Volume 11, Issue 6
JUNE 2009   

 

Melissa Turner, M.D.
 
   APL would like to welcome Melissa Turner, M.D. to our staff this coming July. Dr.
   Turner was born in Hinsdale and raised in Westmont, IL. She graduated from the
   University of Notre Dame then returned to Chicago to attend medical school at
   Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine. Dr. Turner completed
   her pediatric residency in Milwaukee at the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin.
   During that time she worked with public schools in the area to create specialized
   health education classes for at-risk kids.
 
   We are extremely excited about Dr. Turner's arrival. Drs. Brottman, Santiago, Seskiewicz and Grady all
   feel fortunate to have such a bright, capable and caring physician join their team. Our office will be taking
   appointments for Dr. Turner starting in August of 2009.
 

   
     During summer break, your child will have a greater opportunity to watch television. The following are
     ways you can help them develop positive viewing habits:
      
     1. Set limits. Limit your children's use of TV, movies, and video and computer games to no more than
     one or two hours per day. Do not let your children watch TV while doing homework. Do not put a TV in
     your children's bedrooms.

     2. Plan what to watch. Instead of flipping through channels, use a program guide and the TV ratings
     to help you and your children choose which shows to watch. Turn the TV on to watch the program and
     turn it off when it is over.

 
3. Watch TV with your children. Whenever possible, watch TV with your children and talk about what they see. If your children are very young, they may not be able to tell the difference between a show, a commercial, a cartoon, or real life. Be especially careful of "reality-based" programs. Most of these shows are not appropriate for children.

4. Find the right message. Some TV programs show people as stereotypes. If you see this, talk with your children about the real-life roles of women, the elderly, and people of other races.
 
     5. Help your children resist commercials. When your children ask for things they see on TV, explain
     that the purpose of commercials is to make people want things they may not need.

     6. Look for quality children's videos and DVDs. There are many quality videos and DVDs available
     for children. Check reviews before buying or renting programs or movies.

     7. Give other options. Watching TV can become a habit for your children. Help them find other things
     to do like playing; reading; learning a hobby, a sport, an instrument, or an art; or spending time with
     family, friends, or neighbors.

     For more valuable information about children and media use (TV, video games, etc.),  click here.
 

At APL, no question is too silly and remember the first five-thousand are free.

 


 
 
   Summer is upon us! As your child heads outdoors to enjoy all the seasonal
   activities, it is important to put safety first. Below is some great advice to follow:
   Sun Safety
   The best way to prevent skin cancer is to prevent sunburn. Although skin cancer
   typically occurs in adults, it is caused by the sun exposure and burns which
   occurred in childhood. Each blistering sunburn doubles the risk of developing
   malignant melanoma.
   Anytime your child will be outdoors for longer than 30 minutes, sunscreen should be applied. Choose a
   sunscreen with broad-spectrum protection from UVA & UVB rays. SPF (Sun Protection Factor) of 15 or
   higher should be used. Fair-skinned children or those with light hair or eyes should use a higher SPF.
   Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before sun exposure to allow for penetration into the skin. Sunscreen should
   be reapplied frequently and after swimming or excessive sweating. "Waterproof" sunscreen generally
   stays on about 30 minutes in water. Sunscreen should be used for all children beginning at 4 months old.
 
   Hats and sunglasses that block UV rays provide further protection from the sun. Avoid peak sun exposure
   hours (10am to 4pm). Even on cloudy days, over 70% of the sun’s rays get through, so steps to protect
   from the sun still need to be taken. Remember that sun exposure increases at higher elevations and
   when around water, sand or snow. Protect lips with a barrier containing PABA. For sunburn-prone areas
   (nose and ears) or areas that have already been burned once, apply zinc oxide ointment. 

   Insect Bites
   To help prevent mosquito (and other summer insects such as ticks and chiggers) bites, use an insect
   repellent containing 10 – 30% DEET. The most effective repellents to reduce insect-borne disease
   (including West Nile) are those containing DEET. The amount of DEET correlates with the duration of
   protection (10% for 2 hours, 30% for 6 hours). Do not use DEET on infants less than 2 months old. DEET
   should be used only once per day. Avoid combination products containing both sunscreen and DEET.
   Do not apply DEET onto hands of infants or small children who put their fingers in their mouths. Wash off
   the repellent with soap and water once your child has returned indoors. 

   Bicycle Safety
   Children ages 5 to 14 have a higher rate of bike injuries than older riders. Children are at risk for injury
   regardless of where they are riding. Children riding bikes that are too big for them are injured more often
   than children riding bikes of proper size. Never allow a child to ride a bike they will “grow into.” Children
   must always wear a helmet. Even children riding in bike carriers should wear a helmet. Parents can teach
   by example by wearing helmets themselves. Children should avoid riding at dusk or at night. Teach your
   children the rules of bicycling and street safety. Children under the age of 10 usually do not demonstrate
   the necessary skills to ride in the street. Be sure to maintain your child’s bike properly.

   Trampolines
   The AAP does not recommend the use of home trampolines because of the high injury rate. Head and
   neck injuries are not uncommon with trampoline use, and every year many children become paralyzed
   from injuries sustained while on a trampoline. Enclosure netting reduces injuries by only one-third. Adult
   supervision is no guarantee that your child will be safe on a trampoline. 

   With all the fun that summer brings, it is important to be aware of the hazards and take active measures
   to protect your child.  
 

 

We have made it easy for you by
centralizing calls for both offices.
To make an appointment, talk to
a nurse or to contact a physician,
dial our main office number.
 
(847) 398-0400 Main Number
(847) 398-9590 Fax
 
algonquinpediatrics.com
arlingtonpediatrics.com
 

    Since we have opened up our practice to new
    families over the past few months, the response
    has been incredible! This is a direct result of our
    existing patient families talking to their friends
    and co-workers about APL. Thank you so much
    for the awesome referrals! We appreciate your
    confidence in us! Due to the great response we
    will only be accepting new families with newborns
    and babies up to the age of 3 months and their
    siblings in Arlington Heights. Our Algonquin office
    is still open to families with children of all ages.
 

Our motto: "We treat our patients like our own children and grandchildren."

      ^ Top of Page