A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) that results in a temporary disruption of normal brain function. Sports are a major cause of concussions in children. It is important for parents to understand what a concussion is and how it can be recognized so that appropriate treatment and safety measures may be put in place to prevent further injury.

If your child sustains a minor soft-tissue injury (an injury involving the muscles, tendons, or ligaments), think: R.I.C.E.! The R.I.C.E. method is typically the first-line treatment for many minor sports injuries and is used to relieve pain, reduce swelling, and help speed recovery.

With lots of kids starting fall sports these last few weeks, it’s a great time to discuss popular types of sports injuries so that us parents (and our children!) can be well-prepared this sports season. Here we’ll consider two common injuries to look out for including what they are, how they happen, how they’re treated, and, most importantly, how they can be prevented.

Fall sports season is here, and our children are getting fresh air and exercise as well as building valuable skills, confidence, and good sportsmanship. And, most importantly, they’re having fun. But even with all of these benefits of youth sports, sports injuries pose a risk to our children’s health and safety. Nearly one-third of all injuries in children are sports-related injuries. It is important for parents and children to be aware of these risks so that proper measures may be taken to prevent them.

Anaphylaxis is a severe and potentially fatal allergic reaction that occurs suddenly and requires immediate administration of epinephrine. Therefore, it is important to understand the different types of symptoms of allergic reactions so that appropriate and prompt intervention and treatment can be initiated.

Understanding food allergies in children is important for not just parents of children with food allergies, but also for any caregivers, teachers, coaches, or anyone else that may be responsible for your child throughout the day. With proper awareness and education, it is possible for your child to properly manage their food allergy and remain healthy and safe whether at home, school, or other activities.

It’s back-to-school season and you’ve taught your child the basics of proper hand hygiene to keep themselves and others healthy . Your child now prefers to use hand sanitizer-only instead of handwashing with soap and water and asks you to place a bottle of “hand sani” on the bathroom sink. You’re proud of their initiative but you can’t help but wonder: Is hand sanitizer alone good enough to ward off the “bad” germs and keep our children healthy?

If your family is anything like mine, back-to-school season means an influx of new germs coming home with your child that can bring on a slew of new colds and illnesses for the entire family. With most schools now in session, now is the perfect time to teach your kids the importance of good hand hygiene to prevent getting themselves—and others—sick.