lewis
Wow! What an introduction to motherhood! I felt like I had survived boot camp by the time my daughter was 6 weeks old. Breastfeeding may be the single best gift you can give your child, but it is also one of your first big challenges. If you take anything from this post, I urge you not to get discouraged. If you are still reading this, you obviously have dedicated yourself to learning about breastfeeding. For that, you should be congratulated!
An Overview for the Parent: Autism and Screening for Developmental Delay by Dr. Chafen Watkins Hart
Lucky for the pediatrician, many parents are increasingly interested in childhood development and are knowledgeable on "ages and stages" or the appropriate development of a normal child. Much of the well child check up is devoted to tracking a child's development in gross motor, fine motor, language and cognitive skills. And high on the radar of many parents is Autism Spectrum Disorder. Rightly so, as it has become a more frequent diagnosis in the past 20 years and various studies pinpoint the frequency between 1 in 50 and 1 in 400 children, with a male predominance of 4:1.
Oh Baby, It’s Summer! by Robyn M. Lilly, CPNP-PC
You waited and waited for your bundle of joy to arrive and the baby is here. You are getting adjusted to life with a new little one. Between sleep and feeding schedules, it is enough to make you a little crazy. Each day is a new day to figure out your little one and how to meet his or her needs. Their needs change on a day by day basis as they grow. Time marches on and seasons change as your baby grows and changes, so what is a mom or dad to do with a baby in this Texas heat?
Why Won’t My Child Stop Coughing? by Robyn Lilly, CPNP-PC
So the most wonderful time of the year has come and gone and now it is back to life as usual. Kids are back in school and life's routines are resuming. With that, germs are being passed back and forth on a daily basis. Cold season is here and you just wait until your little one comes home with his sniffly nose and cough. The Cough. Oh the cough. It keeps kids up at night, makes them throw up, and is a nuisance in general. So why do kids cough? Why are there so many different types and qualities of coughs? And what do you do to treat a cough? And when should you call your pediatrician?
“Fever Again?” by Robyn Lilly, CPNP-PC
My child has fever again..... Does that sound like a phrase you've said to your healthcare provider? Well, you are not alone. Fever is one of the most common symptoms managed by pediatricians and parents alike. Fever always seems to strike in the middle of the night or when the pediatrician's office is closed, right? And fever can be a scary thing to parents because it just simply can make most children feel bad and not act their normal selves which can be very worrisome to most parents.
Homework Tips by Susan Kennedy, M.S., Certified Educational Diagnostician
Homework time can be frustrating for both the child and the parents. Listed below are some tips to help homework be productive. Remember, homework is for the child...not the parent.
Kids and Energy Drinks… by Robyn Lilly, CPNP-PC
If you go into any local convenience or grocery store, chances are you will see the shelves stocked with various sorts of energy drinks all with claims to boost your energy, help you stay awake longer, help you perform better..... If you turn the label to look at the contents, they are mostly sugar and water and very large doses of caffeine (up to 3 times the amount found in colas) and other additives like taurine, guarana, L-carnitine, ginseng, and yohimbe. Many of these energy drinks' advertisement and marketing are directed at adolescents and kids. The biggest question is are these energy drinks safe for our children and teens?
Frustrated by Healthcare Reform?
You would think sending a bill to the insurance company would be simple. The doctor sees the patient then submits the bill and the insurance company sends a check. If only it was that easy. Billing is complicated. Insurance companies speak in codes. If you don't submit the correct code on the claim, it doesn't get paid.
