What is MRSA? MRSA is a type of bacteria that is very resistant to most antibiotics. It used to be seen mainly in a hospital setting but more recently is making a grand entrance into the community. This type of skin infection often resembles pimples or boils which may be very tender, painful, and oozy. What is so dangerous is that this infection of the skin can travel deeper, into the bones, blood stream, heart, and lungs which can cause life-threatening infections even in otherwise healthy individuals.

How is MRSA transmitted? MRSA enters the skin usually through a cut or scrape and is transmitted via direct skin-to-skin contact. Some of the risk factors for acquiring community-associated MRSA include:

-Young age

-Participation in contact sports

-Sharing of personal items such as towels or razors

-Person with a weakened immune system

-Crowded and/or unsanitary conditions

What is the treatment? This is the tough part. Treating an infection caused by MRSA often involves multiple antibiotics and vigilant wound care. It is critical for persons infected with this type of bacteria to keep their sores covered with clean, dry bandages until properly healed. If the bacteria spread to other parts of the body such as the heart, lungs, or blood stream, hospitalization may be necessary.

Prevention: Some important prevention tips include:

-Cover all scrapes and cuts with band-aids until fully healed. MRSA enters the skin very easily through open wounds so it is best to keep them protected especially at school and when playing contact sports.

-Make sure your child practices proper hygiene and hand washing techniques. It is also a good idea for them to keep a bottle of hand sanitizer in their backpacks.

-Shower after participation in games and practices

-If someone in your home has MRSA, take care to properly sanitize all linens preferably in hot water with bleach.

Even with taking all of the necessary precautions, MRSA can still affect the most vigilant and healthy of individuals. If your child develops what looks like a bug bite or boil which then starts to become fluid filled, it is recommended that you make an appointment with a doctor. He or she will likely culture the wound if it looks infected to determine the cause and then prescribe the necessary antibiotics. It is equally important to ensure that your child finishes the antibiotic as prescribed to prevent any future resistance.

*P.S.S. (Parent Sanity Saver): To find out more about outbreaks of MRSA in your community, visit the Centers for Disease Control at www.cdc.gov.

Medicine Mom Update: Dr. Tara’s column is currently undergoing a format change and will be temporarily on hold until its new launch in January 2009. The new layout will consist of a Q&A segment with reader submitted questions related to family health and happiness. This includes conditions affecting both parent and child. Please send any and all questions to Dr. Tara directly at drk@themedicinemom.com and be sure to include your name and town with your e-mail.

It was when my second daughter, Lainey, turned two-weeks-old that my world as I knew it came to a screeching halt. My darling baby girl turned from a sweet, content infant into a fussy, inconsolable one and I was floored. I didn’t know what to do. Come to find out, Lainey had colic and the next ten weeks was utter hell. Day after day of continuous cry fests left me feeling inept, inadequate, and isolated. In my head, I had failed as a mother, a wife, and a friend to those I loved. Little did I know, the worst was yet to come. Eventually I lost all feelings of happiness and joy and all I wanted to do was to curl up into a ball and die. That was when I knew I needed professional help.

My diagnosis was postpartum depression (PPD), a condition that affects approximately 15 percent of new mothers. Unfortunately, not all moms suffering from PPD seek medical attention and this is a shame since it is a very treatable condition. Since I came from a medical background, I had the advantage of hearing first hand, stories of other moms who went through the same thing I was going through. Some I saw from the beginning, when they were first starting their medication and receiving therapy, to the end when they were themselves again. The difference was night and day. I was not embarrassed to get a prescription filled for an antidepressant since I knew how common depression actually was. I believe that these drugs, when prescribed appropriately, can help save lives. And, no social class is immune to the effects of PPD. From professionals to blue collar workers to the unemployed-everyone is fair game. Seeing others recover from PPD helped provide hope that I too, had a chance at recovery-a chance to experience life as I knew it once again.

The road to happiness was not easy but I did make some discoveries along the way. I learned the importance of laughter–and I’m talking good, hearty, from the belly kind. It was humor that helped me find my way out of the dark. When you can laugh at the ridiculousness of your horrid situation, it makes you feel better.

I also discovered the therapeutic effects of writing. Jotting all of my complaints and concerns down on paper helped me heal and led to the birth of my first book,

“The Colic Chronicles: A Mother’s Survival Guide to Calming Your Baby While Keeping Your Cool (Da Capo Lifelong).” This book was designed to provide encouragement, companionship, and helpful hints to fellow mothers of fussy and colicky infants.

Hopefully you will never have to suffer from the effects of PPD. But, if you or someone you know happens to show any symptoms of this condition, make sure to seek help right away, before it’s too late.

Symptoms of PPD:

-Anxiety

-Thoughts of Suicide

-Hopelessness

-Irritability

-Mood Swings

-Excessive Crying

-Feelings of Guilt

-Sleep Disturbances

-Lack of Energy

*For more information on PPD and related conditions, I recommend visiting Dr. Shoshana Bennett’s website (author of Postpartum Depression for Dummies) at www.drshosh.com.

Poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac are three of the most common weeds in the United States known to cause an allergic skin reaction. The rash associated with these plants can cause intense itching, blistering, and pain. Knowing how to prevent these dreadful rashes from affecting your little ones will help ensure that your next outdoors excursion is a scratch-free one.
What to do:

Prevention:

1. Appearance is everything: Contrary to popular belief, the saying “leaves of three, let it be” is only partially true. While poison ivy and poison oak usually have three leaflets, poison sumac normally has seven to thirteen. It is the colorless uroshiol oil that is responsible for the allergic response, not the leaves themselves. When poisonous leaves are damaged and the oil is exposed to air, the oil turns black and you may see tiny black dots on the leaves which are a warning sign to stay away.

2. Establish fear: Let your children know that if they do tempt fate and go play in a patch of poison ivy, the family trip is likely to be ruined and they won’t get allowance for the next month. Well, that may be a little harsh, but you know what I mean.

3. Form a barrier. Try an over-the-counter lotion that forms a protective barrier on the skin such as Ivy Block applied 15 minutes prior to possible exposure.

4. Pyromaniacs beware: When poisonous plants are burned, they emit dangerous fumes that can also cause an allergic response.

Treatment:

Immediately rinse affected areas of skin with cool water. If water is not available you can use rubbing alcohol. Don’t forget to thoroughly rinse any objects that may have come in contact with the oil such as sunglasses, shoes, and gloves.
Poison Ivy Emergency Kit: Your kit should contain:
-Calamine lotion (for the itch)
-Oral Benadryl (for the allergic response)
-Tylenol or Motrin for pain
-Lollipops for the whining (These work on adults as well).

*Call a doctor if:

1. The initial reaction is severe or symptoms worsen.
2. The rash seems to be spreading, covers large areas of the body, or affects the eyelids or genitalia.

What NOT to do:

-Do not take a hot shower after possible exposure to poison ivy. It can open your pores and increase the reaction.
-Do not let your animals run wild through the woods. The oil from the plants adheres very nicely to the coats of our furry friends.
With any family trip you are likely to encounter some obstacles along the way. Whether it’s a flat tire, or a case of itchy, oozing poison ivy, there are treatments available. So, on your next outdoors adventure with your family, remember two important things: Your poison ivy emergency kit and an extra bag of lollipops because you never know when you may need them.

*P.S.S. (Parent Sanity Saver): Before your next camping trip or hike through the park, take your kids online and view some poisonous plants so they can try their best to avoid them.

The author is a doctor of pharmacy and mother of two amazing little girls. Her book, The Colic Chronicles (Da Capo Lifelong) is scheduled for release in June 2008. You can check out her website at www.themedicinemom.com or e-mail her directly at drk@themedicinemom.com. She encourages reader questions and feedback!

-Richard Holstein, D.D.S-
The latest obsession among moms lately has nothing to do with mom, per se, but focuses on what moms can do to trick their children into eating foods that are actually good for them. This is a good thing since so many children are consuming foods that are heavily processed and light on nutritional value. And, since summer is when most of us start craving juicy, fresh fruits and veggies, now is a great time to experiment with some fun, healthful food tips for you and your family:

Tip #1: Start early: Instilling healthy habits early on really does help lay the foundation for the future. Take my friend’s toddler for instance. Since he turned one-year-old, he has always eaten the same healthy foods that his parents eat—he didn’t have a choice! Unlike many of us, his mom and dad never made a separate meal just for him and now he eats pretty much anything!

Tip #2: Make it colorful: Try to ensure that your child’s plate is not monochromatic. Fill it up with as many colors from the rainbow as possible.

Tip#3: Go for frozen or fresh: Opt for frozen or fresh produce over canned varieties. Frozen fruits and veggies may actually be more nutritious than their fresh food rivals. This is because, over time, fresh produce can lose important nutrients while frozen produce is usually picked at peak times.

Tip #4: Make it silly: Try building a leaning tower of Pisa out of banana slices or making a happy face out of some baked chicken. Your kids will love devouring its’ parts!

Tip #5: Limit snacks: Children normally require two or so snacks during the day to get them through to the next meal. Just try to make them small-portioned, light snacks like popcorn or grapes. They need foods that won’t stay with them for too long and ruin their appetite at meal times.

Tip #6: Out of sight out of mind: Store junk foods away in the pantry and on the top shelf, out of an easy arm’s reach. Research has shown that the closer you are to a food, and the more visible it is, the more likely you are to eat it.

Tip #7: Reach for a book: There are a couple of great books on the market for hiding those not-so-popular veggies inside kid’s favorites like brownies and Mac-n-cheese. Although many of these recipes require a good amount of prep time, it may be well worth it in the end.

Tip #8: Don’t obsess: Last but not least, don’t become overly obsessive about the dietary habits of your kids, especially the young ones. Let them eat what they will, within reason of course, and chances are they will soon become more open to trying foods that are not shaped like dinosaurs.

Hopefully your children will start out appreciating the healthfulness offered by lean meats, crisp vegetables, and sweet fruits. If not, it is likely they will, at some point, trade in their bowl of cocoa puffs for some granola, some children just need a little more coaxing than others.

P.S.S. (Parent Sanity Saver): If your child is a real fussy eater, he or she will likely benefit from a once daily multivitamin. Just make sure you store them way out of reach since most of them taste almost as good as candy.

The author is a doctor of pharmacy and mother of two amazing little girls. Her book, The Colic Chronicles (Da Capo Lifelong) is scheduled for release in Summer 2008. You can check out her website at http://www.themedicinemom.com or e-mail her directly at drk@themedicinemom.com. She encourages reader questions and feedback!

For most of us, it’s okay if we happen to dive into a desert that just happens to be laced with peanuts. But, for those unfortunate few with food allergies, these surprises can bring more than bad taste—they can cause a full-blown emergency.

In order to help you better understand food allergies, and how they relate to children, I thought it would be best to separate the facts from fiction:

Fiction: If your child is allergic to a certain food, you will know right away.

Fact: Our bodies do not produce an allergic response to a substance until we have encountered that same substance before. So, your child could have eaten a peanut butter and jelly sandwich every day for the last three years and then, all of a sudden break out in a full blown rash from one little peanut found in his trail mix. This is why food allergies, and allergies in general, are so hard to diagnose. The most common symptoms of a food allergy include:

-Rash

-Wheezing

-Cough

-Hoarseness and tightness in throat

-Nausea

-Stomach cramps

-Vomiting

-Diarrhea

* If your child ever experiences any of the above symptoms or any warmth, flushing and/or throat tingling, you need to call his or her doctor right away. Although it is rare, anaphylactic-type reactions leading to dangerous drops in blood pressure can occur and require immediate medical attention.

Fiction: Children will eventually outgrow their food allergies.

Fact: Although many kids will outgrow their allergies to foods, some may not. Those whom are allergic to tree nuts (almonds, walnuts, cashews, etc.) have only a 9% chance of outgrowing their allergy while those allergic to peanuts have a higher chance at 20%. The good news is that approximately 85% of children allergic to cow’s milk, soy, wheat, and egg will outgrow their allergy by the time they are five.

Fiction: Food allergies only occur in children whose parents have food allergies.

Fact: Just because you and your spouse do not suffer from food allergies does not mean your child will be spared. Although there is a strong hereditary link associated with the development of allergies, there is still a 10 to 15% chance that a child can develop a food allergy despite a negative family history.

Fiction: There are tests that predict what exactly your child is allergic to.

Fact: While there are a variety of tests available, none are 100% accurate. The blood allergen test, known as RAST, often results in false positive reactions. This means that the test may say your child is allergic to a certain food or substance when, in fact, they are not. Evaluating a child for food allergies can be a complicated process and usually involves a combination of blood tests, skin tests, and keeping a food diary.

If you have a child that suffers from food allergies, family feasts can turn your stomach in knots. This is because it becomes your responsibility to rake everyone through the coals about the ingredients used to prepare each dish. But don’t be shy. Speak up and, if they are the loving relatives they should be, they will totally understand.

*P.S.S. (Parent Sanity Saver): If you have a child who suffers from severe allergic reactions, it may be best if you host the holiday dinners at your house. This way you can be in charge of what’s for dinner.

The author is a doctor of pharmacy and mother of two amazing little girls. You can visit her website at www.themedicinemom.com or e-mail her directly at drk@themedicinemom.com.