How to Have a Safe, Fa-Boo-less Halloween

As if 2020 weren’t exciting enough, Halloween falls on a Saturday this year AND we will have a full moon! Although a few Halloween traditions may look a little different because of the COV​ID-19 pandemic, there are still lots of ways families for families to have fun. Whether you and your family are trick-or-treating or quarantining, we have some fa-boo-less ideas for a safe and spooky holiday!

Trick-or-Treaters

Keep these social distancing best practices in mind to keep everyone safe.

• Stay home if you are sick
• Trick-or-treat with people you live with
• Remain 6 feet apart from people not in your household
• Wear a face mask covering BOTH your mouth and nose (even under/over your Halloween mask)
• Use hand sanitizer frequently while out and about, as well as before eating or after coughing/sneezing
• Wash your hands as soon as you return home

Dos and Don’ts of Giving Out Treats This Halloween

• Don’t hand out candy if you are sick
• Do wear a face mask covering your mouth and nose
• Do use glow-in-the-dark duct tape to mark 6-foot lines in front of your home and leading to your driveway/front door
• Don’t get closer than necessary to trick-or-treaters, no matter how cute they are!
• Do put a disinfected table between yourself and trick-or-treaters for distributing candy
• Wash or sanitize your hands frequently

Helpful Hints for Parents

• Anyone who is sick should stay home
• Talk with your children about maintaining safety and social distancing expectations
• Carry a flashlight after dark
• Make sure your children are wearing reflective clothing so drivers can see them at night
• Wear a face mask covering your mouth and nose
• Everyone should wash their hands as soon as you return home
• Always inspect the candy

Trick-or-Treating Alternatives

Virtual costume parties & parades

Use video chats for an online Costume party! Invite friends and family to show off costumes and play games. Outdoor costume parades are another option if everyone stays at least 6 feet apart. Masks over the mouth and nose are a must!

Spooky movie night

Celebrate with a Halloween-themed movie night as a family. Another option is to allow your child to watch a movie with their friends virtually, with everyone starting the movie at the same time.

Decorating pumpkins

Carve pumpkins as a family – just be careful to avoid pumpkin carving injuries! After carving, insert a battery-operated light rather than an open-flame candle to avoid burns. Or draw/decorate pumpkins with markers, paint, or other items.

​Halloween-themed treats​

There are loads of fun Halloween-theme treat ideas on Pinterest – healthy and not-so-healthy! Make sure the treats are not choking hazards if you have children under age 3.

Halloween scavenger hunt

A Halloween scavenger hunt across your neighborhood will get everyone out of the house and searching for all sorts of fun and spooky Halloween decorations! Have prizes for the winners – a little competition gets the family invested! This is an ideal way to get some exercise and still have some Halloween fun!

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Hand Sanitizers: Effectiveness and Risks for Children

The US Food Drug Administration (FDA) has recently issued an advisory alerting consumers against the use of hand sanitizer products manufactured by Eskbiochem SA de CV in Mexico. The FDA has also recommended Saniderm Products and UVT recall Saniderm Advanced Hand Sanitizer packaged in 1-liter plastic bottles and labeled with “Made in Mexico” and “Produced by Eskbiochem SA de CV.”

The advisory was issued due to the potential presence of methanol (wood alcohol). Methanol is a substance that can be toxic when absorbed through the skin or ingested. Consumers who have been exposed to hand sanitizer containing methanol should seek immediate treatment to address the potentially toxic effects of methanol poisoning, FDA advised.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been recommending handwashing with soap and water to reduce the amounts of all types of germs and chemicals on hands. Due to the ongoing threat of the deadly coronavirus disease (Covid-19) worldwide, it is advisable for people, particularly the children and seniors, to keep their hands clean.

However, soap and water are not always available, especially in public places with no restrooms or washing facilities. As such, CDC has also advised the use of sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others.

Effectivity of Hand Sanitizers

According to the CDC, while it can quickly reduce the number of microbes on hands in some situations, alcohol-based hand sanitizers do not eliminate all types of germs. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers can inactivate many types of microbes very effectively when used correctly, however, people usually do not use a large enough volume of the sanitizer or nake the error of wiping it off before it dried.

Hand sanitizers also cannot remove or inactivate many types of harmful chemicals and are less effective when hands are visibly dirty or greasy. When hands are heavily soiled or greasy (a result after people handle food, play sports, work in the garden or go camping or fishing), hand sanitizers have reduced effectiveness. Handwashing, the CDC said, is recommended in such circumstances. Soap and water are also more effective at removing certain kinds of germs such as Cryptosporidium, norovirus, and Clostridium difficile.

Risk factors in Children

Hand sanitizers are cheap, easy to carry around, and are generally readily available. However, some reports have emerged which call attention to the risk of using hand sanitizer with children.  “Many caregivers are unaware of the very high alcohol content present in alcohol-based hand sanitizers, which can contain up to 60% to 95% alcohol,” Cynthia Santos, MD, from CDC’s National Center for Environmental Health, said.

According to Santos, young children may inadvertently consume hand sanitizers because of their appealing scents, like apple, vanilla, and citrus.  The CDC reported that from 2011-2015, US poison control centers received nearly 85,000 calls about hand sanitizer poisoning among children.

In an article published by Pharmacy Today, Greene Shepherd, PharmD, clinical professor at the University of North Carolina Eshelman School of Pharmacy, said younger kids are more susceptible to adverse effects from these products because there is not as much glycogen in their liver. The most common type of adverse health effects for both alcohol- and non-alcohol-based hand sanitizers include ocular irritation, vomiting, conjunctivitis, oral irritation, cough, and abdominal pain. Rare effects, on the other hand, are coma, seizure, hypoglycemia, metabolic acidosis, and respiratory depression.

Things to consider when using alcohol-based hand sanitizers to children

In an article in healthyenvironmentforkids.ca, the author, Erica Phipps, enumerated some things that parents and guardians of children should consider when using alcohol-based hand sanitizer:

– A single squirt of hand sanitizer the size of a dime is all that is needed

– Parents or guardians should dispense the product into their hands, then rub the surfaces of their children’s hands between theirs until fully dry (usually 10 to 15 seconds)

– Make sure that children do not lick the wet product off their hands

– Scented hand sanitizers, particularly those with fruity scents that may entice a child to ingest the product, should be avoided

– Make sure that children’s hands are dry (the product has evaporated) before giving children food or drink

– For hands that are still visibly dirty, wash as soon as possible with soap and water

The CDC suggests that hand sanitizers be stored out of reach of young children and used with adult supervision.  Child-resistant caps can help reduce hand sanitizer-related poisoning among young children.  Health care providers, including pharmacists, should also inform patients, parents, and caregivers of the potential dangers associated with alcohol-based hand sanitizers.

Handwashing with soap and water is still the gold standard in keeping your hands germ-free and clean.  Apart from germs, dirt, and grease, harmful chemicals like pesticides and heavy metals can be washed off using soap and water. Handwashing helps prevent infections especially since people frequently touch their eyes, nose, and mouth (where germs can get into the body and make people sick) without even realizing it.

Handwashing also reduces the number of people who get sick with diarrhea by 23 to 40 percent; reduces diarrhea illness in people with weakened immune systems by 58 percent; reduces respiratory illnesses, like colds, in the general population by 16 to 21 percent; and reduces absenteeism due to gastrointestinal illness in schoolchildren by 29 to 57 percent.

Sources:

https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/fda-advises-consumers-not-use-hand-sanitizer-products-manufactured-eskbiochem

https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/show-me-the-science-hand-sanitizer.html

https://www.pharmacytoday.org/article/S1042-0991(17)30602-3/pdf

https://www.healthyenvironmentforkids.ca/qa/should-i-use-alcohol-based-hand-sanitizer-my-child#:~:text=To%20be%20effective%2C%20alcohol%2Dbased,these%20products%20are%20being%20used.

https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/why-handwashing.html

 

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Keeping Your Child Healthy During the Covid-19 Quarantine and Beyond

Schools have moved online, businesses are closed, and social distancing rules are in effect all over the country. Stopping the spread of the Covid-19 virus has been on the forefront of everyone’s minds. With all of the upheaval in our society over the last month, it’s understandable that many of us would have let well-visits slip a bit. Some may even fear the potential exposure of their child to Covid-19 during a visit. Here’s why it’s very important to get back on track.

Increased Risk of Contracting Other Diseases

Due to the success of immunizations, we don’t tend to hear about certain diseases as often as we once did. Unfortunately, lower incidence of them doesn’t make those diseases less of a threat to your child. Some diseases, common in other countries, are frequently carried back into the country by international travelers. If children are not vaccinated, exposure to these diseases can put your child at significant risk. Complications of these diseases can include amputation of limbs, paralysis of limbs, hearing loss, convulsions, brain damage, and death. Measles, mumps, polio, and whooping cough – as well as others – result in hospitalizations and deaths every year.

What is Immunity?

The immune system recognizes viruses that enter the body as foreign. These germs are called antigens. The immune system then produces proteins called antibodies to fight the antigens. When a child is first infected with a specific antigen, their body may not be able to produce the antibodies in time to ward off the disease. The child still becomes ill and hopefully recovers. For years afterward, if the body encounters that antigen again, it will produce antibodies to prevent becoming ill a second time. This protection is called immunity and immunity is what vaccines offer.

The fact is that a vaccine is a safer substitute for your child’s first exposure to a disease. Immunizations provide protection to a child without the child having to experience the sickness. By being vaccinated, children are able to develop immunity without contracting the diseases that the vaccines prevent.

“The legacy of COVID-19 must not include the global resurgence of other killers like measles and polio.”  – Dr Seth Berkley on COVID-19: massive impact on lower-income countries threatens more disease outbreaks

Our world does not need to see an increase of vaccine-preventable diseases in the aftermath of Covid-19. If your child is due for vaccination, please don’t postpone your appointment due to Covid-19 concerns. Our office has strict sanitation and infection-prevention measures in place:

• All appointments that can be conducted via telemed are scheduled as such to decrease foot traffic in the office. We are mainly seeing well-child appointments and very few sick appointments.
• In addition, appointments are being spaced out to also help decrease the amount of people in the office at one time.
• Parents are welcome to call us when they arrive in the parking lot to notify us they have arrived, and we can inform them whether they can come in immediately or wait in the car until they can be brought back to a room.
• Exam rooms are cleaned thoroughly after every patient visit.

At this time, we strongly recommend that children 2 years and younger keep their well-child visit schedule, as children in this age group are the ones to be most affected by missed immunizations and delayed monitoring of growth and development.

Growth and Developmental Issues Need to be Addressed Sooner, Rather than Later

“Well-child visits aren’t just about immunizations. We also monitor a child’s growth and development, so delayed or missed well-child visits may result in missed opportunities to detect growth and developmental issues.” – Dr. Danielle Leung

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends well-child visits as vital support to children’s health and well-being. Well-child visits for infants and children up to five years of age allow physicians to screen for medical challenges and emotional health in addition to growth and developmental issues. These visits also foster a relationship between the child’s physician and the parents or caregivers, creating a team of support for the child’s well-being.

Schedule of Well-Child Visits:

The first week visit (3 to 5 days old)	1 month old	2 months old
4 months old	6 months old	9 months old
12 months old	15 months old	18 months old
2 years old (24 months)	2 ½ years old (30 months)	3 years old
4 years old	5 years old	6 years old
7 years old	8 years old	9 years old
10 years old	11 years old	12 years old
13 years old	14 years old	15 years old
16 years old	17 years old	18 years old
19 years old	20 years old	21 years old

 

In addition to immunizations, well-child visits track growth and development. Your child’s nutrition, growth milestones, social behavior, and learning are noted. Parents can discuss any concerns they have about their child’s health and well-being with their child’s physician on a regular basis, allowing for intervention measures to be taken in a timely manner if needed.

We’re here to support your child’s well-being, both during this crisis and in the years after. If your child is due for their well-child visit, please schedule their appointment today. Concerns? Please call 469-425-3600. We are happy to answer any questions you may have regarding how your child will be kept safe during the visit.

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Strep Throat vs Sore Throat: How Can You Tell the Difference?

STREP THROAT.

The boogeyman of sickness for parents everywhere, strep throat is one of the most unpleasant illnesses your child can experience. Just the words, “My throat hurts,” from your child can strike terror in the calmest parent. However, not all sore throat illnesses are strep throat. How can you tell the difference?

Strep Throat

Strep throat is an infection in the throat and tonsils caused by bacteria called group A Streptococcus (group A strep). While a common illness for children, strep throat is not as common in adults. It is most common in children 5 through 15 years old. It is rare in children younger than 3 years old.

Symptoms of Strep Throat

In general, strep throat is a mild infection, but it can be very painful. The most common symptoms of strep throat include:
• Sudden onset of a sore throat
• Pain when swallowing
• Fever
• Red and swollen tonsils, often displaying white patches or streaks of pus
• Swollen lymph nodes in the front of the neck
• Tiny, red spots (petechiae) on the roof of the mouth (the soft or hard palate)

Other symptoms of strep can include headache, stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting. Occasionally the illness can also present with a rash known as scarlet fever (also called scarlatina).

How Strep Throat is Spread

Group A Streptococcus is found in the nose and throat. It is easily spread to other people by coughing or sneezing, which creates small respiratory droplets that contain the bacteria. The incubation period of group A strep is approximately 2 to 5 days.

People can be infected with the bacteria if they:
• Breathe in infected droplets
• Touch something with infected droplets on it and then touch their mouth or nose
• Touch sores on the skin caused by group A strep (impetigo)
• Share drinks or utensils with an infected person

While uncommon, it is also possible for Group A Streptococcus to be spread via foodborne transmission.

Close contact with another person with strep throat is the most common risk factor, but it is important to note that not all of those infected display symptoms of illness. As a result, schools and daycares are often unknowing facilitators of the illness’ transmission. Parents of school-age children and adults who work in these environments are at more risk of contracting this infection than other adults. Infectious illnesses are most likely to spread wherever large groups of people gather together.

Treatment

Strep throat is treated with a course of antibiotics. For children who are not allergic, penicillin or amoxicillin are recommended, but your pediatrician may use other antibiotics to treat those who are.

Doctors and clinicians can use a rapid antigen detection test (RADT) or throat culture to confirm group A strep infection. A throat culture is considered the gold standard diagnostic test, as RADTs have high specificity for group A strep but can have varying accuracy when compared to a throat culture. A person who tests positive for strep throat, but has no symptoms is referred to as a “carrier.” A carrier usually does not need antibiotics and are less likely to spread the bacteria to others. If a carrier gets a sore throat illness caused by a virus, the rapid strep test can be positive. In this situation, it can be hard to know what is causing the sore throat. If your child continues to get repeated sore throats after taking antibiotics, they may be a strep carrier with a viral throat infection.

Other Sore Throat Illnesses

A sore throat can be caused by pollen, dust, and food allergens. It can also be the result of a bacterial infection. Viruses are the most common cause of sore throats. Viral symptoms include:
• Swollen, scratchy throat and tonsils
• Cough
• Rhinorrhea (runny nose)
• Congestion
• Hoarseness
• Oral ulcers
• Conjunctivitis
• Moderate fever
• Earache
• Moderate rash
• Lump on the neck (caused by swollen glands)
• Difficulty breathing

Flu and viral infections do not respond to antibiotics. Medicines that ease symptoms may be prescribed or over-the-counter versions recommended, as home treatment is usually all that is needed for patients suffering with a viral infection.

Other recommendations often include:
• Gargle with warm salt water (1 to 5 ratio of salt to water) to help reduce swelling and relieve discomfort
• Warm liquids, such as honey & lemon tea or a broth soup
• Warm or cool mist using a humidifier
• Medicated throat lozenges
• Throat sprays containing phenol

If your child’s illness returns or lasts for longer than a week, or if your child seems dehydrated, you should contact our office and make another appointment with Dr. Leung as soon as possible.

 

 

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