June 2006: Health Briefs from Baylor Health Care System

Take the "Ouch" out of Bug Bites

Although most bugs are tiny, their bites can create big problems.

Bug bites are some of the most common conditions that pediatricians treat during the summer. Why? Because some common insect bites can turn into dangerous infections or even allergic infections.

There are some basic tips parents should follow:

• A bug bite that swells to the size of a half dollar or larger within two hours needs medical attention
• A rapidly swelling bug bite that has red streaks in it and hot to touch may indicate an infection.
• Some children can have anaphylaxis to certain stings. Anaphylaxis is lip swelling, throat swelling and difficulty breathing after an insect sting. Call 911 or go the emergency room if your child experiences these symptoms.
• Insects like mosquitoes are most active in the twilight hours, so avoid being outside during that time.

The other concern for parents is when children scratch a bug bite, causing it to become infected. "In our day and age with more serious strains of methicillin-resistant staph, these infections can become serious quickly," says Robert A. Kotas, M.D., pediatrician on the medical staff of Baylor Medical Center at Garland, Garland, Tx.

Dr. Kotas recommends contacting your pediatrician if you don't know what kind of bite your child received or if the bite begins to swell.

If children will be playing outside of a long time, it's recommended to spray them with an insect repellant containing DEET. Be sure to read the instructions about amount to apply and if children of certain ages should not use the product. Also, putting kids in long-sleeved pajamas can help protect them from bites at night.

Too Many Vitamins May Create Imbalances

Overdosing on vitamins? According to Dee Rollins, Ph.D., a registered and licensed dietitian at Baylor Regional Medical Center at Grapevine, the answer is yes!

Too much of a specific vitamin can create an imbalance in your body. "There are about two dozen vitamins that people need daily, but taking them individually can actually do more harm than good," explains Dr. Rollins. "When you and I buy individual vitamins - when we start dosing ourselves the way we think we should - we get our vitamin-mineral ratio unbalanced."

Be cautious of overdosing on the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K. These are stored in the liver and can easily build up over time, potentially leading to a very toxic situation.

If you want to take a daily vitamin, it's best to buy one multivitamin that has everything you need in balance. Another tip: Look for the multivitamin developed for your age group.

Of course, there are times in everyone's life when they may need a specially designed multi-vitamin or even additional supplements on top of one daily vitamin.

"For example, pregnant women need more folic acid," says Dr. Rollins. "Women who have gone through menopause will need much less iron and perhaps more calcium and vitamin D."

But, before you purchase those products, check with your doctor. While it's wise to check about the need for the extra boost, you also need to make sure the supplement doesn't react with any medications prescribed by your physician.

Learning to Swim is a Must for Summer Safety

Now that school's out for the summer, many youngsters are headed for the pool for fun and to beat the heat. But, caution and a few common sense safety tips can prevent a summer tradition from becoming tragic.

Drowning is the second-leading cause of injury-related death among children under 15, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The American Red Cross says "the best thing anyone can do to stay safe in and around the water is to learn to swim." Vennie Jones, program director of the aquatics center at the Baylor Tom Landry Fitness Center in Dallas, offers the following advice on the two most common "learn-to-swim" options for children.

Group Lessons. "Group lessons are not the best option for children who have a fear of the water," says Jones. She emphasizes that trust is a major component of learning to swim, and must be gained before any training takes place. If a parent does opt for group lessons, Jones recommends that the parent stay out of the child's sight for the duration of the lesson. "If the parent remains on the deck during the lesson, the child will look to the parent for approval instead of the instructor; which is distracting from the learning process." She also reminds parents to look for a group lesson with a small student-to-teacher ratio so that children get the most attention possible.
Private Lessons. Jones says that private lessons are good for families requiring flexibility in scheduling the lesson as well as for children in need of special attention. According to Jones, because more time is devoted directly to the child, less time will be spent gaining the instructor's trust, which increases the time spent learning and the number of repetitions that a child takes during the lesson. However, she does not downplay the importance of "the camaraderie that children will gain" during a group lesson that is lost in these private lessons.

Jones also describes what parents should expect from their children of different ages in terms of swimming abilities.

6 Months - 3 Years. "Infants do not instinctively know how to swim," says Jones. These youngsters may enjoy the water, but Jones says that they do not have the cognitive awareness to really swim. However, she explains that this age is an ideal time to introduce children to the water and swimming skills. "Trust levels are very quickly gained and/or lost, and good experiences and bad experiences make equally definite impressions," adds Jones.

3 Years - 12 Years. These children will understand what is happening and should be able to learn to swim, according to Jones. However, she emphasizes that children must make the decision to learn for themselves and should not be forced or tricked into swimming.

These simple tips and guidelines should help your family have a safe, happy summer at the lake or pool. And, don't forget the sunscreen!

For more information about swimming programs offered in the aquatics center the Baylor Tom Landry Fitness Center, call 1-800-4-BAYLOR or read about our programs online.