Shoreline Pediatrics provides high-quality, personalized care for infants, children & teens in Muskegon MI.

The Journal of Pediatrics just published a study looking at pediatric deaths due to Influenza over the past 10 years. The red arrows are the number of deaths in unvaccinated children each year. The green arrows are the number of deaths in fully vaccinated children in the same year. This graph shows how protective the flu shot is for our patients!

Pityriasis alba is a very common and usually harmless skin condition seen in children and teens. It often appears as lighter patches of skin, most commonly on the face, cheeks, arms, or upper body. The areas may look slightly dry or flaky and often become more noticeable during the summer when surrounding skin tans.

The exact cause is not fully understood, but it is commonly associated with dry or sensitive skin and mild eczema. It is not contagious and is not caused by poor hygiene.

Treatment typically focuses on moisturizing the skin and protecting it from sun exposure with sunscreen, since tanning can make the lighter areas stand out more. In some cases, providers may recommend mild medicated creams if irritation is present.

While pityriasis alba is usually harmless, persistent rashes, itching, spreading, or uncertainty about the diagnosis should be evaluated.

Have concerns with your child’s skin? Call today to schedule an appointment or send us a portal message.

231-777-2732
shorelinepeds.com

There are many sunscreen myths that can lead to accidental sunburns and skin damage during the summer months.

Myth: Higher SPF means you only need to apply it once.
Fact: No sunscreen lasts all day. Sunscreen should be reapplied about every 2 hours and after swimming or sweating.

Myth: You cannot get sunburned on cloudy days.
Fact: UV rays still reach the skin through clouds, so sun protection is important even when it is overcast.

Myth: Spray sunscreen works instantly with a quick spray.
Fact: Spray sunscreen should be applied generously and rubbed in evenly to ensure full coverage and reduce missed areas.

Myth: One bad sunburn is no big deal.
Fact: Sunburns during childhood can increase the risk of skin damage and skin cancer later in life.

If you have questions about sunscreen choices, sensitive skin, or sun protection for your child, contact us for guidance.

231-777-2732
shorelinepeds.com

Swimmer’s ear and middle ear infections are different conditions, even though both can cause ear pain.

Swimmer’s ear is an infection of the outer ear canal and is often linked to trapped moisture after swimming. Symptoms may include pain when touching the ear, itching, redness, drainage, or discomfort with pulling on the ear.

Middle ear infections happen behind the eardrum and are usually related to viruses, colds, congestion, or pressure buildup.

Symptoms may include fever, ear pain, poor sleep, fussiness, congestion, or temporary hearing changes.

One common misconception is that swimming or getting water in the ears causes middle ear infections.

In reality, water exposure is typically associated with swimmer’s ear, not infections behind the eardrum.

To help prevent swimmer’s ear, dry ears well after swimming, and avoid inserting objects into the ear canal.

If your child has ongoing ear pain, drainage, fever, hearing concerns, or worsening symptoms, contact us to schedule an appointment.

231-777-2732
shorelinepeds.com

Before the hepatitis A vaccine became widely available, outbreaks of hepatitis A were much more common in the United States and often spread through contaminated food, water, or close contact between people.

The virus affects the liver and can cause fever, fatigue, stomach pain, nausea, jaundice, and missed school or work for weeks.

Large community outbreaks occurred regularly, especially in childcare settings and crowded environments. While many children recovered, some people developed severe illness requiring hospitalization.

After routine hepatitis A vaccination was introduced, infection rates dropped dramatically and outbreaks became far less common. Vaccination continues to help protect children, families, and communities by reducing the spread of disease.

If you are unsure whether your child is up to date on hepatitis A vaccination, call us so we can review their vaccine record with you.

231-777-2732
shorelinepeds.com

Wishing all of our families a fun, safe, and relaxing holiday weekend.

Whether you are spending time at the beach, by the pool, grilling with family, or watching fireworks, a few simple precautions can help keep everyone safe.

Remember to stay hydrated, reapply sunscreen throughout the day, supervise children closely around water, and keep kids a safe distance from grills and fireworks. Sparklers and fireworks can cause serious burns, so adult supervision is important at all times.

We will be closed on Friday, July 3rd in observance of the holiday.

If your child becomes ill or injured during the holiday weekend and you are unsure what level of care is needed, reach out to our office. We have a 24-7 nurses line ready to take your call.

231-777-2732
shorelinepeds.com

Fireworks can be an exciting part of holiday celebrations, but safety is important for children and adults alike. Young children should always be closely supervised around fireworks, and families should maintain a safe distance from active fireworks and launch areas.

Sparklers may seem harmless, but they can reach temperatures hot enough to cause serious burns and injuries. Consider safer alternatives like glow sticks for younger children. Hearing protection can also be helpful for infants and young children during loud fireworks displays.

Keep water nearby, avoid relighting fireworks that do not go off properly, and never allow children to handle fireworks without direct adult supervision.

If your child experiences a burn or firework-related injury, seek medical care right away. For questions about burn care or safety concerns, contact Shoreline Pediatrics.

231-777-2732
shorelinepeds.com

There are many different birth control options available, and each works differently depending on a person’s health needs, lifestyle, and goals. Common methods include condoms, birth control pills, patches, injections, implants, intrauterine devices (IUDs), and more.

Some methods are more effective than others at preventing pregnancy, and only condoms help reduce the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Using condoms along with another form of birth control can help provide additional protection.

Choosing a birth control method is a personal healthcare decision, and it is important to have accurate information without judgment or pressure. In many situations, teens can receive confidential sexual health services and schedule appointments for these concerns without parent consent, depending on state laws and the type of care needed.

If your teen or young adult has questions about birth control, periods, sexual health, or STI prevention, contact us to schedule a confidential discussion with a trusted healthcare provider.

231-777-2732
shorelinepeds.com

Summer schedules can easily shift with later nights and more flexible routines, but keeping sleep on track can help children feel their best. A consistent wake time each day is one of the most important ways to support a healthy sleep schedule, even during breaks.

Creating a screen-free wind-down routine before bed can help signal to the body that it is time to sleep.

Exposure to natural light in the morning and limiting bright light at night can also help regulate sleep patterns.

As the school year approaches, making gradual adjustments to bedtime and wake time over a few weeks can make the transition smoother.

If your child is struggling with sleep or routines feel off track, contact Shoreline Pediatrics to discuss strategies that work for your family.

231-777-2732
shorelinepeds.com