Now that the weather has gotten nicer, kids are spending more time outside.  But, remember that the nice weather also brings the return of insects including mosquitoes and ticks.  Most insect bites are harmless, but in this part of the country we do worry about Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), which is spread by mosquitoes, and Lyme disease spread by ticks.  One way to protect your child from biting insects is to use insect repellents. However, it's important that insect repellents are used safely and correctly.

There are three main types of repellents that are effective:

1. Products containing DEET.  These are generally considered the most effective and they last 3-8 hours.  You should not use anything containing more than 30% DEET on children as this can be toxic.
2. Products containing essential oils such as citronella, eucalyptus and cedar.  These are considered not as effective as DEET and wear off in about 2 hours, but they are less toxic to children than DEET is.
3. Products containing permetherin and insect poison.  These are very effective and toxic; the military uses permetherin compounds on the uniforms of soldiers being sent to parts of the world with malaria.  Permetherin should not be applied directly to the skin, but can be used to coat fabrics on tents, sleeping bags and clothing. 

When you are using repellents remember these safety guidelines:

1. Do not use any repellents on children less than 2 months old as their skin can absorb too much of the toxic ingredients.
2. Always spray repellents on outside to avoid inhaling.
3. Read and follow the instruction on the repellents.
4. Use just enough repellant to cover your child's clothing and exposed skin.

There are other non-chemical things you can do to try and keep insects away from your children:

1. Dress children in lightweight long sleeves and pants and have them wear a wide brimmed hat.
2. Keep children away from areas flying insects gather such as stagnant water and trash cans.
3. Avoid using scented soaps, perfumes and hairsprays on children as these can attract bugs.

If you have any questions please contact Dr. McAllister for more information.

Summer is almost here and everyone is getting excited about playing outside and going to the beach.  It's great for kids to play outside, but remember you need to protect them from the sun.  The leading risk factor for developing skin cancer as an adult is getting a sunburn as a child.  Although tanning is considered fashionable, tanning does cause damage to the skin that can lead to skin cancer later in life.

Whenever your children are out in the sun you should apply a sunscreen to all exposed skin.  Choose a sunscreen made for children; these will be gentler on their skin and have fewer perfumes and other additive. Apply the sunscreen on all exposed skin, being careful around the eyes, avoiding the eyelids. If the sunscreen irritates her eyes, try a different brand or try a sunscreen stick or sunblock with titanium dioxide or zinc oxide.

When choosing a sunscreen, look for the words "broad-spectrum" on the label; it means that the sunscreen will screen out both ultraviolet B (UVB) and ultraviolet A (UVA) rays. Put it on 30 minutes before going outdoors. The sunscreen needs time to work on the skin. Reapply the sunscreen frequently, especially if your baby is playing in the water. Zinc oxide, a very effective sunblock, can be used as extra protection on the nose, cheeks, tops of the ears and the shoulders.

Sunscreens offer some extra protection from the sun, but there are other things you can do as well:

1. Dress your child in clothing that covers the body, such as comfortable lightweight long pants, long-sleeved shirts and hats with brims that shade the face and cover the ears.
2. Dress your child in a hat with a wide brim or a bill, and make sure the bill is facing forward to shield his face.
3. Child-sized sunglasses with UV protection are also a good idea for extra eye protection.
4. The sun's rays are the strongest between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm; try to keep your baby out of the sun during these hours.
5. Babies under 6 months of age should be kept out of direct sunlight. Move your baby to the shade or under a tree, umbrella or the stroller canopy.

If your child does get a sunburn keep her hydrated with water; a cool bath or cool cloths can help her feel better.  Keep her out of the sun until the burn is completely healed.  If she gets blisters, persistent pain, fevers or she is less than a year old with sunburn, contact Dr. McAllister for more advice.