Island Coast Pediatrics

12/31/2025

Safer ways to enjoy fireworks 🎆🎇🎆
1. Enjoy fireworks from a safe distance, at least 500 feet away from the fireworks launch site. This will help avoid injuries and also protect your child’s hearing. Fireworks and firecrackers can be as loud as 150 decibels—a lot louder than what’s considered a safe listening level (75–80 decibels). At close distance, even one loud burst is enough to cause some permanent hearing damage.
2. Wave a flag (or glow stick) instead of a sparkler. 🎇Sparklers may seem relatively harmless, as fireworks go. According to the CPSC, nearly half of fireworks injuries to children under age 5 are related to sparklers. Surprised? Consider this: Sparklers burn at an extremely high heat: 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s hot enough to melt some metals! Sparks can ignite clothing on fire and cause eye injuries.
3. Handle Duds Safely: If a firework doesn’t go off, do not approach. Wait, then soak it in water for a few hours before disposal.

12/29/2025

12/24/2025

What is hand, foot and mouth disease?
Hand, foot and mouth disease is caused by different viruses. It typically affects infants and children under 5 years old, but older kids and adults can catch it as well. It is highly contagious. Despite its scary name, though, hand, foot and mouth disease is generally mild.
What are the signs and symptoms of hand, food and mouth disease?
From the time a child is first exposed to hand, foot and mouth disease, it can take 3 to 6 days for the first symptoms to show up. Symptoms of hand, food and mouth disease usually start with a fever, sore throat, and runny nose—much like the common cold. But then a rash with tiny blisters may start to show up on the following parts of the body:
In the mouth
On the inner cheeks
Gums
Sides of the tongue
Top of the mouth
Fingers and palms of hands
Soles of feet
Note: Just one, a few or all of these body sites may have blisters.
How is hand, foot and mouth disease diagnosed?
Your pediatrician can tell if your child has hand, foot and mouth disease based on the symptoms you describe and by looking at your child’s mouth sores and rash. For additional information contact us icpeds.com/Contact-Us/Text-Us. HealthyChildren.org has additional information regarding hand, foot and mouth disease https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/infections/Pages/Hand-Foot-and-Mouth-Disease.aspx

12/17/2025

Which RSV immunization to get: There are two ways to help protect babies. A vaccine for pregnant people near the end of pregnancy passes protection to the baby. If that isn’t possible, babies can get their own vaccine at birth or during RSV season. Both options work well to prevent severe illness.
Remember: Getting recommended immunizations helps protect you and your baby from serious diseases. RSV spreads easily through direct contact. It also spreads by touching a surface that has the virus on it and then touching your face, for example, or through droplets from a cough or sneeze that get into your eyes, nose or mouth. In addition to the vaccine, other ways to avoid infections include washing your hands and staying away from crowded indoor spaces.
Don’t hesitate to talk with your baby’s pediatrician about keeping your baby healthy while RSV and other respiratory viruses are spreading. For additional information, watch the short video by Dr. Nicole Bruno, DO: icpeds.com/Our-Practice/Practice-News/About-the-RSV-vaccine-Beyfortus

12/15/2025

Hepatitis B is a virus that can damage the liver and lead to lifelong health problems. The hepatitis B vaccine prevents short-term illness (acute hepatitis) and a life-threatening infection called chronic hepatitis B.
Newborns need the hepatitis B vaccine soon after birth. That’s because they could be unknowingly exposed to the virus during labor or shortly after coming home.
Other family members or caregivers can give hepatitis B to newborns. People often don’t know they are infected with the virus because they may look and feel healthy. To learn more, talk to your pediatrician and visit us at: icpeds.com/Hepatitis-B-Vaccine-What-You-Need-to-Know-VIS

12/12/2025

Strep throat is a bacterial infection caused by the Streptococcus pyogenes bacteria, common in children. Key signs to watch for include a sore throat that worsens when swallowing, red and swollen tonsils, sometimes with white patches, tiny red spots on the roof of the mouth, swollen lymph nodes in the neck, fever, headache, and occasionally a rash.
If you suspect your child has strep throat, it’s important to consult a healthcare provider for an accurate diagnosis, often confirmed with a rapid strep test or throat culture. Treatment generally involves antibiotics to ease symptoms, prevent complications, and limit the spread of infection.
Try to get your child to drink adequate fluids.
Goal: keep your child well hydrated.
Cold drinks, milk shakes, popsicles, slushes, and sherbet are good choices.
Avoid foods that need much chewing. Avoid citrus, salty, or spicy foods. Note: fluid intake is much more important than eating any solids.
Swollen tonsils can make some solid foods hard to swallow. Cut food into smaller pieces.
For additional tips and resources, visit us at: www.icpeds.com/Strep-Throat-Infection

12/10/2025

Media is everywhere, and managing it all can be tough. Creating a Family Media Plan ca​n help you and your children set media priorities that matter most to your family. HealthyChildren.org has created a customizable tool to meet your family’s needs. www.healthychildren.org/English/fmp/Pages/MediaPlan.aspx
Overuse of digital media may place your children at risk of:
Not enough sleep.
Delays in learning and social skills.
Obesity.
Behavior problems.
Problematic Internet use.
Risky behaviors.
Sexting and privacy and predators.
Cyberbullying.
For additional information on how to protect your family, visit www.icpeds.com/The-Media-and-Your-Family-Television-and-Other-Scr

12/02/2025

Protecting all children is our priority! 🩺 We follow the American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines to keep your child safe and healthy. 👶 Keeping your child on schedule is easy—just check our comprehensive vaccination guide! ✅ https://www.icpeds.com/Services/Immunizations

11/25/2025

How to Fight Hunger in Your Community: Tips to Get Kids Involved from HealthyChildren.org.

Volunteering time and resources, inviting a friend to join for dinner, donating food to important local organizations can feed both the body and spirit. It supports your child's emotional health which, over time, makes a positive difference in their total well-being. Kids who are active in their community tend to do better in school and find it easier to stay out of trouble, for example. They're also less likely to experience depression.

Learn how your family can make a difference in ending childhood hunger. Explore tips for volunteering, donating food, and teaching kids about empathy and community care.​

11/21/2025

Colds happen! 🦠 Did you know your child might get up to 6 colds per year, each lasting about 7 to 10 days? That’s a lot of management for parents! 😅 Understanding the common symptoms (congestion, poor appetite, etc.) and knowing effective at-home remedies like rest and saline is key to a smoother recovery. Learn how to navigate the cold season: https://www.icpeds.com/Colds