John M. Young, MD

Pediatrician In Amarillo, Texas

Best of Amarillo - Pediatrician

Health Conditions

What Parents Should Know About Whooping Cough

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Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, can cause serious health issues in babies and children as well as adults. This bacterial illness usually shows up five to ten days after being exposed, but sometimes symptoms don’t show up until weeks after exposure. It is important for parents to understand the symptoms of pertussis and what can be done to help prevent it.

Early signs of whooping cough

In most people who contract whooping cough, early symptoms include a cough and cold-like symptoms. The cough is often not present in babies at first, but they may be affected by apnea. This condition causes a pause in breathing and can be extremely dangerous.

Early symptoms in children include a runny nose, mild fever, apnea, and a mild cough. Because these aren’t surprising symptoms, many pediatricians and parents treat them like the common cold. This means that if your child has whooping cough, you may not even know it until the symptoms get worse.

Later symptoms of whooping cough

After about one to two weeks, the more well-known symptoms of pertussis will start to show. Your child may experience rapid coughing fits followed by a “whoop” sound that is high pitched. Vomiting and exhaustion are also common pertussis symptoms. The coughing fits will be more common as the condition continues and will usually be at their worst at night.

Why whooping cough is dangerous

Although the symptoms listed above are manageable, pertussis is a cause for concern, especially in babies and younger children. In the later stages of the disease, children are more susceptible to other respiratory infections. Around half of the babies younger than age one that gets pertussis requires hospital care. If your baby has this disease, they will probably not cough as much but could stop breathing and turn blue. Recovery is slow, so children can still experience coughing and susceptibility to other infections for months after whooping cough passes.

Preventing whooping cough in your child

The best way to prevent your child from contracting whooping cough is to take them to the pediatrician for a vaccine. You should also keep your children, especially babies, away from others who have the disease. The DTaP vaccine is the recommended preventative for pertussis. This also helps protect against tetanus and diphtheria. Adults can get the vaccine to protect them from getting whooping cough and it is safe for pregnant women.

Visit with a pediatrician today

If you think your child may have whooping cough or could be exposed, contact Dr. John Young and his caring Team today. We have the experience and knowledge to give you and your child the best possible clinical experience. You can reach us at (806) 354-0404 ext. 3330 or Contact Us by email for more information about our Services.

9 Common Childhood Conditions And Their Symptoms

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There are many conditions and a variety of symptoms your child can experience. As a parent, you don’t want your child to feel sick or hurt, but it can be confusing to pinpoint what is affecting them. It is helpful to know some common conditions children can get and how a pediatrician can treat them.

1. Sore Throat

This is a common symptom in children of all ages and can be attributed to many conditions. The most common reasons your child may have a sore throat include a virus or strep throat. If this painful symptom is caused by a virus, you can only treat the pain and irritation. In the case of bacterial infections like strep throat, antibiotics can help.

If you think your child might have strep throat, take them to the pediatrician as soon as possible. They will perform a quick in-office swab test or lab test to determine if they have strep throat or something else. If the test is positive, your child will need to take a full course of antibiotics, even if their symptoms improve.

2. Ear Pain

There are many conditions that can cause ear pain in children, including swimmer’s ear, a sinus infection, ear infections, and tooth pain. The pediatrician can inspect your child’s ears to see what is causing them pain. If it is something associated with other symptoms like a sore throat or fever, they may prescribe an antibiotic. For middle-ear infections, your child may need to take amoxicillin if they are not allergic and if infections aren’t recurring. Keep in mind that if the ear pain is caused by a virus, antibiotics will not help.

3. Bronchitis and Bronchiolitis

Both of these conditions affect the lungs. Bronchitis and chronic bronchitis affect the more central, larger areas of the lungs and are typically seen in adults. If your child does get a chest virus, it should not require antibiotics.

Bronchiolitis is more common in children and is most often associated with wheezing. Like bronchitis, this condition doesn’t require antibiotic treatment. The most you can do is keep your child comfortable and treat the symptoms. Make sure to watch for difficulty breathing, eating, and dehydration, which can all be dangerous symptoms. Premature children and those with asthma may need different treatments.

4. Bacterial Sinusitis

This condition is associated with cold symptoms like daytime cough and nasal drainage. If the mucus is thick and yellow or your child has a fever for three or four days, your child may need antibiotics.

5. The Common Cold

Colds are common in people of all ages and are caused by a virus in the upper respiratory tract. It is not uncommon for younger children to get six to eight colds each year. Congestion, coughs, and a runny nose can last for up to ten days.

A cold can become dangerous if your child has a sinus infection. Green mucus doesn’t mean your child needs antibiotics, but it is best to take them to the pediatrician to be sure.

6. Coughs

Viruses are one of the most common causes of coughs. This means that antibiotics will not help if the culprit of their cough is from a viral infection. Cough medicine can be given to children over six, but should not be given to younger kids without a doctor’s recommendation.

7. Urinary tract infections

These are also known as bladder infections or UTIs and they don’t just happen to adults. Symptoms include frequent urination, a burning sensation, bedwetting, and pain in the abdomen and back. The pediatrician will need a urine sample to determine if a UTI is the cause of your child’s discomfort. This will also help them figure out what type of bacteria is causing the infection and what treatment is needed.

8. Skin infections

If you think your child has a skin infection, their pediatrician can perform a culture or swab test to find out why. Be sure to let them know if your child has a history of or possible exposure to resistant bacteria like staph infection or MRSA.

9. General aches and Pains

Children are resilient, but they can feel general aches and pains just like adults. These include sore muscles, bruises, sprained ankles, ear pain, and sore throats. Acetaminophen and ibuprofen are safe to give to children depending on what their pediatrician says about the dosage. Narcotic pain medicines should never be given to kids.

Do you need a reliable pediatrician in Amarillo, Texas?

A pediatrician can help diagnose and treat your child if they have any of the above symptoms or conditions. Dr. John Young and his caring team have the experience and knowledge to give you and your child the best possible clinical experience. Give us a call at (806) 354-0404 ext. 3330 or Send Us an Email to learn more about our Services. You can also visit our offices in person at 1500 S. Coulter St., Suite #3 in Amarillo.

4 Common Childhood Illnesses A Pediatrician Can Help Treat

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There are many illnesses that your child may face as they grow up. A pediatrician can help with identifying and treating these issues. They include chickenpox, colds/coughs, infections, fevers and high temperatures, food allergies, and whooping cough.

Chickenpox

Although this illness typically happens in childhood, it can be contracted at any age. It is usually mild but can be dangerous in certain conditions, so it should be taken seriously. There are no specific treatments, but fever reducers and creams can be used to help with the symptoms. The incubation period is between 10 to 21 days. Your child will be contagious 2 days before symptoms show to around 5 days after the scabs become dry.

Chickenpox, also known as varicella, is a highly contagious disease that can cause red rashes over the entire body. These turn into blisters filled with fluid that will harden into scabs. Other symptoms of this illness include the following.

  • Fever
  • Itchiness
  • Irritability
  • Inflammation

Serious side effects can happen to your child, including pneumonia, dehydration, bacterial skin infections, and bleeding issues. Pregnant women should be especially careful to avoid others with chickenpox, as it can cause fetal malformations and other serious problems.

Coughs, colds, and infections

Coughs, colds, and infections are common among children and aren’t always serious. There are similarities and differences between these issues.

Coughs

Coughs are often associated with a cold, but this virus isn’t the only thing that results in coughing. Usually, a cough will resolve on its own. As long as your child is eating, drinking, and breathing properly, you don’t have to worry too much. If your child is wheezing or their cough will not go away, you should contact a pediatrician. Other conditions that can result in coughing include whooping cough, pneumonia, asthma, and allergies. Signs of more serious conditions including the following.

  • Coughing throughout the night
  • Discomfort
  • Coughing for longer than 2 weeks
  • High fever
  • Skin color changes to blue or pale

If your child is not breathing normally, you should consult a pediatrician immediately and if they can’t breathe, call 911.

Colds

Because there are so many different cold viruses, your child may get a few colds every year. Your child should build up an immunity to colds as they age. If they get a cold, it will usually subside within 5 to 7 days. Be sure to keep your child hydrated and avoid nasal decongestants. Ask your pediatrician about fever and pain reducers, as well as saline nose drops.

Infections

These can come from a variety of sources and some are highly contagious. Common infections in babies and children include ear infections, strep throat, tetanus, and skin infections. Some infections can be treated with antibiotics or other medications. Others will just need to heal on their own or can be prevented with immunizations. Speak with your pediatrician to learn more about infections to look out for.

Whooping cough

This bacterial infection, also known as pertussis, is a serious condition that affects babies and young children. It is highly contagious and can be spread from adults to children. Whooping cough usually starts with mild cold-like symptoms, progress into severe coughing fits with wheezing, and then clear up. Here are some things every parent or parent-to-be should know about pertussis.

  • A vaccination that helps prevent whooping cough (the DTaP immunization) can be given to adults before a baby is due.
  • If someone comes into contact with pertussis, they can be given antibiotics to help prevent spreading it.
  • Symptoms begin to show 1 to 2 weeks after exposure.
  • The condition lasts between 6 and 10 weeks if no serious complications occur.
  • Common symptoms include mild fever, forceful coughing fits, wheezing, vomiting, and pauses in breathing.
  • Dangerous symptoms include bleeding or inflammation in the brain that can result in confusion, brain damage, and seizures.
  • Treatment includes antibiotics or hospitalization in serious cases.

Whooping cough has been worse in the past, but it is still a problem in the United States and around the world. There is a vaccination that can be given to children that helps stop the spread of the virus. If you suspect your child has whooping cough, visit a pediatrician as soon as possible.

Allergies

Pediatric allergies are common in children and include food allergies, skin allergies, and seasonal allergies.

Food allergies are more likely to develop in babies if there is a family history of eczema, hay fever, food allergies, or asthma. If you slowly introduce different foods into your child’s diet, it may help them build up an immunity to certain foods. Also, if they already have a food allergy, it will help you identify the cause more easily.

Seasonal allergies often show in the spring, summer, and fall and can be caused by a number of things. Pollen and grass are typical allergens, as are dust and dirt. Other allergies can be triggered by candles, perfumes, chlorine in pools, and mold.

Skin allergies are also common in children and can be caused by a number of factors. You may see hives, eczema, and rashes if your child comes into contact with an allergen.

Seeing a pediatrician in Amarillo, Texas

If your child is showing signs of allergies, whooping cough, infections, colds, or chickenpox, a pediatrician can help diagnose and treat the symptoms. Dr. John Young and his Team are here to help you keep your child healthy. You can reach us at (806) 354-0404 ext. 3330 or Contact Us by email for more information about Our Services. You can also visit us at 1500 S Coulter St. Suite #3 in Amarillo to speak with our staff.

What You Can Do If Your Child Breaks A Bone

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It is not uncommon for a child to break one or more of their bones while they are growing up. As much as you try to prevent this kind of accident, it may still happen. You need to know what kind of first aid your child needs if this painful situation occurs.

Defining a broken or fractured bone

There are two different ways that a bone can break. It can crack or shatter into many pieces. Violent trauma, sports injuries, or accidents are some of the situations which can result in a broken bone. Immediate medical care is required for the proper treatment of cracked or shattered bones. They are not usually life-threatening injuries, although they can be.

Broken bones are defined by a few different names. When there is a break on only one side of the bone, it is called a greenstick fracture. A torus or buckle fracture occurs when one side has an outward bend, but there is no break on the other side. A tiny piece of bone that breaks off with a tendon or ligament is called an avulsion fracture.

A tiny bone crack is called a stress fracture. If your child or teen’s growing bone breaks, they may have a growth plate fracture. If the bone breaks into pieces (two or more), then it is called a comminuted fracture. Finally, when a bone collapses, that is called a compression fracture.

Recognizing the symptoms of a broken bone

Be on the lookout for one or more of the following symptoms if you suspect your child has a broken bone. Some can mean that your child is at risk of something more serious than a broken bone like infection or blood loss.

  • Numbness
  • A bone sticking out of the skin
  • Extreme pain in the injured area that worsens when movement occurs
  • Heavy bleeding at the injury site
  • Visible deformity
  • Swelling
  • A blue tinge to the skin in the injured area

Giving your child first aid care for a broken bone

If you think your child may have a broken bone, there are steps you can take to apply first aid. First, stop any bleeding by elevating the wound and applying pressure to the injury. Use a clean cloth, clean piece of clothing, or sterile bandage.

Have your child stay as still as possible so that they will not make the injury worse, especially if it is on their neck or back. You can make a sling or a splint to help isolate an arm or leg. Wrap an ice pack or bag of ice cubes with a cloth and apply it to the injury to help reduce swelling. Remove and apply the pack at ten-minute intervals. Be aware that your child may go into shock. Treatment for this situation is to reassure them, get them into a comfortable position, and cover them with a blanket or extra clothing for warmth.

Call 911 or get your child to an emergency room as soon as you can, especially if the injury is serious or there is a lot of bleeding. If your child can be safely moved to the car, then take them to an emergency facility.

Be sure to visit a pediatrician if your child breaks a bone

It is important that you take your child to a pediatrician for follow-up care after they break a bone. If you need more information about caring for your child’s broken bone, call Dr. John Young and his caring staff at (806) 354-0404 ext. 3330. We are dedicated to keeping your child healthy and providing the best clinical experience possible. You can also Email Us or visit in person at 1500 S. Coulter St., Suite #3 in Amarillo, Texas to learn more about our Services.

5 Questions You May Have About Your Baby’s Soft Spots

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Newborn babies are delicate and require constant care and supervision. You will notice many things about your newborn baby that older babies do not have, including soft spots on the head. These spots, also called fontanels, are sections of your baby’s skull that have not completely formed yet. It can be dangerous if damage occurs in these areas, so it is important to understand what they are and how to protect them. The following are five questions that many parents have about soft spots.

What exactly are soft spots?

The soft spots on your baby’s head usually come in pairs, with one being larger than the other. However, it is possible for your baby to have more. The soft spots help your baby move through the narrow birthing canal more easily, reshaping the head. This process is known as molding and also allows your baby’s brain to develop better after birth.

Where are the soft spots are located?

The soft spots are located on the center and the back of your baby’s head. Typically, the largest soft spot can be found on the top of the head and is triangular or diamond-like in shape. If you do not know where to find the soft spots, try gently feeling for them in the general areas where they may occur. Be careful as you do this and be aware that there may be more than two fontanels.

When will the soft spots disappear?

The length of time it will take for your baby’s skull to completely form will vary. Depending upon where the soft spots are located, it can take up to eighteen months or longer. The smaller soft spots can take six weeks or more to completely close, while the largest will not close until the brain has fully developed.

If your baby’s soft spots completely close earlier than this, it can be a sign of trouble. If this issue happens, it may mean that the brain has stopped developing. Contact your pediatrician immediately if soft spots have closed early.

What can I do to keep my baby safe?

Taking proper precautions to protect your baby’s skull and developing brain is important for every parent to do. However, you do not need to avoid touching your baby’s head. You can press on the soft spots without hurting your baby, as long as you do not apply too much pressure. When lifting your baby, be sure to gently place your hand on the back of the head and neck for support, but do not press down too hard. You should also teach anyone who will be handling your baby the proper safety procedures to avoiding hurting the soft spots. If your baby’s head is ever injured and they develop a fever shortly afterward, call your pediatrician immediately.

What happens if the spot spots suddenly look different?

Normal soft spots are slightly indented, but if you see that the indention has become deeper, your baby could be dehydrated. If you have given your baby enough liquids and the soft spot is still too deep, call your doctor as soon as possible. In contrast, if the soft spot is swollen, there still may not be a medical issue. Sometimes, after excessive crying or coughing, soft spots can become swollen, but they should decrease in size within hours. If the swelling does not go down, contact your pediatrician quickly.

Finding the best pediatrician in Amarillo, Texas

If you are searching for a reliable, experienced, and caring pediatrician, contact Dr. John M. Young, M.D. Pediatrics today. Dr. John Young and his team are committed to providing the best experience for you and your child. Call our office at (806) 354-0404 ext. 3330 to schedule an appointment with us today. You can also Contact Us by email or visit our office in person at 1500 S. Coulter St. Suite #3 in Amarillo, Texas to learn more about our services.

Appropriate Car Seats

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The Texas Department of Public Safety has created an excellent website which presents guidelines for child passenger saftety:
Texas DPS Carseat Information
This simplification has been long overdue. Here are important points to remember from these guidelines. First, NEVER turn forward-facing before child meets all three requirements (age, height, and weight) set by safety seat manufacturer for forward-facing. Second, continue to use a booster seat until the adult lap/shoulder safety belt fits them properly.
The Car Seat Lady has an excellent 5 step test to determine when your child is able to ride without a booster seat:
http://thecarseatlady.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/screen-shot-2014-03-08-at-2-17-42-pm.png
Please call the office and speak with the nurses if you have any questions. Also, continue to send your questions to askdocyoung@gmail.com
Dr. Young

Thumb Sucking/Fingernail Biting Treatments

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We have received questions about thumb sucking and biting fingernails. Both of these activities are common because they tend to relieve stress. However, they can cause alterations in tooth placement in the case of thumb sucking and damage to the nails with pan and local infections in the case of biting fingernails. Valmed pharmacy (www.valmed-hhs.com) has created a product that they call “Don’t be a thumb sucker” for application to the thumb or fingers. It contains sucrose octaacetate which tastes very bitter, but it is generally considered safe, especially in very low amounts. We have helped two parents obtain this treatment for their children, and they both reported good results. If you would like to try this product for your child, please call the nurses for a trial application or prescription.

Caffeine in Children & Adolescents

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A mother asked about caffeine use in children:

Caffeine is a stimulant – one of the few legal stimulants. We generally recommend no caffeine for children or adolescents. The Mayo clinic recommends no caffeine for children and 100mg or less for adolescents. 400mg or less per day has been found to be tolerated well by adults. As a stimulant caffeine can cause nervousness, nausea, headaches, an increased heart rate and an increased blood pressure. Caffeine has many negative features: it is often found in sugary drinks, it is a diuretic which can promote dehydration, and some children have headaches or depressive symptoms after stopping regular intake. A Mountain Dew has 50mg of caffeine, so the Mayo clinic would allow only 2 of these per day for an adolescent. Energy drinks should be avoided by all children and adolescents – a Monster Energy Drink has 160mg of caffeine. Instant coffee has 57mg and brewed coffee has 163mg; we do not generally recommend coffee for children or adolescents. An extensive list of the caffeine in commercially available drinks can be found here:

https://www.caffeineinformer.com/the-caffeine-database

The only time we recommend caffeine for children or adolescents is to provide short term improvement in children who have a diagnosis of ADHD or to give a single trial of a low dose of stimulant when parents feel that their child may have ADHD. Please call the office nurses if you have a specific question about your child.

Dr. Young

Recommended Mosquito Repellents

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With all of the rain we had over the past few weeks, these pesky bugs are multiplying and can overrun your outdoor spaces in no time; rendering it nearly impossible to play outside without suffering a bite or ten!  Skin So Soft, and OFF Towlettes are the two products that Dr. Young recommends you use to help protect your little ones from the wrath of those pesky mosquitos!

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Poison Control 1-800-222-1222

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Dr. Young and his staff would like to share some friendly advice with you and your loved ones! The spring and summer seasons bring bugs and pests to our homes which can lead to purchasing various poisons and deterrents. These among other cleaners and chemicals you might regularly have around the home have the potential to be ingested by the children in your homes.  1-800-222-1222 is the phone number for poison control and we recommend that you save this number in your phone. In the event that a child ingests a questionable substance having this number saved in your phones will allow you to respond faster to seeking treatment/remedies.


For more information visit our Facebook page, and/or give us a call at 806-354-0404 ext 330.