I had this friend who always flipped out about bees even as an adult. She would scream and flail her arms wildly as she ran around like a maniac. I wasn’t a huge fan of anything that could sting me, but I figured if I left bees alone then they would leave me alone. Plus they are kinda cute…in a way. Who doesn’t love a puffy bumblebee buzzing about the garden?

Apiphobia (also known as melissophobia) is a persistant fear of bees and is prevalent in young children. This can cause avoidance and panic. The fear may stem from a bee sting, so the progression into a fear can be quite natural. However, an excessive and constant fear is considered abnormal.

It’s important to note that bees attack when bothered or squashed and in defense of their hive. Also, if you’re flinging your arms about wildly, the bee sees this as aggressive behavior and may sting you.

Interesting fact: MythBusters co-host, Adam Savage is a well-known apiphobe and his fear has been displayed in many episodes.

Symptoms of Apiphobia

• Anxiety
• Nervousness
• Restlessness
• Extreme distress—shortness of breath, heavy breathing, sweating
• Avoiding the situation—avoiding bees or avoiding the outdoors

Treatment for Apiphobia

If a bee comes near you, keep calm, take a deep breath and stay still. These tips will decrease your risk of being stung by a bee.

Try reading a book about bees. Then watch a video that shows a colony of bees and think about how their colony works. Once you’re ready, try to go outside and be around bees.

If you’re trying to help your child overcome his fear of bees, show him that you can handle being around bees.

DO NOT try to move or harm bees because you could end up with more problems (plus you should be humane to animals anyway).

–Nolan

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You’ve been there before—tossing and turning in bed and burning up thinking that you could fry an egg on your head. Or hugging tight to the blankets because you’re chilled and shivering. Sweating and achy, you can’t wait for the fever to break.

What is a fever?

A fever (also known as pyrexia or ague) is the body’s response to infection or inflammation. It’s not a disease, but rather a symptom that results from your internal body temperature rising above the normal level (98.6F orally). For an oral temperature, you may be a few degrees lower or higher than 98.6F, but for a rectal temperature, any thing higher than 100.4F is considered a fever. Usually a rectal temperature is 1 degree Fahrenheit higher than an oral temperature. If your temperature under your arm (axillary) is over 99.0F, a fever is present.

Fever Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of a fever vary depending on what’s causing the fever. Some symptoms of a common fever include the following:

• Flushed appearance
• Chills, shivering
• Sweating
• Headache
• Muscle aches
• Overall weakness or fatigue
• Lack of appetite
• Dehydration

High fevers ranging between 103 and 106 F, can cause:

• Irritability
• Confusion
• Hallucinations
• Convulsions
• Brain damage

Fever Causes

There are many different conditions than can cause a fever such as:

• Types of infectious disease—influenza, common cold, mononucleosis, gastroenteritis, malaria, HIV
• Diseases of the immune system—lupus, inflammatory bowel disease, sarcoidosis
• Skin inflammations—pimples, acne, boils, abscess
• Cancers—leukemia, lymphoma
• Other conditions—diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, silicosis, malnutrition

Home Remedies and Tips

Drink your fluids—try to drink as much water as possible to replace fluid loss and to bring down body temperature.

Avoid iron and zinc supplements when you have a fever—zinc won’t be absorbed by the body when you have a fever and iron will create tension.

Rest as much as possible and avoid strenuous activity.

Eat a liquid diet—avoid solid food and any foods that are heavy or fried.

Take a cool bath for 5 to 10 minutes.

If the fever is 102F or under, let it run its course.

If a child has a fever, do not let him have aspirin. Reduce his fever with cold baths.

Fresh pineapple is a natural anti-inflammatory and can not only fight a fever, but can also prevent dehydration.

Make a basil tea—mix 1 teaspoon of basil with ¼ teaspoon black pepper and steep in a hot cup of water. Add 1 teaspoon of honey and drink three times a day.

Peel and cut a potatoe into slices and lay them on your forehead and stomach for about half an hour.

–Nolan

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Thumb sucking is something all babies do. It’s how they learn about the world around them, by inserting everything they find into their mouths, thumbs included. A baby sucking her thumb may feel relaxed. Safe and soothed. This behavior can even help toddlers when the surroundings aren’t comfortable or well known.

But when does thumb sucking start to become a concern or health problem?

When should you be concerned?

Most children stop thumb sucking on their own between the ages of two and four. Some children though hang on to the behavior longer. When your child’s permanent teeth start coming in, usually around the ages of 5 and 6, is when thumb sucking should start being a concern.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Thumb sucking in older children is not a sign of insecurity. It’s merely a habit that’s hard to break, much the like comfort many adults find in smoking.

What can thumb sucking do to a child’s teeth?

The major problems thumb sucking creates are dental. Tooth alignment and spacing can be compromised along with the development of a child’s jaw. Remember though, this is not a concern until a child’s permanent teeth begin to erupt.

How can I get my child to stop sucking his thumb?

Most children stop thumb sucking spontaneously between the ages of 2 and 4. Ironically enough, it are the children whose parents discourage, scold and yank their thumbs from their mouths that suck their thumbs the longest.

To help your child stop sucking his thumb, try encouragement and praise when he’s not doing it. A little bit of praise can go a long way with your child.

In the same vein of encouragement, you can use a small reward system. I find this one very cool:

Try buying a calendar and placing it on the refrigerator. For each day you don’t see the child sucking his or her thumb, you can put a smiley-face sticker on the day. At the end of a set period of time, say a month, you can offer a modest reward, such as a toy or dinner at the child’s favorite restaurant.
–How Stuff Works

Don’t accent failure. On the days when your child slips and starts sucking his thumb, don’t yell, scold or otherwise belittle the child. This may perpetuated thumb sucking.

Give your child a reason to quit. If you’re afraid your child will be made fun of and you wish to spare his feelings, sit him down and discuss that.

If your child really wants to quit but is having a hard time, you can try some thumb sucking deterrents. Put a bandage on his thumb, so when your child automatically lifts his thumb to his mouth, he’ll realize to stop. If your child sucks his thumb while sleeping, try putting a sock on his hand at bedtime.

–Magdalena

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I remember babysitting kids and no matter how health-conscious their parents were or how health-focused their pantry looked, these kids always knew where to find candy. They tried to con me into giving it to them, but I didn’t want them bouncing off the walls. The last thing I needed was hyperactive children running a muck and screaming like banshees—the perfect Friday night.

According to Dr. Bryan Burke, associate professor of General Pediatrics and Neonatology at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), there is no evidence that feeding children a high-sugar diet causes hyperactivity. While sugar may provide a brief spurt of energy, it doesn’t create hyperactivity.

Sugary foods should be limited for their lack of nutritive value. Not to mention consuming foods high in calories can lead to obesity and other health issues.

So if your child is screaming his head off over that one magical cookie that will make everything better and you’re wondering why he’s freaking out, consider the following:

Signs of Hyperactivity include:

• Temperament
• Emotional issues
• Learning disorders
• Sleep problems

If you still think that your child is having a reaction to food, consult your child’s pediatrician. He may have a food allergy.

–Nolan

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Everybody everywhere has had or will get a cut a bruise or a scrape. Knowing how to treat it will determine how fast it heals, and whether or not it will leave a scar.

Most of these injuries are minor, and visiting the doctor isn’t necessary. Knowing when an injury deserves a visit to the doctor is as important as knowing first aid at home. I live by the rule when in doubt; let the doctor rule it out. My instincts are usually dead on when it comes to what I can doctor at home, and what injury needs a professional touch.

What is the difference between a Cut and a Bruise?

Cuts and bruises are basically the same thing. A bruise is an injury that is under the skin and a cut is on the outside of the skin. Blood from a cut or scrape is apparent, but the bruise is actually bleeding underneath the skin. The uglier and darker the color of the bruise, the more clotting and healing is going on under the skin. Treating the two minor injuries takes a little bit of a different approach since each injury is just a little bit different. Broken skin needs to be protected from infection whereas a bump or bruise is already protected because the wound is under the skin.

Sometimes what appear to be minor injuries may need to be looked at by a professional health care provider. Signs that it’s a minor injury:

• The injury is small (less than a ½ inch around)
• There’s no bleeding, or only slight bleeding. (Make sure you wear protective gloves to prevent the spread of bloodborne pathogens).
• The victim isn’t in excessive pain.
• There is no feeling of numbness or tingling on the victim.
• There aren’t any signs of paralysis.
• The victim doesn’t seem to have any broken bones or dislocated joints. (Dislocation or broken bone is possible if the victim is in a lot of pain, and the shoulder, leg, arm, or ankle seems to be lying or hanging at an awkward angle).

Cut and Scrape First Aid

For cuts and scrapes:

1. Wash the injured area with mild soap and lukewarm water.
2. Apply an antibacterial ointment or spray to prevent infection.
3. Cover the wound with a band-aid or sterile bandage.

For bumps and bruises:

1. Apply an ice pack or cold compress to the affected area as soon as possible to reduce the amount of swelling.
2. If possible, elevate the injured area above the heart. This will keep the blood from “pooling” in the affected area. (Pooling creates more internal bleeding and swelling).
3. Keep the injury elevated for about 15 minutes if the wound is minor. If the bruise is severe or covers a large portion of the body, call for help. Keep a severe bruise elevated for at least an hour or until a trained emergency care team arrives.
4. If the bruise doesn’t seem to be getting better and 24 hours have passed, consult with your physician.
5. Seek prompt medical care if there is any swelling around the bruise, especially if it occurs around a joint. This can signal danger to the nerves, muscles and bones all of which require trained medical attention.

Warning Signs for Internal Bleeding

Whenever an injury occurs, look for the signs of internal bleeding or hemorrhaging which are similar to those of shock.

• Pale, clammy skin
• Chills
• Cold hands and feet
• Dilated pupils (excessively large pupils even in light)
• Rapid, weak pulse
• Major swelling at the injury site
• Major or immediate black and blue marks at the wound site

First aid procedures won’t stop internal bleeding, unfortunately. Call for help immediately if internal bleeding is suspected, and then proceed with first aid procedures for shock.
-Anne

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