My Not-So-Happy Pediatrician's Visit

This morning I was getting Temi ready for school when I noticed what I thought was crumbs in her hair. She's been known to smash her fair share of crackers, so food in her hair is not uncommon. When I went to dust the "crackers" out, what I actually found were red, pus-filled bumps. I'm guessing the "crumbs" I felt were actually crust from the bumps.

Either way, I became alarmed. It looked disgusting, so I called her doctor's office and got her in for an appointment. Then I proceeded to wash any and everything that had touched her head recently - hair scrunchies, hats, headbands, pillows, blankets, etc.

We couldn't get in until 2 p.m., so I impatiently waited until it was time to take her to the doctor. We couldn't see her regular pediatrician (I think she might still be on maternity leave), but who cares, just as long as we get whatever it is treated before it can spread, right?

We get to the doctor, wait what seems like an eternity to be called into a room, go through the necessary pre-doctor visit checks and then it's finally time for the doctor. She comes in, looks at Temi and says something along the lines of:

"She probably has an infection. What exactly it is or where she got it from, I don't know. It's probably not viral, probably just a bacterial infection. She probably got it from daycare. I will prescribe a topical antibiotic put it on the infected area and avoid combing her hair for a few days."

Really???? There was no culture taken. No tests done. And antibiotics were prescribed on the basis of a "probably." To be fair, she did ask questions like if it seemed to be bothering Temi, if she had a fever. She did a full body check to make sure there were no rashes or sores anywhere else. But I left the office feeling just as lost and confused as I had when I walked in. This could be anything from an infected hair follicle to something contagious she picked up from daycare. I feel like I could've just Google'd a description and looked on BabyCenter for how helpful the visit was.

Not to mention that anybody that knows me knows I'm not really a fan of medication to begin with unless absolutely necessary. So I'm definitely not enthusiastic about giving my daughter antibiotics to treat what may or may not be a bacterial infection. We get the prescription filled (it was only $5) and I Google it only to be told that it will "cause burning, stinging, itching or pain at first as your body adjusts to it."

So I'm supposed to give my daughter something that will cause her discomfort to treat something that doesn't bother her at all and I'm not even 100% sure that it will even treat it to begin with?

Now I see why our grandparents and their parents were reluctant to go to doctors and hospitals and relied on home remedies. For the money we're paying insurance companies and doctors, I find more helpful information and remedies online and in my own kitchen, and at a much cheaper price.

What about you? Do you always find your doctor/hospital visits to be worthwhile and helpful?