Uinta Medical Group

Multi-specialty healthcare provider group serving the Evanston community

You are here: Home / Archives for Pediatrics

Summer Safety

by

Two children safely riding their bikes.

For kids, summer means no school, popsicles, bike rides, and splash pads, but it can also bring a rise in motor vehicle accidents, bike crashes, drowning, and suicides.  The 100 days between Memorial Day and Labor Day are the most dangerous for children and adolescents. Luckily, there are steps you can take to help keep your kids summer safe.

  1. Car seats can reduce the chance of a fatal injury by 71% for infants and 54% for children ages 1 to 4. Children between 8 to 12 years old and under 4 feet, 9 inches tall should use a booster seat. Uinta County Public Health and the Evanston Police Department can perform car seat checks to make sure your car seat is properly installed.
  2. Be sure to always check behind and in front of your car before pulling out of your driveway. Make sure all of your children are out of the way and within your eyesight. Kids have a tendency to run out and crowd around the car when you are saying your good-byes.
  3. Watch children carefully to make sure they are not getting too hot and that they are drinking plenty of water. Don’t leave your children alone in the car. On a hot day, the inside of the car can become fatally hot in only 20 minutes.
  4. Have your child wear a helmet when bike riding. Serious accidents can occur even on short trips. Just one fall can change your child’s life forever.
  5. Drowning doesn’t always look like drowning. It often is not loud or noisy. They don’t typically scream and thrash around like you see in the movies. It is normally deceptively quiet. Their face usually silently bobs up and down. It may even look like they are out of water enough to get air but there usually isn’t enough time to fully inhale and exhale. That is why constant supervision with eyes on your child the whole time is so important. When at the lake, everybody should wear a life jacket, not matter how old they are or how good they are at swimming. Even adults can quickly get in over their head or get injured and not be able to swim.
  6. Especially given the mental health challenges of social distancing that we are currently experiencing, it is more important than ever to watch out for depression in your teens. Be concerned if your teen drops hints about not being around for very long, experiences a change in eating or sleeping habits, starts to engage in risky activities, or experiences a sharp change in personality. If you think your teen is in immediate danger, call 911. If you suspect that your teen might be thinking about suicide, talk to him or her immediately. Reassure your teen of your love. Remind your teen that he or she can work through whatever is going on — and that you're willing to help. Also, seek medical help for your teen. Ask your teen's pediatrician to guide you.

Summer should be a time to make great memories as a family! Be safe!

 

Want to talk more with a board-certified pediatrician? Schedule an appointment online at EvanstonAnytime.com or call 307-444-KIDS (5437).

Call 307-789-9355 for an appointment.

To self-schedule an appointment online visit EvanstonAnytime.com.

ASSOCIATED CARE
ASSOCIATED PROVIDERS
ASSOCIATED LOCATIONS

Pediatric Care
Uinta Medical Plaza
196 Arrowhead Drive
Suite 1
Evanston, WY 82930

How can I Protect my Child From Sunburns?

by

A parent applying sunscreen to their child.

Fun in the sun is an essential part of summer, but we also want to protect our kids from skin damage that could potentially lead to skin cancer later in life. Plus, we all know how miserable it is to try and sleep when you have sunburn.

To keep your kids safe in the sun, follow these tips.

A child under 6 months: Infants have thinner skin and are more sensitive to the sun, so try to keep infants out of direct sun exposure. Stay in the shade as much as possible. Wide brimmed hats or umbrellas can also protect your baby. Dress your baby in lightweight, long-sleeved shirts and pants.

A child older than 6 months: Use a sunscreen with at least an SPF of 15. Fair-skinned children should have at least an SPF of 30. Be smart and also use protective clothing and accessories like wide brimmed hats, swim shirts, and sunglasses with UV protection.

How to Apply:  Use a generous amount. Make sure to rub the sunscreen in well and cover all exposed areas—especially the nose, ears, cheeks, shoulders, and back of the neck. Ideally, sunscreen should be applied 30 minutes before going outside. It should be reapplied at least every 2 to 3 hours or after getting wet (swimming or sweating). Set a timer to go off to remind you to reapply the sunscreen so you don’t lose track of time!

Sunburns can even happen on an overcast day because UV rays can get through the clouds. UV rays can also bounce off of water, sand, snow, and concrete.

Experience the difference with board-certified pediatrician Dr. Alan Brown. Same-day appointments are often available by calling (307) 444-KIDS or schedule an appointment online at EvanstonAnytime.com.

Call 307-789-9355 for an appointment.

To self-schedule an appointment online visit EvanstonAnytime.com.

ASSOCIATED CARE
ASSOCIATED PROVIDERS
ASSOCIATED LOCATIONS

Pediatric Care
Uinta Medical Plaza
196 Arrowhead Drive
Suite 1
Evanston, WY 82930

When Should I Take My Child to the Doctor if They Have a Fever?

by

A mother caring for her daughter with a fever.

Parents often worry about when to take their child to the doctor. Co-pays can add up quickly when you have sick kids.

Seeing a temperature on the thermometer makes any parent worry. Fevers can be scary, but it is actually a positive sign that your child’s immune system is turned on and working to overcome the infection. The number on the thermometer is important; however, how your child behaves with the fever is much more important.

If they are still playful and eating/drinking, the fever is less concerning. Pay close attention to your child’s respiratory symptoms, such as fast or labored breathing. That is a sign of a more serious illness.

For newborns (younger than 2 months), any fever over 100.4 F should be evaluated by a doctor. In addition, fevers are concerning if your child is lethargic, has a fever that is not responsive to medication, or has a fever over 101F for longer than 5 days.

Some parents worry that a high fever will cause brain damage, but in reality fevers do not cause brain damage when the body is fighting an infection.

With any fever, be sure to dress your child in light clothing and encourage them to stay hydrated. If you give acetaminophen or Ibuprofen, double check that you are giving the correct dose based on their current weight.

Schedule an appointment by calling (307) 444-KIDS or schedule an appointment online at EvanstonAnytime.com.

Call 307-789-9355 for an appointment.

To self-schedule an appointment online visit EvanstonAnytime.com.

ASSOCIATED CARE
ASSOCIATED PROVIDERS
ASSOCIATED LOCATIONS

Pediatric Care
Uinta Medical Plaza
196 Arrowhead Drive
Suite 1
Evanston, WY 82930

How Can I Prepare my Child to go to the Doctor so They Don’t Hate Going?

by

A father preparing his daughter for her doctor's visit.

Shots, strangers, scales and medical equipment can be intimidating for kids. Here are 5 tips for preparing your kids for a doctor’s visit.

  1. Talk about why you are going. Give your child advance notice so the visit isn’t a surprise. Explain with positive language what will happen. For example, “the doctor will check on how you're growing and developing to make sure you are healthy. It is a safe space to ask questions.” Or, “the doctor needs to check you to find out how to fix this and help you get better.”
  2. Role-play with younger children. Children learn through play, and role-playing helps them visualize and understand what will happen at the doctor visit—like how a blood pressure cuff hugs the arm or how it feels to have someone look at the mouth, eyes, and ears.
  3. Explain privacy. We teach our kids about the importance of body privacy. A doctor’s exam is the only exception, so it is important your kids understand why a doctor needs to examine their entire body to make sure they are healthy. Reassure your child you will be in the room with them.
  4. Give an incentive. Decide with your child on a healthy incentive for getting a shot or holding still during an exam prior to your visit. For example, “If you try your hardest to hold still and follow directions during your doctor’s visit, we will go to the park afterward.” If done in the moment at the visit, the incentive becomes a bribe and is less effective.
  5. Pick the right doctor. Look for a pediatrician who follows evidence-based medicine and who communicates easily with your child in a friendly manner. Exam rooms that are kid-friendly with murals on the wall are a plus too.

Experience the difference with board-certified pediatrician Dr. Alan Brown. Same-day appointments are often available by calling (307) 444-KIDS or schedule an appointment online at EvanstonAnytime.com.

Call 307-789-9355 for an appointment.

To self-schedule an appointment online visit EvanstonAnytime.com.

ASSOCIATED CARE
ASSOCIATED PROVIDERS
ASSOCIATED LOCATIONS

Pediatric Care
Uinta Medical Plaza
196 Arrowhead Drive
Suite 1
Evanston, WY 82930