Due to the COVID-19 pandemic we have all spent much more time looking at screens than ever before. Though we do not know definitively what the fall semester will look like, we know that it will likely involve more screen time! This is concerning to many parents. Mindfully considering how...
1. First, what is baseline testing? Baseline tests are tests done before contact sports participation to determine an athlete’s normal performance. Then, in the event we think a concussion has occurred, we repeat testing and use the baseline as a comparison. Post-concussion testing almost always shows a drop in performance,...
Summertime brings us outside. When summer occurs during times of COVID, we become more creative with activities for our families. This means more people will be outside exploring new areas. Staying active outside is a wonderful activity, if you and your children are protected from sunburns and insects. Most children...
What is molluscum? Molluscum contagiosium is a common wart virus caused by a poxvirus. Though molluscum can resemble warts, the virus that causes them is different. It occurs most in children, aged 2-12 years. Signs and Symptoms Molluscum causes 1 or more tiny (from pin head to ¼ inch) skin...
When the white of the eye becomes pink or red, it's called ‘pink eye.’ Conjunctivitis is the medical name for ‘pink eye.’ The conjunctiva is the membrane that covers the white part of the eye. It becomes pink when it is infected or irritated. Conjunctivitis can be caused by several different...
What is it? Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a new strain of a family of viruses that affects many of us every year, causing a mild cold. What’s new about this particular coronavirus, is that it’s a new strain, and our immune systems have not yet been exposed to this...
Each of us has received advice about an illness from a friend, family member, doctor, nurse, pharmacist, etc. Often the advice we receive is welcome and helpful, but other times, we wonder if the given guidance is accurate. Though there are reliable internet resources, there is plenty of information online...
If you or your child has recently suffered a cold, you know how frustrating this annoying viral illness can be. Though the symptoms are not typically miserable, they do not resolve quickly and medications that promise to help symptoms often do not and have undesirable side effects. Also frustrating are...
We see eczema flare up at this time of year due to the cooler temperatures. Read below to find out how you can help care for your child’s dry skin. What is eczema? Eczema is an inherited form of very dry skin. It is often seen in those who also...
What is a concussion? A concussion is a type of TBI (traumatic brain injury). They can be referred to as a “mild TBI” because they are not usually life-threatening. Concussions occur when a hard hit to the head or body causes the brain to move in the skull. The movement...
ADD/ADHD https://chadd.org/ https://kidshealth.org/ Asthma and allergies https://healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/allergies-asthma https://www.aaaai.org/ https://kidshealth.org/ Food Allergy: https://www.foodallergy.org/ Autism https://m-chat.org/ Breastfeeding https://www.breastfeedingbasics.com/ https://lllusa.org/ https://www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/breastfeeding/Pages/default.aspx https://www.breastmilkcounts.com/ https://www.parents.com/baby/breastfeeding/ https://www.who.int/topics/breastfeeding/en/ https://wicbreastfeeding.fns.usda.gov/ https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/index.htm https://kellymom.com/ Child Care http://www.dfps.state.tx.us/Child_Care/Search_Texas_Child_Care/ppFacilitySearchDayCare.asp Concussion care https://www.sportssafect.com/blog Dental health http://www.austintexas.gov/department/water https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/fluoride-water.html https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/resources Development https://healthychildren.org/english/ages-stages/pages https://www.aap.org/en-us/documents/periodicity_schedule.pdf https://www.zerotothree.org/ https://kidshealth.org/ Drug Abuse https://drugfree.org/ Growth and healthy eating https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/growth-charts.html https://familydoctor.org/weight-issues-in-children/...
Preventing sunburns is so important because even a “few blistering sunburns in childhood can double a person’s lifetime chances of developing serious forms of skin cancer.” The best way to prevent sunburn is through skin protection. We recommend staying in the shade as much as possible, wearing sun-protection swim shirts...
What is swimmer’s ear? Swimmer’s ear is the common name for otitis externa, which means an infection to ear canal. This is different than a middle ear infection, otitis media, an infection common in infants and toddlers who have recently had a cold or upper respiratory infection. Swimmer’s ear is...
What is hand, foot, and mouth? Hand, foot, and mouth is a common childhood virus often caused by coxsackie virus which occurs in spring, summer, and fall. It most often affects infants and children up to 5 years of age. Adults can also develop hand, foot, and mouth disease also,...
What is strep throat? Strep throat is a very common throat infection in children and adults. It is caused by a bacteria called Group A Streptococcus. Unfortunately, strep throat is present year-round and is spread easily and quickly through schools and day care. It occurs most commonly in kids over 3...
What is a fever? Fever is defined as a temperature greater than 100.4°F. A fever is one of the body’s ways of fighting infection. Viruses and bacteria often cannot live in hotter temperatures, so the body temperature elevates in order to help fight off the infection. While it is a great...
RSV / BRONCHIOLITISHave you ever picked up your child from daycare and been notified that a child in the class has RSV? Or maybe a friend, a few days after a playdate, calls to tell you that their infant came down with a really awful cold and the pediatrician said...
Influenza is a contagious respiratory viral illness that circulates throughout the world all year. In the Northern Hemisphere, influenza is most commonly seen in the fall and winter months, although it can be active at any time of year. For instance, during the 2009 “swine flu” pandemic, a result of...
You pick little Jonny up from daycare to find that he has yet another runny nose. It seems like he just got over the last cold! But you suppose it is that time of year. During dinner and bath time you hear him cough a few times and it sounds like...
Who should get the influenza vaccine? Every person 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine yearly. Vaccination is very important for those at high risk of serious complications; this may include those with asthma, heart disease, diabetes, liver or kidney disease, or a weakened immune system. The flu...
Dear PAA families, I have had the great privilege of serving you and your families as your pediatrician for a number of years, and for some I was there when you were children as well. With a sense of happiness and regret I am retiring from practice at the end of...
We can’t believe that summer is coming to an end so quickly. We hope you and your kids are excited for a new school year. Here are a few reminders to make sure your kids are healthy and ready to head back to school. Well Child Check Ups ...
The summer is a great time to bring your child to see their provider to discuss environmental allergies and asthma. This visit helps assure you have a good preventative plan in time for the school year. Most people’s allergies worsen in the fall, winter, and spring, so summer is a...
With summer in full swing we want to send a few reminders about keeping your kids safe in the water and helpful hints regarding swimming lessons. Water SafetyBackyard Pool Considerations All pools should be surrounded by a fence that is at least 4 feet high, and has a self closing gate...
We all want to make sure our children are eating all the nutrition they need. Read through this brief guide to help you and your children make great choices when they choose what to eat. MyPlate My plate was developed by the USDA in 2011 as recommendations to help us choose the...
Car safety is important to start teaching kids at a very young age. Today we want to discuss everything from keeping your infant safe in a car seat, to keeping your kids safe around cars!Car SeatsChoosing a car seat can be a very overwhelming task, as there are so many...
Sleep deprivation is very common, and our children are no exception. It is not surprising that most of us need more sleep than we are currently getting, and those needs change as we grow older. Sleep deprivation in children can cause behavior problems at home and school and can cause...
