children

ExpertQA

• What’s the best way to teach my young daughter to blow her nose?

  Start by having your child watch an adult blow his nose a few times.

• 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.

• Between colds and allergies, my son always has a stuffy nose. How can I help him breathe easier?

  First, make sure your son is drinking throughout the day, since chugging liquids can thin mucus.

• 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.

• My child is a picky eater. As a result, we all don’t get enough veggies. Any advice?

• 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.

• I read the super-bacteria MRSA can be spread through athletic equipment. How can I protect my kids?

• 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’s the risk of getting sick from eating food prepared or delivered by sick restaurant staff? Can I ensure that my family doesn’t eat contaminated food?

  Basic food safety and handling procedures can and do prevent the spread of germs and illness.

• At what point is it necessary to call a doctor when my child is not feeling well?

  When your little one is sniffling and sneezing, it’s sometimes hard to know what to do. ...

• How can I get my child to eat the fruits and veggies I put in her lunch? How much is enough?

  It’s common for kids to dislike or refuse to eat some fruits and vegetables.

• 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.

• Can my child catch the seasonal flu or H1N1 from Halloween candy?

  Perhaps, but the chances are very slim

• Is it safe to get the flu shot at a retailer?

  Yes, it’s safe to get your flu shot at a retailer -- particularly if you go to a pharmacy where you’ve already established a relationship. Pharmacists are licensed health care professionals concerned about your well-being.

• 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.

• Will schools be offering flu shots this fall?

  Most schools do not offer flu shots, but many encourage or require kids to get their annual one this fall.

• 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 recently heard that eating burgers can cause asthma in kids. Is this true?

  Burgers don’t necessarily cause asthma. You’re referring to a recent study in which children who ate three or more burgers a week were found to be at a higher lifetime risk of asthma and wheezing.

• 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.

• I’ve heard that giving my kids multivitamins can help prevent allergies. Is this true?

  Unfortunately, the answer is no.

• Can my pet allergies be passed on to my kids?

  Although the tendency to have allergies is inherited, specific allergic sensitivities are not.

• My child has seasonal allergies, and I want to make sure she’s safe and well-cared for while she’s at school. What does the school nurse need to know in case my kid’s allergies flare up?

  The nurse needs to know what type of seasonal allergies your child has, whether or not she’s been skin tested, and if so, what the results were.

• Are hot and cold drinks equally effective for hydration?

  Yes. Although cold water is absorbed more quickly in the body than hot water, cold or warm drinks will quench thirst just the same.

• Can a child who had the H1N1 vaccine and remains well still be a carrier and pass the illness to others?

• One of my son’s classmates has come down with H1N1. What should I and the other parents do now?

  For you and the other parents of the kids in this class, the first thing to do is check to see if your child might have already come down with the flu.

• At what age can a child be diagnosed with asthma?

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

• I heard a rumor that there will be a new version of the flu virus circulating late in the season that is even more powerful than what we’ve seen so far. Is this true?

• How much sleep should my kids get each night? They often seem overtired, and I worry they are more vulnerable to illness.

• My toddler still sucks her thumb. Is it safe for her to use hand sanitizers?

• My daughter is allergic to eggs. Does that mean she shouldn’t get the flu shot?

  Yes, you are correct. The fu shot contains egg proteins, which could trigger an allergic reaction, including a severe and potentially life-threatening one called anaphylaxis.

• Our family medicine cabinet is filled with old medicines. How do I get rid of them safely?

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• When to Keep a Sick Child Home

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• A Parent’s Guide to Coughs

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• Checklist for Choosing a Safe Day Care

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• How to Stop Your Baby's Wheezing -- and Prevent Asthma

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• 6 Essential Tips to Avoid Swimming Dangers

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• Sick Day TLC

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• Mom’s Best Backup Plan

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• Spotting Your Child’s Cold and Flu Symptoms at Every Age

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• Summer Camp Safety Checklist

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• Beat Home Allergens

  Making a few changes to your daily routine can ease your family’s allergy symptoms. Try our school nurse’s easy tips.