Skin Conditions
Few parenting experiences create panic quite like seeing your child play nicely outside, only to realize they are rolling around in a patch of poison ivy 😳. One minute they're happy; the next, they're a hot, sticky, itchy mess. (Itchy from the rash, sticky because children are
Medication Tips & Safety
I'm a parent, and deciding whether to start my children on medication is always stressful! I'm an overthinker, and I think many moms are these days. Side effects and allergies are always top of mind. Worrying about drug allergies and side effects is... just one more
Ear, Nose & Throat
It's a classic summer problem. Your kid catches an infection, gets prescribed antibiotics, starts to feel better, and has an abundance of energy to burn off! So, can children still swim while taking antibiotics? Swimming is great exercise and so much fun for kids! The answer depends on:
Cold season has a special talent for humbling parents. One minute, you are confident and well rested. The next, you are standing in your kitchen at 2 a.m. holding a humidifier manual, trying to understand the English language with only one eye open. As a parent, I will fully
As a mom, I notice a pattern every fall and winter. My kids develop lingering coughs and sniffles. Strep throat and earaches begin to sneak into my home. It inevitably spreads to my husband or me. I fall asleep every night to the “ode to winter” soundtrack – cough, cough, sniffle,
Headaches are among the most common health problems in children, and they tend to become more noticeable during the school year. As an adult, whenever I experience a major change in work, schedule, or family life, I usually get a headache about a week later. Kids are no different! Busy
Parents, you know the drill. The school year just began, and your child already comes home with flushed cheeks, a hot forehead, and the dreaded thermometer beep confirming a fever. Heck, if you’re really (un)lucky, the school nurse might even call before your morning coffee gets cold! The
Ear infections in babies and toddlers are incredibly common, especially during the first few years of life. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, five out of six children will have at least one ear infection by age 3! While ear infections are practically a rite of passage in childhood,
Expert-backed advice from pediatric pharmacists. Because kids don't come with a medication guide.
Summer routines are different. Kids are outside more, traveling more, sweating more, sleeping less, and snacking more. Oh my goodness, the snacks. Some days, I don't think I leave the kitchen. Don't let summer also bring medication mistakes! Hot weather and sunshine can also affect medications.
Summer means more time outside, which also means parents are juggling sunscreen, bug spray, sweaty kids, and about 47 complaints about being hot, itchy, or bored. Speaking of sunscreen... here's another question for ya. Which should be applied first, sunscreen or bug spray? The answer actually matters! Using
Allergy medicine for kids can be tricky. There's so much to choose from on the shelf, and there's advice from well-meaning relatives to "just give them Benadryl! They'll stop sneezing and sleep great!" Don't listen to that advice, friends.
Few things are more frustrating than starting a new medicine for your child and seeing no improvement. When my kids are sick and need an antibiotic (or any medicine, really), I just want it to work! Most antibiotics take some time to be effective. So the good news is that
.... and what parents frequently forget! A kid's travel medication checklist is one of those things you don’t think about until you need it. When you do, it’s usually not convenient. It's never fun to Google for the closest pharmacy at 10 PM while on
Choosing the right sunscreen for kids can be confusing. SPF numbers, mineral vs chemical options, sprays, lotions, oh my! —It’s a lot. Information overload! I'll stroll into CVS or Target to shop for sunscreen with the best intentions, only to be victimized by marketing, while also worrying
Tick bites in kids are one of those things that can send parents into a spiral. Especially if you live in an area where Lyme disease is prevalent. Unfortunately, ticks are common where I live, and my family spends a lot of time outdoors walking the dog. The pup is
If it seems like your child is constantly sneezing, sniffling, or rubbing their eyes whenever the seasons change, you might be dealing with seasonal allergies. Spring allergy season is here! Warmer climates have already seen a pollen burst, and we frozen Eskimos up in the Northern part of the country
Quick Answer: What To Do If Your Child Gets a Double Dose of Medicine If your child accidentally receives an extra dose of medicine, contact Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 (US) right away for guidance, even if your child seems fine. You can also contact your child'
I don’t like to brag, but I consider myself a bit of an expert at giving yucky medicine. I worked for years at a children’s hospital, where I learned all the tricks of the trade from superstar pediatric nurses. Between nursing and pharmacy, we usually found a solution
I've been puked on more times in my life than I care to remember, and 99% of those times have been from one of my children bringing home the virus of the month (or week?) from school or daycare. It's like a fruit of the month
Once winter rolls around, allergy season usually winds down in our house. Personally, I don’t love the winter because cold air hurts my face (why do I live somewhere where the air hurts my face?!), but there are some perks – playing in the snow and the lack of pollen!
