Latest News & Events

HUMMELL, DONNA
MD
PEDIATRIC SPECIALISTS OF NASHVILLE

Summer Physicals/Camps

With the upcoming summer season, it’s a good time for families to schedule sports and routine physicals for school children. It’s also a good time to remind patients who have asthma to schedule their yearly spirometry for follow-up of their asthma status. Be certain that summer camps have an Asthma Action Plan on file.

Sneezing and Itchy Eyes

The return of green plants outdoors heralds the beginning of the pollen allergy seasons of the year. Tree pollen is highest from mid-February through April, Grass pollen in April through June and Weed pollens from mid-August through late October. Keep doors and windows closed if allergic to pollen, since it can enter your home. Wash off and change clothing after playing outdoors for extended periods of time. Also avoid being nearby when grass is mown, or if this is not possible, wear a mask approved for filtering out particles.

Bugs, Bugs and More Bugs

The pleasant weather of spring/summer brings with it the outdoor insects that sometimes cause illness. Ticks, chiggers, mosquitoes, and stinging insects are some area residents we wish we could avoid. Remember to check for ticks after playing outdoors, particularly in grassy areas or where shrubbery abounds. Prompt removal using tweezers and cleansing of the area is usually all that is required. Avoid sitting directly on the ground to prevent unwanted chigger bites in unpleasant places. Wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts when outdoors in the evening and treat clothing with insect repellent to prevent mosquito bites. Reduce mosquito breeding by removing or emptying all areas that may collect rainwater, since these become incubators for mosquito larvae very quickly. Lastly, avoid walking with bare feet through grass or areas where honey bees frequent. Be cautious in drinking or eating from containers outdoors in which yellow jackets may be hiding to avoid a sting on the lip. Lastly, those who are highly allergic to bees/wasps/hornets/etc. should be reminded to carry their emergency epinephrine and keep it up to date.

Sun Screen/ Sun Tanning

Doctors know the importance of sunscreen use in preventing uv skin damage and reducing the risk of skin cancer as well as preventing the aging of skin. It’s a good time to remind patients, especially teenagers, of the dangers of sun exposure, and to include in the discussion the risks associated with uv exposure in tanning salons.

For children who have eczema or seem intolerant to sunscreens, a simple home patch test may help to decide if a given sun protection product will be tolerated. A small drop of the sunscreen applied to the upper shoulder before going to bed for 2 nights in a row should be enough. Just check the site of application each day for at least 2-3 days and if there is no rash in that small area, then general application to the body should be tolerated.