In this age of TikTok, more kids and teenagers are following the dermatology advice of social media influencers over doctors. Dr. Kay S. Kane, our Boston Children’s Hospital-affiliated Pediatric Dermatologist, would like to share the top three WORST ideas out on TikTok right now. Sunscreen contouring A TikTok video went viral getting close to 2 million likes by describing a technique called sunscreen contouring. In the 15-second clip, the influencer put a base layer of low SPF sunscreen all over her face followed by a high SPF block only on desired highlights, before tanning. The claim is that “the sun … Continue reading »
During this time of COVID-19 awareness and social distancing, it is not unlikely that parents will observe some very common skin issues with their children. Whether it’s dryness, rashes or worsening of chronic conditions due to stress, this blog post from our dermatologist Laurel Morton, MD is intended to share helpful guidance on how to best care for your children’s skin. Dry skin We are all spending more time at home than we normally do and the static climate in our houses means that some of us are exposed to less humidity than usual. The problem with dry air is … Continue reading »
Not only is winter cold and flu season, but it is also one of the most active seasons for head lice breakouts in numerous schools. These tiny critters love to travel from hats to hoods to ear muffs hung and stored next to each other at school. That’s why head lice are very common, particularly in school children during the winter. Dr. Phillips, dermatologist at SkinCare Physicians, shares a few tips on how to detect and treat head lice. It is estimated that up to 12 million children, between the ages of three and twelve, get head lice every year. … Continue reading »
Chances are that your child or a kid you know suffer from eczema – also called atopic dermatitis. Learning more about eczema will help you treat your child’s symptoms and flares more effectively. Dr. Tania Phillips, a dermatologist at SkinCare Physicians near Boston, explains the basics about this common skin condition, and offers helpful treatment instructions. What is eczema or atopic dermatitis? Dermatitis means inflammation of the skin. Atopic dermatitis or Eczema is a common skin disorder that affects 10 – 20% of children. It results in a rash and skin that is dry, itchy, inflamed and infected. What causes eczema or … Continue reading »
I have a confession: as a first-time mother, I find myself constantly worrying about my daughter’s well-being. And while I worry a bit too much, I take solace knowing that as a dermatologist in Boston my baby is at least getting the best possible skin care. While all of us are familiar with the routine aspects of an infants’ progression (e.g., shots, weigh-ins, and teething), I’d like to take a moment to teach you about a very important element of infant health: taking good care of your young child’s skin. By keeping a few basic principles in mind, it is … Continue reading »
Out with winter means outside with the kids! But, with spring and summer come the bugs: Mosquitoes, ants, black flies… the whole array. Whether you are on the sports field or at the beach, insect bites are common. Some children react much more than others, but there are a few things that can help prevent discomfort, itch, and swelling. Below are tips our dermatologists give parents who call or visit SkinCare Physicians for advice: Icing or cold compresses can actually help with all 3 symptoms -discomfort, itch, swelling- significantly. Whether the bite is new or not, it can still be … Continue reading »
As a mother of three young children and a dermatologist in the Boston area at Skincare Physicians, I know first-hand the difficulties in helping our children understand skin issues and treatments. To help facilitate our conversations about diagnoses and treatments with our kids, I found several tools to consider and explore. #1 The Eczema App This app allows parents and older children to record and track eczema flare-ups, take notes about flares and treatments, and take and store pictures of flared areas. It’s an effective tool that allows children to better communicate with their parents and doctor about their eczema … Continue reading »
