Last November, Dr. Emma Goksor from the University of Gothenburg, Sweden reported her analysis of 4,171 families with young children studied by questionnaire.  The incidence of wheezing in the previous year was 1 in 5.  Eating fish before nine months of age reduced the likelihood of recurrent wheezing by almost 50%!

Lyme season is upon us.  In the last month, we've seen about 10 children with Lyme, including 3 with multiple rings.

Last year, the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station tested 3,240 ticks.  About 90% of these turned out to be Idoxes (deer) ticks.  22% of these deer ticks wer positive for Lyme -- down considerably from 38% two years earlier.   

When parents call us about a tick bite, many ask about getting the tick tested.  A number of state agencies and commercial labs offer testing. 

The one that seems to have been used most frequently is New Jersey Laboratories.  Turnaround is about ten days; cost is $60.

But we don't generally encourage this for a few reasons:

1.  Studies have shown that only about 2% of tick bites lead to Lyme.  If a tick tests positive, that is certainly not a guarantee that Lyme will ensue. 

2.  Ticks transmit other bugs (Anaplasma, babesia, bartonella, and the latest -- Borrelia miyamotoi).  Testing is available for them, but is pricey.

3.  Some children get bit multiple times over the course of a summer.  Testing can quickly become impractical. 

Please note that the office will be closed on Wednesday July 4th (Independence Day) and Saturday June 29th (doctor vacation).

Bambini's Summer Smell-Good Sale has begun!  Please be careful what your teen is applying to her / his underarm.  Most anti-perspirants contain aluminum compounds.  Many contain parabens and other dubious synthetic chemicals.  The Bambini apothecary stocks a wide array of essential oil-based deodorants.