From:
Reyes Abila
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
[email protected]
TAKE A BITE OUT OF SCARRING
As temperatures rise--and people head outside to walk, jog and bicycle--so does the risk of being bitten by a dog. But there are steps to take to prevent bites and other wounds from leaving serious scars.
"First and foremost, stop the bleeding and go to the nearest hospital emergency department," says Dr. Rod Rohrich, chairman of plastic surgery at UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. "Usually if it is a gaping wound, it will need sutures."
A tetanus shot is necessary if the bite victim hasn't had one in 10 or more years.
Rohrich cites five keys to minimize scarring: Keep the wound taped with butterfly bandages for three to four weeks; avoid direct sun exposure and wear sunscreen; avoid stretching exercises that could widen the scar; apply vitamin E oil three times daily; and massage the healing wound in a circular motion at least three times a day to break up scar tissue.
Media contact: Reyes Abila
THE NEGLECTED CHILD IS AN ABUSED CHILD
The profile of a child abuser can be quite misleading. People who abuse children almost always are already known to the child and may appear to be outstanding citizens.
"People who physically abuse infants and children most typically care for them but have patterns of violent reactions when stressed or annoyed," says Dr. Donna Persaud, assistant professor of pediatrics at UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas.
She says it is important to remember that neglect accounts for a significant proportion of child-abuse cases. "Children who are perpetually unsupervised or abandoned suffer greatly in the long run because they may lose considerable potential to become healthy, productive citizens," she says.
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month.
Media Contact: Jennifer Haigh Manley
SOME JUICY ADVICE
Juices, conveniently packaged in boxes and packets, are popular with children. But they should not replace milk in a child's diet.
"Parents and child-care providers offer juice as a frequent snack, thinking it's a healthy selection. But that juice may be no more than sugar water unless the label says '100 percent juice,'" says Joyce Barnett, an assistant professor of clinical nutrition at UT Southwestern Allied Health Sciences School.
She says children who drink too much pseudo-juice risk gaining excessive weight and losing their appetite for milk, which provides protein, calcium and other important nutrients.
Media contact: Bridgette Rose McNeill
BEANIE BABIES' LITTLEST FANS
If a child with allergies lives in your house, spring cleaning should include stuffed animals who live there, too.
"Dust mites are a perennial allergen," says Dr. Richard Mabry, professor of otorhinolaryngology at UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. "But they are ubiquitous in winter because the house is closed up and the heater is running, making conditions ideal for the dust mites to thrive."
Stuffed animals harbor the tiny allergens.
"If the toy animal can stand it without falling apart, tumble it for 15 minutes in a hot dryer," says Mabry, adding that the temperature needs to reach 135 degrees Fahrenheit. "That will kill the dust mites. If you wash the animal, soap and cold water aren't enough. You need heat."
For the child who sleeps with stuffed animals and seems to have chronic allergy symptoms, he suggests fashioning a hammock above the bed for the toys so they are near the child but far from the child's face. If the symptoms persist, see a physician about possible causes and treatments.
Media contact: Kris Mullen
NEW MOTHERS SHOULD SEEK HELP IF THE BLUES DARKEN
Most doctors warn pregnant patients about those few days or weeks after childbirth, when drastic hormonal changes bring on the "baby blues." But some new mothers experience much more severe depression.
Some women suffering from postpartum depression consider suicide or infanticide.
"The problem of severe depression following childbirth is quite serious," says Dr. Kim Yonkers, assistant professor of psychiatry and obstetrics and gynecology at UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. "Any mother who suspects she may be suffering from postpartum syndrome should seek help immediately. Treatments are available."
Media contact: Ann Harrell
SNEAK AN EXERCISE SNACK
Often it is difficult to fit exercise time into an already-busy day.
"Snack on exercise," says Dr. Peter Snell, assistant professor of internal medicine at UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. "By that, I mean take small, 10-minute exercise breaks throughout the day. When I know that I'm not going to be able to work out because of a busy schedule, I'll take the stairs a couple of times; my office is on the ninth floor."
Snell, a three-time Olympic medalist in track, encourages busy people to look around for gym-mimicking activities within their everyday work environment. Take the stairs, instead of the elevator; pace the office hallway a few times; walk to a colleague's office instead of phoning; park far from the entrance to the office or supermarket and walk from your car. With the snack approach, you can get 20 minutes of exercise on a day that seemed activity-doomed, he says.
Media contact: Jennifer Haigh Manley
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