Tetanus Booster Following Trauma
When should my child get a tetanus booster? It depends on her age. Experts recommend vaccinating your child when she’s 2 months old, with follow-up shots at 4 months, 6 months, after her first birthday, and again around age 5. These initial shots are …
Learn MoreAllergic Reaction: Severe
What is anaphylactic shock? Anaphylactic shock, or anaphylaxis, is one of the scariest health emergencies a parent can face; it occurs when your child has a severe allergic reaction. When that happens, your child’s immune system mistakenly responds to…
Learn MoreChild CPR
What is CPR? CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation), or mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, is a type of artificial respiration that you induce by exhaling your breath into the victim’s lungs. There are three distinct methods depending on whether you’re perfor…
Learn MoreSunburns (Children)
What’s the best way to treat a sunburn?For starters, make sure your child drinks plenty of water; he’s probably dehydrated from being out in the sun. To soothe the sunburned area, apply a cold washcloth or let your child soak in a cool bath. (Adding b…
Learn MoreChoking (in Children)
Choking is a serious threat to people of all ages. Whenever something gets stuck in the throat — a piece of food, a child’s toy, or blood from an injury — it can block a person’s air supply. After four to six minutes without air, the brain begins to…
Learn MorePoison-Proofing Your House: Quiz
1. Roughly what percentage of childhood poisonings are fatal?a. 50 percentb. 10 percentc. 1 percentd. Far less than 1 percent2. Which of the following household items is the most harmful if swallowed?a. Liquid dish soapb. Liquid or powdered automatic …
Learn MoreBee Stings
What should I do if my child is stung by a bee or wasp? A bee’s stinger works like an automatic pump — the longer it stays in, the more venom it releases — so get it out as quickly as you can. Look for a little black dot in the center of the bite, a…
Learn MoreCardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
CPR — cardiopulmonary resuscitation — is a potentially life-saving procedure that can restart a person’s heartbeat and breathing. CPR is often used to revive victims of electric shock, near-drowning, and heart attack. According to the National Insti…
Learn MoreNosebleed (Children)
How do I stop a nosebleed?First, have your child sit or stand up to reduce the blood pressure in the veins of the nose so that bleeding slows. Have him lean forward and spit out any blood. For a young child, gently pinch the nose shut near the tip wit…
Learn MorePoison Ivy, Sumac, and Oak
How can I tell if my child has poison oak, ivy, or sumac?Many substances can cause an allergic reaction called contact dermatitis. But if your child has been playing in areas where poison ivy, poison oak (see above), or poison sumac grows, you can con…
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