Ask Dr. Vieder ■ LAKES URGENT CARE When your health concerns can't wait. I recently read that having a dog and letting your kids play in the dirt helps them build up their immune systems. Is this really true? Exposure to different allergens or bacteria can help your immune system develop antibodies and other useful proteins that can aid in fighting infections in the future. There is also evidence to suggest that having pets in the home may help children develop antibodies slowly over time. There is certainly nothing wrong with children playing in the dirt outside, but this should always be followed by good sanitary habits including washing hands and exposed areas with soap and water. Cleaning up after play also helps prevent any significant infections from developing initially with contact. Now that my kids are back on the playground, what I should I inspect to make sure that everything is safe for them? Winter is not only hard on our bodies, but also takes a toll on playground equipment. As children begin to move outdoors, check playground equipment for things like worn or rusted bolts, cracked plastic parts or exposed splinters of wood. Make sure that any moving parts have been properly lubricated. It is critical to install some sort of padding or landing zone beneath swings, slides or monkey bars. Ideally, shredded rubber is best, but woodchips, mulch or pea gravel can also serve as adequate padding for falls occurring beneath or around the equipment. Experts generally recommend a depth of at least six to nine inches of these substances in areas where children are likely to fall or hit the ground. I insist that my kids always wear a helmet when biking. Is there any other type of safety gear they should wear when biking, skating, or skateboarding? Wearing a properly fitted helmet, which has been approved with the ATSM label, is an excellent start. In addition to a proper fit on the head itself, make sure your kids understand that it's critical to also wear the chin strap, so the helmet stays on their head! Beyond that, consider additional safety devices like properly fitted wrist guards, elbow pads and kneepads. We frequently see severe elbow fractures as a result of skateboard falls, which can quickly ruin a child's summer. For more info, visit the Ask Dr. Vieder page at LakesUrgentCare.com Dr. Sanford Vieder, DO, FACOEP, Medical Director at Lakes Urgent Care, West Bloomfield Thermi RFTM, a new technology to tighten skin, is now available in Dr Karaca's office. AHMET R. KARACA, M.D TEMPERATURE CONTROLLED RADIO FREQUENCY The ideal candidate for Thermi RF is anyone who has stubborn areas of loose skin or wrinkles that have been unresponsive to dieting, exercise and other methods, and in demand of a non-surgical approach to body contouring and skin tightening. It's a simple and minimally-invasive procedure that will not only tighten your skin but may also remove excess fat. Dr. Karaca is the only surgeon in Michigan certified to provide the unparalleled results of the Thermi RE Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery & the American Board of Surgery MICRO-INVASIVE William Beaumont Hospital — Royal Oak • No STITCHES • No SCARS •:• MINIMAL DOWNTIME Saint Joseph Mercy - Oakland Chief of Plastic Surgery, Oaffte;figitafit g ) taAltic Ste/tg&fty Huron Valley — Sinai Hospital 101 Townsend Street, Birmingham MI, 48009 Assistant Professor of Surgery, Oakland University, William Beaumont Medical School Phone: (248) 642-1020 I Fax: (248) 642-9065 www.drkaraca.com 1983250 April 23 • 201. 45