Infant Flat Head Syndrome

Flat head syndrome is a common term to describe a variety of medical conditions.  The most common condition is called Plagiocephaly, which refers to an asymmetrical shape of the head caused by repeated pressure to one side of the back of the head. Plagiocephaly literally means “oblique head” which is derived from the Greek words “plagio” meaning oblique and “cephale” meaning head. The high incidence rate of this condition indicates that more parent education about the causes and preventative measures are necessary.  Parents need to learn about infant flat head syndrome and the preventative measures as soon as they have a baby and not at the 2 month check up when flattened spots are visible.

• A flattened spot on an infant’s head is the result from sleeping and other care giving positions that put pressure on the back or sides of infants head.
• Flattened spots can be prevented and corrected by re-positioning the infant’s head throughout the day.  Re-positioning strategies such as tummy time, sitting up in Bumbo chairs, playing in Exersaucers, and using pediatrician approved pillows throughout the infant’s awake time will gradually correct the shape of the infant’s head.  You should never use the pillows when the infant is unsupervised or sleeping for dangers of SIDS and suffocation.
• Persistent flattened areas on the back or sides of an infant’s head means that the infant is not getting enough opportunities for re-positioning.  Add more supervised tummy time, sitting in Bumbo chairs, and playing in Exersaucers to stop pressure on the flattened areas.
• If the condition worsens, then by the age of 6 months a pediatric neurosurgeon should be consulted to help determine whether a skull-shaping orthotic helmet or other interventions are necessary.
• Do not put infants to sleep on their tummies.  In order to reduce the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), infants should be placed on their backs to sleep with nothing else in the crib.  A campaign launched in the 1990’s to educate parents and care givers about safe sleep practices for infants has caused a 50% decrease in the infant mortality rate in the United States from SIDS, and a perfectly shaped head is not worth the risk of SIDS.

According to an article published by Michelle Healy, on July 8, 2013 in USA Today, “both the AAP and the National Institutes of Health stress that flat spots are much less serious than SIDS and that parents and caregivers should continue to place infants on their backs to sleep, while incorporating repositioning strategies, including:

• “Tummy time” when the infant is awake and supervised. This not only helps prevent flat spots, but it also helps the head, neck and shoulder muscles get stronger as part of normal development.

STORY: For strong babies, make playtime ‘tummy time’

• Changing the direction that the infant lies in the crib from one week to the next. This encourages the infant to turn his or her head in different directions to avoid resting in the same position all the time.

• Avoiding too much time in car seats, carriers and bouncers while the infant is awake. Spend “cuddle time” with the child by holding him or her upright over one shoulder often during the day.

• Changing the location of the infant’s crib in the room so that the child has to look in different directions to see the door or the window.”

Hi this is Terri Borman, and I hope you enjoyed this post about infant flat head syndrome.   I am also the author of children’s book, Shapes Go to School.  It’s the first day of school for the shape children and their teacher, Miss Heart, has asked the shape children to get up and introduce themselves.  While having fun reading Shapes Go to School, your children will learn to recognize shapes and everything in between such as colors, counting, and even diversity.  To order your copy, click on the picture of Shapes Go to School.

Resources

http://www.parents.com/baby/development/problems/flat-head-syndrome/

http://www.babyflathead.org/

http://www.flatheadprevention.org/about-flathead-syndrome/

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/07/08/flat-spot-head/2486761/

The Flu Wants YOU!

According to the CDC, “Children younger than 5 years of age are at high risk of serious flu-related complications. It’s estimated that more than 20,000 children younger than 5 years old are hospitalized due to flu complications each year in the United States. Many more have to go to a doctor, an urgent care center, or the emergency room because of flu.”

Flu viruses spread when people with the flu cough, sneeze or talk.  The virus can be in droplets of saliva from infected people which can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby.   A person can also get the flu by touching a surface or object that has the flu virus on it and then touching their own mouth, eyes or nose.

Symptoms of the flu include:

• Fever
• Cough
• Sore Throat
• Runny Nose
• Stuffy Nose
• Body Aches
• Headache
• Chills
• Fatigue
• Dry Cough
• Diarrhea and Vomiting (usually more common in children)

Flu symptoms can last from a few days to two weeks and complications from the flu can occur. Per the CDC, “Complications from the flu can include pneumonia (an illness where the lungs get infected and inflamed), dehydration (when a child’s body loses too much water and salts, often from not drinking enough), worsening of long-term medical problems like heart disease or asthma, encephalopathy (inflammation of the brain), sinus problems and ear infections. In rare cases, flu complications can lead to death.”

If you get flu symptoms, visit a health care professional, minimize contact with other people, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when sneezing or coughing, and wash hands with soap and water frequently.  Observe your children or the children in your care for symptoms of illness.  If a child develops a fever 101 degrees orally, respiratory symptoms, or is less responsive than normal, contact their doctor.

As you may already know, antibiotics will not kill a virus.  The virus must run its course.  Treatment for the flu virus includes antiviral drugs, which are available for children two weeks and older and adults.   Antiviral drugs are not antibiotics, and the use of antiviral drugs, such as Tamiflu, can make the illness milder and shorter in duration.  Per the CDC, “studies show that flu antiviral drugs work best for treatment when they are started within 2 days of getting sick, but starting them later can still be helpful, especially if the sick person has a high-risk health condition or is very sick from the flu. Follow your doctor’s instructions for taking this drug.”

The flu season begins in October and runs through May with most cases occurring in January and February.  Vaccinations can be given at any time during the flu season, and once administered, the vaccine takes approximately two weeks to protect against common flu strains.  Children under the age of 9 and who have never received a seasonal flu vaccination will need two doses of the seasonal vaccine this year (even if they got the 2009 H1N1 pandemic flu vaccine).  The second dose must be given no sooner than four weeks after the first dose.

Per the CDC, “Pregnancy increases the risk that a healthy woman who gets the flu will get sick, be hospitalized, or die.  Because the flu shot is only a protein that can’t give a person the flu, the benefit of vaccination far outweighs any possible risk from the vaccine itself. That goes for the woman as well as for her developing baby.”

Don’t play around with the flu.   Take time out of your schedule and get your family vaccinated.  It costs about $10 per person to be vaccinated, which is much more cost effective than paying medical bills from doctor or ER visits, antiviral medicines, and not to mention the lost time and wages for missing work while you stay home with your child who is sick.

Infants under the age of 6 months cannot be vaccinated and are considered high risk.  Every family member or caregiver that are around infants under the age of 6 months should be vaccinated from the flu making it less likely to get the flu and, therefore, less likely to spread the flu to infants under the age of 6 months.

Hi this is Terri Borman and I hope you enjoyed this post about the flu.   I am also the author of children’s book, Shapes Go to School.  It’s the first day of school for the shape children and their teacher, Miss Heart, has asked the shape children to get up and introduce themselves.  While having fun reading Shapes Go to School, your children will learn to recognize shapes and everything in between such as colors, counting, and even diversity.  To order your copy, click on the picture of the cover of Shapes Go to School.

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/infantcare.htm

Questions to Ask When Interviewing an In Home Childcare Provider

In home childcare has many benefits.  The class size is smaller, there’s no staff turnover because the provider is the staff, the children have the comfort of feeling at home, and in home childcare is regulated by the state they live in.

Unfortunately, there are people out there running illegal in home childcare operations, and you should do your due diligence and look up prospective childcare providers on your state’s website.  In Texas, the agency that regulates childcare is called the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services or DFPS.  The DFPS website will show the childcare, how long they have been in business, and how they have been doing since they started the childcare. If a childcare is not listed on the state’s website, then they are not operating legally.

Most in home childcare businesses will have operation policies available for you to review and most of the questions listed below will be addressed in their policies, but it doesn’t hurt to ask them during an interview.

1. Are you registered, or licensed with the state?

In the State of Texas, it is against the law to operate an in home childcare without being regulated by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. Therefore, all in home Texas childcare must be registered, or licensed.  All registered and licensed childcare homes are required to do background checks on anyone routinely around the children who are 14 years of age and above. The reason for this is for the protection of the children.  We do not want sex offenders and people with felony convictions that can’t find  jobs opening up in home childcare or working around children. In addition, regulated childcare providers are required to receive annual training and follow the Minimum Standards For Childcare Homes.

2. How many children are in your care, and how many are infants?

In the Minimum Standards, there are child/caregiver ratios, and you should print these ratios out before the interview. There are different ratios for Registered, Licensed, and Licensed with helpers and the number of infants changes the child/caregiver ratio.

3. Do you have any helpers?

Having a helper means that there are always eyes on the children in care. When the provider needs to go to the bathroom, the helper is there. When it’s time to make lunch, the helper is there. Does this mean the provider can leave the helper alone with the children to run errands? No! The provider may never leave the helper alone. Hiring a helper is not mandatory for an in home childcare unless they are licensed and want to care for more children. Having a helper is a plus though when interviewing.

4. What are your hours?

In home childcare can set their own hours so make sure the hours work for your schedule.

5. What is your policy regarding sickness?

You should ask how they handle children who get sick during care. Do they send children home with any sort of cough and sniffle? Or are they the opposite and let sick children remain exposing otherwise healthy kids? You should also find out what happens when the provider becomes ill or has an appointment.

6. Do I pay for vacation or absent days?

If your child is sick or out on vacation, your weekly tuition will most likely still be due and should be paid on time or ahead of time if you will be away.  You should ask what their policy is when they are closed.  Some providers won’t charge tuition when they are going to be closed for vacation and, therefore, you can schedule your vacation at the same time.

7. What is your discipline policy?

You want to find out what the provider does for discipline and that it is age appropriate. They may not discipline at all and that could lead to behavior problems for you down the road.

8. Are meals and snacks are provided?

How many meals and snacks are provided?  What are the meal times?  What is the policy if the child is dropped off after a meal time, but has not yet eaten?  Parents should understand that  childcare providers cannot tailor meals to an individual child and cannot have an open kitchen like I-HOP.  Any food allergies should be stated in writing and any specialty foods should be provided by the parent.

9. Do you charge extra if I am late picking up my child?

Most childcare providers charge $1 for every minute a parent is late picking a child up after hours. Typically, providers are understanding and may offer parents a couple of allowances due to mitigating circumstances. However, 30 minutes late on several occasions is never acceptable. Your lateness prevents providers from taking care of their own families and getting to their planned activities.

10. What is your overall childcare beliefs?

Do you believe in nurturing and providing quality care or do you have an educational component too? What training do you have? Do all children participate in everything?  What if the younger ones are unable to participate or lack the interest?  Does the provider offer stations of choice? Is there structure and a schedule that is followed each day?

11. What are your policies regarding safety?

Parents should look around inside and outside. Is there cleanliness and overall safe looking conditions? Is it well-lit and a comfortable temperature? Where do the children sleep? What do they sleep on?  Where are the sleep stuff kept? Can one child’s blanket touch another?  Are cribs shared? Are toys sanitized on a regular basis? What happens if one child puts a toy in his/her mouth and puts it down?  Is the outdoor play equipment weathered, out dated, and dilapidated? Is there a pool? Is there a well maintained fence?  Are there outside animals?  Is the animal debris cleaned up?

12. Can I visit my child?

Most providers have an open door policy and would welcome you into their home at any time. Also, your help during special activities, such as Christmas and Valentines parties, would be greatly appreciated.

Hi this is Terri Borman childcare specialist and author of Shapes Go to School.  While having fun reading my book, children will learn to recognize shapes and everything in between such as colors, counting, and even diversity.  To order your copy, click on the picture of Shapes Go to School.

Diaper Disaster

What is diaper rash?

Diaper rash is a redness that appears on the skin under a diaper.  It generally occurs in infants and children under the age of 2, but paralyzed adults or adults that are incontinent and wear adult diapers can also get diaper rash.  The skin under the diaper will look red and irritated.  It may appear all over the bottom, the genital area, or just in certain places, and it may or may not involve the folds of the skin.  Diaper rash can be mild or very severe depending on the cause.

What causes diaper rash?

1. Friction between the skin and the wet diaper can cause diaper rash.  This results in a red, shiny rash on the exposed areas.
2. Irritants found in bowel movements or urine, or from the cleaning agents in diaper wipes can also cause diaper rash.  This kind of bright red rash is typically not found in the folds of the skin.
3. Candidal infections also known as fungal or yeast infections can cause diaper rash.  This rash has a bright, beefy red appearance and is very common after the use of antibiotics.  Candida is also known to cause thrush.
4. Allergic reactions to diaper wipes, diapers, laundry detergent, soap, lotion, or the elastic in plastic pants can cause diaper rash.

What is the treatment for diaper rash?

1. Apply the Desitin Original Paste onto the rash.  Desitin has several versions make sure you get the original paste.  It goes on like icing, will not dissolve or rub off, and works fast.  Reapply ointment every diaper change.
2. Change diapers often, especially after a BM.
3. Give the area fresh air as much as possible.
4. If the rash is reoccurring, try changing to a different brand of diaper.

When to Seek Medical Care?

Call your doctor if these conditions develop:

• The rash does not get better after treating it 4-7 days.
• The rash is getting worse or has spread to other parts of the body.
• The rash has puss like drainage or yellowish colored crusting. This is called impetigo and needs to be treated with antibiotics.
• The rash is reoccurring and you are not certain what may be causing the rashes.
• The child is having diarrhea and a rash lasting for more than 48 hours.
• Seborrhea is an oily, yellow looking rash that may also be seen in other areas of the body, such as the face, head, and neck.
• Should your child seem to be in severe pain, if you notice a rapid spread of the rash, accompanied with a fever, you should seek medical attention.

Hi this is Terri Borman childcare specialist and author of Shapes Go to School.  While having fun reading my book, children will learn to recognize shapes and everything in between such as colors, counting, and even diversity.  To order your copy, click on the picture of Shapes Go to School.

For more information about diaper rashes:

http://www.webmd.com/children/guide/diaper-rash

 

Infant Feeding Guidelines

Hi this is Terri Borman childcare specialist and author of Shapes Go to School.   As a childcare provider it’s important that I keep track of how much the little ones eat, how many diapers they make and how much sleep they received while in my care, and I use a daily log sheet to keep track of these things.  I send it home with the parents daily so they can be aware too.   It’s very important that infants get all the nutrients they need to be healthy and happy babies.

Age: Birth to 4 months

Only feed infants birth to 4 months breast milk or formula.  Their digestive tracts are still developing so solid foods are a bad idea.  It is recommended that infants birth to 4 months eat 4-6 ounces of breast milk or formula 6 times per day.

Age: 4 to 7 Months

Here are some signs that your baby is ready to be introduced to solid foods:

• Can hold head up
• Sits well in highchair
• Makes chewing motions
• Birth weight has doubled and weighs 13 pounds or more
• Shows interest in food
• Can close mouth around a spoon
• Can move food from front to back of mouth
• Can move tongue back and forth, but is losing tendency to push food out with tongue
• Seems hungry after 6 feedings of breast milk or 36 ounces of formula in a day
• Is teething

What to feed at breakfast times:

• 4-8 ounces of breast milk or formula.
• Up to 3 tablespoons of iron-fortified cereal mixed with breast milk or formula.

What to feed at snack times:

• 4-6 ounces of breast milk or formula.

What to feed at lunch and dinner times:

• 4-8 ounces of breast milk or formula.
• Up to 3 tablespoons of infant cereal.
• Up to 3 tablespoons of pureed fruit or vegetables or both.

Age: 8 to 11 months

What to feed at breakfast times:

• 6-8 ounces of breast milk or formula.
• 2-4 tablespoons of infant cereal.
• 1-4 tablespoons of pureed fruits of vegetables or both.

What to feed at snack times:

• 2-4 ounces of breast milk, formula or 100% fruit juice.
• Up to 1/2 slice of bread or up to 2 crackers.

What to feed at lunch and dinner times:

• 6-8 ounces of breast milk or formula.
• 2-4 tablespoons of infant cereal.
• 1-4 tablespoons of your choice of protein, such as meat, fish, poultry,egg yolk. 1/2-2 ounces of cheese, 1-4 ounces of cottage cheese, or 1-4 ounces of cheese spread.
• 1-4 tablespoons of fruit or vegetables or both.

What not to feed to infants:

Infants cannot digest cow’s milk as easily as breast milk or formula and, therefore, whole milk should not be served to an infant under the age of one.  Cow’s milk is intended for for providing calves all the nutrition they need to grow into healthy adult cows.   It has high concentrations of protein and minerals, and it lacks some necessary vitamins, such as iron and vitamin C.  Cow’s milk doesn’t provide the healthiest types of fat for growing babies and can irritate the lining of the digestive system causing blood in the stools.

Resources:

http://www.babycenter.com/0_age-by-age-guide-to-feeding-your-baby_1400680.bc

http://www.babycenter.com/0_cows-milk-when-and-how-to-introduce-it_1334703.bc

Hi this is Terri Borman childcare specialist and author of Shapes Go to School.  While having fun reading my book, children learn to recognize shapes and everything in between such as colors, counting, and even diversity.  To order your copy, click on the picture of Shapes Go to School.       

Below is the infant daily log sheet to help keep track of what was consumed, number of diapers made, and amount of sleep taken.  Click on this link for a pdf of the Infant Daily Log

 

Out of the Darkness Shedding Light on Child Abuse

Hi this is Terri Borman author of children’s book Shapes Go to School and childcare provider.  I recently attended a training seminar titled “Non-Stranger Danger Shining Light in a Dark Space” presented by Patricia E. Adams, who has dedicated her life to “bring light into the darkness of the spiritually wounded who have experienced traumas, terrors and near death in life.  Her belief is that God is not at fault, but is the remedy that will lead you on a true journey of transformation and restoration.”  Patricia explained to us that the greatest risk to children doesn’t come from “Stranger Danger” but actually from non-strangers, such as friends and family and that she hopes this training will be like “windshield wipers” to our eyes so that we can discern this evil that is happening to children all around us.

I was touched by Patricia’s testimony as she passionately told us that she herself was a victim of non-stranger danger sexual abuse, which started when she was two years of age and went on until she was over 18 years of age, and how at 17 years of age, she was pre-arranged to be married to a man more than double her age.   She prayed to God for a way out and eventually an opportunity made itself available for her to get away.  She then became gainfully employed and thought she was safe, but they eventually found her.   Unfortunately, she ran out of time, and we did not get to hear the end of that very dark chapter of her life.

Here are the facts:

1. Experts estimate that one in ten children are sexually abused before their 18th birthday.
2. One in Five children are sexually solicited while on the Internet.
3. Youth are 2.5 times more likely to be raped than adults.
4. About 35% of victims are 11 years old or younger.
5. 30 to 40% of children are abused by family members.
6. As many as 60% are abused by people the family trusts.
7. Approximately 40% of sex offenders report being sexually abused themselves as children.
8. Both males and females who have been sexually abused are more likely to engage in prostitution.
9. Approximately 70% of sexual offenders of children have between 1 and 9 victims; 20-25% have 10 to 40 victims.
10. Serial perpetrators may have as many as 400 victims in their lifetimes.

Talk Openly with Children:

1. Teach children that it is wrong for anyone to act in a sexual way with them.
2. Teach them what parts of their bodies are private and off limits.
3. Teach them that the abuser might be an adult friend, family member, or older youth.
4. Teach children not to give out personal information, such as email addresses, home addresses, and phone numbers.
5. Be proactive and use everyday opportunities to talk about sexual abuse.  If a child seems reluctant to be with a particular adult, ask questions.

Children often keep the abuse hidden because the abuser is often manipulative, and may try to confuse the child about what is right and wrong.  The abuser might tell them it’s a game.  The abuser may have threatened harm to them or to their families.  Often times the children are embarrassed and ashamed to tell, or maybe they are too young to understand, or they love the abuser and don’t want any trouble to come to them.

Learn the Signs:

1. Physical signs of sexual abuse is uncommon.  However, redness, rashes/swelling in the genital area, urinary tract infections, or other such symptoms should be investigated.  Physical symptoms associated with anxiety, such as chronic stomachaches or headaches, is possible.
2. Emotional or behavior signs are more common. These can run from a child being too well behaved, to a child who is withdrawn and depressed, to a child with unexplained anger and rebellion.  Sexual promiscuity and language that is not age appropriate should be a warning.
3. Some children will exhibit no signs at all.

Know What to Do:

All 50 states require that professionals who work with children report reasonable suspicions of child abuse.  Some states require that anyone with suspicions report it.

Two agencies handle most reports of child abuse: Child Protective Services (in some states this agency has a different name) and law enforcement.

Many states have toll-free lines that accept reports of abuse from the entire state.  To find out where to make a report in your state, identify the Child Abuse Reporting Numbers at The Child Welfare Information Gateway website, www.childwelfare.gov.

If the legal system does not provide adequate protection for a child, visit the National Center for Victims of Crime at www.ncvc.org or call 1-800-FYI-CALL for referral information.

For More Information:

http://www.d2l.org/site/c.4dICIJOkGcISE/b.6178667/k.93BF/Learn_the_Facts_of_Child_Sexual_Abuse.htm

While having fun reading my book, children will learn to recognize shapes and everything in between, such as colors, counting, and even diversity.  To order your copy click on the picture of the book.  To order a personally signed copy of the book click on this link: http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Shapes-Go-to-School-738347

Help Children Understand Bullying

It’s back to school time here in the United States and parents, caregivers, and school staff each have a role to play in the prevention of bullying.  Children need to understand bullying so they know how to stand up to it safely or when to go get help.  They need to have an open line of communication with their parents so they can get advice about bullying, and they need people modeling for them how others should be treated.

Help Children Understand Bullying.  Children who know about bullying can talk about it if it happens to them or to someone else.  Encourage children to report bullying when it happens and give them advice on how to stand up to a bully by confidently saying, “stop.”  Teach children strategies of what to do if saying, “stop” doesn’t work, such as walk away, stay with friends, or to go near other adults.  Urge children who see someone being bullied to get help.

Keep the Lines of Communication Open.  Children often look to parents for advice with life’s drama.  Here are some great conversation starters:

• What was a good thing that happened at school today?
• Did anything bad happen?
• What is lunch time like?
• Who do you sit with at lunch time?
• What do you talk about?
• What is it like to ride the school bus?
• What’s your favorite subject?
• What do you like best about yourself?

Start conversations about bullying with questions like these:

• What does “bullying” mean to you?
• What are kids who bully like?
• Why do you think people bully?
• Who are the adults you trust when it comes to things like bullying?
• Have you ever felt scared to go to school because of bullying?
• What things have you tried to change?
• What do you think parents can do to help stop bullying?
• Have you or your friends left other kids out on purpose?  Do you think that was bullying?
• What do you usually do when you see bullying going on?
• Do you ever see kids at your school being bullied by other kids?
• How does it make you feel?
• Have you ever tried to help someone who is being bullied? What happened? What would you do if it happens again?

Model How to Treat Others.  By treating others with kindness and respect, adults show the children in and around their lives that there is no need for bullying.  The children are watching, even when you think they are not, how adults manage stress, friendships, co-workers, and families.

Encourage Children to Take Part in After School Activities.   These activities, such as sports, choir, youth groups, or school clubs give children a chance to have fun and meet others with the same interests.  They can build relationships and confidence which helps protect them from bullying.

Hi this is Terri Borman childcare specialist and author of Shapes Go to School.  While having fun reading my book, not only will children learn to recognize shapes they can learn everything in between such as colors, counting, and even diversity.  I would like to spot light one of the characters from my book named Hexagon.  Looking bullyish, Hexagon is angry because he doesn’t like it when people call him names.  To purchase Shapes Go to School click on this link http://www.amazon.com/author/terriborman or click on the picture of Hexagon.

 

For More Information:

http://www.stopbullying.gov/prevention/talking-about-it/index.html

Brown Recluse Spider Bites on the Rise

The brown recluse spider, also known as the fiddleback spider due to the marking on its back which resembles a violin, is a spider with a venomous bite.  The spiders are typically light to medium brown in color and are typically found in southeastern Nebraska, southern Iowa, Illinois, and Indiana, southwestern Ohio, central Texas, western Georgia, eastern Tennessee, and into Kentucky.  The spiders can easily be relocated into other states, but successful colonization in these other states has yet to be seen.  Brown recluse spiders do not use their webs to catch food instead the male and female will leave their webs to hunt at night.  The males will hunt further from the web than the females, and they will hunt for crickets, cockroaches, and other soft bodied insects.

Like it says in their name, the brown recluse spiders tend to shy away from people.  They favor dark isolated places such as wood piles, sheds, garages, attics, and cellars.  When dwelling inside residences, they prefer cardboard boxes, but it’s not unheard of to find them in shoes, work gloves, dressers, clothes stacked or piled on the floor, behind baseboards and picture frames, beds, and even in toilets.  Contact with people often occurs when these isolated places are disturbed and the spider feels threatened, such as when cleaning out a closet or the garage.

Within the first few minutes of a brown recluse bite an itching/burning sensation will begin.     Over the next 6 to 8 hours, the enzymes in the venom will kill tissue and cause the immune system to respond.  There will be intense pain and itching at the bite site, as well as swelling, blistering, or the formation of puss.  The bite will have a bulls-eye appearance, and there will be a bright red dot surrounded by a wide ring of grayish or yellow skin.  The severity of the bite will determine on how much venom the spider has administered to its victim.  The spider may have just used its venom on something else, therefore, depleting its venom supply, or maybe the victim was bit by a juvenile brown recluse.   A juvenile will not have as much venom as an adult brown recluse.

         This person received less venom.                      This person received more venom.

The best treatment of a brown recluse bite is to use ice for the pain and swelling and leave the bite alone.  Ointments and antibiotics are not going to be effective.  Dr. Donna Seger, medical director of the Tennessee Poison Center, said, “As physicians, it is hard for us to do nothing.  The bite has classic characteristics, but if physicians are not familiar with this bite, the tendency is to debride (remove infected tissue) and cut out the lesion.  This actually slows the healing process, and can result in disfigurement that would not occur if the lesion were left alone.”   Sometimes the bites can cause more severe symptoms throughout the body, such as fever, rash, and muscle pain, and can be life threatening for children.  “Our recommendations,” says Dr. Seger, “are that children under 12 with a brown recluse bite should have a urine test for the presence of hemoglobin (the compound in red blood cells that carries oxygen to the body) in blood.”

  There are several pesticides available for spider control, however, brown recluses have perched legs which allow them to walk over most pesticides making them ineffective.  Sticky traps placed along baseboards offer a way to trap spiders and provide an idea of population levels in the residence or garage.

Since brown recluse spider bites are on the rise, here are some suggestions:

1. Remove all woodpiles and other debris away from the residence.
2. Replace cardboard boxes with plastic containers with air tight lids.
3. Move furniture and beds away from walls, remove bed skirting or ruffles that drag the floor, and remove any items stored beneath the beds.
4. Keep all clothing and shoes picked up and shake out any clothing, shoes, or work gloves that have not been worn in awhile.
5. Use sticky traps along the baseboards since pesticides are ineffective.
6. Vacuum and dust more often.

Sometimes other infections are misdiagnosed as brown recluse bites.  There are a number of documented infections that produce similar wounds such as Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, herpes, diabetic ulcers, fungal infections, chemical burns, toxicondendron dermatitis, squamous cell carcinoma, vasculitis, syphilis, toxic epidural necrosis, sporotrichosis, and Lyme disease.  The most important of these is Staphylococcus, a bacteria that causes wounds very similar to those of brown recluse bites and can be deadly if not treated.  The picture below is of a person infected with Staphylococcus, and you can see the similarity between Staphylococcus and a brown recluse bite.

Hi this is Terri Borman childcare specialist and author of Shapes Go to School.  I provide quality care and education to children under the age of 5.  I have had parents show me bites the children had gotten the night before during their sleep.  Thankfully, none of the children have been bit from the naughty brown recluse spider.  If these spider bites are on the rise, then I want to send out a warning.

Shapes Go to School is a book that teaches children shapes and colors.  Its colorful illustrations and classroom setting will entertain and educate your children.  They will ask to read it over and over.  If you would like to purchase a copy of Shapes Go to School, click on the picture of the book cover.

For more information about the brown recluse spider:

http://www.ehow.com/how-does_5511074_first-stages-brown-recluse-bites.html

http://www.tennessean.com/story/news/health/2014/07/24/brown-recluse-bites-rise/13070891/

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/recluse-brown-spider-bite-tennessee-woman-survives-bite-24781286

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brown_recluse_spider

http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/news/20140729/brown-recluse-spider-bites-on-the-rise-expert-warns

http://search.yahoo.com/search?fr=mcafee&type=A111US0&p=brown+recluse+bites+on+the+rise%3F

 

 

The Dangers of Laundry Detergent Pods

In order to raise awareness of laundry detergent pod injuries and poisonings, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued an alert to the public in 2012 about the risks of laundry detergent pod injuries, and the risks of poisonings the pods pose to children who are exposed to the chemicals inside the product.

The bright and colorful laundry detergent pods were introduced into the U.S. market in 2010 and are marketed by many different brand names.  The pods contain highly concentrated chemicals which pose a much greater health risk for children than regular laundry detergent and can cause severe to life threatening symptoms and even death.

Children who swallow regular laundry detergent will typically experience a mild upset stomach. Unfortunately, the symptoms for swallowing the highly concentrated laundry detergent pods cause more severe life threatening symptoms, such as excessive vomiting, wheezing or gasping for air, lethargic behavior, severe respiratory distress requiring intubation, and if it gets in a child’s eyes, corneal abrasions or scratches may occur.

Children mistaken the bright and colorful squishy laundry detergent pods for candy or teething toys, and they will put the laundry detergent pods into their mouths, chew on the them, and/or squeeze them in their hands causing them to rupture.  Each year there has been an increase in the number of reports involving poisonings and/or injuries to children under the age of 5 from laundry detergent pods.  In 2012, over 6,000 reports involving laundry detergent pods injuring children were received by poison control centers nationwide.  In 2013, more than 10,000 reports were made.  Unless there’s more public awareness, there may be more than 14,000 reports received in 2014.

Proctor & Gamble, manufacturer of Tide Pods, agreed to make several changes to their product packaging.  They altered the containers to an opaque material instead of using a clear plastic to keep children from seeing the brightly colored product inside.

Here is a true story posted on Facebook from a mom, Kelly Landry:

  “For those of you who don’t know Wyatt bit into a laundry detergent pod on 7/25. Because of this he had to be intubated ( have a breathing tube) and life flighted from Sun Valley to Boise to be put in to the PICU. Apparently there is a certain chemical in the soap pods that create acid in the blood stream. After 2 days of IV fluids and several breathing treatments Wyatt is home. I will never again have these around my son. And just want other moms to be aware of what they can do!! (He bit into one that was clear).  Please feel free to share!!!!! Share share share!!! Help get the word out!!!”

Help me spread the word!  Keep laundry detergent pods and other household cleaning agents high and out of the reach of children.  Don’t even let your toddler or young child help you throw the laundry detergent pod into the washer.  One squeeze could pop the pod, spraying the liquid in your child’s eyes.   If your child has been exposed to a laundry detergent pod, call your local poison center at 800-222-1222 immediately.  If your child has ingested the chemicals inside the laundry detergent pod, or has gotten the chemicals in his/her eyes, call 911 or take your child immediately to the Emergency Room.

For more information see these sites:

http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6141a1.htm

http://abcnews.go.com/US/florida-babys-death-highlights-danger-laundry-detergent-pods/story?id=19982495

Hi this is Terri Borman, author of Shapes Go to School and childcare specialist.  I provide quality care and education to children under the ages of five.  I use this blog to help promote my children’s book, but also to help promote the health and safety of all children.  If you would like a personally signed copy of my book, Shapes Go to School, click here!

Car Seats & Shopping Carts: A Dangerous Combo

The Car Seat Lady

Parents use infant car seats as more than just car seats. Babies are often carried in these seats, ride in them on stroller frames, sit in them atop shopping carts, and nap in them while in the house and on the go.

A 2010 study in the journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics found that nearly 10,000 babies in the US are injured each year in their infant car seats NOT in crashes, but rather while using the seats outside of the car.  

1 in 10 of these babies are injured severely enough that they have to spend at least 1 night in the hospital.  

Of the injuries, 85% were related to falls – 65% of the infants fell out of the car seat, 15% fell from elevated surfaces (with shopping carts, tables, and counters being the most common surfaces).

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW TO KEEP…

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