Happy Fall, Y'all!!

     Can you feel it?  Fall is FINALLY in the air.  It's refreshing, to say the very least.  Fall is one our absolute favorite times of year.  Unfortunately, down here in LA (Lower Alabama, for all you folks not familiar with the Southern vernacular), we don't get to enjoy much of a Fall season.  Our seasons are mainly "hot as blue blazin" followed by a couple of weeks of nice, crisp air that flow right into "colder than a ___ (insert your favorite comparative, often inappropriate, analogy here) ".

     But when that little bite in the air appears, you know that Fall is officially here.  Football is in full swing.  Pumpkins begin popping up all over, and the gorgeous colors of autumn mums decorate many a door step.

     Fall is a great time to take a walk or jog through your neighborhood.  Not only can you enjoy a decent temperature for your activity, but the beauty of the scenery around you is a great incentive.  The kids can still be found out in the yards after school and in between soccer, football, or fall baseball practice; enjoying the last weeks of evening sunshine before time changes and takes away their late-in-the-day light.  It's that time of year when the fair comes to town and if you live in just the right place, you can smell the peanuts coming out of the ground.  

     Unfortunately, for some of you, those peanuts and the ragweed in the air only mean torture for you and your allergies.  Fall allergy season can be brutal on allergy sufferers.  A daily oral antihistamine is a good option for most people with fall allergy symptoms.  Those chronic allergy sufferers may need something in addition to a daily antihistamine.  A steroid nasal spray (there is now one over-the-counter) added with the daily oral antihistamine can often be just the ticket.

     Unfortunately, there is a lot of concern with much more serious health issues these days.  The Ebola virus and Enterovirus-D68 have been making headlines and have everyone concerned.  We want you to have the best information possible, so we've added great information sheets from the CDC and Alabama Department of Public Health to our website.  Go here to view those:



     Also, the CDC website and ADPH website have great information.


     Now that school is back in full swing, your kids are exposed to more and more.  Unfortunately, head lice has made a resurgence among school-age children.  It seems that head lice has become resistant to many of the over-the-counter products out there these days because people aren't following the directions properly.  Most cases will require a second treatment to kill any newly hatched lice from eggs that did not get removed with the first treatment.  It is important to follow instructions on packages or doctor's directions very closely.  Prevention is important.  Children need to be instructed not to share hats, scarves, hair brushes, or any other items that touch the head.  Also, they should avoid head-to-head contact with other children during play.  Also, when a person has become infected with lice, all bed linens, clothing, furniture, and brushes must be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.  Learn more about treatment and prevention at: http://www.headlice.org/

     The end of October is always a fun time for kids and a stressful time for parents.  All the Fall Festival and Halloween activities are sure to keep the kids all hyped up.  Just make sure that you are diligent when it comes to inspecting any candy your child gets.  If it is opened or appears altered in any way -- THROW it away!  Any homemade treats should only be enjoyed if you are well acquainted with the person who made them and trust them implicitly.  Your kids' health is not worth risking politeness.  If your child has food allergies, make sure they know what they can and can not have.  The best policy is to tell them they can not have any treats until  you have looked at them first.  Remember costume safety is important, as well.  All those cute costumes may look nice, but if they aren't safe -- STAY AWAY.  

     Whatever fun things await you this fall, remember to be safe and stay healthy.