Healthline >Ask the Healthline
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Featured Questions

Allergies

• What is a food allergy?
• What is an EPI-PEN? Are child care providers required to learn how to use them?
• Can you tell me some tips to reduce summer/fall allergy exposures?
• Do children outgrow their allergies?

Asthma

• My daughter has been diagnosed with allergic asthma, and we want to prevent her from having any more attacks. I know we need to put protective covers on her pillows and mattress, but what else can we do to keep her healthy?
• When I exercise druing pollen season, I cough and have a lot of chest congestion. Why?

Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder

• Lately, my child has had difficulty staying on task and has been having a lot of behavior problems in school. His teacher thinks he may have ADHD, but I argue and say that he is too young (he is 5 years old). Can you tell me the signs/symptoms of the di
• How can you tell if someone has ADHD?

Bacteria

• What are the symptoms of strep throat?
• A child in my care has swimmer? Is ear, is this contagious?

Behavior

• A child in my care recently experienced a death in the family. I would like more information on how to care for the child emotionally and to give advice to the surviving parent.
• I need help! My daughter is almost 15 months old and refuses to sleep by herself. I know it is my fault, she used to sleep in her crib just fine, until one night, and we both fell asleep in my bed. My husband works nights and I have to admit, I like havin

Biting

• What can we do about children biting in our prgram?

Botulism

Breastfeeding

• I just delivered a beautiful baby boy and am having problems with breastfeeding. Any suggestions?
• What is a good plan to wean a toddler away from breastfeeding?

Cold/Flu

• How do you know the difference between a cold and the flu and what should you do for each?
• How can I tell if the flu symptoms I have are normal or if I should go to the doctor?
• Fall and winter are coming. Should I have any special concerns regarding seasonal allergies and the children I care for?
• How serious is walking pneumonia?
• I heard you shouldn?t drink milk or eat dairy if you have a cold. Is this true?
• With the cold season upon us and the shortage of flu vaccines available, how can I protect myself and children from catching the flu?

Conjunctivitis/Pinkeye

• How can you tell pinkeye from other conditions that make a child's eyes red and itchy?
• How can I tell the difference between viral or bacterial pink eye?

Crying

• Do you have any tips to help a crying baby, if the child has been fed, burped and changed, but still continues to cry?

Dental Care

• How can I teach my children the importance of brushing their teeth and encourage them to eat healthy meals?
• Several children in my care have cavities and rotting teeth. What problems could this cause them later, and can nutrition make a difference?
• Why is sugar so bad for my teeth?
• What is dental plaque? How can I get it removed?
• What are some ways to prevent dental cavities?
• What function do my teeth serve?
• When should I start brushing my child\'s teeth?
• What do I do with a child who fell and is bleeding from the mouth?

Development

• How much TV should a toddler be watching?
• Trying to juggle working part-time from home and caring for my five month old keeps me hopping all day. So, I often put my son in an infant swing to keep him close while I?m busy with other things. My mother-in-law insists that he?s spending too much tim
• Friends have said that I should get my nine month old a walker to help him learn to walk earlier, but I have heard this is not a good idea.
• My 1.5 year old still sucks her thumb. Is this normal?

Diabetes

Disinfecting/Sanitation

• Are there any alternatives to bleach and water that I can use?

Exercise

• How beneficial are the infant exercise programs that are available? Do you feel infants should be in these programs?
• Is it OK to exercise when I have a cold? How long do I need to wait before I can work out again?

Eye Care

Food Safety

• How can I prevent food-borne illness when cooking?
• My friend cleans her water bottle in the dishwasher after each workout. Can I get away with just rinsing mine out with warm water?
• When should I introduce foods?

Fungus

• What is ring worm and what can be done to prevent it?

General Information

• I would like to look up health information myself on the Internet. How do I know what sites are a reliable source of information?

Hand Foot and Mouth Disease

• What is hand foot and mouth disease?

Handwashing

• What is the best way to keep my washed hands germ-free in a public restroom?
• What should we be doing to prevent the spread of colds?
• Are the waterless sanitizing gels all right to use daily?

Health Policies

• What should I put in a exclusion policy for my child care?
• I am having a difficult getting parents to pick up their sick child! What can I do or say that will make them learn that their child is too sick to stay at my care?

Hearing

• A three year old I know had major behavior problems, and she never minded her mother. When her hearing was checked, it was discovered she was seriously impaired. How common are hearing problems?
• My Mother told me to cover my infants ears when a vehicle with a siren goes by, is this necessary?

Hepatitis

• What are the symptoms if you have Hepatitis C?

Illness Prevention

• I have seen so many antibacterial products such as soaps, lotions, cleaners, pillows and other expensive items. Do you think they are really necesary to prevent illness?
• Is it safe to use talcum powder around infants and small children?
• What are some good ways to cut down on germs around the house?
• How high a fever is dangerous
• What are my real chances of catching something serious from a toilet seat?
• How effective are toilet seat covers? Is lining the seat with toilet paper just as good?
• Are hot-air dryers more sanitary than paper towels for hand drying?
• What is SARS?
• What is Giardia?
• What are some of the reasons for a stomachache?
• What are symptoms of West Nile Virus?
• What is a normal blood pressure for children?

Immunizations

• I had a smallpox vaccine as a child. Am I still protected?
• I have heard that scientists are working on being able to give immunizations in food instead of in shots. Is this true?
• I recently read an article that convinced me on the importance of vaccines, and my pediatrician has scheduled a series of shots for my two month old. But, I?ve also heard that too many shots at such a young age can overwhelm a baby?s immune system. My ped
• I would like to skip giving my two-month-old daughter the whooping cough vaccine since I have heard it causes bad reactions. Besides, I?ve never known anyone who?s had it! Is whooping cough still a danger?
• A student at my child?s school was diagnosed with whooping cough. I thought this disease was gone. How can I make sure my children do not get it?
• Can a large number of vaccines given to my child lead to allergies?
• I\'ve heard that the MMR vaccine is responsible for autism. Is that true?

Injuries

• I have always used hydrogen peroxide to clean a cut. Recently I heard that it can actually cause more scarring. Is this true?
• What should I do if a child is stung by a bee?
• What\'s the best thing to use to get a splinter out?

Language

• Does baby sign language keep my child from learning to talk?

Laryngitis

• Can you tell me what is laryngitis?

Lead Poisoning

Lice

• We have had a continuing problem with head lice in our center. What can I do to treat lice?
• How can I verify that a child in my home has been treated for head lice?

Medication

• I keep hearing about cold medications that have been banned by the FDA. Why, and our my kids? medicines affected?
• I found some medications that are slightly past their expiration dates while cleaning out my cabinets. Are they still OK?
• I have given children with stuffy noses saline nose drops. Recently though I was informed that some drops contain a dangerous preservative. Is this true, and what could happen?
• What is the best mosquito repellent to use?
• I recently got a prescription that says, ?Take on an empty stomach.? But I?m not really sure what that means. How empty is empty? Should I wait one hour after a meal or five? And what about when it is labeled ?Take with food?? How much do I have to eat?
• I am thinking about taking Saint-John?s-wort to get me out of a funk I can?t shake. Is it worth a try?

Meningitis

Mildly Ill Children

• What information should I have for each child in my care, especially if someone should become sick?
• A child in my care has frequent sore throats. The family has no health insurance. How can I tell if the sore throat is serious enough to be seen by a doctor?
• Q: How many times would you expect a child to become ill when they are in a child care program?
• My child has frequent stomachaches, what should I do for them and when should I call the doctor?

None

• A child with a slight rash was dropped off at my center. The child is up to date on all immunizations and the mother notified me that the doctor diagnosed the rash as chickenpox. He was given the shot a few weeks ago. How is this possible and what is

Nutrition

• I know my six month old should not drink cow\'s milk until at least one year, but is yogurt okay?
• Please tell me what fruits and vegetables contain the most potassium?
• Which is better for you, margarine or butter?
• Is fresh food more nutritious than processed foods?
• Are the skins of potatoes really that good for you?
• Do we need vitamin supplements to stay healthy?
• How can I get my kids to eat more healthy foods when they are in my care?
• Q: Which is more nutritious, whole milk or nonfat milk? What should we do for a child who is allergic to milk?
• Q: I have a parent who brings her two month old with baby cereal in the bottle of formula. I thought you were not supposed to do this.
• I drink the tap water at my house, but now a parent has said her child can only drink bottled water. Am I making a mistake drinking tap water?
• I am hearing a lot of information about soy milk in the news. Is it really better than cow?s milk?
• What is the best time to take vitamins and minerals, in the morning or at night? And should I take them with food or without?
• Many cereals list the additives BHA and BHT among their ingredients. Are these bad for my children or me?
• What are antioxidants?
• Will drinking milk make a cold worse?
• A five month old in my care has been having trouble digesting her baby formula, and her pediatrician has suggested switching her to soy. But, I thought that is not safe because it has hormones in it?
• Everyone seems to be in a hurry in the mornings and often children are dropped off at my house with only a toaster pastry. What can I tell the parents to give them instead?
• I have heard that sippy cups can cause speech problems, is this true?
• I don?t like vegetables. Is it okay to get my 5 to 9 a day from fruit only?
• If you drink 100% juice, is it as good for you as the whole fruit or vegetable?
• People in my family tend to have trouble keeping their weight down, so; of course I worry about my children. How can I make sure they have good eating habits without making them eat weird stuff kids don?t like?
• I just heard that potato chips cause cancer, is this true?
• I?m a pistachio addict. Are they as healthy as other nuts?
• I keep hearing about the dangers of trans fat, but I never see it listed in the foods I buy. Am I missing something? What is it, and why is it so bad anyway? What will happen if I accidentally eat trans fat?
• Is it true that you can become addicted to sugar? Why is honey better for chidren than table or white sugar?
• I have a picky eater! What can I do to have my child eat better?
• I\'ve heard that juice isn\'t good for my preschooler. Why is that?
• Are there any frozen treats that you recommend??
• What are the differences between good fat and bad fat?
• Are there any books that you recommend for feeding young children?
• How many teaspoons of fat are in one gram?

Oral Thrush

• How do children get oral thrush?

Parasite

Pets

• Our next-door neighbors are moving and they want to give us their cat. But, we have a three month old and I?ve heard that having pets when a child is young makes the child more likely to develop allergies. Is this true?

Pinworms

• How are pinworms treated?
• What are pinworms?

Pneumonia

• My daughter was recently diagnosed with walking pneumonia. What is it?

Poison

• What is ipecac and when should I use it?

Pregnancy

• I heard from a friend that the herb fenugreek increases the breast milk supply?
• What is RH disease?
• I am in my third trimester of pregnancy and have broken into a rash on my belly. What can it be?
• Can you tell me how to shop for a new Obstetrician?
• What are some induction methods?
• I\'ve heard that walking while pregnant is good for you. Is this true?

Rashes

• A baby I watch has a constant diaper rash. The Mother says I am not changing the diaper often enough, but I do- every time she goes. Could there be something else causing it?
• When should a child with a rash be excluded for child care?

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)

Safety

• What can I do about safety during the upcoming holiday season?
• Q: I would like to purchase new toys for my home child care. What safety measures should I watch for in purchasing toys?
• How can we keep children safe for Halloween?
• Q: What foods should I avoid giving an infant to prevent choking?
• I have a child in my setting whose parents do not have a car seat. I am concerned for the child\'s safety and my liability. What can I do?

Shaken Baby Syndrome

Sleep

• My 4 year old has been having nightmares in the last few months and has now been wetting his bed at night. My husband and I are exhausted because we can\'t sleep through the night either! Any suggestions as to what may be occuring?
• Is it true that you actually release hormones for children when they sleep?

Smoking

• My mother is 50 and has smoked for more than half her life. She?s so much more wrinkled than her older sister, who doesn?t smoke. I know it has something to do with cigarettes, but what exactly is it?
• What is a CRS-certified Smoke-Free facility?

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)

• I recently heard that you shouldn?t put infants to bed with comforters because it can increase the risk of SIDS. But our house is drafty. What should I use instead?

Sun Protection

• How do you choose which sun protection to use and what else can you do to prevent sunburn?
• What can I do to prevent sunburn this summer for the children I watch?
• I have heard that infants under six months old should not use sun screen, what should I use on my baby then?
• How can I make sure we have no problems with heat stroke this summer?
• I?ve always heard that the sun?s rays aren?t as strong in the wintertime, so why do we need to wear sunscreen in the winter?
• Does all day sun block really last all day?
• I have a lot of bottles of suntan lotions and sunscreens that are half used. Do these things have an expiration date?
• Parents, did you know that chldhood sunburns could increase your child\'s risk of developing skin cancer as an adult?
• What does SPF mean and why is it important?

Tub

tuberculosis

• One of the children in my center just tested positive for TB. Do I need to inform other parents to test their children?

Universal Precautions

Virus

• What\'s the difference between a canker sore and a cold sore?
• How do I know if I have the cold or the flu?
• What is the West Nile Virus and what should we watch out for?
• Is it possible to get hand-foot-mouth virus twice?