Limit swimming in indoor chlo-
rine pools.
Select pools with strict rules about
bathing before swimming, and be
sure to follow the rules as well.
If you have your own pool, keep it
chlorine-free by using alternatives
like salt water.
All Things Itchy:
Rashes, Yeast Infections
& Athletes Foot
A long day in the pool can end with
an itchy irritation on your little one. Re-
ferred to as swimmer’s itch, these itchy
red bumps with tiny blisters can show up
on areas that were not covered by a swim-
suit. If little red bumps appear around
hair follicles under your child’s swimsuit,
most likely on the butt or thighs, hot tub
folliculitis from a poorly chlorinated pool
may be the problem.
Sitting in a wet bathing suit for ex-
tended periods of time can also cause
problems like jock itch or a yeast infec-
tion in girls. If your child’s wet bathing
suit comes in contact with a type of mold-
like fungi known as dermatophytes, it can
spread to their genitals, inner thighs, and
butt. This irritation will be a red, itchy
rash that may grow in the shape of a ring.
These issues may be difficult to
avoid without making your kids change
out of their wet suit into dry clothes (and
back again if they want to swim later on.)
By thoroughly washing their bathing suit
after each time they wear it, you can pre-
vent rashes from forming. It is even nec-
essary to wash bathing suits even if they
do not go in the water because sweat and
sunscreen seep in.
Experts recommend that you avoid
washing bathing suits in the washing
machine. Instead, hand wash them with
a capful of mild detergent or white vin-
egar. Let the swimsuit soak in the solu-
tion for up to 30 minutes, and then rinse
with cool water. To dry, gently roll your
suit in a clean dry towel, lightly pressing
to remove the excess water. Lay the suit
flat to dry.
Finally, kids can get athlete’s foot
from walking around barefoot on warm,
damp surfaces like on the pool deck,
or they might get it from using a damp
towel that has the fungus on it. Signs of
athlete’s foot include itching; burning;
bumps on the feet; cracked, blistered,
or peeling areas often between the toes;
redness and scaling on the soles of the
feet; skin between the toes may look
“cheesy” and have an unpleasant odor; or
a rash that spreads to the inside part of the
foot. Make sure your kids dry their feet
properly after swimming.
Most of these rashes should clear
up on their own or you can try over-the-
counter antihistamines and soothing or
anti-itch products like hydrocortisone,
colloidal oatmeal products, and menthol/
camphor creams. Do not hesitate to call
your pediatrician or dermatologist for a
complete evaluation.
Sandi Schwartz is a freelance writer/blogger and
mother of two. She has written extensively about
parenting, wellness, and environmental issues.
uBMD o Bstetrics anD G ynecoloGy
Adolescent Gynecology FAQ
Many parents wonder at what
age their daughters should have
their first routine gynecologic visit.
According to the American College
of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, it
should be between the ages of 13 and 15
years. This visit’s purpose is primarily
to educate these young patients about
reproductive health and development,
as well as review the schedule and pur-
pose of women’s health screening. It
is not unusual for teens and/or fami-
lies to be unsure of what is “normal”
with regard to puberty and menstrual
cycles. Initiating gynecologic care in
adolescence can lead to identifica-
tion of general medical conditions
which may initially only manifest as
menstrual irregularity.
Two concepts should be empha-
sized with regard to adolescent
gynecologic care. First, prospective
patients and their parents or guard-
ians will be relieved to know that an
internal pelvic exam is rarely neces-
sary at a routine adolescent visit; an
exam may be warranted if certain
symptoms or concerns are reported.
Second, as adolescents are learning
to exercise greater autonomy, it is
important to assure the confidenti-
ality of communications with their
physician, with very few exceptions.
Open communication between
patients and their parents or guard-
ians is encouraged, nevertheless.
Other topics available for discus-
sion with their gynecologist include
body development, common health
concerns, healthy choices and prac-
tices, athletics and exercise, effects
of alcohol and drugs, sex and sexual-
ity, birth control, sexually transmit-
ted diseases, and pregnancy. When the
best care is provided and strong links
between the gynecologist, the young
woman, and her family are estab-
lished, adolescents can blossom and
become healthy adults.
Faye Justicia-Linde, MD
UBMD Obstetrics and Gynecology
Conventus - Buffalo
1001 Main Street, 4th Floor Easy Parking
Williamsville
755 Wehrle Drive
Call for an appointment (716) 636-8284
ubmdobgyn.com
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July 2019 WNY Family 31