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Beware ticks as the weather warms up
By Rhonda Patt | May 13, 2013
Lyme Disease

Pediatrician suggests you use insect repellant with DEET, tuck pant legs into socks and check daily for ticks after spending time outdoors.

Ask the Pediatrician: 5-year-old won’t stop sucking her thumb
By Rhonda PattBy Dr. Rhonda Patt | May 6, 2013
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Pediatrician recommends patiently giving a child a replacement behavior, such as squeezing her thumb. Aversion techniques include bitter nail polish or a dental device.

How to treat children who get poison ivy
By Rhonda Patt | April 29, 2013
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Pediatrician Rhonda Patt says it’s crucial to wash the infected area immediately. At that point, various creams and ointments are available to relieve itching. Prescription meds are a last resort.

A child’s nosebleed should be no cause of alarm, pediatrician says
By Rhonda Patt | April 22, 2013

Proper treatment of a nosebleed includes gently blowing clots out, pressure on the nose and patience.

Pediatrician gives advice on treating teenage acne
By Rhonda Patt | April 15, 2013
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Most cases of acne can be treated with regularly face cleaning, topical medication and moisturizer.

Bleach baths should be a last alternative to treating eczema
By Rhonda Patt | April 1, 2013

Pediatrician suggests avoiding irritants, including certain soaps and certain foods, to see if eczema disappears. Use an alcohol-free, petroleum-based moisturizer after each bath. If those fail, consider a prescription cream. In some cases, though, a bleach bath may work best.

How to handle a child’s stubborn wart
By Rhonda Patt | March 25, 2013
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Pediatrician Rhonda Patt says there are multiple ways to get rid of a wart, including over-the-counter remedies, the “duct tape method” and freezing them off. But the most important tip: persistence.

Cold versus allergies: Which is it?
By Rhonda PattBy Dr. Rhonda Patt | March 18, 2013

Both colds and allergies include runny noses, coughing, sneezing and red eyes. But how do you figure out which one your child is suffering from? Pediatrician Dr. Patt says there are subtle differences.

When antibiotics are needed with an ear infection
By Rhonda Patt | March 11, 2013
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There’s been mixed messages when it comes to treating your child with antibiotics. New guidelines released by the American Academy of Pediatrics clarify when it’s advisable to treat an ear infection with antibiotics and when it’s better to just let it run its course.

A base tan does not protect against skin damage
By Rhonda PattBy Dr. Rhonda Patt | February 25, 2013
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During a trip to the beach, it’s best to use sunscreen, limit exposure and wear sun-protective clothing, says pediatrician Rhonda Patt. A base tan? Not so much.

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Dr. Rhonda Patt
Dr. Rhonda Patt
Dr. Rhonda Patt is a pediatrician with Charlotte Pediatric Clinic and past president of the Charlotte Pediatric Society.
Blog: Ask the Doctor