A. It is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways. Each year, asthma causes approximately 570,000 emergency department visits and nearly 170,000 hospitalizations. It is a potentially serious illness, which continues to kill children every year.
Q. What triggers an asthma episode (commonly called "asthma attack")?A. Inhaled allergens, cold air, and respirator viruses can trigger an asthma episode. Physical or emotional stress may also trigger an asthma episode.
Q. What happens during an asthma episode?A. The child may have wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and coughing.
Q. What can I do to make my childcare environment better for children with asthma?A. Eliminate all tobacco smoke in the environment; make sure heating and air-conditioning systems work properly; reduce allergens and irritants such as animal dander, molds, and strong chemical fumes or odors.
Q. Can children with asthma participate in daily activities?A. Yes, children with asthma may need some special attention, but should be able to participate in most activities.
A. Antibiotics, which are given only by prescription and help fight bacterial infections; and over-the-counter medications, or non-prescription products, such as cough and cold preparations.
Q. Should a child with "green, runny nose" be given antibiotics?A. The "green" nose secretion does not necessarily indicate a need for antibiotic treatment. However, other infections involving the sinuses or the ear may also be present and may require antibiotic treatment.
Q. What are some guidelines for giving medication in the childcare setting?A. Medication should only be administered when it is absolutely necessary (usually the parent can give the medication before and after childcare); medications should be signed in by the parent; medications should be stored in original container; medication should be properly labeled with the child's name, name of the medication, and time and amount of dose to be given.
A. Infant walkers that move across the floor. These should not be used in any childcare setting.
Q. What are some things to watch for to prevent choking or strangulation?A. Infant and toddlers should not have access to toys with small parts or broken pieces; Crib slats should be spaced no more than 2 3/8 inches apart.
Q. What are some ways to prepare for emergency situations?A. Conduct monthly fire drills with children. Post clear instructions for emergency procedures. Post emergency numbers and keep a copy of every child's enrollment form near the phone and/or door. Identify a neighbor who can assist in case of an emergency.
A. Sunscreens provide protection for a limited amount of time, but not all day protection. However, there are different types of sunscreen, and the protection level can be very different.
Q. What does SPF mean?A. SPF, or "sun protection factor" provides an indication of the protection that particular sunscreen has. Choose a sunscreen with a SPF of 15 or greater.
Q. What ingredients should I look for in sunscreen?A. Choose a sunscreen that will block the UVB rays (those that cause sunburn) and the UVA rays (those that penetrate deeper into the skin). Look for avobenzone, zinc oxide, and titanium dioxide in the product ingredients.
Q. When should I put on sunscreen?A. Apply sunscreen to all sun-exposed skin areas about 30 minutes before going outside.
Q. Should I use sunscreen on infants?A. Because infants have sensitive skin, do not use sunscreen on infants less than 6 months old. Keep young infants out of direct sunlight by using shade and cover-up clothing.
A. Calcium helps children develop strong bones and teeth.
Q. What are some foods that contain calcium?A. Milk, buttermilk, cheese, home-made pudding, pizza with cheese, ice cream.
Q. How much milk should children drink each day?A. The amount of milk a child needs each day depends on the age of the child. Children 1-3 years old need the equivalent of 2 cups of milk per day; children age 4-8 years need 3 cups per day; adolescents age 9-18 years need 4 cups per day.
A. Scald burn injury, caused by hot liquids or steam, is the most common among young children. Burns caused by flames (direct contact with fire) are more common among older children.
Q. What causes burns?A. In addition to fire or heat sources, and hot liquids, children can be burned by electrical or chemical burns.
Q. What is a safe hot water temperature?A. Set your water heater thermostat to 120 degrees F or below. The lower the temperature, the lower the risk of burn injury.
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