We Are Here for You!

Timber Lane Pediatrics is open and we are here for your child and your family.  We continue to see children for well child care and sick visits.  We remain as available to you as always, with office hours 7 days a week and an on-call provider available after hours.  If you have a concern about your child, please call us.

Here are some of the ways we are working to keep everyone safe during this time:

1) We are continuing to see children for essential well child care.  For our youngest patients, we are starting our well child visits by phone or video followed by a brief in-office exam and vaccines.  We are primarily seeing our older patients by video with separate vaccine visits as needed.  If your child has a check-up soon, our staff will contact you with more information.

2) We are seeing children for sick visits.  If you are concerned your child is sick, call us.  For many sick visits, we will start with a video visit and then determine if your child needs to be seen in person.

3) We have eliminated our walk-in hours and waiting room.  Please call before coming to the office.  If you are coming to our office for an in-person appointment, please wait in your car until we are ready to see you.

4) Our staff is practicing social distancing and good hygiene practices.  We are limiting the number of providers and staff in our offices each day.  We are wearing masks and gloves.  We are limiting the number of sick visits we see in the office and are thoroughly disinfecting exam rooms after each patient.

5) We are asking parents to wear masks in our office, as well as children over the age of 2 if they are able to do so safely and properly.  One parent only should accompany a child to the office.  We cannot allow siblings in the office at this time.

Covid-19 Infection and Children

Covid-19 is a new virus and the medical community is learning new information daily.  Fewer children than adults seem to be affected by this illness.   When they do get sick, children’s symptoms are usually milder than adults'.  Children with Covid-19 may have cold symptoms, a cough, a fever, chills, muscle pain, diarrhea, headache, sore throat, loss of smell or taste, or shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.  Children and young people who have Covid-19 or were previously infected with Covid-19 may develop a rash or swelling of the toes that looks like frostbite, also called Covid toes.  Most children with mild Covid-19 symptoms can be safely cared for at home.  If your child has any of these symptoms or you have any concerns, please call our office.

Click here for up-to-date information from the CDC on how to care for yourself and family if you become ill. Click here for the latest information from the Vermont Department of health.

Pediatric Multi-System Inflammatory Syndrome (MIS-C)

There is information emerging about a serious illness that may be associated with Covid-19 called Pediatric Multi-System Inflammatory Syndrome (MIS-C). Pediatric Multi-System Inflammatory Syndrome appears to be a rare disorder of the vascular system that occurs during or in the weeks following a Covid infection.  Children with this syndrome typically appear to be very ill.  Symptoms include 4-5 days of persistent fever, cough, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, and red eyes.  Children with severe symptoms may have difficulty breathing, difficulty walking or moving, or seem confused, lethargic, or unusually sleepy.  If you think your child may have these symptoms, please contact our office or other medical care urgently.

Click here for more information on MIS-C from the CDC.  

• BrainPop, a science-based cartoon for kids

• Coronavirus comic from NPR, a graphic novel style explanation

• From the New York Times Parenting column, How To Talk with Your Kids About Coronavirus

Summer Health and Safety

Ticks and Lyme

It is tick season.  Remember to wear insect repellent and do tick checks regularly.  If you find a tick on your child, remove it promptly with tweezers or a credit card, clean the area well with alcohol, and apply a topical antibiotic.  If you think the tick was attached to your child for more than 24 hours or are unsure how long it was attached for, call our office to see if your child needs preventive treatment.

Click here for more information on tick and Lyme Disease from the Vermont Department of Health.

Which Sunblock Should I Use?

Use a physical sunscreen - the active ingredients should be zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide.  We do not recommend spray sunscreens as these can be inhaled.  Apply every two hours and more often if your child is in the water frequently.  Avoid peak sun hours of 10 AM to 2 PM and wear protective clothing, hats and sunglasses.  Environmental Working Group is a non-profit organization that keeps a great list of safe suncreens for children.  You can find this list here.

Can I Use Insect Repellent?

You can use insect repellent on infants older than 6 months.  See the American Academy of Pediatrics' website for more information on which product to choose.  You can find this information here.

What To Do for Bug Bites?

Mosquito bites and other insect bites can be a summer nuisance.  If your child has an itchy bug bite, you can apply an over the counter 1% hydrocortisone to help the symptoms.  If the bite continues to look red and swollen, call our office to see if your child should be seen.