Building Blocks Pediatrics

11/06/2025

The clinic will be closed Friday, November 7, 2025. We will resume normal business hours on Monday.

09/23/2025

On Sept. 22, President Trump claimed that acetaminophen used during pregnancy or by young children is associated with autism. NAPNAP strongly objects to these unproven claims about the impact of acetaminophen on maternal and child health. Read our full statement: https://www.napnap.org/napnap-official-statement-on-acetaminophen-use/

09/18/2025

Bubble baths, bath bombs, and pool time can trigger itching and burning of the ge****ls, especially among girls less than 12 years old. Let me potentially save you a trip to the doctor: the diagnosis is often vulvovaginitis.

Vulvovaginitis is a common pediatric condition that involves irritation of the ge****ls. It tends to happen to pre-pubertal girls due to the presence of delicate skin that can be very sensitive to moisture, soaps, chemicals, perfumes, friction, tight clothing, and heat.

If your daughter is showing signs of itching or burning discomfort, there are several treatment options that you can try from home:

• Soak in clean, warm water 2-3 times per day while symptoms persist. No soap, vinegar, or baking soda is required. 🧼 Make sure that the bathtub is rinsed free of any recent bleach or cleaning products.

• If the private area is swollen and tender, use cool compresses for a few minutes at a time. Vaseline, petroleum jelly, zinc oxide diaper cream, or A&D ointment can definitely help to soothe and protect the skin. Do not use antibiotic ointment.

• Use alcohol-free unscented wipes if wiping with toilet paper feels too harsh on sore skin. 🧻

Here are some tips to avoiding vulvovaginitis in the first place:

• After swimming, change into dry clothes as soon as possible.

• Do NOT use bubble bath, bath bombs, or scented soap! 🚫 In fact, only use soap when absolutely necessary - like if you see visible dirt - and make sure that it’s a mild, unscented soap such as Dove. Use it at the very end of bath time and rinse it off completely with fresh water. 🚿

• Do not scrub private parts. Just allow the water to soak the area. Gently pat dry.

• Wear plain cotton underwear. Wash underwear with unscented detergent and rinse well to remove any remaining chemicals. Avoid fabric softeners or any extra “freshening” products.

• Wear a nightgown or very loose pajama pants to bed. If possible, sleep without underwear!

• Avoid one-piece leotards, skinny jeans, tights, or leggings, especially in humid weather. Find comfy clothes that allow air to circulate. 👖

• Remind your child how to properly wipe! Wiping from the front to the back is important to keep bacteria where they belong. 🦠

Most of the time, vulvovaginitis will resolve on its own within a week of using the above methods. The key is staying clean and dry while avoiding harsh soaps and chemicals. Call your pediatrician if symptoms persist beyond a week or if your daughter experiences belly pain, bleeding, or fevers. ☎️ An appointment may be necessary to rule out other things such as UTI, pinworms, or yeast infection.

I can’t wrap this up without encouraging all of you to teach your children about personal privacy and stranger safety. Explain that nobody should ever be “helping” them with their private parts unless Mom or Dad says it’s okay (like for potty time at daycare or during a doctor’s visit). Teach them proper terminology for their body parts. Empower all boys and girls to speak up if they suspect any inappropriate acts against them. 💪

09/09/2025

We have FLU vaccines!

We are having a Flu clinic on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 in the afternoon.
Please call to schedule an appointment for your child.

08/27/2025

We are closed today (8/27/2025) for a Staff Development.

07/25/2025

Bloom Infant and Pediatric Therapy is teaming up with Twyst Hair Salon to bring sensory-friendly haircuts for kids to Poth on August 8! Inclussion matters and everyone deserves to look their best! 💇🏻🩵

Check out the flyer for details and reach out with any questions.

Twyst Hair Salon
(830) 534-9630

Bloom Infant and Pediatric Therapy
(830) 391-5085

07/11/2025

07/09/2025

🧬 Advances in vaccine technology have made immunizations far more targeted and efficient. Although today’s recommended childhood vaccine schedule includes 50 to 54 doses—up from just 11 in 1986—children are actually exposed to far fewer antigens.

🛡️ Antigens are the components of a vaccine that trigger an immune response, helping the body recognize and defend against disease.

📉 In 1986, children received vaccines for 7 diseases that collectively contained more than 3,200 antigens. Today’s vaccines protect against 16–18 diseases but include only 165 antigens—a 95% reduction.

✅ Vaccines undergo rigorous testing—both individually and in combination with others. The full childhood immunization schedule is carefully reviewed to ensure safety and effectiveness at every stage.

Resources:
https://www.statnews.com/2025/06/24/too-many-too-soon-vaccine-schedule-children-antigens-immune-system-aluminum/
https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/immunizations/Pages/Multiple-Vaccinations-at-One-Time.aspx

07/03/2025

-Upcoming Closures-
July 4, 2025
July 14-18, 2025
July 25, 2025

06/11/2025

Have you heard of "Skeeter syndrome?" It's a mild allergic reaction to mosquito bites! 🦟

Some people are allergic to mosquito saliva. When they get a mosquito bite, their body mounts an allergic response that causes large areas of warmth, swelling, color change, itching, pain, and even blister formation. Some people develop fevers as well.

The reaction typically occurs 8-10 hours after a mosquito bite and can last days to weeks. You can treat it with over-the-counter antihistamines such as Zyrtec during the day and Benadryl at night. You can also apply 1% hydrocortisone cream to the inflamed areas twice daily. Tylenol or Motrin can be used to reduce discomfort or fever. 💊

It’s important to prevent your child from scratching the bites as much as possible, as scratching them open can lead to infection. The first 2-3 days of redness and swelling is the NORMAL inflammation seen with Skeeter syndrome, but worsening redness/swelling and discharge AFTER the first 2-3 days could represent a skin infection that requires antibiotics.

Skeeter syndrome can occur at nearly any age. To prevent it, do everything you can to avoid mosquito bites. Eliminate standing water in your outdoor space, avoid tall grass, apply DEET to all exposed skin (I like 15-30% DEET), wear long pants and sleeves, cover windows and doors with screens, avoid playing outside during dusk and dawn, and cover outdoor sleeping areas with protective nets.

Primary source: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23289-skeeter-syndrome

05/09/2025

Do not prop a bottle inside your infant's mouth. 🍼 "Bottle propping" increases your baby's risk of choking, over-feeding, reflux, ear infections, gassiness, and tooth decay. 😳

It can be SO tempting to free up your hands during a feed by propping the bottle in place using a pillow, blanket, etc. 👐 I get it. However, consequences can be serious. Until your babies are able to hold the bottle on their own, take the time to hold them during feeds. Consider it a beautiful bonding experience that will be gone before you know it.

By the way, I got this photo straight off of Amazon. 😫 Just because a product is widely available to consumers does NOT necessarily mean that it's safe!

Note: By NO means am I saying any of this to shame parents for doing what they feel is necessary to feed their babies (eg, parents of twins or triplets). I'm just providing information for you to do with as you please. 🩷