What is tinea versicolor? Dr. Greene describes this skin condition’s cause, appearance, and treatment. In one form, it causes white patches that are often misdiagnosed as something else – and thus remain after the initial treatment.
Many children are prone to rashes and skin discolorations. White patches of skin are a sign of some of the most common childhood skin conditions. Click here to read Dr. Greene’s article on pityriasis alba and tinea versicolor, two of the most common...
Diapers are a wonderful invention. They control infants' waste products in a relatively convenient, clean, and healthy way. Still, ever since children began to wear diapers, diaper rash has been the most common skin disorder of infancy. Click here...
Dreams have been described since the beginning of human history, but it was only in 1953 that Aserinsky and Kleitman discovered the brain wave pattern we call REM (rapid-eye-movement) sleep. During sleep, we go through four progressively deeper...
To many parents' dismay, their beautiful newborn's face breaks out with red bumps. This is called baby acne. It tends to occur at about the same age as the baby's peak gas production and fussiness. How attractive! Click here for more information on...
Our 3 year old daughter's breath is often bad. What smells should we look for, are there any that we should watch out for? Click here to read Dr. Greene's answer.
Immune-mediated or type 1 diabetes most often strikes young people, especially between the ages of 5 and 7 (when viruses run through the schools), or at the time of puberty (when so many hormones change). For this reason, it used to be called...
What are those pearly white spots you sometimes see on your child’s tonsils? And how are they like parents? Click here to read Dr. Greene’s insights about a common condition people don’t hear much about.
Some children develop scaly patches on their skin and scalp. Sometimes these scales are only of cosmetic concern, however they can be very itchy and uncomfortable, and can lead to infection. Click here to read Dr. Greene’s suggestions for gently...
What’s so important about breast milk? A lot more than you might think! It is important to emphasize that breast milk is a dynamic fluid that changes in composition throughout the day and throughout the course of lactation. It provides for the baby...
Heat injuries are more common than people think. Heat cramps are the most common. They usually affect the calf or hamstring muscles and respond to gentle stretching and to re-hydration - especially with an electrolyte solution.
If you’ve just had a baby, you may be wondering how in the world you’re going to take a few minutes to carry out your normal bathing routine (or even an abbreviated version of it) with your new baby requiring so much of your attention. Click here to...
By the time most people reach adulthood they have had some type of unpleasant rash caused by a contact allergy. Poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac together produce more cases of allergic contact dermatitis than all other allergens combined....
Tired of facing another lice infestation at your child’s school? Read Dr. Greene’s article on treating head lice and find out how to celebrate the “Great Lice Adventure” in your community.
Often toilet training seems to be going well and then the process stalls. When progress comes to a halt, take time to consider the constellation of forces that work together to motivate a child to complete toilet training, and those that oppose...
Head-banging appears in the latter half of the first year of life and generally ends spontaneously by four years of age. Boys are three or four times more likely to be head-bangers than girls. Click here to read Dr. Greene’s article on head banging.
A rash from poison ivy or oak is not at all contagious. People get the rash from oil that gets on their skin from the plants. BUT, until the oil is removed, they are contagious whether or not they have a rash. Click here to read more.
All children should be taught to wear sunglasses, especially between 10 AM and 2 PM, when ultraviolet exposure is the most dangerous. This is true even for children with darker eye colors, even though their darker pigments afford partial protection...
Many people are unwilling to talk about HIV/AIDS, but open communication is vital. HIV is a tragic illness that profoundly impacts all whom it touches. The one who is sick, loved ones, friends and contacts all deserve understanding and compassion....
Children in the developmental stage known as the "Terrible Twos," or "First Adolescence," become aware of the choices available to them and as a result become angry or frustrated when they are powerless to make their own choices. The result is often...
It is unpleasant to have anyone passionately disagree with you. When this opposition comes from your own child, the situation is decidedly disagreeable. Many people call this important phase of development the "Terrible Twos." I prefer to call it "...
Delayed puberty can be very tough to deal with, especially when your friends (or your child’s friends) are growing and maturing before your eyes. For more information on the use of testosterone to treat delays in puberty, click here.
Thrush is the most common reason for spots in a baby’s mouth. Thrush lesions can be quite painful, leading to fussiness and decreased feeding. They can also be completely asymptomatic.
The kidneys manufacture urine. The urine is transported through two tubes called ureters, and stored in the bladder, a muscular sac a bit like a thick-walled water balloon. In some children, however, the connection where the ureters enter the...
A young mother recently called me. She had seen my story on the web and wanted to talk because she hadn’t been able to find another survivor of “her kind” of breast cancer. She needed to connect with someone who could hold out hope for survival. I...
Many children go through a phase of wanting to sleep in their parent’s bed. If you don't choose to have a "family bed", click here for tips to get them back into their own beds.
