Dr. Elizabeth Murray

07/28/2026

Wound care for simple cuts and scrapes does not need to be complicated. It’s definitely a less is more situation. Gentle cleaning and then some petroleum jelly (yes, simple Vaseline) with a band-aid over top is all that’s usually needed. More aggressive cleaning tends to irritate the skin and dried out wounds get itchy and heal more slowly.
Things to keep in mind:
-the active ingredient neomycin, found in some types of antibiotic ointment, can be irritating if used repeatedly, so we generally recommend avoiding it. Some benign sounding ointments (like Aquaphor) have additional ingredients that some can react to (lanolin). Plus, the cost of the fancy ointments is just not worth it. Hence, the simple recommendation to just use petroleum jelly.
-if you are under the care of a medical provider who is recommending a specific care plan for a wound, please follow it, this is general advice for routine cuts and scrapes of life.

07/22/2026

I am at a loss for words. The US just broke an ominous record: more cases than any year in the past 35 years, and it’s only July. This is the real life consequence of disinformation.

07/21/2026

A record we should never have broken

Measles spreads easily and can linger in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves an area. Symptoms can include a high fever, cough, runny nose and a red rash.

Recent outbreaks have primarily affected people who were not vaccinated, underscoring the importance of staying up to date on immunizations. The MMR vaccine provides strong protection against measles and helps keep children and communities healthy.

Talk with your pediatrician if you have questions about measles or the MMR vaccine. https://bit.ly/40n4mqa

07/20/2026

are grifting!
are not regulated and their profits are through the roof!

07/13/2026

Lots of talk about because of the outbreak and I didn’t think I would have anything to add. Understandably, parents want to do anything they can to help stop the explosions, but giving the pink stuff isn’t the right answer when kids have a fever. It’s another great example of why it’s so important to always look at the active ingredients. Everyone should follow Alex Sundermann, DrPH for all things infectious diseases. (To be clear, he did NOT make the recommendation that kids should take the medicine, it was just a prompt that got me thinking). Oh, and everyone please wash your hands. 😉

07/10/2026

somewhere means measles everywhere.
The current devastation in is terrible with 730 deaths from the disease since March. As our vaccination rates drop, disinformation spreads, and children’s hospitals close, we too will start to see more terrible consequences of this disease. It cannot be cured, but it can be prevented. Uncontrolled spread has already landed on our shores since the germ always finds a way.

07/08/2026

Shout out to my primary care besties! The back to school rush will be here before you know it, but a little planning can go a long way to ease the Fall frenzy.
School aged children should see their pediatrician every year, even if school forms aren’t needed, but it doesn’t have to be in the weeks leading up to school.

07/04/2026

https://www.cnn.com/2026/07/04/health/fireworks-safety-america-250th-anniversary-wellness

As the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary, firework displays will light up the night sky. Here are ways revelers can avoid firework-related injuries.

07/02/2026

Working smoke detectors save lives when people know what to do when the alarm rings. This dramatic video footage is an important reminder of just how fast fire moves and how much smoke builds up quickly.
-check the batteries and hard wiring
-practice with your family
-let your local fire department know about any special conditions in your home (oxygen tanks, large medical equipment) or people with limited mobility or other special needs.

06/28/2026

This is so important!