in the water get into yourear and grow, causing a painful
earache. The best way to prevent
swimmer’s ear is to dry out the
ears and disinfect the canals.
Follow these steps:
1.After you swim, dry your ears
thoroughly with a towel.
2. Mix 1 teaspoon rubbing
alcohol with 1 teaspoon white
vinegar. Ask a parent to put a few
drops in each ear. The alcohol
helps dry out the ear, and the
vinegar kills bacteria.
3. If you have ear pain,
especially when you tug on your
ear, see a doctor.
Eyes
Be on the Lookout
Many girls don’t notice problems with their eyesight until
they have to do a lot of reading or looking at the board in
school. This is often between third and fifth grades. You
may need glasses if you have:
headaches while or after you’ve been reading.
trouble seeing objects at a distance or up close.
double vision not caused by just crossing your eyes.
Eye Exams
If you’re having difficulty with your eyes, have them
checked by an eye-care professional. Even if you aren’t
having problems, doctors say you should have an exam by
the time you’ve begun to read. It’s important to check for
early signs of disease. At the exam, you’ll be asked to read
a special chart up close and at a distance. The doctor will
look at your eyes through a kind of microscope and may
put drops in your eyes to dilate, or enlarge, your pupils.
This helps the doctor see inside your eyes, and it doesn’t
hurt at all.
It’s a good idea to have your vision
checked every year at school or your
doctor’s office. If you have trouble
seeing things far away, such as a
board, you may be nearsighted. If
you have trouble reading up close,
you may be farsighted.
“I just got glasses. I was worried everybody would
make fun of me, but I realized that after a while,
no one will remember what I look like without them!”
You’re Not Alone
Your vision may continue to change during the time
you’re in grade school and level off when you reach your
teens. If you’re one of the first to get glasses, you may
feel like the loneliest girl in the world. But peek around
your classroom in a couple of years, and you’ll find that
you’ve got lots of company!
Glasses
Glasses are convenient and easy
to care for. They come in lots of
fun colors and styles. Some girls
think of their eyeglasses as fashion
accessories!
Contact Lenses
Contact lenses change the way
you see without changing the way
you look. But they’re also expensive
and require daily care and cleaning.
Some girls don’t feel ready for this
responsibility.
Eye Protection
Your eyes can burn just like your
skin. Wear sunglasses at the pool or
beach or on the ski slope to protect
your eyes from ultraviolet rays. Look
for shades marked “UVA/UVB pro-
tection.” Don’t stare into the sun,
and never look directly at a solar
eclipse, even with sunglasses.
Mouth
A smile is an invitation that you wear on your face. It says,
“I’m a girl you want to know!” Make sure your smile is a warm
greeting and a sign of good health by brushing up on the basics.
Fluoride Facts
Fluoride is a mineral that helps make
teeth strong so they can resist cavi-
ties. If you live in a city, your water
probably has some fluoride in it.
Make sure your toothpaste does,
too. And you don’t need a huge gob
of paste to get the job done—just a
squirt about the size of a pea.
Toothbrush Basics
