Poison Ivy - Ick!!!

I love the summer and everything that comes along with it...except for those little green leaves that bring along the itchies!! Poison Ivy! When I was a kid, I was out of school for two weeks with it. And I now have two children with such sensitive skin who I know will struggle with it as well. We've kept it away till now, but I know it's just a matter of time. I found this article by Healthwise which I have found the most helpful of all the information out there. Hope it helps if poison ivy comes your way!
"The rash (allergic contact dermatitis) from poison ivy, oak, or sumac generally is mild and can be treated at home. Home treatment for the rash usually helps relieve symptoms but does not speed up healing of the rash.
If you know you had contact with one of these plants, immediately wash areas of the skin that may have touched the plant. Sometimes the rash can be completely avoided by washing the affected areas with plenty of water within 10 or 15 minutes of contact. You could also try using a product (such as Tecnu or Zanfel) that is designed to remove the oil from your skin.
To relieve itching and help dry blisters, apply wet compresses or soak the area in cool water. Antihistamine pills or calamine lotion may help relieve symptoms.
If you have a moderate to severe rash, you may need to see your health professional. He or she may prescribe corticosteroid pills. These medicines may help improve or clear up the rash more quickly. Prescription corticosteroid creams, ointments, shots, or gels may also be used, but pills or shots are usually more effective.
A frequent complication of the rash is infection. If this occurs, your health professional will probably prescribe an antibiotic cream that you spread on the affected skin if the infection is small. Otherwise, you may need antibiotic pills or a shot.3 To prevent infection, try not to scratch the rash, and cut your fingernails short to minimize the possibility of opening the skin and spreading bacteria.
Regardless of what type of treatment is used after a rash develops, the length of time it lasts will vary from person to person.

Happy Summer to all!!

Back to School Safety

Ok, its only July 7, 2008 and going back to school is 6 weeks to 8 weeks away. NOW is the time to get ready to get back to school safety information!

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission has great information and down loadable checklists. It is impossible to top the information.

Just go to: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/america.html and you will be pleased!

This site offers safety tips on playgrounds, bicycles, skateboards and additional issues.

Burt's Bees for Diaper Rash

I have young children who have both suffered diaper rash. My daughter had the worse case and I tried every brand out there to treat it with no luck. My friend recommended Burt's Bees Diaper Rash Cream. It worked in an instant!! No more diaper rash! I've used it ever since. For diaper rash, there's nothing better than Burt's Bees!!

Children's Summer Colds

How do you treat a summer cold in children? When going to the gym with child care, I noticed a child with a runny nose and coughing a lot. In stead of leaving my children to catch this cold, we left.

I looked up this information on summer colds and pass it on now.

Go to: http://bcbsma.medscape.com/viewarticle/438730 for info.

Go to: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/438730_3 for info.

I feel that the common cold will spread no matter what I do. But I feel good about not letting my children get extra exposure.

Cats and Children Safety

Found great information about cats and children.

Go To: http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=0&cat=1495&articleid=627

It is so important to introduce a pet into the family properly.

This site has solutions for common cat-child related issues.

Children and Dog Bites

A web site with dog rules for Children.

Teresa's Bad Rules

These are rules that kids in Teresa's dog obedience classes call the "bad rules" because they don't like some of them.

Following these dos and donts will help keep promote child safety around dogs and prevent dog bites.

Do not hug a dog, put your face close to his face or lie on him. Do sit beside your dog, rub his chest or scratch him on the side of the neck.

Do not play chase-me games with a dog. Do play hide and seek - where the dog has to find you or an object that you hide.

Do not play tug-of-war games with a dog. Do play fetch with the dog - teach the dog to trade the object for a treat so he won't try to tug.

Do not lean over or step over a dog. Do respect a dog's resting place - go around him or ask an adult to move the dog.

Do not bother a dog who is sleeping, eating, has a toy or bone, is hurt or has puppies. Do wait for the dog to come to you for attention.

Do not dress a dog up in play clothes. Do dress up your stuffed animals.

Do not hit a dog or poke him with a stick. Do be gentle with dogs.

Do not pull a dog's ears, tail or fur. Do scratch the dog's chest or the side of her neck - most dogs enjoy this.

Do not stick fingers or hands into the dog's crate. Do ask an adult to let the dog out of the crate if you want to pet her.

Do not play in the dog's crate. Do play "in and out of the crate" with the dog - toss a treat in - dog goes in to get it - dog comes back out - toss another treat in etc (with adult supervision).

If your dog does not welcome you with wagging and panting - leave him alone. Do wait for the dog to come to you for attention.

If your dog gets too rough or excited, be a tree until he gets bored and goes away.

Do not run and shout around a dog that is not in a crate. Do be calm around dogs; involve the dog in an activity such as chewing on a bone or playing fetch so he doesn't feel that he needs to chase you to have fun.

For more information GO TO: http://www.doggonesafe.com/keep%20kids%20safe%20around%20other%20people's%20dogs.htm

Summer Safety

As this is the first day of summer, it is good to reflect upon the safety issues that summer brings.

I could go on and on but I have found that the American Red Cross did that already.

So my summer safety tip is Go To: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=summer+safety

Have a safe summer!