Deepak Patel, M.D.
Guest Blogger: Family and Sports Medicine Physician

Summer sports season is in full swing for many young athletes.  With sports, also comes injuries – scrapes, cuts, bumps and bruises are common.  Sometimes after a fall or bump, injuries are not visible to parents and coaches.  One such injury is a concussion. A concussion is a traumatic brain injury that changes the way the brain works.  It can be caused by a bump or blow to head or body that causes the head and brain to move rapidly back and forth.  Symptoms can be immediate or may even take days or weeks to appear.

A child’s concussion symptoms observed by parents include:
· Appears dazed or stunned
· Confused about assignment or position
· Forgets an instruction
· Moves clumsily
· Answers questions slowly
· Loses consciousness (even briefly)
· Shows personality or behavioral changes

Children may describe their symptoms the following way:
· Headaches or the feeling of pressure in the head
· Nausea or vomiting
· Balance problems or dizziness
· Double or blurry vision
· Sensitivity to light
· Sensitivity to noise
· Confusion
· Feeling sluggish, foggy or just “not right”

At Rush-Copley, we offer baseline concussion testing for athletes 10 and older. In the off season (prior to any contact activity), an athlete takes a 30 minute baseline computer test which tracks neurocognitive function such as verbal and visual memory, attention span, brain processing speed, and reaction time.  Later, if a concussion is suspected during the playing season, a follow-up test is administered to compare the results between the new test and the baseline.  This comparison along with a detailed evaluation helps to diagnose and manage the concussion. Follow-up tests can be administered over days or weeks so the doctor can continue to track the athlete’s recovery from the injury. This screening can help answer difficult questions about an athlete’s readiness to return to play, protecting them from the potentially serious consequences of returning too soon.

Concussion testing can be scheduled alone or as an addition to a sports physical for $25. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, visit rushcopley.com or call 630-236-4270.

Have a fun and safe summer sports season!

Eva Alessia, D.O.

Now that nice weather is here (and hopefully stays!), it is time to get outside and cut that green grass. Here are some lawnmower safety tips to keep your children and family safe:

• Keep children indoors or at a safe distance from the area being mowed.
• Clear your lawn of anything that could be thrown by the mower, such as stones, twigs, toys, etc.
• NEVER allow children to ride as passengers on riding mowers or lawn tractors.
• Make sure any attachments on the mower are on properly.
• Do not mow the lawn during thunderstorms/bad weather, if grass is wet or if there isn’t enough daylight to see properly.
• If the mower is electric, plug it in to a GFCI outlet.
• Wear closed-toe shoes (no flip-flops!) with slip-proof soles, close fitting clothing, safety glasses and hearing protection.
• Look for hidden objects in tall grass.
• If you do hit something, turn the mower off before inspecting for damage, the object, etc.
• Also turn the mower off when removing the catcher, unclogging the chute, crossing paths and roads, and walking away from the mower.
• Be cautious when going around trees, the house, anything that may block your view.
• Do not mow backwards/in reverse.
• On slopes, mow across with a push mower, so you don’t slip under the mower. Mow up and down with a riding mower, so the mower doesn’t tip over.
• Trimmers can also throw objects at a high speed.
• Children should be 12 years old to operate a push mower and 16 years old to operate a riding mower. Have them watch you initially a couple times and then supervise them until you are sure they can be left alone.

Stay safe and have a great summer!

Reference: www.healthychildren.org

Vrinda Kumar, M.D.

Eczema is a general term used to describe an inflammation of the skin with can cause itching, oozing, weeping, crusting or scaling. Even though there are several different kinds of eczema, in a pediatrician’s office, you will often hear the terms “eczema” and “atopic dermatitis” used interchangeably. The symptoms of eczema are caused by a combination of inflammation, as well as a defect in the layers of the skin that are supposed to protect the skin from irritants/bacteria and keep skin moisturized. The result is VERY ITCHY SKIN!

Signs and symptoms of eczema generally show up in infancy or toddlerhood. It also tends to run in families. Most people outgrow it by age 10, but a certain percentage of people will continue to have flares throughout adulthood. It tends to be a chronic issue for most people, which means it can come and go for several years.

The most common places on the body to get eczema in infants is on the cheeks and scalp. For toddlers and older children, it tends to affect the creases behind the elbow, behind the knee, legs, and neck. It can look red, dry, dark brown, “goose-bumpy”, scaly, and can cause skin darkening or even skin lightening in some people. People with atopic dermatitis are at higher likelihood of having allergies (food and environmental) and asthma.

There are some things that can trigger eczema flares or make them worse, and these things should be avoided by people with eczema. These include:

• Skin irritants such as dyes and fragrances in skin products
• Certain foods like dairy, nuts, eggs, soy, wheat, especially if the person has an allergy to these foods
• Extremes of temperature and humidity
• Stress
• Hormones (especially in women)
• Illnesses (for example, colds and respiratory infections)

There is no specific test to diagnose eczema, nor is there a cure. The key to managing eczema is to keep the skin well moisturized, keep the itching at bay for the comfort of the patient, and decreasing the inflammation of the skin. Also, skin that is affected by eczema is more prone to getting infected with bacteria, so it is important to watch for signs of infection.

The mainstays of managing eczema and avoiding flares include:

• Avoiding irritants or known allergens that may trigger flares (use unscented, dye-free skin products, soaps, lotions, laundry detergents)
• Keeping the skin well moisturized with a thick emollient, and applying it when the skin is still damp (like after a bath)
• Using over-the-counter or prescription anti-inflammatory creams (as recommended by your doctor!), such as hydrocortisone, Desonide, Triamcinolone, or other anti-inflammatory creams/ointments that may be given by your physician depending on the severity of the eczema
• Trying to control the itch by either cool compresses or an oral antihistamine (also, only if recommended by your physician!)
• Antibiotics if the skin gets infected.
• Wear natural, soft fibers such as cotton (avoid itchy wool!)

Interesting fact: some recent studies have shown that introducing fish into a child’s diet before age 12 months can reduce the risk that the child will develop eczema or wheezing in later months!

Eczema can usually be diagnosed by a physician by simply looking at the rash in the office. Sometimes, allergy testing is performed in children to figure out potential allergic triggers that may be exacerbating the eczema. In more serious cases of eczema, your physician may choose to refer you to a specialist for further treatment (dermatologist or an allergist).

Eva Alessia, D.O.

Springtime is finally here! We made it! For some, spring is not a fun time of the year. They are the allergy sufferers among us. Pollen from trees is the most common springtime allergen. Grasses cause summer/fall allergies and weeds cause fall allergies. Some have symptoms all year round; these are caused by indoor allergens, such as dust, mold and pets.

Symptoms associated with allergies include:

• Repeated or chronic cold-like symptoms, such as a runny nose, nasal stuffiness, sneezing, and throat clearing, that last more than a week or two, or develop at about the same time every year
• Nasal swelling and congestion
• Nose rubbing, sniffling, snorting, sneezing, or drippy nose
• Itchy nose
• Postnasal drip
• Itchy, runny, or red eyes
• Puffiness around the eyes
• Itchy ear canals
• Itching or tingling sensations in the mouth and throat
• Coughing, wheezing, difficulty (such as rapid breathing or shortness of breath), and other respiratory symptoms
• Hacking dry cough or cough that produces clear mucus
• Feeling of tightness in the chest
• Low exercise tolerance
• Eczema (patches of itchy, red skin rash)
• Hives (welts)
• Headache
• Feelings of restlessness, irritability
• Excessive fatigue

So, what can you do to prevent, or at least minimize allergy exposure? Here are some tips:

• Keep windows closed during the pollen season, especially on dry, windy days when pollen counts are highest
• Keep the house clean and dry to reduce mold and dust mites
• Avoid having pets and indoor plants
• Avoid those things that you know cause allergic reactions in your child
• Prevent anyone from smoking anywhere near your child, especially in your home and car
• Minimize clutter that can attract dust
• Remove carpets
• Encase pillows and mattress in allergen-proof covering
• Wash bedding every week in hot water (more than 130°F)
• Change furnace/air conditioner filters regularly
• Use dehumidifier to reduce humidity
• Shower after working outside

Medications to manage allergy symptoms include antihistamines (Benadryl, Claritin, Zyrtec, Allegra), nasal sprays (Nasacort, Flonase, Nasonex, Rhinocort, etc), Singulair, and some others.

Some allergy suffers may need “allergy shots”. Rush-Copley Medical Group offers allergy evaluation and treatment in Aurora and Yorkville.

Here’s to a sneeze-free season.  Enjoy spring!