Dr. Amy Falk, MD

08/04/2026

If you're checking your child for ticks, you're probably missing the most common hiding spots.

It's that time of year when kids are spending hours outside—hiking, camping, playing sports, or just exploring the backyard. And with all that outdoor fun comes an increase in tick bites.

The good news is that one of the best ways to prevent tick-borne illnesses is also one of the simplest: a thorough tick check at the end of the day.

But here's where parents often miss them.

Ticks love warm, hidden places. Be sure to check behind the ears, along the hairline and scalp, under the arms, inside the belly button, around the waistband, behind the knees, between the legs, and around the groin. They can be incredibly small—some are no bigger than a poppy seed.

If you find a tick, don't panic. Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp it as close to the skin as possible and pull straight upward with steady pressure. Avoid twisting, burning it, or covering it with petroleum jelly. Those methods don't work and may actually increase the risk of disease transmission.

Most tick bites don't lead to illness, but keep an eye out over the next few weeks. If your child develops a fever, unusual fatigue, severe headache, or a spreading rash—especially one that looks like a bull's-eye—contact your pediatrician.

A two-minute tick check after outdoor play can make a big difference. It's one of the easiest summer habits you can build into your family's routine.

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07/30/2026

If you've been hearing about a parasite linked to fresh produce lately, here's what parents need to know.

You've probably seen recent headlines about cyclosporiasis, a diarrheal illness caused by a microscopic parasite called Cyclospora.

The good news is that it's not something most parents need to panic about, but it's helpful to know what it is and what symptoms to watch for.

Cyclospora is most commonly spread by eating fresh produce that's been contaminated, such as leafy greens, herbs, or berries. Unlike many other causes of diarrhea, it isn't typically spread directly from one child to another because the parasite needs time in the environment before it becomes infectious.

Symptoms usually begin about a week after exposure and can include watery diarrhea, loss of appetite, stomach cramps, bloating, nausea, fatigue, and sometimes low-grade fever. One thing that makes Cyclospora unique is that symptoms can come and go over several weeks if it isn't treated.

Most stomach viruses improve within a few days, but if your child's diarrhea is lingering, keeps coming back, or they're becoming dehydrated, it's time to contact your pediatrician.

Unlike viral diarrhea, Cyclospora can be treated with a specific antibiotic called trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, so making the correct diagnosis matters.

The best way to lower your family's risk is to wash fresh fruits and vegetables under running water before eating them. While washing may not remove every parasite, it's still an important food safety habit. Also, stay informed about any current food recalls involving fresh produce.

And remember, the biggest concern with any diarrheal illness in children is dehydration. Encourage frequent fluids and watch for signs like a dry mouth, decreased urination, no tears when crying, or unusual sleepiness.

The takeaway? Cyclospora isn't the most common cause of diarrhea we see in kids, but it's something pediatricians keep on our radar—especially during the summer months when fresh produce consumption is high and outbreaks are more likely to occur.

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07/27/2026

📚🏈 Back-to-school season is almost here!

If you're anything like me, July somehow turns into August overnight. 😅

One of my favorite parts of late summer is getting kids ready for another school year, whether that's a well visit, sports physical, updating vaccines, or simply making sure they're healthy and confident heading into August.

Before schedules get hectic, now is a great time to check a few things off your list:

✅ Annual well child visits
✅ Sports physicals
✅ School forms
✅ Vaccine catch-up
✅ ADHD medication follow-ups
✅ Anxiety, sleep, or mental health check-ins
✅ Medication refills (inhalers, EpiPens, allergy meds, etc.)

One thing I especially love this time of year is helping young athletes get ready for their season.

A sports physical should be more than a quick signature. At ReVision Wellness, every sports physical includes:

👀 State-of-the-art vision screening
❤️ A thorough cardiac examination
🩺 Comprehensive review of medical history and symptoms
💪 Musculoskeletal evaluation and injury prevention discussion
🏃 Guidance to help your athlete stay healthy all season long

It's an opportunity to make sure your child is truly ready to participate safely, not just to complete the paperwork.

August fills up quickly, so if your family has been meaning to get on the schedule, now's the perfect time.

Wishing everyone a healthy, happy, and successful school year! ❤️

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07/21/2026

🏊 WATER SAFETY: What You Need to Know About "Dry Drowning" 🏊

Summer is here, and every year I see scary articles about "dry drowning" and "secondary drowning" circulating on social media. As a physician, I want to help clear up the confusion.

Here's the truth: "Dry drowning" and "secondary drowning" are NOT real medical terms. The World Health Organization, the American Heart Association, and the American Academy of Pediatrics all recommend AGAINST using these terms because they are misleading and cause unnecessary panic.

So what IS actually happening?

Drowning is a spectrum. When a child swallows or inhales water, it can irritate the lungs and cause swelling. In most cases, a brief cough clears things up. In more serious cases, water in the lungs can cause breathing problems, but this is simply called a drowning event, and the symptoms are usually apparent right away or within a few hours.

What "dry drowning" is NOT:

❌ A mysterious condition where a child "drowns" hours or days later on dry land

❌ A reason to panic every time your child coughs after swimming

❌ A separate disease: it's just part of the drowning spectrum

When SHOULD you seek medical attention after a water incident?

Watch for these warning signs in the hours after any submersion event where your child went underwater unexpectedly or struggled:

⚠️ Persistent coughing that doesn't stop

⚠️ Difficulty breathing or fast breathing

⚠️ Unusual sleepiness or change in behavior

⚠️ Vomiting

⚠️ Skin color changes (pale or bluish)

If your child had a significant water scare but seems fine afterward, the research tells us that if they remain completely normal — breathing comfortably, acting like themselves, with normal color — for 4 to 6 hours after the event, they are very unlikely to develop problems later.

The REAL takeaway: Instead of worrying about a made-up diagnosis, focus on PREVENTION:

✅ Never leave children unattended near water, not even for a moment

✅ Designate a "water watcher" at pool parties (no phones!)

✅ Enroll children in swim lessons (evidence supports this for ages 1+)

✅ Install proper pool fencing with self-closing, self-latching gates

✅ Learn CPR with rescue breaths, not compression-only (this is different from standard CPR guidance because drowning is caused by lack of oxygen)

Drowning is the #1 cause of injury-related death in children ages 1–4. Over 90% of drownings are preventable. Let's focus our energy on keeping kids safe rather than fearing a diagnosis that doesn't exist.

Stay safe this summer! 💙

07/20/2026

Most childhood drownings happen with an adult nearby.

Let that sink in for a second.

Many parents imagine drowning looks like it does in the movies—yelling, splashing, and calling for help. But in reality, drowning is often silent and can happen in less than a minute.

As a pediatrician, I want every family to know a few pool safety rules that can save lives this summer.

Rule number one: Designate a Water Watcher. One adult should be responsible for actively watching the water without distractions. No phone, no scrolling, no reading, and no assuming someone else is watching.

Rule number two: Layers of protection matter. Fences with self-latching gates, pool alarms, and locked access points help prevent unsupervised access.

Rule number three: Floaties are not life-saving devices. Puddle jumpers and water wings can give a false sense of security. Coast Guard-approved life jackets are a much safer option for inexperienced swimmers.

Rule number four: Enroll kids in swim lessons when they're developmentally ready. Swimming skills can significantly reduce drowning risk.

And finally, learn CPR. It's one of those skills you hope you'll never need, but if you do, it can make all the difference.

Pools create some of the best family memories of summer. Let's make sure they're safe memories too.

A few simple precautions can prevent a tragedy that happens far too often every year.

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07/16/2026

Your child's boredom this summer might actually be one of the healthiest things that happens to them.

I know it's tempting. You're trying to work, clean the house, run errands, or just survive summer break. Your child says, "I'm bored," and handing them a screen feels like the easiest solution.

But before you reach for the tablet, hear me out.

Boredom isn't a problem that always needs to be fixed.

In fact, boredom is often where creativity begins.

When kids don't have constant entertainment, their brains start looking for ways to engage with the world. They build forts. They make up games. They draw. They read. They create imaginary worlds. They learn to solve problems and entertain themselves.

Psychologists have long recognized that unstructured time helps kids develop creativity, independence, resilience, and frustration tolerance. Those are skills that don't come from a YouTube video or a video game.

Now, I'm not anti-screen. Screens absolutely have a place in many families. But if every moment of boredom is immediately filled with digital entertainment, kids miss opportunities to practice those important life skills.

So the next time your child says, "I'm bored," try not to panic.

You don't need to become their cruise director.

Instead, you might say, "That's okay. I wonder what you'll come up with."

They may complain for a few minutes. They may wander around the house dramatically. But give them some time.

You might be surprised by what happens when their imagination finally gets a chance to do the work.

This summer, don't be afraid of boredom.

Sometimes boredom is where childhood does its best work.

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07/13/2026

Your child says their ear hurts after swimming. Is it swimmer's ear… or a regular ear infection?

This is one of the most common questions I get during the summer.

Swimmer's ear and middle ear infections can both cause ear pain, but they're actually very different problems.

Swimmer's ear is an infection of the ear canal—the tunnel leading into the ear. It often happens after swimming because moisture gets trapped in the canal, creating the perfect environment for bacteria to grow.

Kids with swimmer's ear often complain that it hurts when you touch, pull, or wiggle the outside of the ear. The ear canal may look red, swollen, and tender.

A regular ear infection is deeper behind the eardrum. These often occur after colds, allergies, or upper respiratory infections.

Kids with a middle ear infection usually don't have pain when you tug on the ear. Instead, they may have fever, congestion, trouble sleeping, or seem generally miserable.

The treatment is different too. Swimmer's ear is usually treated with prescription ear drops, while middle ear infections may require a different approach.

So if your child develops ear pain after lots of pool time, don't automatically assume it's a standard ear infection.

The location of the pain—and whether touching the outer ear makes it worse—can provide a really important clue.

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07/10/2026

Babies and sunburn are a combination we never want to see.

During the summer, parents often ask me, 'What's the safest way to protect my baby from the sun?'

The answer depends on age.

For babies younger than 6 months, shade is your best friend. Use stroller canopies, umbrellas, hats with wide brims, and lightweight clothing that covers the skin. Whenever possible, avoid prolonged direct sun exposure altogether.

For babies older than 6 months, sunscreen becomes an important tool.

Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher and apply it generously to exposed skin. Remember that sunscreen works best when it's applied before going outside and reapplied every two hours, or sooner if your child has been swimming or sweating.

And don't forget easy-to-miss spots like the ears, tops of the feet, back of the neck, and scalp if hair is thin.

Try to plan outdoor activities earlier in the morning or later in the evening when the sun is less intense.

And remember, a single blistering sunburn during childhood can increase the risk of skin cancer later in life.

Sun safety isn't about keeping kids indoors all summer. It's about helping them enjoy the outdoors while protecting their skin for years to come.

A little prevention today goes a long way toward keeping your child healthy tomorrow.

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06/19/2026

Hand Foot and Mouth Disease is still circulating right now — even though school is out.

We’re seeing plenty of cases at daycares, camps, summer activities, and among siblings at home.

And despite the name, it doesn’t always start with spots on the hands and feet.

A lot of kids first develop fever, sore throat, decreased appetite, fatigue, or just seem extra cranky. Then a day or two later, the rash and mouth sores show up.

The mouth sores can be painful, and dehydration is honestly the biggest thing we worry about.

So the goal is fluids, fluids, fluids.
Cold drinks, popsicles, smoothies, yogurt — whatever your child will tolerate.

The rash itself can look alarming, but most kids recover completely within about a week.

And yes — it spreads very easily through saliva, coughing, sneezing, and even stool, which is why it moves quickly through groups of kids.

Most children can return to activities once they’ve been fever-free for 24 hours and are otherwise feeling better, even if the rash is still visible.

Call your pediatrician if your child is not drinking, not peeing much, becomes very lethargic, or if you’re concerned about dehydration.

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06/11/2026

Parents are surprised when I tell them this… but red, burning eyes after swimming usually are NOT from ‘too much chlorine.'

The irritation actually comes from chemicals called chloramines.

And chloramines form when chlorine mixes with sweat, dirt… and urine in the pool.

So yes — peeing in the pool contributes to the eye irritation and strong ‘chlorine smell’ people notice at public pools.

Proper chlorine levels are important because chlorine helps kill germs and keeps pools safe. The problem happens when chlorine gets used up reacting with contaminants.

That’s why well-maintained pools actually smell LESS harsh, not more.

Here’s how to help protect your child’s eyes this summer:
Encourage bathroom breaks before and during swimming.
Have kids shower before getting in the pool when possible.
Use swim goggles.
And rinse eyes with fresh water afterward.

Mild redness after swimming is usually temporary irritation.

But if your child has significant pain, swelling, light sensitivity, thick drainage, or worsening redness, that’s worth getting checked out because it could be something more serious than simple pool irritation.

So next time someone blames chlorine alone for burning eyes… the pool chemistry story is a little more complicated than that.

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