Dogs are great additions to many families. They provide companionship, and are often soothing and calming to children who are upset. Children with autism and other special needs often form strong, loving bonds with the family dog. What we know about dog bites: Recently, The American Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the U.S. Postal Service, veterinarians and other organizations have come together to educate the public that dog bites are a serious health issue and are avoidable. The facts are significant: Dog bite injuries are reported to be the 11th leading cause of nonfatal injury[Read more...]
What do we know? There are three main factors that affect the severity of sunburn: Skin type Infant skin is more sensitive to the sun than adult skin because it is thin and soft. It burns more easily from all sources of burn, including the sun. Darker skin does not provide protection from sun-related skin damage. Amount of exposure to the sun The longer you are in the sun, the greater the chance of a sunburn. Sun damage in infancy increases the risk of skin problems in future years, including skin cancers. The amount of UV (ultraviolet) radiation, which causes[Read more...]
What do we know? Sleepwalking and night terrors are very similar problems. Both describe behaviours that occur during sleep. Sleepwalkers appear to be awake. They get up from bed and walk around. Sometimes sleepwalkers engage in complex behaviours. Their actions can be very similar to things they would do in the daytime. Night terrors involve screaming, thrashing and sometimes aggressive behaviour. During night terrors, children are asleep, but look awake. Together, sleepwalking and night terrors are called parasomnias. When do these sleep behaviours occur? Both of these behaviours are linked to the non-rapid eye movement (non-REM) stage of sleep. There[Read more...]
Summer is a great time for kids and teens to learn in ways that often fit their skills, interests and learning styles better than classroom learning. At Quinte Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, we’re gathering a list of great summer camp programs for you to choose from. Queen’s University in Kingston offers many choices, ranging from Music in Motion, Creative Writing, Sports, Athletic Conditioning, Dance, Babysitting and Academic camps. Registration is now open. For more information, click here.
What do we know? Molluscum contagiosum is the name of a virus that causes a distinctive skin rash. The rash consists of individual bumps on the skin that are flesh coloured and raised. What makes them unique is that each bump, or lesion, has a dimple in the center like a belly button. These lesions are called umbilicated. They are usually tiny, 1-2 mm in diameter, although they can be larger. The virus is found only on the skin surface, and so there are no symptoms of coughing, bowel changes, headaches or other problems that occur with most viruses. As[Read more...]
The warm weather is finally here! Here’s your quick refresher on what you need to remember about sunshine and sunscreen for your children and teens: 1. Choose an SPF between 15 and 50, and make sure it says “broad-spectrum” on the label. Anything higher than “SPF 50+” can tempt you to stay in the sun too long, suppressing sunburn while other harmful skin damage continues. Stick to SPF 15-50 with UVA and UVB protection. 2. Apply sunscreen liberally and frequently. Reapply after swimming and vigorous exercise. Sunscreen chemicals break apart in the sun, wash off, and rub off on fabric.[Read more...]
What is pink eye and conjunctivitis? Pink eye and conjunctivitis refer to the same thing – infection or inflammation of the thin, clear membrane around your eye that covers the white part of your eye, or your eyeball. Tiny blood vessels in this membrane become inflamed, which causes the pink colour in the white of the eye. What are the different types of pink eye? Pink eye can be categorized in two groups: highly contagious, and non-contagious. Viral and bacterial conjunctivitis is highly contagious. It is spread by hand-to-eye contact, when hands come into contact with the infection by touching[Read more...]
What do we know? Every year, the common cold is one of the main (some say the main) reasons that children miss school and adults miss work. There are more than 200 viruses that cause colds. The most common is rhinovirus, which was first discovered in 1956 . There are more than 100 strains of rhinovirus! Viruses are simple microorganisms that infect cells, multiply within the cells, and cause disease. Other viruses responsible for the common cold include respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), parainfluenza viruses and metapneumoviruses. How do you catch a cold? In order for a cold virus to spread, it must[Read more...]
What are cold sores? Cold sores, also called fever blisters, are a very common childhood illness that is caused by a viral infection. The virus causes the sores that appear as small raised, red blisters that develop on and around the mouth and lips. The blisters can be filled with fluid that may break open and leak, which then crusts over resulting in the sore. The blisters appear grouped or develop in patches. The virus that causes cold sores is very contagious, and is easily spread from person to person though direct contact, such as kissing. Unfortunately there is no[Read more...]
Reye syndrome is a very rare, but serious condition that was first discovered by an Australian pathologist named R. Douglas Reye, who came across the illness in 1963. It is characterized by sudden brain and liver damage after the administration of aspirin to children and teenagers who are infected with a viral illness. While it can affect all organs of the body it seems to injury the liver and brain most severely. Reye syndrome is most commonly seen in children and teenagers aged 4 to 14 years old, although it can occur at any age. Cases of Reye syndrome have become[Read more...]
