Page 20 - Florida Sentinel 9-15-17

Health
Pay Attention To Your Feet
The first place you find neu- ropathy are the feet and hands because those are the extremi- ties of the body. So be sure to check them every day for sores, blisters, or cuts. That way you can treat them before they get worse.
Make sure the spaces in be- tween your toes are dry, espe- cially after a shower and before you put on socks (which should also be dry). Don’t moisturize between your toes.
You should also keep dry other places where water can gather, like between and under your breasts, between your legs, and under your arms.
Talcum powder is one way to keep areas dry.
Avoid Hot Water
People with diabetes are prone to skin prob- lems. Cuts, scrapes, and common infections like athlete’s foot can explode into serious issues.
Along with a higher chance of skin issues, dia- betes can cause nerve
damage, called neuropa- thy. So people may not feel anything when some- thing is wrong with their skin.
They may also have cir- culation problems, mean- ing blood can’t get healing nutrients to the area.
Hot water may dry out your skin. But if you have neuropa- thy, you also may not be able to feel how hot it is and burn yourself.
You should never put your hands or feet directly into the water without checking with another body part or hav- ing another person check.
One shower a day is suffi- cient.
Treat Cuts Right Away
Don’t wait for a tiny scratch to turn into a big problem. Wash any cuts as soon as they appear with soap and water.
Don’t apply alcohol or io- dine, which can dry out your skin. If it doesn’t get better over the next couple of days or if you have any signs of infec- tion like a fever or pus, see your doctor.
Follow these guidelines and you and your skin should have a healthy life together.
Use Sunscreen
Moisturize
If you have diabetes, you’re more likely to get dry skin. This can lead to cuts and cracks, which can let bacteria get inside and cause infections. Moisturiz- ing is an easy way to prevent this.
There’s no hard and fast rule for how often to do it, although applying cream or lotion to your whole body after a shower is a good start. Your skin is more willing because more pores are open.
You don’t need any special products for diabetes, but do try to keep it simple.
Other ways to moisturize in- clude humidifying your home during the winter and drinking plenty of water every day. Lip balm will relieve chapped lips.
Take Care of Your Nails And Cuticles
Include them in your daily moisturizing routine and keep your nails straight and smooth so they can’t catch on anything and tear.
Never cut your cuticles. It could leave space for fungus and bacteria to invade. And re- sist the temptation to get a pedicure.
Sunburns can also dry your skin. That’s why you should al- ways use sunscreen, especially on your head, neck, and hands.
Infectious Diseases That Plague School Children
They are back in school! In all of the excitement, we often forget this is also the time of year when children come home with all types of germs! Are you prepared? Here are 5 conta- gious infections every parent should be aware of.
1. Ring worm – Some- times, especially in children, the fungus can infect the scalp. On the scalp, the infection looks like a round flaky patch of skin. These lesions can ap- pear on other parts of the body that can be treated with a topi- cal antifungal, but the ones in the scalp are best treated with an oral medication. This is a highly contagious infection and can be transmitted by skin to skin contact as well as from shared combs, hats, brushes, etc.
2. Ear Infection – Ear in- fections often occur in children after a cold. Fluid can build up in the middle part of the ear behind the eardrum. Kids can pull at the ear, have a fever, be- come more fussy than usual, have a decreased appetite or have some vomiting or diar- rhea.
Your doctor may tell you to wait 1-2 days and if no im- provement in symptoms, will
give you medication to help de- crease inflammation or an an- tibiotic if the doctor suspects a bacterial infection.
3. Pink Eye – Conjunctivi- tis is the medical term used to describe an infection or irri- tation of the eye that can be caused by an infection, aller- gies, or an unknown irritation. Symptoms may include red- ness of the eye, eye tearing, itchiness or irritation, or weep gooey liquid and may get stuck when your child first wakes up in the morning. Most cases of pink eye can resolve on its own.
When pink eye is caused by in- fection, it is usually caused by a virus, so antibiotics will not help.
4. Chicken Pox – This is a highly infectious disease that causes itchy, red bumps to form on the skin. It is caused by the varicella-zoster virus. This virus can linger in your
body for years and later cause a painful rash called “shingles.” Your child can have other symptoms like feeling as if they have the flu, may have a fever and poor appetite. Vaccination with the varicella vaccine is the most effective way to prevent chicken pox.
5. Impetigo – Impetigo is a contagious infection of the skin that causes red bumps, usually on the face, arms, or legs. They can form blisters that then burst and scab over, which usually leads to yellow, gold, or brown crusting or as in some cases, the blisters leave painful sores with red rims. Depending on the sever- ity of the infection, impetigo can be treated with either a topical or an oral antibiotic.
Dr. Shanicka is Amer- ica’s Favorite Family Doc- tor, helping you live a healthier, happier life, one plate at a time.
PAGE 8-B FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2017