SUMMER NEWSLETTER

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Summer 2003

Newsletter Contents:
A Message from the Administrator
Protecting Children in Motor Vehicles
Help For Children Suffering From Eczema

A MESSAGE FROM THE ADMINISTRATOR

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PROTECTING CHILDREN IN MOTOR VEHICLES: A MATTER OF RESTRAINT

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of injury and death for children in the United States. At particular risk are infants and other children who ride unrestrained, improperly restrained, or are too close to the instrument panel during a collision. When used correctly, child restraints and safety belts are fifty to seventy percent effective in preventing fatalities and reducing serious injuries.

Tragic reports of children being seriously injured or killed by air bags has raised public concern about protecting children who ride in motor vehicles. Studies show that safety belts and air bags are effective in reducing injury and preventing death in adults. But neither seat belts nor air bags are designed to protect infants and young children.

child restraint recommendations:

All infants and young children should be secured in a child restraint appropriate for their age and size. A rear seat is the safest place for all children to be secured. If a toddler or older child must ride in the front seat, adjust the vehicle seat as far back as possible. Be sure the child is restrained properly.

· Premature/low birth weight infants may need to be restrained in an infant car bed.

· From birth to one year (and 20 pounds), an infant should be in a rear-facing infant restraint. Never secure a rear-facing infant restraint in front of an active air bag.

· Children ages one to four (and 20 to 40 pounds) should be placed in a forward-facing child restraint.

· Children ages four to eight (and 40 to 80 pounds) should be restrained in a booster seat. Use the booster seat until the child outgrows it, at which time the child can use an adult safety belt. Never place the shoulder strap behind a child's back or under the arm.

HOW TO HELP YOUR ITCHY CHILD WITH ECZEMA

You can only get a diagnosis of exzema (pronounced "eggs-seh-mah") from a physician. Your doctor will probably ask you a number of questions to indicate whether you seem like an "eczema family," like whether you or your mate have ever had the condition or any of its companions like asthma or hay fever.

Then the doctor will look for signs that it isn't a rash of a different cause. Some of these signs include:
· Does the rash itch?
· Is the rash recurring; does it get better or worse for no apparent reason?
· Is the rash red, scaly, dry, or cracked?
· In babies and toddlers, does the rash appear on the face and trunk, but not the diaper area?
· In older children, does the rash usually show up on the neck, inner elbows, backs of knees, and ankles?
· Did you first notice the rash on your child at a very young age?
· Do eczema, hay fever, or asthma run in the family?

What to do if you suspect eczema
First, see your family physician, pediatrician, or dermatologist, and have the doctor make the diagnosis. Talk to your doctor about treatment options for your child such as steroid and steroid-free creams and ointments. It is important to educate yourself about the best options for your child. While some children outgrow eczema, there is no cure. It is not something to be diagnosed once and never checked again. Check in with your child's doctor at the onset of a flare-up, or every six months.

Other things that you can do at home include avoiding irritating and rough clothing. Some children are sensitive to wool, latex, or the polyester thread used in tags. Cotton clothes are the best choice. Avoid keeping your house overly warm. An over-heated home can cause over-dry air leading to kids with itchy skin. Move your child's stuffed animal collection out of the bedroom and into a play area or storage. Stuffed toys hold a lot of dust which can be a trigger. Finally, create a special bathtime ritual. A short, lukewarm bath is best. Avoid bubbles, and use mild or non-soap cleansers. Blot, not rub, dry with a towel, and while the skin is still warm and steamy, rub in a doctor-recommended moisturizer or any prescribed topical medication. The idea is to trap the bath moisture in the child's skin to keep it nice and dewey. Avoid perfumes and powders. Twice a week trim your child's fingernails. Do it right after the moisturizing session, while the nails are soft from the bath. Long nails break the skin when kids scratch and can cause infection.

Please join us this fall, for the next edition of the Weaverville Family Medicine Newsletter.
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