comfort

ExpertQA

• My daughter almost always gets sick after we return home from a trip on an airplane. Is there anything I can do to keep her healthy?

  The most important thing you can do is have her wash her hands frequently.

• My son is just recovering from a cold. Other than a frequent cough, he is fine. Is it OK to send him to school?

  As long as your son doesn’t have a fever and is not uncomfortable, it is OK to send him to school.

• What are common food allergy symptoms in kids? How do these symptoms differ from other allergies?

  According to the Centers for Disease Control, one in 25 children suffers from a food allergy.

• What’s the best way to treat a beesting?

  The best way to treat a bee sting is to avoid bees in the first place, so stay away from hives or other areas that you know shelter bees.

• My son gets frequent headache pain located in his nose and forehead. What’s the cause?

  Headache pain in the neck and forehead can be attributed to a variety of factors. A common trigger is allergies, which are usually accompanied by itchy, watery eyes and a runny nose with clear mucus.

• Can ginger ale help my child feel better when she has an upset stomach?

  Yes, ginger ale may help ease her stomach. Just note that ginger shouldn’t be given to kids under 2 years old.

• What should I do if my child tells me that one of his classmates has bedbugs in her home?

  Be cautious and keep in mind that everyone has the potential to be visited by bedbugs. A bedbug infestation has nothing to do with the cleanliness of your home.

• How long will it take for my child to get sick if he’s exposed to a friend with the flu? Is there anything I can do to prevent it?

  Flu symptoms can appear anywhere from two to seven days following exposure. Typical symptoms can include headaches, body aches, fever, congestion and coughing. Every child is different, though, so your son could display any or all of these symptoms at the same time.

• What medicines should I stock up on for the back-to-school season?

  You can’t prepare for every single product your child might need to use during the school year. You’re better off purchasing any special-situation ones as needed.

• I dread doing summer yard work because it stirs up my seasonal allergies. How can I avoid getting an allergy attack when I’m mowing the lawn and raking leaves?

  One simple way to help lessen the symptoms of environmental, seasonal allergies is to try to do your yard work in the morning or after it rains.

• Is exercise good or bad for kids with asthma?

  Exercise is good for everyone, including children with asthma! At the same time, running around is a potential trigger for wheezing, so if your child suffers from the condition and is struggling to keep up playing sports, talk to your pediatrician.

• I always put sunscreen on my kids before they head to summer school, but I know they won’t reapply throughout the day. If I put sunscreen on my kids in the morning, will it last through lunch break?

  Your kids need to reapply sunscreen depending on the type of summer school program they’re attending and the amount of time they’re in the sun.

• Are prescription allergy meds safe for young kids?

  Yes, prescription allergy medications are very safe for kids. Some can even be prescribed to children as young as 2 years.

• When your child says “I don’t feel well,” how do you determine if she’s actually sick or not?

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