Posts Tagged ‘prevention’

Prevent Heat Rash

Hot, humid weather contributes greatly to miliaria or heat rash. It is more probable when you first move to the tropics from a different climate. Once your body becomes acclimated, which usually takes several months the problem typically disappears.  Physical activity, intense exercise, hard work or any activity that causes you to perspire extensively can also lead to heat rash.  You may develop heat rash if you consistently wear clothing that doesn’t allow perspiration to evaporate normally. Certain prescription medications have been linked to heat rash.

Some bacteria normally found on the skin, such as Staphylococcus epidermis, secrete a sticky substance that may block sweat ducts. Overheating in general will make you vulnerable to heat rash.  Things like putting on too many clothes in winter and sleeping under an electric blanket can lead to heat rash. So can using heavy creams and ointments, which block the sweat ducts. Heat rash can also occur in people who are confined to a hospital bed for long periods.

When your core temperature rises, your autonomic nervous system stimulates the eccrine glands to secrete perspiration. The perspiration travels through ducts to the surface of your skin, where it cools your body as it evaporates. Heat rash develops when some of the eccrine sweat ducts become plugged. Instead of evaporating, perspiration remains trapped beneath the skin, causing inflammation and rash. To help protect yourself or your child and prevent heat rash try the following suggestions:

·         In summer, dress in soft, lightweight, cotton clothing. Avoid excessive bundling up in winter, children should wear the same amount of clothing that an adult would wear to stay comfortable.

·         Avoid tight fitted clothes that can irritate skin.

·         When it’s hot, stay in the shade or in an air-conditioned building or place a fan at a safe distance to gently circulate the air.

·         Keep your sleeping area cool and well ventilated.

·         Bathe in cool water with a nondrying soap that doesn’t contain fragrances or dyes. Many companies make gentle, natural products especially for infants and children.

·         Avoid using powders, creams or ointments because they don’t prevent heat rash and can block pores.

·         In hot weather, dress in loose, lightweight clothing that wicks moisture away from your skin.

·         Spend as much time as possible in air-conditioned buildings.

·         After bathing, let your skin air-dry, instead of toweling off.

·         Use calamine lotion or cool compresses to calm itchy, irritated skin.

·         Avoid using creams and ointments, which can block pores further.

Baby Hives

Hives, also known as urticaria or welts, are swollen areas on the skin. They can show up in different shapes and sizes, but are generally well defined, with a pale, central, raised area surrounded by a red border. Baby hives usually itch.  Hives can come and go over a period of minutes, hours and sometimes even weeks. They also can appear for only a few minutes and never return again.

Baby hives are a sign of an allergic reaction, and are usually harmless if they are the only symptom your child is having. Children with hives and more severe symptoms, such as wheezing, difficulty breathing or swallowing, or swelling in their mouth or throat, may have anaphylaxis – a serious allergic reaction. These children need immediate medical attention.

Hives are a type of allergic or immune system reaction that occurs when something triggers the release of chemicals, including histamine, from cells in a child’s body. It is important to remember that there are many more things in addition to food allergies that can cause hives in kids. These include medications, infections, exposure to the sun, and for some kids, even physically touching their skin repeatedly, like scratching, which is called dermographism.

A baby with hives may have additional symptoms depending on what is triggering the hives. For example, if a viral infection is causing the hives, then he may have a sore throat, runny nose, and/or a cough. Although some things, such as certain foods, commonly cause hives, keep in mind that almost anything can trigger hives.

To help figure out the cause of baby hives in your child, keep a diary of all of your baby’s medications and everything he has recently had to eat and drink.

Since hives are caused by the chemical histamine, it is logical that you would treat them with an antihistamine medication, such as diphenhydramine more commonly known as Benadryl.  Of course, the best treatment for hives, whenever possible, is to remove and then avoid whatever is triggering your baby’s hives.

Common causes of hives can include:

·         foods, especially peanuts, eggs, tree nuts, milk, shellfish, wheat, and soy

·         medications, especially antibiotics like penicillin and sulfa drugs

·         additives in foods or medications, such as the food dye tartrazine (Yellow No. 5)

·         infections, especially viral infections

·         insect bites and stings

·         latex

·         exercise

·         stress

·         exposure to heat, cold, or water

Cure Ringworm

Depending on who you talk to, there are as many remedies for ringworm as there are types of ringworm infections, more actually.   Over the counter creams and ointments can provide relief for ringworm and oral products can be taken for effective treatment of severe cases of ringworm skin infections.  Do-it-yourself home remedies are also touted as just the thing to cure ringworm.

What is ringworm?  Fungal infections that are on the surface or top layer of the skin are referred to as ringworm.  These are called dermatophytes which mean “skin fungi.”  Skin fungi can only live on the dead layer of keratin protein on top of the skin. The Greeks called it Herpes meaning circular or ring form.  In Roman times the disease was believed to be associated with the larval stage of Tinea, the genus for clothes moth. The two names were eventually combined to the term “ringworm”.

Fungal infections like ringworm, while contagious are not necessarily dangerous to a person or the people around them.  It is rarely serious, but in most cases requires treatment of some kind. Most people who come down with ringworm infections are healthy.  There is sometimes a problem with infection and re-infection within families, communities, and schools.

What happens when ringworm starts to develop is a small area of infected skin tends to spread outwards. It typically develops into a circular, red, inflamed patch of skin. This infection can affect both animals and humans. The appearance of the rash may vary depending on which type of fungus causes the infection.  The fungi can travel around the body in the blood stream which enables them to spread to the warm, moist areas of the body.

Precautions can be taken to avoid ringworm type infections.  Staying away from and avoiding direct skin-to-skin contact with a human infected with ringworm or contact with an animal infected with ringworm is always a good idea.  Sharing another person’s towel or bedding could cause ringworm to spread. Things like playing in the dirt, while very rare, have even been thought to cause the spread of ringworm infections.

To cure ringworm infection is a process.  Trial and error play a big part in coming up with a solution that works best for each individual.  Whichever ringworm remedy you choose to use be consistent.  Follow the directions carefully and continue the treatment for awhile even if symptoms disappear.  This will ensure that the infection is completely gone and lessens the likelihood of reoccurrence.

Malathion Head Lice Treatment
One of the great controversies of treating a head lice infestation surrounds the use of insecticide lotions and shampoos, with reports of side effects – sometimes quite severe – being off-putting to many. The three main insecticides used – Malathion, Permethrin and Lindane – all have reported problems, and in the case of the latter reports of severe seizures and even fatalities have led to it being removed from use in many countries, although it is still available on prescription in the USA.
Among the three one of the most popular is Malathion, as used in the very widely prescribed Ovide, a lotion that is known to have an effect on head lice and their nymphs when used in many cases. It is a fact, however, that no insecticide will kill all of the well protected nits – the head lice eggs – and these need to be treated with a different method.
Among the known side effects of Malathion are those of a dry scalp, a stinging sensation and a possible increase in dandruff, and the substance should not be used – like all insecticide products – on those who have open wounds or a prior skin condition. It needs to be kept away from the eyes, too, and pregnant women are strongly advised to steer clear of insecticide products.
These minor side effects are acknowledged by the FDA, and the lotions – Ovide among them – are considered safe for use when the instructions are followed.
One thing that should be borne in mind is that Ovide is not recommended for children under the age of six (in fact no insecticide products are) and if the infestation is present on the head of such an infant, and it is very likely, then medical advice should be sought as to what steps to take.
The alternatives are the natural shampoos that abound on the market – many with the very popular Tea Tree oil, a medicinal herbal remedy favored by the Aborigines of Australia, present – and the trusty nit comb, an essential item in any treatment regime. Head lice combs are available in two types, the traditional version with the very close teeth and a newer version that works by administering an electric shock. The shock may be fatal to the lice but is not felt by the patient, being provided by a standard battery.
Using insecticides such as Malathion has been shown to work, yet it is not everybody’s choice to coat the head with poisons; consider your options carefully.

Tinea Corporis Contagious

The fungi transmitted primarily through contact with animals and is termed zoophile is usually responsible for Tinea corporis contagious infection. Most mammals have at least one type of fungus, and in most instances the animal and fungus coexist without the animal ever manifesting any symptoms of the fungus. This does not mean that the fungus cannot be transmitted to humans. Zoophile is the fungi category in which the infection is passed by animals.  There are two other categories of fungi that can cause infections of this type, geophile or fungi from soil sources and anthropophile, which are fungi from humans.

This highly contagious condition can be contracted by coming into direct contact with someone who is infected, or if contaminated items are touched. Because it is highly contagious the fungal infection can be passed from animal to person or person to person easily through contaminated items like clothing, shower or pool surfaces and toiletry items. The term tinea corporis is the medical term for ringworm, which refers to round or oval red scaly patches on the skin. Tinea corporis affects exposed areas but could also spread from other infected sites. Non-fungal conditions that resemble tinea corporis and could be mistaken for the infection include afflictions like impetigo, Seborrhoeic dermatitis, Psoriasis, Discoid eczema, Lichen simplex, Contact allergic dermatitis and Pityriasis rosea.

Ringworm or Tinea corporis infection forms a ring-shaped raised red rash in humans, but it is not the common appearance in animals.  Ringworm infections in animals can take on any form.  While ringworm can be passed from animals to humans, cats are the most likely of all animals to be infected and pass it on to human contacts.  The possible spread of Tinea corporis to humans can also come from other animals, including horses, camels, sheep and cattle.  Humans who have direct and repeated contact with animals have a much higher incidence of contracting the fungal infection this way.  They are also far more likely to contract a fungal infection or ringworm of the anthropophile variety from places like a school, playground, gym, or shower facilities.

Children seem to be the most vulnerable to Tinea corporis skin infection and can easily pass it around to other children. This does not mean that adults are not immune and they can also become infected. The best way to prevent Tinea corporis infections is by keeping the skin clean and dry, changing socks and underwear each day, and wearing some type of shower shoe or sandal when in public showers or locker rooms.

Griseofulvin Tinea Capitis

Tinea capitis, or ringworm of the scalp, is the most common dermatophyte infection among children.  This is a problem worldwide but approximately 3 to 8 percent of American children are affected, and up to one third of in-house contacts are asymptomatic carriers, meaning they show no outward signs of the infection. Tinea infections are usually spread by humans but may also be passed to humans from animals. Adolescent and adult infections are uncommon.

The three primary dermatophytes most commonly seen are Trichophyton tonsurans, Microsporum audouinii and Microsporum canis. Anti-fungal medications, taken by mouth, are used to treat the infection. There are several different options that are often used to treat this condition.  Griseofulvin has long been the standard therapy for tinea capitis.  It is currently the only antifungal agent labeled by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for this condition. Griseofulvin is an antibiotic derived from a species of Penicillium.

Griseofulvin acts systemically to inhibit the growth of Trichophyton, Microsporum, and Epidermophyton genera of fungi. With the use of an anti-fungal like griseofulvin Tinea Capitis can be treated effectively.  Fungistatic amounts are deposited in the keratin, which is gradually exfoliated and replaced by non-infected tissue.  Griseofulvin absorption from the gastrointestinal tract varies considerably from one individual to the next. This is mainly because of insolubility of the drug in the upper G.I. tract. The peak serum level found in fasting adults given 0.5 gm occurs at about four hours and ranges between 0.5 and 2.0 mcg/mL.

As previously mentioned some individuals do not absorb at the same rate as others and tend to attain lower blood levels at all times. This may explain why some patients respond better to this type of treatment than others. Better blood levels can probably be attained in most patients if Griseofulvin is taken after ingesting a meal with a high fat content.

Some of the symptoms of tinea capitis or scalp ringworm to watch for are bald patched areas, where hair that has broken off from the scalp, itching of the scalp, pus-filled lesions or sores on the scalp, round, scaly lesions on the scalp that may be inflamed, and small black dots on the scalp. Tinea capitis may be extremely persistent, and it may return after treatment. It has been found that in many cases it goes away on its own as a person reaches puberty.  Good general hygiene is a key factor to prevent and treat tinea infections.

Tinea Corporis Tinea Cruris

Tinea corporis is the name given to a fungus infection of the skin also called “ringworm of the body”.  This condition often has an impact on children and adults who live in warm, damp environments like tropical climates. The typical appearance of this infection is a circular plaque with a well outlined border. Since tinea corporis can be contagious and it can spread rapidly among children and in settings like day-care centers and schools.  It may be passed from person to person, from contact with an infected animal, most often a cat, or from exposure to fungus in the soil. Itchy red scaly patches come up anywhere skin contact has been made. They often develop into a ring-like formation.

Tinea Corporis, Tinea cruris and other tinea infections of this type can usually be cleared up with topical creams.  If the infection was spread by an animal, even if it shows no signs of a skin infection treatment will need to be administered to the animal also.  Tinea corporis is a superficial dermatophyte infection.  Ringworm is the more common term used for Tinea corporis infection with is caused by dermatophytes.  Dermatophyte infections can be distinguished by either inflammatory or non-inflammatory lesions on the skin.  Tinea corporis looks like a rash that forms one-half to one-inch, ring-shaped, pink or red patches with a clear center. A slightly itchy rash may accompany the other symptoms.

Jock itch or Tinea cruris appears around the groin area but not normally on the penis and develops into a red, ring-like rash. Jock itch can be unbearably itchy and form small, painful blisters. This type of ringworm can cause itching or a burning sensation in areas of the groin, thigh skin folds, or anus.  It may also affect the inner thighs and genital areas. The itchy red patches will spread in the warm moist areas of the body. Variations of red, tan, or brown coloration may appear in the infected areas.  Flaking, rippling, peeling, or cracking skin will also be present. Unlike yeast infections, tinea cruris generally does not involve the scrotum or the penis.  It is very common and affects men more often than women and rarely affects children.

Tinea corporis on the other hand occurs in both men and women. Women of childbearing age are more likely to develop tinea corporis as a result of their greater frequency of contact with infected children. Dermatophyte infections can be a nuisance but normally do not present any serious or life threatening repercussions.

Antifungal Creams Ringworm

In most cases, ringworm infections of the skin can be treated with antifungal creams or ointments. Antifungal cream can be found in several varieties. There are an assortment of active ingredients are available in these products. The active ingredients more commonly seen include miconazole, econazole, clotrimazole, and tioconazole. Another typical factor found in most antifungal creams is that it contains a second active ingredient to reduce itching. There are several products available without a prescription. A nonprescription antifungal cream with miconazole or clotrimazole is an option of the available choices. Some of the brand names include Micatin, Tinactin, Monistat, and Lotrimin. Terbinafine cream is also available without a prescription. Another highly effective cream is sold under the All Stop brand and is also available without a prescription.

When using an antifungal cream to treat ringworm first wash the infected area with soap and water, remove flaky skin, and dry thoroughly. For large areas of blistered sores, use compresses to soothe and dry out the blisters. Apply antifungal cream beyond the edge or border of the fungal infection.  The directions on the package should be followed. Continue using the medicine even if your symptoms go away. Treatment will probably need to be continued for at least 2 to 4 weeks.

Sharing antifungal cream is not suggested. If you share antifungal creams ringworm infections can be passed to someone else.  Do not touch the tube of medicine unless your hands are clean. Care should be used when applying antifungal cream on yourself or other people. This is recommended to avoid transferring the infection to other areas of the body and to other people. Wash your hands thoroughly after applying.  The best way is to squeeze out the amount of cream needed on a tissue, this way the medicine is not contaminated.  Something else to keep in mind if you use creams regularly is to check the expiration date to make sure the medication is still good.

To prevent ringworm from returning after treatment, apply talcum or other drying powder to the affected area on a daily basis.  After having tried your choice of topical antifungal creams ringworm symptoms should be alleviated. If the infection is widespread, prescription antifungal pills may be the next option.

When suffering from both athlete’s foot and ringworm affecting both of the groin and legs, both infections should be treated.  This will prevent re-infection from recurring in the legs or groin.   With athlete’s foot fungus, use caution when putting on underclothing to keep from spreading it to the groin area.  In most cases the infection can easily be eliminated with antifungal creams, ringworm is no exception.

Pubic Lice Prevention – What you need to know
There are many different types of louse that can take humans as a host, and the parasite that is perhaps the most embarrassing is the pubic louse. Otherwise known as ‘crabs’, thanks to their crab-like appearance, these miniscule creatures prefer the pubic area as it is secluded and warm, and thrive if not treated properly.
Pubic lice, like hair lice, are spread by personal contact: the louse cannot fly, hence the only way it can move from host to host is by walking from hair to hair (the same is true of hair lice) but as personal contact in the pubic area is limited the spread of pubic lice is nowhere near as rapid as that of head lice.
Nevertheless, it is important to know that it does not take actual intimate contact for the lice to spread: sharing clothing, towels and other things can transfer the lice from one to another. This is why pubic lice prevention centers on making sure that such implements are not shared – just as a hairbrush should not be shared among head lice sufferers.
There are many examples of pubic lice pictures available, most easily accessed on the internet, which can help in making sure you can correctly identify the creatures and treat them in the right manner: this is essential, as the life cycle of the louse reveals how it can increase in population very quickly indeed.
The female pubic louse lives for around three weeks, and during that time she lays three eggs every day; these are attached to the pubic hairs, and can be difficult to remove. Once they hatch, after just a few days, the eggs quickly mature into breeding adults, and the cycle begins again. While the numbers involved are not as big as in the head lice life cycle, this still means a very rapid expansion in population, and highlights the necessity of proper treatment and prompt attention.
Recognizing the symptoms of pubic lice infestation is vital, and the customary itching of the infected area is the main indicator. Also a symptom is the appearance of sores where the lice have bitten, and further examination of the troubles area may reveal the presence of the distinctive ‘crabs’.
Many people prefer to steer away from chemically formulated medicinal treatments, and prefer home therapies – combing and washing, the use of natural and herbal lotions- but no matter which method you opt for the necessity is to act quickly in order to prevent the infestation spreading out of control.

Head Lice Prevention – Some Good Advice
Many people are under the false impression that head lice will only be found on those who have a less than stringent hygiene routine; the fact is that head lice can live in the hair of anyone, and that they are an increasingly common nuisance, in particular among the young.
When considering aspects of head lice prevention it is important to understand the life cycle of the head lice, and how it lives. The adult lice lives among our hair – one of the common head lice symptoms is to see them moving around, or when they fall from the hair during combing or washing – and lays eggs, otherwise known as Nits, which are attached to hair follicles. As the adult can lay six eggs a day, and lives for up to 30 days, the rapid expansion of the population is evident.
Preventing head lice involves regular combing and examination of the hair to determine presence, and also deliberate avoidance of contact with those who are infested. It is vital to remember that the head lice cannot fly, and as a result the only method by which it can transfer between people is by crawling from hair to hair. This is why head lice infestations spread very rapidly in schools, as young children are prone to one to one contact more so than adults.
If, therefore, you are aware of others who have head lice it is helpful to keep your child away from them, in order to minimize the spread of the problem.
There is plenty of information on head lice and how to treat and prevent them on the internet, and perhaps the most important factor is being able to recognize head lice symptoms; head lice pictures are worth looking at as they help you to identify both the creatures and the nits, and reduce the possibility of misdiagnosing dandruff as nits, a surprisingly frequent mistake.
Symptoms are typified by itching, this the result of the lice piercing the skin to feed on the blood, although this rarely occurs immediately; it can be several days before the patient begins to itch, by which time the lice have already begun to lay and multiply. This is why regular inspection of the head and hair is the best option.
For treatment, there are several products on the market, but the home remedy method of regular inspection and frequent washing is the best way to prevent head lice.