Tis The Season - Summer Time Blues

Although summertime is usually a fun and exciting time for children, parents still need to be aware of important safety and health precautions.

Sunscreen

Sunscreen with a skin protection factor (SPF) of at least 15 should be used on all children above 6 months of age. For young babies (below 6 months of age), direct sunlight exposure should be avoided. Some children are sensitive to certain ingredients in sun screen, particularly fragrances. If your child develops a rash after using a sunscreen, discontinue its use and try a different sunscreen, preferably a non-fragranced one. Even water-proof sunscreen needs to be reapplied more frequently when a child is swimming. Light colored clothing keeps children cooler by not absorbing as much of the sun’s heat. Hats are helpful to protect the eyes and the top of the head. Even sunglasses are helpful to shield young eyes from the sun’s radiation. Reduce direct sun exposure during the peak summer season, by scheduling nap time or indoor activities during the peak sun hours of 11am to 2pm. Many studies have shown that reducing sun damage during childhood will help to reduce the chances of skin cancer, even much later in adult life!

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Insect Bites

Insect bites are very common during the summertime season. To avoid bites, keep as much of the body covered as is comfortable, particularly in the worst “mosquito-hours” surrounding dusk. Apply an insect repellent, such as a 10% DEET compound, to ALL exposed skin surfaces. DEET-containing compounds of greater than 10% DEET are not recommended in children. If your child is bitten by a bee, wasp or mosquito, apply a cool compress or ice immediately to help reduce the swelling. If the culprit was a bee, the stinger is often left in the skin. Attempt to remove the stinger with a small tweezers, by grasping it firmly as close to the skin as possible and pulling it out. “After-bite” or an analogous product is helpful in reducing the severity of symptoms, but only when applied immediately following a bite. Topical Benadryl preparations may also be helpful in reducing symptoms of pain and itching. A topical hydrocortisone will help reduce symptoms of itching and may help reduce inflammation and heal the bite faster. It is normal for a bee or wasp bite to become red and swollen. Often the swelling and redness are worse later that night or the next day. Some children can experience an exaggerated local response from any bug bite. Please contact the Pediatrician’s office if the redness continues to spread beyond the local bite or if it is associated with a fever.

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Tick Bites

Ticks are another common nuisance in the summertime. Most ticks in this area are harmless (but still annoying!) A minority of certain species of ticks are known to carry the organism that causes Lyme Disease. In Pennsylvania, the tick most often associated with the transmission of Lyme Disease is the Ixodes deer tick. Deer ticks are very small and very prevalent in this area. They tend to occur in low-lying grass, where they can have easy access to their intended victims… deer. Insect repellents, such as 10% DEET, are helpful in repelling ticks as well, but it is still a wise idea to make a habit of scanning for ticks on your children, every night after a day of outside play. Because the organism that causes Lyme Disease resides in the tick’s stomach, it is transmitted when the tick regurgitates. Ticks usually need to be attached for 24-48 hours before transmission can occur. When a tick is discovered on your child, simply grasp the tick with a small tweezers as close to the skin as possible and pull very firmly. Don’t worry if parts of the head or mouthparts are left in the skin. The head of the tick can not transmit Lyme Disease, and more damage will be done by attempting to “dig it out” of the skin. After removing the tick, simply apply a topical antibiotic ointment to the area. It is normal for the immediate area surrounding the tick bite to get a little red. Always notify the Pediatrician’s office, if a fever or flu-like illness develops after a tick bite, or if you notice a spreading rash near the tick bite.

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Water Safety

Although pools offer a pleasant respite from the heat of the sun, increased vigilance is necessary to ensure children’s safety. It is always a good idea to teach children to swim… even knowing how to tread water will buy much needed time in an emergency drowning situation. But all children require supervision around water, even if they know how to swim. No one should swim alone. A child can hit their head and drown in a few inches of water, regardless of swimming ability. Rules regarding no running and no “horseplay” that are often posted at community pools should also be observed at home pools as well. Ideally, pools should be fenced in and never be used as a play area… for purposes other than swimming. Remember, even “water-proof” sunscreen needs to be reapplied more often when children are in and out of the water.

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