Our medical experts answer some common - and not so common - questions from readers about parenting, diseases and conditions, the human body, and raising happy and healthy kids.

General Health

• Are Certain Pets Better Than Others, Especially for Young Kids?
• Are Head Lice Becoming Resistant to Medications?
• Are Insect Repellents With DEET Safe for Kids?
• Are Kids With No Tonsils More Susceptible to Infections?
• Are Tanning Salons Safe?
• Can Birth Control Pills Help Treat Acne?
• Can Cake Cause Hives?
• Can I Prevent Ear Infections When My Child Swims?
• Can Tonsils Grow Back?
• Can Too Much Juice Discolor Teeth?
• Do Kids Feel the Cold Like We Do?
• Does Knuckle Cracking Cause Harm?
• Does My Son Need a Retainer?
• Does Sunlight Cause Problems With Chickenpox?
• How Can I Encourage Good Hygiene Habits?
• How Can I Find a New Doctor for My Child?
• How Can I Help My Teen Quit Smoking for Good?
• How Can I Protect My Family From Ticks?
• How Can I Tell if My Child Needs Stitches?
• How Do Doctors Test for Allergies?
• How Do I Care for My Baby's Teeth?
• How Do I Get My Child Tested for Lead Poisoning?
• How Do I Know Which Vaccines My Kids Need?
• How Long Does Acne Last?
• How Will I Know if My Child Has Trouble Hearing?
• Is Breast Cancer a Threat in the Teen Years?
• Is Earwax Removal Safe?
• Is My Child Too Sick to Go to School?
• Is My Son Old Enough to Brush His Teeth?
• My Child Is Worried About Wetting the Bed at a Sleepover - How Can I Help?
• Should I Start My Child on an Exercise Program?
• Should My Daughter Sleep in My Room After Having a Nightmare?
• What Can I Do About My Child's Bedwetting?
• What Can I Do to Ease My Child's Fear of Shots?
• When Should Kids Start Using Deodorant?
• When Will a Girl's Period Start?
• Who Should Decide When Kids Are Immunized?
• Why Do Doctors Perform Testicular Exams?
• Why Do Some Kids Have Freckles?
• Why Does My Child Get Nosebleeds?

Growing Up

• Can Birth Control Pills Help Treat Acne?
• How Can I Help My Healthy Daughter Realize She's Not Fat?
• How Can I Help My Son Feel Better About Not Having Facial Hair?
• How Can I Reassure My Daughter That She'll Get Her Period?
• How Long Does Acne Last?
• Is It Normal for an 11-Year-Old Boy to Fondle Himself?
• Is My Daughter Too Concerned With Her Looks?
• Is My Son's Voice Changing Too Soon?
• My 1-Year-Old Son Always Tries to Touch His Penis. Is This Masturbation?
• My Daughter Is Embarrassed About Her Period - How Can I Help Her?
• My Son Wants to Grow Taller - What Can I Tell Him?
• My Young Daughter Is Already Developing Breasts. Is This Normal?
• When Should I Intervene During Teasing?
• When Should Kids Start Using Deodorant?
• When Should My Daughter First Go to the Gynecologist?
• When Will a Girl's Period Start?
• Why Does Puberty Sometimes Happen Early?

Medical Conditions

• A Cold or Allergies: Which Is It?
• Are Kids With No Tonsils More Susceptible to Infections?
• Can Chronic Ear Infections Cause Long-Term Hearing Loss?
• Can Cold Sores Be Prevented?
• Can Endometriosis Make It Difficult to Have Children?
• Can Vision Problems Affect School Performance?
• Can a Child Have Fifth Disease More Than Once?
• Can a Person Get Mono Again?
• Could ADHD Be Hereditary?
• Does Ritalin Have Side Effects?
• Does Sunlight Cause Problems With Chickenpox?
• How Can I Teach My Daughter Tolerance?
• How Can Parents Help Kids Handle Teasing?
• How Did Chickenpox Get Its Name?
• How Do Doctors Test for Food Allergies?
• How Do I Get My Child Tested for Lead Poisoning?
• How Do I Watch for Lyme Disease After Removing a Tick?
• How Long Will It Take to Heal a Broken Bone?
• If My Child Has Asthma, Can We Keep Our Pet?
• If My Child Has Food Allergies, What Should I Look for When Reading Food Labels?
• Is There a Connection Between Vaccines and Autism?
• Should Girls Who Aren't Sexually Active Be Vaccinated Against HPV?
• Should I Worry About the Way My Son Walks?
• What Is "Minimally Invasive" Surgery?
• What Is Informed Consent?
• What Is Oral Allergy Syndrome?
• What Is Pompe Disease?
• What Is Skin Testing for Allergies?
• What's a Halo?
• What's the Difference Between a Food Allergy and a Food Intolerance?
• Why Does Puberty Sometimes Happen Early?

Emotions and Behavior

• Can Playing Video Games Be Good for Kids?
• Can Vision Problems Affect School Performance?
• Don't Babies Have Separation Anxiety?
• How Can I Avoid Struggles With My Child About Going to School?
• How Can I Bring Peace to the "Witching Hours"?
• How Can I Get My Kids to Donate Old Toys?
• How Can I Help My Child Cope With Divorce?
• How Can I Help My Child Cope With a Friend's Death?
• How Can I Help My Child Deal With My Dating After Divorce?
• How Can I Help My Child Deal With a Breakup?
• How Can I Help My Child Deal With a Bully?
• How Can I Help My Child Develop Healthy Self-Esteem?
• How Can I Help My Child Overcome Shyness?
• How Can I Help My Daughter Cope With the Death of Her Father?
• How Can I Help My Healthy Daughter Realize She's Not Fat?
• How Can I Help My Son Feel Better About Being a Big Brother?
• How Can I Help My Son Wake Up in the Morning?
• How Can I Help My Toddler With Separation Anxiety?
• How Can I Help a Child Cope With a Parent's Suicide?
• How Can I Improve My Child's Eating Habits?
• How Can I Stop My Child From Biting Her Nails?
• How Can I Stop My Child From Sucking Her Thumb?
• How Can We Discourage Our Toddler From Biting?
• How Do I Handle the Transition When My Husband Returns From War?
• How Do I Help My Kids Deal With My Husband's Deployment?
• How Do I Tell My Son He's Adopted?
• How Influential Are We As Parents?
• Is Head Banging Normal?
• Is It Normal for Children to Hold Their Breath?
• Is My Daughter Too Concerned With Her Looks?
• Is My Son's Voice Changing Too Soon?
• Is There a Connection Between Vaccines and Autism?
• My Child Is Worried About Wetting the Bed at a Sleepover - How Can I Help?
• My Child May Have an Eating Disorder -- What Can I Do?
• My Daughter Puts Herself Down -- How Can I Help Her?
• My Son Is Being Deployed; How Do I Help My Other Kids Cope?
• My Teen Is Breaking Rules - What Can I Do?
• My Young Daughter Is Already Developing Breasts. Is This Normal?
• Should I Be Worried About My Child's Nightmares?
• Telling a Child About Deployment
• What Are the Symptoms of an Overeating Disorder?
• What Can Be Done About a Child Who Steals?
• What Can I Do About My Child's Bedwetting?
• What Can I Do to Stop My Child From Shoplifting?
• What Causes Night Terrors?
• Why Is My Child Anxious About Going to School?

Nutrition and Fitness

• Are Adult Diets OK for Kids, Too?
• Can Too Much Juice Discolor Teeth?
• Does Skim Milk Provide the Same Nutrients as Whole Milk?
• How Can I Calculate Calories From Fat?
• How Can I Get My Child to Eat Vegetables?
• How Can I Improve My Child's Eating Habits?
• How Should I Deal With a Picky Eater?
• I'm Breastfeeding. How Can I Lower My Baby's Food Allergy Risk?
• Is Caffeinated Soda OK for Kids?
• Is It Safe to Eat Food That's Dropped to the Floor?
• Is the "Cinnamon Challenge" Dangerous?
• My Child May Have an Eating Disorder -- What Can I Do?
• My Toddler Hates Vegetables. What Can I Do?
• Should I Start My Child on an Exercise Program?
• What Are the Symptoms of an Overeating Disorder?
• What Is a BMI Report Card?
• When Can Young Kids Start Exercising?
• When Should Kids Switch to Skim Milk?
• Why Does My Toddler Eat Dog Food?
• Why Is Breakfast So Important?

Pregnancy and Infants

• Are All X-Rays Risky During Pregnancy?
• Are Artificial Sweeteners OK to Consume During Pregnancy?
• Are Certain Medications Off-Limits During Pregnancy?
• Are Teeth Whiteners Safe for Pregnant Women?
• Can Getting Immunizations Affect My Unborn Baby?
• Can I Drink Tap Water While I'm Pregnant?
• Can I Exercise During Pregnancy?
• Can I Feed My Baby Honey?
• Can I Fly While I'm Pregnant?
• Can I Have a Vaginal Birth If I Had a Previous C-Section?
• Can I Keep My Cat Now That I'm Pregnant?
• Can I Request to Have a C-Section?
• Can I Still Drink Coffee Now That I'm Pregnant?
• Can I Take Long, Hot Showers While I'm Pregnant?
• Can I Use Bug Killers and Repellents During Pregnancy?
• Can I Use Paint and Household Chemicals While Pregnant?
• Can Lead Affect My Unborn Baby?
• Can Pregnant Women Do Anything to Reduce or Prevent Swollen Ankles?
• Can Pregnant Women Use Microwaves?
• Disposable Diapers or Cloth Diapers: How Do I Decide?
• Do Computer Monitors Have Any Effect on Pregnancy?
• Does My Toddler Have a Language Delay?
• Don't Babies Have Separation Anxiety?
• Hair Coloring During Pregnancy: No-No or No Big Deal?
• How Can I Be Sure My Baby Stays on Her Back While She Sleeps?
• How Can I Comfort My Baby During Shots?
• How Can I Help My Son Feel Better About Being a Big Brother?
• How Can I Make Teething Easier?
• How Can I Overcome Breastfeeding Difficulties?
• How Can I Relieve My Pregnancy Leg Cramps?
• How Can I Wean My Reluctant 2-Year-Old?
• I'm Breastfeeding. How Can I Lower My Baby's Food Allergy Risk?
• I'm Pregnant. Can I Lower My Baby's Food Allergy Risk?
• Is Breastfeeding a Good Form of Birth Control?
• Is Cosleeping a Good Idea?
• Is It Ever OK for Pregnant Women to Take Recreational Drugs?
• Is It OK to Have an Occasional Drink During Pregnancy?
• Is It OK to Use Self-Tanner During Pregnancy?
• Is My Baby Ready for Shoes?
• Is Sex Safe During Pregnancy?
• Is There Any Relief From Morning Sickness?
• Is There a Remedy for Heartburn During Pregnancy?
• Is it Safe to Breastfeed if I Have the Flu?
• Should I Avoid Certain Foods During Pregnancy?
• Should I Avoid Certain Types of Exercise During Pregnancy?
• Should I Wait After a Miscarriage to Try Again?
• What Are the Risks of Smoking During Pregnancy?
• What Can I Do About Colic?
• What Can I Do to Relieve My Pregnancy Backaches?
• What Can I Do to Stop Passing Gas During My Pregnancy?
• What Does "High-Risk" Pregnancy Mean?
• What Is Gestational Diabetes?
• What Is the Risk for a Second Ectopic Pregnancy?
• What Is the Triple Screen Test?
• What Positions Should Pregnant Women Sleep In?
• What Precautions Should I Take While Trying to Conceive?
• What Toys Can Help Improve a Baby's Motor Skills?
• What if My Baby Isn't Born by My Due Date?
• When Can Babies Begin Drinking Cow's Milk?
• When Can I Take My Newborn Out in Public?
• When Can My Baby Start Drinking Juice?
• When Can My Baby Start Eating Solid Foods?
• Why Are Pregnant Women Told to Avoid Feta Cheese?
• Why Do I Get Nosebleeds Now That I'm Pregnant?
• Why Do Many Pregnant Women Pull Ligaments, Muscles, and Joints?
• Why Do Some Pregnant Women Get Varicose Veins?
• Why Do Some Pregnant Women Have Trouble Breathing?

Parenting

• Am I 'Too Tough' When I Discipline My Kids?
• Are My Kids Watching Too Much TV?
• How Can I Bring Peace to the "Witching Hours"?
• How Can I Help My Child Develop Healthy Self-Esteem?
• How Can I Wean My Reluctant 2-Year-Old?
• How Can Parents Discipline Without Spanking?
• How Do I Know Which Vaccines My Kids Need?
• How Influential Are We As Parents?
• How Should I Deal With a Picky Eater?
• How Should I Set an Allowance for My Child?
• My Teen Is Breaking Rules - What Can I Do?
• What Can I Do to Ease My Child's Fear of Shots?
• What Can I Do to Stop My Child From Shoplifting?
• What's a Teaching Hospital?
• When Should I Intervene During Teasing?
• When Should Kids Start Receiving an Allowance?

Safety

• Are Tanning Salons Safe?
• Do My Kids Need Vaccines Before Traveling?
• How Can I Ensure My Teen's Safety on the Internet?
• How Can I Protect My Child From Strangers Online?
• How Can I Protect My Family From Ticks?
• How Can Kids Avoid Spider Bites?
• How Can We Tell if Our Home's Paint Contains Lead?
• How Do I Get My Child Tested for Lead Poisoning?
• When Can a Child Switch to a Regular Seatbelt?
• Why Does My Toddler Eat Dog Food?

School

• Can Vision Problems Affect School Performance?
• How Can I Avoid Struggles With My Child About Going to School?
• How Can I Help My Child Deal With a Bully?
• How Can I Help My Teen Prepare for a Medical Career?
• How Do I Know Which Vaccines My Kids Need?
• Is My Child Too Sick to Go to School?
• Who Should Decide When Kids Are Immunized?
• Why Is My Child Anxious About Going to School?

Sexual Development

• How Can I Reassure My Daughter That She'll Get Her Period?
• Is It Normal for an 11-Year-Old Boy to Fondle Himself?
• My 1-Year-Old Son Always Tries to Touch His Penis. Is This Masturbation?
• Should Girls Who Aren't Sexually Active Be Vaccinated Against HPV?
• When Should My Daughter First Go to the Gynecologist?
• When Will a Girl's Period Start?