Sunshine Pediatrics, LLC

05/25/2026

05/14/2026

Warning: It's Tick Season

As families trade winter coats for hiking boots and soccer cleats, May marks the official start of tick season. Spending time outside at summer camps, sports fields, and even your own backyard is excellent for your children's health. Still, it is important to protect them from tiny hitchhikers that can carry serious illnesses, such as Lyme disease, Anaplasmosis, and Babesiosis.

Ticks thrive in tall grass, brush, and wooded areas. They do not jump or fly. Instead, they wait at the tips of low-growing plants to latch onto a passing child or pet.

You can keep your family safe without keeping them indoors. Follow these simple steps to reduce exposure:

o Dress for Success - Dress your kids in light-colored clothing so ticks are easier to spot. Tuck their pants into their socks when hiking in the woods or playing in tall grass.

o Use Protection - Apply an EPA-registered repellent containing DEET or Picaridin to your children's exposed skin. For extra protection, treat their outdoor gear, shoes, and camp backpacks with permethrin.

o The "Full Body" Check - Make tick checks part of your family's daily routine. After your kids come inside, do a thorough check. Focus on hidden spots like behind the knees, around the waistband, under the armpits, and in the hairline. Tossing their play clothes in a hot dryer for 10 minutes will also kill any lingering ticks.

If you find a tick on your child, stay calm. Remove it immediately with fine-tipped tweezers by grasping it close to the skin and pulling upward with steady pressure. Afterward, thoroughly clean the bite area and your hands with soap and water, rubbing alcohol, or hand sanitizer.

If you remove a deer tick (also known as a blacklegged tick) from your child in the DC area or other regions with a high prevalence of Lyme disease, and the bite occurred within the past 36 to 72 hours, contact your pediatrician. They can advise you on whether a preventive dose of Doxycycline is necessary.

Keep a close eye on the bite site for the next 30 days. Contact your pediatrician right away if you notice a "bullseye" rash or any expanding area of redness. You should also reach out if your child develops a sudden fever, chills, unexplained fatigue, or persistent muscle and joint aches.

Caught early, most tick-borne illnesses are easily treated with a short course of antibiotics. By taking a few simple precautions, you can ensure your family enjoys a healthy and active summer outdoors.

Tick bites can make people sick. If you find a tick attached to your skin, remove the tick as soon as possible. Use clean, fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the ...

05/14/2026

Farewell, Dr. Kretz!

We are saying a bittersweet farewell to the wonderful Dr. Kretz! 🤧

This Friday marks her last day with the practice, and while we are sad to see her go, we want to extend our sincerest gratitude for the expertise, care, and dedication she has shown our patients and our team. ☀️

Dr. Kretz, thank you for being such an integral part of our clinical family. We wish you nothing but the absolute best as you begin your next chapter! 🫶

Please join us in the comments below by wishing Dr. Kretz the best in her future endeavors! 👇

05/06/2026

When you thought you were alone in the office……😳

04/23/2026

Motrin for allergies? We need to talk. 📝

Allergy season is officially here, and the DMV pollen count is not playing around. While we love a good multi-tasker, Motrin isn’t going to stop the sneezing. 🤧

For real relief, you need the specialists: Claritin, Zyrtec, Allegra, or Xyzal (or their generic forms because they work just as well!).

Pro tip: One pill isn’t always a magic fix. If you or your child is still struggling, you might need to partner your daily dose with a nasal spray or eye drops to hit those stubborn symptoms. Give us a call to build the right “allergy team” for your kids. ✨💊

04/15/2026

Language should never be a barrier to great care. 🩺🌎

Whether it’s Stephanie or Daisy helping you out in Spanish, or using our on-demand interpreter services for any other language, we make sure you leave your appointment with answers, and not questions. 💛

We’re always here to help! 😊

——

El idioma nunca debe ser una barrera para recibir una excelente atención médica. 🌎🩺

Ya sea que Stephanie o Daisy les ayuden en español, o utilizando nuestros servicios de interpretación para cualquier otro idioma, nos aseguramos de que salgan de su cita con respuestas, no con dudas. 💛

¡Estamos aquí para ayudarles! 😊

04/08/2026

POV: You celebrated the “all clear” a little too early… 🚪🫠

04/08/2026

Recent updates to national health guidelines include an important renewed recommendation for your family: children ages 9 to 11 should undergo a routine cholesterol screening.

While many people associate high cholesterol with adults, catching elevated levels early in life is a powerful way to protect your child’s long-term heart health.

This age window is critical for a particular reason. The period between 9 and 11 years old provides the most accurate picture of your child’s baseline cholesterol. Once a child enters puberty, their body experiences significant hormonal shifts. These natural changes temporarily lower blood cholesterol levels, which can mask potential problems and make test results less reliable. Testing before puberty ensures we get the most precise data possible.

Identifying high cholesterol early gives parents and children the chance to make small, healthy lifestyle changes—like adding more physical activity or adjusting family meals—before issues become serious.

Please do not delay this important preventive step. If your child is in this age group, or approaching it, we encourage you to schedule a screening.

To make an appointment, visit our website and look for the "Book an Appointment" button in the upper right-hand corner. This online service is accessible 24/7.

04/06/2026

IMPORTANT MEDICAL NEWS

Recent updates to national health guidelines include an important renewed recommendation for your family: children ages 9 to 11 should undergo a routine cholesterol screening.

While many people associate high cholesterol with adults, catching elevated levels early in life is a powerful way to protect your child’s long-term heart health.

This age window is critical for a particular reason. The period between 9 and 11 years old provides the most accurate picture of your child’s baseline cholesterol. Once a child enters puberty, their body experiences significant hormonal shifts. These natural changes temporarily lower blood cholesterol levels, which can mask potential problems and make test results less reliable. Testing before puberty ensures we get the most precise data possible.

Identifying high cholesterol early gives parents and children the chance to make small, healthy lifestyle changes—like adding more physical activity or adjusting family meals—before issues become serious.

Please do not delay this important preventive step. If your child is in this age group, or approaching it, we encourage you to schedule a screening.

To make an appointment, visit our website and look for the "Book an Appointment" button in the upper right-hand corner. This online service is accessible 24/7.

04/02/2026

At Sunshine Pediatrics, we’re celebrating the unique strengths of every child! Understanding the early signs of autism is the first step in helping your child thrive and get the right support.

Signs to Look For:
1. 🗣️ Communication: Limited eye contact or not responding to their name by 12 months.
2. 🧸 Social Play: Preferring to play alone or difficulty with “make-believe” play.
3. 🔁 Repetition: This can include repetitive movements (like flapping or rocking), a strict reliance on daily routines, or repeating specific words and phrases.
4. 🎧 Sensory: Strong reactions to certain sounds, lights, or textures.

3 Steps to Take Today:
1. Observe: Take notes on what you see at home.
2. Screen: Make sure you complete the developmental screenings indicated for your child’s age at their well visits.
3. Trust Your Gut: You are your child’s best advocate.

Early intervention isn’t about “fixing”, it’s about providing the tools for a bright future. 🌈 🧩 💙

Questions? Give us a call at 301-593-5400 to chat or to schedule a check-in.