- Men's Health, Women's Health, Wellness, UncategorizedGeneral Page Tier 3BlogSpring is a great season to get outside and active. Enjoying this season in the midst a pandemic may be little challenging, but not a lost cause. As more and more individuals receive the vaccine, and we all continue practicing the 3Ws — wash your hands, wear a mask and watch your distance — outdoor activities can be enjoyed safely. “It’s important to safely practice self-care and mindfulness methods, even during a pandemic to help you maintain a healthy mental balance,” says Heather Newhard, MSN, CRNP-F, Luminis Health Clinical Enterprise. “As a country, we may not be able to do things like we used to, but implementing a slight adjustment for safety can work wonders during this time.” To help with spring activity planning, here are some COVID-friendly ideas for you and your family to enjoy this season: Run, hike or walk Visit a pick-your-own farm or orchard Start a spring garden Take on an outdoor DIY project Play backyard games Plan an outdoor movie night Remember, whether giving advice on exercise or nutrition, your primary care provider can help you maintain your overall health and wellness goals. Primary care is important to your overall health this spring and beyond. Authors Heather Newhard, MSN, CRNP-F, specializes in the area of primary care at Luminis Health Clinical Enterprise.0
- Wellness, Women's Health, Pediatrics, Men's Health, UncategorizedGeneral Page Tier 3BlogParents and caregivers deal with their fair share of “ick”-inducing situations, but there’s something about finding a tick embedded in your child’s skin (or yours!) that creates an extra sense of panic. Warmer weather makes ticks more active. Combine this with more outdoor playtime for kids and families, and you have a perfect storm for an increase in tick bites across the area. Here are the five things you should know as tick season ramps up in Maryland: 1. How to Remove a Tick You found a tick! Now what? Don’t panic, just reach for a set of fine-tipped tweezers and grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible. Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Don’t worry too much if you aren’t able to remove the mouth of the tick—once the body is removed it can no longer transmit disease. Clean the bite area and your hands with rubbing alcohol or soap and water. Avoid “folklore” remedies, such as using heat to make the tick detach or suffocating it with petroleum jelly. The goal is to remove the tick as quickly as possible. Consider saving the tick in a plastic baggie in case you need to visit the doctor. If that’s not possible, it’s important to note the size of the tick, whether it was actually attached to the skin and if it was engorged (that is, full of blood). It is also helpful to know how long the tick was likely attached to the skin. If it was not attached, was easy to remove, and was not full of blood when it was removed, the tick is not likely to transmit Lyme disease or any other infection. 2. Not All Ticks Carry Lyme Disease Lyme disease is transmitted primarily by deer ticks, but not all deer ticks are infected with the bacteria that causes Lyme disease. Adult deer ticks grow only to about the size of a sesame seed and have reddish hind bodies with black markings and black legs. Lyme disease is debilitating, though rarely fatal, and early symptoms closely resemble the flu, such as fever, headache, fatigue, and muscle and joint aches. A slowly spreading bull’s-eye shaped rash usually occurs at the site of the bite. If you’re bitten by a deer tick, a healthcare expert can advise you on one of two approaches: observe and treat if signs or symptoms of Lyme disease develop or treat with a preventive antibiotic immediately. Your medical history will largely determine which of these options is chosen. There is no benefit to blood testing for Lyme disease at the time of the tick bite—even people who become infected will not have a positive blood test until approximately two to six weeks after the infection develops. 3. When to Call the Doctor If you or your family member develops any of the symptoms of Lyme disease, call your doctor right away. Early diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease with antibiotics can prevent serious illness and long-term complications. Other reasons to call the doctor would be if you can’t remove the tick or the tick’s head, the bite site begins to look infected, or a fever or rash develops in the days or weeks following a tick bite. Don’t hesitate to seek medical attention if you have questions or concerns, it’s better to be safe than sorry! 4. How to Prevent Tick Bites A little prevention and thinking ahead can go a long way in preventing tick bites. Ticks crawl, they do not fly or jump, so avoiding wooded bushy areas with high grass, and walking in the center of trails can help you avoid direct contact with ticks. Use repellents that contain 20-30% DEET on exposed skin and clothing for several hours of protection. Always follow the product instructions—especially when it comes to the age of your child—and avoid hands, eyes and mouth. Bathe or shower as soon as you can after coming indoors, and perform a body check to more easily find ticks that might be crawling on you. Parents should check their kids for ticks under their arms, in and around the ears, behind the knees, between the legs and especially in their hair. Ticks also love to hitch a ride on pets and pet gear, so inspect those, too. 5. It’s Not Just a Warm Weather Concern As nice as it would be to not have to worry about ticks after the spring and summer months pass us, ticks are indeed active even in the winter. The cold causes many ticks to be less active, but deer ticks will be active any winter day the ground is not snow-covered or frozen. Bottom line: Don’t be caught off guard! Originally published June 9, 2015. Last updated July 20, 2025.0
- General Page Tier 3BlogMany of us are still working and learning virtually from home. That’s why this is a good time to take a closer look at your child’s (and your own!) relationship with snacking. A good rule of thumb is to keep it simple. To do that, ask the four ‘w’s’ – why, when, where and, most importantly, what. Why is your child looking for a snack? Snacks are important to help your child meet nutritional needs for overall health. But, if they are seeking snacks more frequently, it’s fine to ask them if they might be feeling something other than hunger. For example, feelings of stress or anxiety, boredom or loneliness, thirst or fatigue can bring about food cravings. If one is an issue, be sure to address the underlying problem. When does a snack make sense? Snacks are important to help children meet their nutritional needs. It helps them stay focused and gives them energy to get through a busy day. In general, children and teens need to eat every three to four hours during the day. Younger kids need at least two snacks a day. Older kids/teens need at least one (two or more if they are participating in sports or going through a growth spurt). The timing of snacks is important, too. You want your child to have an appetite for their meals and not get in a habit of grazing throughout the day only to refuse food at mealtime. Consider offering a snack a few hours after one meal ends and an hour or two before the start of the next meal. Offer meals and snacks at predictable times. Where should you eat a snack? Make snacking an eating event. Have specific areas in your home where snacking takes place. For example, the kitchen table, the counter or a table outside during nice weather. Research shows that when kids snack while doing other things, such as watching TV or studying, it can lead to overeating. And when your child eats all over the house, you’re less likely to be aware of what or how much they are eating. What to eat as a snack? The nutritional choices you and your children make are crucial. Good nutrition is essential to good health. Parents need to think about food choices as health decisions for their children. Think of snacks as “mini meals.” Try to make 50% of a snack a fruit or vegetable. Add in a high fiber grain, like whole grain cereal or bread. Or add in lean protein, like sliced turkey or peanut butter. This will keep their tummies happy until the next meal or snack. Additional tips for healthy snacking Involve your children in age-appropriate meal and snack planning and preparation. Keep produce in plain sight. For example, a bowl of fruit on the counter or table. Have cut veggies and fruit in baggies or on a plate in the refrigerator. Purchase frozen fruit for a quick smoothie. Prepare small portioned containers of trail mix or dry cereal. Keep small yogurts and cheese sticks on hand. Try baked chips with homemade salsa or bean dip. Roast some chickpeas or kale chips. Prepare mini bagels with nut butter and a banana. Your turn! Prepare a yogurt parfait with your child Set up a yogurt parfait bar. Place all the ingredients on the table and have your children make their own yogurt parfaits. It can be a fun and nutritious snack activity. You will need: Greek yogurt or non-dairy coconut yogurt Granola or your favorite dry cereals Mixed, cut fresh fruit Pumpkin, sunflower seeds or nuts (for older children) Start with yogurt in the bottom of the glass or bowl and alternate layers of cereals, fruit, seeds and nuts. Enjoy! Authors Ann Caldwell is a nutritionist and registered dietitian at Anne Arundel Medical Center. To reach her, call 443-481-5555.0
- Infectious DiseaseGeneral Page Tier 3BlogThe COVID-19 vaccine is our best shot at stopping the pandemic. We encourage you to get the vaccine once it’s available to you. Here are a few reasons why. It’s effective. The COVID-19 vaccines available right now in the U.S., Pfizer and Moderna, have been shown to be highly effective at preventing COVID-19. The vaccines have a reported 94% to 95% effectiveness rate—a beacon of hope as we work to end the pandemic. For perspective, the FDA recommends a vaccine have an effectiveness rate of at least 50%, and the influenza vaccine effectiveness is around 30-50% effective. Data from clinical trials, plus what we already know about vaccines for other diseases, indicate that even if you do get COVID-19, the vaccine may help prevent severe illness. It’s safe. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines have received an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). To receive an EUA, the benefits of a vaccine must outweigh its risks. Before a vaccine receives approval for use, clinical trials must first show it’s safe and effective – including COVID-19 vaccines. Reports from the Pfizer and Moderna clinical trials have not indicated any serious safety concerns. Both trials had fully independent safety monitoring boards. In most cases, serious side effects become apparent early (usually less than 40 days) after receiving a vaccine. Short- and long-term monitoring of those who receive the vaccine will continue. It’s better to receive immunity from a COVID-19 vaccine than risk severe illness and death from the virus. We don’t yet know how long immunity lasts post-infection — and some who recover from COVID-19 have no detectable antibodies, meaning they have no immunity protection. People who get COVID-19 can have serious illnesses. Some have debilitating symptoms that persist for months. When you get the COVID-19 vaccine, this will help protect you by creating an immune system response without having to get sick first. And, the vaccine may also help protect people around you. We believe a vaccine is a light at the end of the tunnel. But we still must practice the 3Ws as we wait for everyone to get the vaccine. Wash your hands. Wear a mask. Watch your distance. We’re spotlighting all your frequently asked questions about the COVID-19 vaccine. Learn more about why it’s our best shot. Information adapted from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).0
- Plastic Surgery & Skin Care, WellnessGeneral Page Tier 3BlogThere is a variety of skin care products on the market, and many of us have several products at home for everything from acne to dark circles. Our goal is to have healthy skin, but what does that really mean? Telisha Johnson, a plastic surgery nurse practitioner at Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center, explains what to look for in healthy skin. Healthy skin is smooth, firm/tight, even in color, hydrated, tolerant and free from disease. Smooth skin has a soft and compact outer layer that has unbroken cell renewal and a regulated skin repair cycle Firm/tight skin is full and has an abundance of optimally functioning collagen and elastin Even in color skin has properly functioning pigment with even production and distribution Hydrated skin has a barrier function that produces natural moisturizing factors that are formed within the structural proteins of the skin Tolerant skin has a functional barrier that is tolerant to the surrounding environment Free from disease skin is not sensitive nor does it have pre-cancer or cancerous lesions It doesn’t take dozens of products to address skin-care concerns. “I cannot stress enough the importance of having a few simple products like a cleanser, exfoliator, toner and sunscreen. That’s only four products!” says Johnson. Cleansers remove oils, dirt and makeup without damaging the skin Exfoliators are necessary to remove dead skin cells and increase new cell regeneration—this helps produce more even skin, helping to ensure better distribution of your other skin care products Toners help to balance the pH of your skin, remove impurities, reduce pores, and keep your skin feeling fresh and hydrated Finally, daily use of sunscreen (30 SPF or higher) will decrease the risk of sunspots, skin cancers and wrinkled skin Those core products will build a solid foundation of basic skin care. To request a consultation about specific skin concerns, visit Luminis.Health/PlasticSurgery Authors Telisha Johnson is a plastic surgery nurse practitioner at Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center.0
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