Mesquite Pediatrics Blog

Anyone who lives in southern Arizona is aware that sun exposure can be bad for your skin. Even a “healthy” tan is actually a sign of damaged skin. But sunscreens can be confusing. At Mesquite Pediatrics, we feel it is important that people are as informed as possible about sunscreens and their use. Here are some facts and recommendations for our patients.

• Ingredients are more important than SPF: Sunburns are caused by UVB radiation, but 95% of cancer-causing radiation from the sun is UVA. The SPF only indicates how well a sunscreen blocks UVB and has nothing to do with its ability to block UVA. The following ingredients block UVA: avobenzone, oxybenzone, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, and ecamsule. Many sunscreens do not contain any of these ingredients. Avobenzone and oxybenzone are not as effective as the others and don’t last as long. There is usually no difference between a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 and one with an SPF of 50.
• Sunscreen needs to be applied FREQUENTLY: Many sunscreen ingredients degrade in the sun. When not in the water or sweating significantly it should be re-applied every 2 hours. “Water/sweat resistant” sunscreen lasts 40 minutes in the water or when sweating. “Very water/sweat resistant” or “Water-Proof” sunscreen lasts 80 minutes.
• Most people don’t put on enough or they put it on too late: The amount you use can really affect the protection you get. Apply more than you think you need and do it 30 minutes before going out in the sun.
• It is OK to use sunscreen on very young babies: You do not have to wait until a baby is 6 months old to use sunscreen. For all children it is best to protect their skin with clothing and a hat, but sunscreen can be used after 1 month of age if sun exposure can’t be avoided. Use one that is made for babies or labeled as “hypo-allergenic”.
• Don’t use sunscreens that are combined with insect repellents: Sunscreens need to be re-applied at least every 2 hours (more often if sweating or swimming) but insect repellents shouldn’t be re-applied.

Below is our usual check-up and immunization schedule. Your child’s schedule may vary, so make sure you ask us when your child’s next visit should be.

Additional Information

• We do not recommend giving your child Tylenol (acetaminophen) before the vaccines as there is some evidence that this may decrease the effectiveness of the vaccines.
• If you are interested in more information on a particular vaccine-preventable disease, visit our AAP Patient Education Library where you can download Vaccine Information Sheets to learn about the disease, side effects of the vaccine, and other pertinent information.
• Download our Well-Child Exam Handouts for more detailed information and guidance, based on your child’s age.

First Week Check (usually 1-3 days after leaving the hospital)

• Usually no vaccines

Two Week Check

• Usually no vaccines ( Hepatitis B if not given at birth)
• Second newborn genetic disease screen collected

One Month Check

• Usually no vaccines

Two Month Check

• Pentacel ( Diphtheria , Tetanus , acellular Pertussis , Hib , and Polio )
• Hepatitis B
• Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine
• Rotavirus

Four Month Check

• Pentacel ( Diphtheria , Tetanus , acellular Pertussis , Hib , and Polio )
• Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine
• Rotavirus

Six Month Check

• Pentacel ( Diphtheria , Tetanus , acellular Pertussis , Hib , and Polio )
• Hepatitis B
• Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine
• Rotavirus

Nine Month Check

• Hearing Screen

One Year Check

• MMR ( Measles , Mumps , and Rubella )
• Varicella (Chicken Pox)
• Hepatitis A
• Anemia and Lead Screens
• Vision Screen

Fifteen Month Check

• Pentacel ( Diphtheria , Tetanus , acellular Pertussis , Hib , and Polio )
• Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine

Eighteen Month Check

• Hepatitis A

Two Year Check

• No Vaccines
• Vision Screen
• Lead Screen

Thirty Month Check

• No Vaccines

Three Year Check

• Hearing Screen
• Vision Screen

Four Year Check

• DTaP-IPV ( Diphtheria , Tetanus , acellular Pertussis and polio)
• MMRV ( Measles , Mumps , Rubella , Varicella )

Five Year Check

• Hearing Screen
• Vision Screen

Six to Eight Years

• Checkup every year

 Nine Year Check

• Vision Screen

 Ten Year Check

• Hearing Screen
• Cholesterol Screen

Eleven Year Check

• Tdap ( Tetanus , Diphtheria , acellular Pertussis )
• Meningococcal (meningitis)
• Human Papillomavirus

Twelve to Twenty-Six Years

• Checkup every year
• Usually no vaccines
• Anemia screen at 12 year check
• Meningococcal (meningitis) – second dose given at 16 years
• Hearing screen to 16 year check
• Anemia screen at 16 year check
• Cholesterol screen at 18 year check
• Tdap (Tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis) at 21 year check

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) all recommend that mothers receive the vaccine against whooping cough (Pertussis) with every pregnancy. They also recommend that fathers and other close caregivers receive the vaccine.

Unfortunately, whooping cough is still a common and potentially deadly disease for babies. In a recent outbreak in California, thousands became sick and 10 babies died. Babies are not well protected by the vaccine until they have received the third dose at 6 months of age. At Mesquite Pediatrics, we feel strongly about making sure the babies in our practice have every protection possible from whooping cough. Therefore, when supplies are available, we now offer this vaccine (known as Tdap) to parents and other family members who will have close contact with our babies.

If you would like to receive this vaccine at our office, you can register yourself as a patient on our patient portal. When you schedule the appointment for your baby to be seen, please let the receptionist know that you would like to receive the vaccine during the appointment. You will be asked to return to the portal to fill out a short questionnaire to ensure that the vaccine is medically appropriate for you. Then when you come for your baby’s appointment be ready to roll up your sleeve to help create a cocoon of protection around the newest addition to your family!