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I Wish I'd Asked My Doctor...Alopecia and Swollen Knee
by Terri L. Pilcher, MSHS, PA-C (Terri's bio)
IMPORTANT!: Please read our legal notice regarding this health column by clicking here.
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“A friend of my daughter recently lost all of her hair. She said it would never grow back, but that my daughter couldn’t catch the disease. Is that true? Can anything help her?” - Hannah W.
It sounds like your daughter’s friend has a disease called alopecia areata. It is not contagious. This balding disease occurs when the body fights its own hair follicles, kills them, and prevents them from ever growing. Unfortunately, there is no treatment for this disease.
A non-profit group called ‘Locks of Love’ creates free wigs for children using donations from caring people. For information about his group, check out their website at: http://www.locksoflove.com.
“My knee is red, swollen, and warm to the touch. What can I do to treat this?” - Joyce B.
I recommend having your doctor investigate this, especially if you have a fever. You may have a bacterial infection in your knee. Bacteria can migrate to a sore and irritated area, set up shop, and multiply. You may have only minor damage, but a joint infection is potentially life threatening. Get this checked out!
“My daughter refuses to sit in the car seat she’s had since she was little, and she weighs 35 pounds. Can I put her in a booster seat?” - Elaine N.
No. Federal regulations state that booster seats are for children 40 pounds and up. If your daughter needs an in-between seat, manufacturers have a booster-like seat with a thick plastic front that a lap belt straps over. This seat is designed specifically for children 30-40 pounds. Your daughter will feel grown-up, but be safer than she would be in a booster seat.
Have a question for Terri? Click here.
Copyright 2002, Terri L. Pilcher. All Rights Reserved. Used by permission.
THE CONTENT OF THE "I WISH I'D ASKED MY DOCTOR" COLUMN IS PRESENTED IN SUMMARY FORM, IS GENERAL IN NATURE, AND IS PROVIDED FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. THE CONTENT IS NOT INTENDED IN ANY WAY TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR FACE-TO-FACE, IN-PERSON, PROFESSIONAL, MEDICAL, PSYCHIATRIC, OR PHARMACEUTICAL HEALTH CARE ADVICE. ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF YOUR PHYSICIAN OR OTHER QUALIFIED HEALTH CARE PROVIDER WITH ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE REGARDING A MEDICAL CONDITION, HEALTH DIAGNOSIS, OR TREATMENT. NEVER DISREGARD MEDICAL ADVICE OR DELAY IN SEEKING IT BECAUSE OF SOMETHING YOU HAVE READ IN THE "I WISH I'D ASKED MY DOCTOR…" COLUMN. Please read our full legal notice.
| About Terri L. Pilcher: Terri L. Pilcher, MSHS, PA-C is a physician assistant with a Masters of Science in Health Sciences. She has worked in the fields of family practice medicine and occupational health. Her articles have appeared in Physician Assistant and JAAPA. Currently, she stays home with her daughters and writes. Contact her at AskthePA@prodigy.net. |
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