Summer in the city means more time outside — longer days at Central Park, trips to the beach, Fourth of July fireworks, and afternoon sprinkler runs. We love all of it. We also know that summer comes with its own set of parent questions: What sunscreen should I use? When do I need to worry about that bug bite? Is that rash from the playground?
We’ve been writing about summer health topics for a few years now, and we’ve rounded up our best posts all in one place. Bookmark this page — you’ll want it handy before your next park day.
☀️Sunscreen & Heat Safety Tips for Families
Start here. This post covers everything from picking the right SPF to recognizing the warning signs of heat exhaustion in kids. We break down the difference between mineral and chemical sunscreens, explain why babies under 6 months need special consideration, and walk through what to do if your child gets a sunburn. With NYC heat waves becoming more common, the section on managing excessive heat days is especially worth reading.
🦟Bug Bites, Stings, Repellents & More
Mosquitoes, ticks, bee stings, fire ants — summer in New York has them all. This post walks through the most common bites and stings we see in our practice, what to watch for, and how to treat them at home. We also cover which insect repellents are safe for kids (DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus), what concentrations to look for, and when it’s time to call us.
🦌Lyme Disease: What You Need to Know
New York is one of the highest-incidence states for Lyme disease, and cases peak between June and October. Dr. Hoffman wrote this guide to help parents understand the difference between tick species, what the bullseye rash actually looks like, and how to do a thorough tick check after time outdoors. The good news: most cases caught early are treated successfully with a short course of antibiotics. This post tells you exactly what to look for and when to call us.
🎆Fireworks, Concerts & Hearing in Kids
With Fourth of July coming up, this one is perfectly timed. We brought in Dr. Alyssa Hackett from ENT & Allergy Associates to answer the questions we hear every summer: Is it safe to take my child to a fireworks show? What about outdoor concerts? The answer is mostly yes — with some caveats. This post explains how noise-induced hearing loss actually works, what decibel levels to watch out for, and when ear protection makes sense for kids.
🩹Impetigo: A Parent’s Guide to This Common Childhood Skin Infection
Hot, humid weather means impetigo season. This highly contagious bacterial skin infection tends to spike in summer — especially in kids who are spending lots of time in close contact at camp or on sports teams. If you’ve ever spotted honey-colored crusts around your child’s nose or mouth and wondered what it was, this is the post for you. We cover symptoms, treatment options, when to keep kids home, and how to stop it from spreading through the family.
🛝Manhattan Pediatrician Guide to Playground Injuries: Care Tips & Urgent Care (New!)
Living near Central Park and the Upper West Side means our kids are on the playground constantly — which means bumps, falls, and the occasional injury are part of the deal. Dr. Hoffman just published this guide to help parents know exactly what to do in the moment: how to handle scrapes, bruises, splinters, wrist falls (FOOSH injuries), and head bumps. Most playground injuries are manageable at home. This post tells you what to watch for and when to give us a call.
Have a safe and healthy summer, MVP families. As always, we’re here if you need us — same-day sick visits available at both our Manhattan Valley and Columbus Circle locations.
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