Springdale-Mason Pediatrics

06/17/2026

The Heat is ON! Summertime heat can make it uncomfortable and even dangerous to be outside for long periods of time. Children are especially at risk for heat illness. What should you be looking for? How do you Beat the Heat?

Heat cramps: muscle cramps in the hands and legs can happen with heavy activity in hot weather. Children may say their legs hurt and can have hand spasms.
-> Stop the activity and rest, Rehydrate with cold water or a rehydration drink. Gently stretching the muscles will also help. The cramps should resolve after your child gets rehydrated.

Heat Exhaustion: caused by overexertion in the heat. Symptoms include having pale skin, feeling dizzy, weak and nauseated, and having excessive sweating.
->Find a cool place and lay your child down. Take off their clothes down to the underwear to help the body let off heat. Sponge cool water over the body and fan the air to increase cooling. Have your child drink cold water. Seek medical attention if symtoms are worrisome or severe.

Heat stroke: this is a medical emergency! Be alert for confusion, hot red skin, a lack of sweating, high fever (105+), fainting, and collapse.
-> Call 911. While waiting for the life squad, get your child to a cool area, elevate the legs and undress them, sponge them and fan them as discussed above. Try to get your child to drink cold water but only if your child is awake and alert.

How to Beat The Heat?
🚰 Keep hydrated! Make sure your kids drink lots of cold water and cold drinks during outdoor activities. Rehydrating drinks are excellent choices to keep on hand - pack you cooler so everyone has plenty to drink and can drink frequently.
😌 Take breaks. If you notice your child getting cranky or uncomfortable, go inside to an air conditioned building or go back to the car and turn on the A/C. Have them drink a cold drink and rest.
🪭 Keep a cool water bottle and wash cloth or mister fan handy to cool off.

IMPORTANT: Babies are less able to sweat and are more vulnerable to heat illness, so keep close track of little ones and take frequent breaks in air conditioning or have them stay home.

Prepare, plan and stay cool to Beat The Heat this summer!

06/16/2026

🚨 Parents: Please talk to your kids about the “Benadryl Challenge” 🚨

You may have heard about dangerous online trends encouraging kids and teens to take large amounts of diphenhydramine (the medication in Benadryl) to try to cause hallucinations or “get a reaction.”

This is not a harmless challenge. Taking too much diphenhydramine can lead to serious side effects, including:
⚠️ Confusion, agitation, or delirium
⚠️ Fast heart rate and abnormal heart rhythms
⚠️ Seizures
⚠️ Dangerous overheating
⚠️ Loss of consciousness
⚠️ Life-threatening complications

A few things parents can do:
✅ Ask your kids what they are seeing online (without judgment)
✅ Remind them that not everything trending is safe
✅ Keep medications stored securely and monitor what is in your home
✅ Teach kids to never take extra medication unless instructed by a trusted adult or healthcare professional

These conversations are most effective before there is a problem. A quick “Have you seen any weird challenges online lately?” can open the door.

💙 If you ever have concerns about a possible medication ingestion, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 (available 24/7).

— Your team at Springdale-Mason Pediatrics

06/13/2026

Happy Birthday Tiffany! We hope you have the best Birthday filled with all the things you love! Enjoy your Day!🎈

06/12/2026

06/11/2026

Wishing Alex & Sujeeva a very happy birthday! They are two of our Medical Assistants and have been a wonderful addition to the SMP Team. 🎂

06/09/2026

🎉 BIG NEWS! 🎉

Our patients keep growing up… so we’re growing with them! We’re excited to announce that our practice is now caring for patients through age 23.

From first checkups and kindergarten physicals to college forms, first jobs, and everything in between, we’re honored to continue being part of our patients’ journeys a little longer.

Young adults often have a delay in transition to their adult care providers, and we want to be a part of the solution by being present, providing more support during the important transition into adulthood. 💙

05/27/2026

Simple Sun Fun ☀️

- Babies under 6 months: Find shade and avoid direct sun-trees, an umbrella, or a canopy can all help .
- Dress children in cool clothing that covers- when possible. Think lightweight cotton. Some clothing has built-in or is labeled as UV protection (long-sleeve rash guard anyone?)
- Wear a hat—test it to make sure it shades neck and ears.
- Limit your sun exposure between 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., when UV rays are strongest. Some weather apps will share with you the UV index, always cross-reference this
- Use sunglasses that have significant UV protection.
- Apply sunscreen—see the link below for more information on different age groups.
- Make sure everyone in your family knows how to protect their skin and eyes.
https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-play/Pages/Sun-Safety.aspx

05/25/2026

Pool season is officially here! Remember, water safety is crucial for everyone, especially children! Here are the biggest points your pediatricians here at SMP:

💦 Water safety begins with education. Teach your children about the importance of staying close to an adult when near water and always swimming with a buddy. It's vital to establish rules around water early.

💦 Enrolling children in swimming lessons can be a lifesaver, literally. Learning how to swim provides children with the skills and confidence needed to enjoy water safely.

💦 Supervision is key. No matter how skilled a swimmer your child may be, they should never be left unattended near water. Designate a water watcher — an adult who remains focused on supervising children in and around water without distractions.

💦 Investing in proper safety equipment can also make a significant difference. Ensure that life jackets are available and fit correctly when boating or participating in water sports. Pool owners should consider installing fences, alarms, and covers to prevent unsupervised access to the water.

💦 Finally, familiarize yourself with basic lifesaving techniques, such as CPR. In case of an emergency, knowing how to respond promptly and effectively can save a life.

Celebrate Water Safety Month by prioritizing these practices and having conversations with your family about water safety. Together, we can make a splash in the safest way possible!

05/25/2026

Both offices are closed today. We will resume normal business hours Tuesday.

05/20/2026

Wishing Sherry one of our Medical Assistant's a Happy Birthday. Sherry is the office prankster and we are always looking for her next "trick" that will magically POP up. We hope she enjoys her 21st birthday that she has been having for multiple years in a row. 🎈