Summer Sports Physicals and Well Child Checks

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During the months of June, July, and August, we are happy to offer to an established patient a wellness check or sports physical during walk-in clinic or by appointment from Monday to Friday.
Our walk-in clinic is staffed by board certified pediatricians and pediatric trained nurse practitioners daily. There unfortunately is no ability to pick which provider you will see in walk-in. If you would like to be seen by a specific provider, please call our clinic at 935-6012 to schedule an appointment.

 

Walk-in Clinic expansion

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The Children’s Clinic is happy to announce that we are expanding our walk-in clinic services to all pediatric patients. As of 6/17/19, we will see any pediatric patient regardless of your child’s primary care physician or clinic. Our walk-in clinic is open from 8:00am-6:00pm Monday to Friday and 9:00am-12:00pm on Saturday.

The walk-in clinic is staffed by one of our board certified pediatricians or pediatric trained nurse practitioners. We are here to help with your child’s acute illness that cannot wait for an appointment.

In order to be seen, your child must be up to date on vaccinations and have current insurance. If your child’s insurance requires a referral to be seen, you will be expected to contact them prior to being seen, or you can choose to pay your visit.

We are excited to have the opportunity to serve more of the pediatric population of Northeast Arkansas.

If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment as a new patient, please give our clinic a call at 870-935-6012.

Boys and Puberty

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During puberty, a person goes through many physical, emotional and social changes. Boys usually begin puberty between the ages of 9 and 15, and it may take five to seven years for all of the changes to occur. The most obvious of these changes include a growth spurt; the voice becoming deeper; shoulders becoming broader; hair growth on the face, around the genitals and underarms; and the genitals growing larger. Some boys may experience acne, and their sweat may develop a strong odor. Some may also experience slight breast growth that can be embarrassing but usually resolves on its own.

 

The changes of puberty enable people to physically reproduce. During puberty, testosterone triggers the testicles to start making sperm, so the penis can now ejaculate. During puberty, some boys experience wet dreams or nocturnal emissions, when ejaculation occurs spontaneously during sleep. Wet dreams are normal, though not everyone has them. Many boys also experience spontaneous erections during puberty. Again, it’s normal if they do, and normal if they don’t.

 

The emotional changes associated with puberty may include having intense mood swings and new sexual and/or romantic feelings. Boys’ relationships with their parents, siblings and friends may also change during this time. They may express the desire for more privacy and want to spend more time with their friends. Young men going through puberty may feel embarrassed, nervous, self-conscious and/or excited by all of the changes they are experiencing. Having a wide range of feelings about puberty is completely normal.

It is important for caring adults to explain the changes of puberty to young men before and while they are going through them. It is also essential to assure them that these changes are normal. Helping young people identify ways to cope with these changes can make this stage of life less stressful. Talking about these changes with the young people in your life lets them know that they are not alone and that they can come to their parents or guardians if they have questions or need support.

Is Your Teen Ready For Babysitting

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Is your teen ready for babysitting?

For many teenagers, babysitting is a time-honored way to earn money. Some teens have regular Saturday night families, others help out after school, and others get hired during school vacations. Those who babysit enjoy spending time with kids and realize that there are some great benefits to this work – everything from being able to do homework while the kids nap or after they go to bed to enjoying whatever snacks the family provides to being the cool babysitter.

It’s sometimes hard to believe that our teens who may not always seem capable of managing themselves are really ready to take on the care of other people’s children. How do you know if your teen is truly ready to babysit?

Like everything else, it’s important to have a conversation with your teen about exactly what babysitting entails and how to manage what is likely to be their very first job.

Is she responsible?

Another person’s life is in their hands, and they need to know the implications of that.

Is she attentive?

Explain to your teenager that babysitting is not the time to text or do homework (when children are awake). Parents hire babysitters to engage with their children. Interacting with the kids will give your teen a sense of job satisfaction and a better chance of rehire.

Is she business minded?

Your teenager needs to decide what to charge, how many hours to work and how to promote his or her services. Asking federal minimum wage is a reasonable way to set hourly fees.

Is she ready to enforce rules?

Make sure your teenager knows that babysitting can be more than just playing with children. At times, he will be required to enforce house rules—or even set limits when children misbehave. Explain to your teenager that it’s best to check with the parents about discipline measures, but physical force is never appropriate.

Be inquisitive.

If your teenager is unsure about bedtimes, dinner, or house rules, it’s better to ask questions than make a mistake. Definitely ask about allergies. And remind your teenager that if she’s unsure about something, she shouldn’t take the child’s word for it. Always ask the parents.

Now Hiring Full-Time LPN

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The Children’s Clinic is now hiring a full-time, long-term LPN. To apply, email your resume to cmilburn@jbrkids.com

Treating Bee Stings

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Do you have a bee sting?

If you only have a sting site reaction , a cold compress or an ice pack should be enough treatment.

For pain, take aspirin or acetaminophen. Don’t give aspirin to a child under age 19 because of the risk of Reye’s syndrome, which affects the liver and brain.

Try diphenhydramine or another nonprescription antihistamine that can calm the itch. Or you can use an over-the-counter steroid cream.

Although most people do not experience severe reactions to bee stings, it’s a good idea to keep an eye on anyone who has been stung in case they develop more serious symptoms.

If you notice any signs of an allergic reaction, or if you or someone you know has been stung multiple times – particularly if he or she is a child – Call 911 and seek medical attention immediately.

 

Inclement Weather Policy

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THE SAFETY OF OUR PATIENTS, STAFF, AND PROVIDERS ALWAYS COME FIRST!

The Children’s Clinic rarely closes completely during inclement weather. We evaluate the roads at 6:30am the morning of and decide on clinic hours.

Our Walk-in Clinic will be open during the clinic hours for that day. If your provider is unable to make the drive, you may be seen in our Walk-in Clinic.

Please watch our facebook page for special hours.

Cotton Swabs

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Cotton-tipped swabs are not meant to be placed in ears. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, the best thing to do with earwax is leave it alone. Trying to remove earwax can cause problems.

Putting cotton-tipped swabs into the ear canal pushes wax further into the ear. It can cause damages, dizziness, and balance problems. A child whose earwax is blocking the ear may have ringing or fullness, ear pain, itching, discharge, odor, and cough. Swabs also may tear or rupture the eardrum causing pain, bleeding, and permanent hearing loss.

For more information on earwax, please visit the HealthChildren.org.

Fever Medication

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Every year hundreds of infants receive more than the recommended dose of  Tylenol for age. Rarely, these overdoses can cause liver failure or death. The overdoses are most likely related to dosing too frequently- that is more than every 6 hours AND from parents using two products that BOTH contain acetaminophen

e American Academy of Pediatrics does NOT recommend cough or cold medications for children under the age of two unless they are ordered by a physician.