Baby Heat Rash
Baby Heat Rash
As suggested by the name, baby heat rash is triggered in some babies when they become overheated, either because they are overdressed or because it is just too hot outside. As they become hot and sweat, their sweat ducts become blocked and rupture.
Prickly heat, which is also known as miliaria rubra, is the most common type of heat rash. In this form of heat rash, the sweat duct becomes red and inflamed. They look like small bumps with a red halo around them. These may cause a ‘prickling’ or stinging sensation. This type of heat rash may also cause mild itching. Usually found in areas under a child’s clothing, these bumps can be found grouped together inside the folds of the child’s skin, such as the neck, armpits, and groin. Infants who wear a hat may also get a heat rash on their forehead and scalp.
Just like prickly heat, Miliaria crystallina is a type of heat rash that occurs when the sweat ducts become blocked and rupture. These sweat ducts are closer to the skin surface though and don’t get inflamed, leading to the classic appearance of small clear vesicles on the child’s skin, without any redness or other symptoms, typically on their neck, head, or upper chest. Try to prevent any scratching of the affected areas as this could lead to a secondary infection.
Most methods of preventing heat rash start with the goal of not allowing your child to get overheated and include things like dressing your child in weather appropriate, loose fitting clothing, so that he doesn’t get overheated. Another key factor is avoiding excessive heat and humidity when possible. Occlusive ointments, including moisturizers, or oil based products on a child’s skin, which can also block the sweat ducts should also be avoided.
Although heat rash usually goes away on its own in a few days, some children do require treatment, which can be as simple as removing the child from the environment that triggers the rash. These include alternatives such as dressing in less clothing. Moving the child inside to a cooler, air conditioned environment also goes a long way to easing their discomfort. Mild strength topical steroids, although these usually aren’t needed can be used for treatment if necessary. Calamine lotion is another remedy often used on itchy baby heat rashes. Another option to try is compresses with cool water. In the event a secondary infection does occur, antibiotics will probably be needed to treat it.
Getting Rid of Fleas
Getting Rid of Fleas
Fleas occur everywhere, and it is believed that every domestic cat or dog – our favourite pets of choice – will succumb to an infestation of these miniature parasites during its lifetime, and most of them more than once. While they cause itching and irritation, fleas on dogs and cats are actually more dangerous than that, as we shall see.
Fleas are blood sucking creatures that can occur on dogs, cats and humans as well as many other domestic and wild animals. Cats that tend to roam outdoors are prone to infestations more so than many, but it is a mistake to believe that they will only occur on animals that are let out of doors.
The speed at which fleas can spread is quite alarming; although not able to fly the flea is a creature that is able to perform some amazing feats of movement – it can leap up to 200 times its own body length thanks to specially formed rear legs, a performance that is simply unequalled elsewhere by any other creature.
One animal – or person – who comes into contact with an otherwise clean house can, therefore, be unwittingly responsible for a rapidly spreading infestation of fleas. Fortunately there are several different species of flea, many of which are unique to their chosen hosts. Cat and dog fleas are different species of the same creature and tend to infest there chose host – but cat fleas can live on dogs, and vice versa – but will not live on humans, whereas human fleas are not liable to infect animals. The widely famed hedgehog flea, for instance, is absolutely unique to those spiny nocturnal garden friends.
A flea infestation can have devastating effects on a cat or dog – particularly a young one – as its propensity for drinking blood can lead to instances of anaemia which can be very serious, or even fatal, in puppies and kittens. Likewise, allergies can develop which lead to further complications, making getting rid of fleas essential.
Getting rid of fleas is a case of choosing the right treatment, and supplementing it with routine vacuuming and cleaning of the infected house; insecticide treatments, and additionally a range of home and natural treatments, are widely available and the choice is up to the individual. Trying to catch fleas is futile as the incredibly small size of the creatures makes it nigh on impossible, so killing fleas is best done by one of the proven and tried methods – and must be done quickly, too.
Fleas on Humans
Fleas on Humans – Often confused with Bed Bugs
We tend to think of fleas as creatures that our cat or dog brings into the house, yet fleas on humans are also a frequently observed problem. Whereas fleas on cats and fleas on dogs cause the animal discomfort and, by biting us, cause us to suffer in a mild way, it is important to understand that these are different species from the same family; the human flea will not live on cats and dogs, and cat and dog fleas – although they can live on either – will not live on humans, merely bite us and leave us with a nasty itch.
Fleas are practically ubiquitous, that is they occur everywhere, and are also very resilient indeed; they have developed over many millions of years to become among the most prevalent parasites in the world, and are a constant source of embarrassment and annoyance to us and our pets.
We know when we are suffering from human fleas as the irritation is more pronounced; a bite from a cat or dog flea will leave a mark and not recur, whereas bites from human fleas will occur in many places, all the time.
What is interesting to know is that it is very likely the carpets, bedding and soft furnishings of a house are likely to harbour more human fleas than we are, as they live in these places and emerge to feed – on our blood.
In fact, the human flea has undergone a great deal of evolutionary changes in its lifetime, and is now able to live on other animals; in particular it is partial to pigs, and human flea infestations are common among pig farmers as the parasites can jump a great distance and leap from pig to man.
It is important to keep young children away from fleas as they are more susceptible to allergenic reactions than adults, and flea bites can induce such a reaction in some cases. Flea bites can, if left to get out of control, result in exaggerated skin infections, and thus require treatment.
There are many ways of killing fleas, but rest assured that catching them is impossible! Vacuuming the house – particularly soft furnishings and bedding – will remove eggs, and there are many different sprays and other treatments that can be readily bought. There are also professional pest control services that will remove fleas, but it is perhaps the best form of treatment to keep you cat and dog well powdered with flea treatment, and to keep a close eye out for the tell tale bites on your own body.
