Another one Bites the Dust or do the Dust Mites Bite Me?
Posted on April 27, 2009
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Another one bites the dust was a great song by the rock group Queen, but not such a great feeling when a human has been bitten by a dust mite. These little insects can be very irritating for their human hosts. It takes trained personnel in a laboratory setting to identify a mite bite. Though the technician may be singing another one bites the dust, this individual is concerned with preventing the insect from biting humans.
Diagnosis is sometimes difficult because it is often time hard to distinguish one insect bite from another without the aid of a skin scraping, or even a sampling from your vacuum cleaner.
House Dust Mites come in difference sizes ranging from 1/200 to 1/25 of an inch. Some are not visible while others will appear as tiny black, gray or red oval specks. These insects have four legs and mouth parts grouped together in such a way that they look like they have a head.
The variety of mites called the House Dust Mite does not actually bite humans. Yet, another one bites the dust because the human in question becomes allergic to the mite’s feces which can be found in pillows and mattresses and furniture. It is believed that 50% of all household have these insects whether they are aware of it or not.
The Northern Fowl mite feed on live birds such as pigeons and poultry but as soon as another one bites the dust, they quickly flock in droves to find a new host. Farmers and other egg handlings are commonly bitten by these little creatures. Their bite will cause itching and in some cases a skin condition called dermatitis. This particular mite can live as long as three weeks away from a living host.
The Chicken mite will look for a human host after the death of their poultry host. They enter the house and then another one bites the dust, this time a human, who will scratch like crazy. These mites can live up to a month without finding a new host.
Tropical Rat Mites – will take a blood meal wherever they can get it. Even if the rat host is still alive these insects will feast on humans. Their bite is extremely painful and itchy. The intense scratching will break down the skin cells and cause dermatitis. The Tropical Rat Mite is visible on walls in basements, cupboards and anywhere rats can hide out. As another one bites the dust, the mite will drop from the host after its meal and can wait for a few days before the next one.
The House Mouse Mite will also feed on humans.
Follicle Mites live in human hair follicles, and sebaceous glands. If the human host is allergic, even though this seldom happens, the symptoms manifest itself in the form of acne or loss of eyelashes.
Another one bites the dust when they come into contact with an infected person who has been bitten by the Itch or Scabies Mite. Normally the hands and wrists are most infected developing pustules that itch and break forming scabs. The itch is often called the “seven year itch” while the hardening scabs are called scabies.
Straw Itch Mites are common pests during harvest time. Their bite will cause skin dermatitis that appears like a rash and spreads all over the body. In severe causes there is swelling, vomiting, headaches, itching, and fever symptoms as well.
Prevention
Insecticides such as products containing deet will keep the insects at bay. Treat infected areas with commercial products such as Baygon, (rat mites). You can also treat infected areas such as bedding and furniture with pyrethrins. In severe cases you may need to throw out clothing, bedding, and mattresses and/or contact an exterminator. In case of scabies, you must see a doctor. In either case, if you have been targeted by these insects seek treatment before another bites the dust, and bites you in the process.
?Electrical Skin Burns
Posted on April 6, 2009
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Electrical skin burns is a result of electric current having contact with some part of the body. The severity of injuries caused by electrical shock can be minor to severe and even fatal. Electrical shock can come from faulty wiring; there may be a short or the wire may not be grounded properly. In our homes we have 110 and 220 current. People who work on power lines work on high voltage wiring, which is over 500 volts of electricity. To protect themselves from electrical skin burns they wear special rubberized gloves and covering for their clothes.
Parents need to protect their babies and very young children from chewing on electrical cords. Skin burns can be so intense that deformities of the face and jaw can result. With this kind of injury the tissues of the lips can be severely burned. Sometimes our pets will be attracted to chewing on cords also, causing similar injuries.
Electrical shock that causes skin burns can be minor or major. Skin burns are only the surface of the problem; there may be internal structures affected. Shocks from high voltage can be so intense that the resulting muscle contractions can be severe enough to dislocate a joint. A major shock can stop the heart, which will cause instant death.
Contact with electricity often starts at the hand and ends at the foot, but can start at the head. Occasionally a person gets struck by lightening. If lightening strikes the head, it will most likely travel to the brain first and then make a path to exit the body. If the lightening strikes the hand first, it might travel through the heart as it finds its exit point.
Alternating current (AC) is more dangerous than direct current (DC). Direct current will shock you and cause a muscle contraction and then release the muscle; the result of a shock from direct current is that you will jump back from the source of electricity. With alternating current there is a continuous contraction of muscles causing an inability to let go of the source of electricity, which is a direct cause of electrical skin burns.
All of the equipment we use in our homes and at work needs to be properly grounded to prevent injuries such as electrical skin burns. The plug-ins for these devices have 3 prongs. Many older homes don’t have wall outlets to fit the 3 pronged plugs. Don’t ever cut off the third ground so the plug will fit a 2 prong receptacle. That ground prong is what is protecting you from an electrical injury that could be much more serious than a simple skin burn.
Electrical skin burns can happen if we come into contact with current when we are wet or in a wet area of the home. Special circuit breakers are available to trip when there is a current leak of as little as 5 milliamps. Electrical shock usually occurs when current leaks out of the normal pathway. There can be tiny cracks in the cords of the appliances we use that we can’t even see.
As a precaution against receiving an electrical skin burn, use appliances as they are directed. Take care in how you store an appliance and the cord attached to it. Never wind a power cord tightly around a hair drier or other appliance because that may result in minute cracks in the cord, which could cause electrical leakage.
?Causes of 2nd Degree Burns
Posted on March 23, 2009
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One of the most common causes of 2nd degree burns is sunlight. Going out in the sun for long periods with any protection from a sunscreen or protective clothing is a dangerous thing to do because UV rays of the sun penetrate deep into the skin and can burn large areas of skin. The summer months are the most dangerous for burns; however people living in climates where there is lots of snow can get burned also. In the winter the sunlight is not as direct as in the summer months, but people get burned every day from the reflection of the sunlight off the snow.
There are other ways to receive 2nd degree burns. Accidents happen in the kitchen all the time. Cooks get splattered with grease from frying bacon. They get burned by steam escaping from a lid. Sometimes freak accidents happen in the kitchen; a pot of boiling water gets tipped off the stove and falls on whoever is standing in the way. 2nd degree burns in the kitchen can be minor or severe.
The layers of skin separate with 2nd degree burns. The epidermis, the outermost layer of skin, separates from the dermis, the second layer of skin where the sweat glands, hair follicles and tiny blood vessels (capillaries) are located. Severe burns of this nature run deep into the dermis layer, and sometimes burns of this magnitude can go much deeper and be classified as 3rd degree burns.
Symptoms of 2nd degree burns are pain, redness, and swelling, blistering or peeling of skin, and shock. Many times burns heal to leave a white or tan scar that is not the same shade as the rest of the skin. Most of the pain of a burn injury is from the swelling, rather than the heat. Nerve endings get burned and they swell and become irritated causing severe pain.
First aid for 2nd degree burns is to get away from the source of the burn. Next you need to cool the burn. If it is a small area like a finger or hand, holding the area under cool running water for 15 minutes will help take the pain away. If it is a larger area of the body that is burned place cool moist towels over the burn. A very large 2nd degree burn will most likely need medical attention.
Don’t ever apply ointments to a burn; it will make the pain even more severe as it acts as an insulator to keep the heat trapped within the wound. If the area between the fingers and toes has been severely burned separate them with sterile non-stick dressings such as Telfa. The problem with 2nd degree burns, as well as those of 3rd degree, is that the appendages can weep and stick together; separating them with non-stick dressings will prevent complications later on.
Whether you have been burned by the sun or in the kitchen, or in some other manner take care to cool the burn and protect yourself from further injury. If the burn injury is severe, call 911 for emergency care. With severe 2nd degree burns there is the possibility of shock setting in. Lie down, and if anyone is with you have him/her put pillows under your feet and legs to elevate them above your heart. Stay in that position until the emergency workers have arrived to help you.
?How the Sun Burns Your Skin
Posted on March 2, 2009
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The sun burns the skin unless we have applied a sunscreen or we have developed a gradual tan. Most people that are fair complected don’t tan easily and the sun burns their sensitive skin. Most people with blond, red or light brown hair have fair skin; they have to take special precautions not to burn.
In order to understand how the sun burns the skin you must look at the skin. What is the skin? It’s an organ just like your liver and heart. The skin is an organ, and it is what makes up the integumentary system. This organ (skin) has a design and function that has many purposes. One function is to act something like a rain coat. The skin is a boundary that keeps everything on the inside of the body where it is supposed to be, and keeps everything on the outside from getting in. The skin communicates with the environment. When you feel cold it is because the nerve receptors in the skin let you feel it. You then know to get out of the cold or put on a jacket.
When you are exposed to the sun for long periods the skin reacts to ultraviolet light. The sun burns the skin because a condition known as erythema develops 6 to 8 hours after exposure to the sun’s UVB rays. The pain of the sunburn is caused by the body’s reaction to the skin damage caused by the ultraviolet rays. The redness associated with sunburn is the erythematic response; this inflammatory process damages the DNA of the skin’s cells caused by UVB radiation. The body responds to the damage by sending blood to the damaged area to start the repair work. The extra blood at the surface of the damaged area causes the heat you feel from the burn.
Everyone going out into the sun should use sunscreen to protect their skin from UVB rays. The sun burns the skin in as short a time as 15 to 20 minutes of exposure for some fair complected people. If you are safe from burning for 15 minutes of exposure without any protection, then a sunscreen with the SPF (sun protection factor) will protect you 10 times that long. You will be protected for 150 minutes of exposure to UVB rays. Always apply sunscreen 20 to 30 minutes before going into the sun or into the water. The sunscreen needs to have a chance to absorb into the skin. If you go out too soon after application of sunscreen, it could wash off with perspiration or from going swimming. The sun burns the skin if the sunscreen does not bind with the skin and washes off. You will have wasted your time of applying it if you do not wait long enough for the sunscreen to set. It is recommended to re-apply sunscreen periodically. The sun burns the skin if the layer of protection has started to wash off. To avoid being a casualty of when the sun burns, follow the directions on the bottle of sunscreen.
?Caustic Chemicals and Second Degree Burns
Posted on February 16, 2009
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Chemical induced second degree burns occur when the skin is exposed to a caustic substance. The chemical could be either acidic or alkaline in nature. Corrosive chemicals often cause second degree burns. Depending on the chemical that made contact with the skin, the symptoms may vary, but generally there might be itching or burning sensations. There may be darkening or bleaching of the skin. Chemical burns can go much deeper than second degree burns. Symptoms could also include dizziness, headache, nausea and vomiting. There could be hives and wheels coming up on the skin. Second degree burns are often accompanied by blisters. If blisters do occur, never try to break them for risk of infection.
People that work in chemical labs are always at risk of burn injuries; they are required to wear protective gear such as goggles, gloves and often a lab jacket is required to protect the lab worker from first and second degree burns. Burns caused by a caustic chemical often causes tissue necrosis (death); this is why flushing of the area is so important at the time of exposure. Adequate flushing with running water can make the difference between a first and second degree burns. Flushing can also stop the corrosion from causing third degree burns.
Not only the lab worker is susceptible to chemical burns; many of our household products are dangerous chemicals that can cause burns. Parents with small children need to make their cabinets inaccessible to their children. Babies and small children like to play in cabinets. Every year children have been injured by caustic chemicals kept under the sink in our cabinets that resulted in second degree burns or worse.
If chemical contact has occurred to the eyes or skin the first response is to flush the area with running water for at least 15 minutes to prevent serious burn injury. All burns of a chemical nature need to be taken seriously and followed up with emergency care. Chemical burns are usually very painful; but the burning may or may not be immediately noticeable. The second degree burn caused by chemical contact needs no source of heat as does a thermal injury. After rinsing the area should be covered with a cool wet cloth to help relieve the pain. Never use an ice pack on a burn, this could cause tissue injury.
You can also receive second degree burns on the inside by inhaling caustic substances. Never mix chemicals; many household products contain volatile chemicals when mixed. If you use chlorine bleach, you will see a warning not to mix with any other product. Products containing ammonia used in conjunction with chlorine bleach may give off caustic fumes, that when inhaled may cause second degree burns of the mucous membranes of your respiratory tract.
Always follow directions when using any kind of chemical. Whether you work with chemicals every day or not, use caution. If you do become exposed to a chemical follow the first aid procedures to eliminate the chemical contact with the skin through flushing. Wrap the area if possible with sterile bandages or clean cloths. Dial 911 for emergency help if indicated.
Foot Sprains
Posted on January 26, 2009
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Foot sprains are really no different than any other sprain. It is still an injury to the ligaments. The ligaments are pieces of tissue that connect bones within a joint. However, there is something interesting about the foot. It carries all the weight of the body and is used so much that you would think that sprains of the foot are quite common. However, foot sprains are quite unusual. The foot does have many different joints and ligaments, but none the less, ligament injuries are still quite rare. Injuries to the ankles are much more common. This is because in order for foot sprains to occur, the foot has to be moving or involved in an activity where it is being manipulated in some way. This could be a sport or simply a freak accident. There are typically two different areas of the foot where sprains occur.
The first area is called the midfoot. The midfoot is the center of the foot including the arch of the foot. These types of sprains are most common in specific sports. These sports include ballet, horseback riding, snowboarding, and windsurfing. However, the next most common reason for midfoot injuries is collisions or falls. The most severe of the midfoot sprains occurs during falls from high places or serious car accidents. However, this is typically when bones are broken as well and some surgical repair may be necessary. The second place for foot sprains to occur is the first metatarsophalangeal joint. This is the joint that can be located at the base of the big toe. This is typically caused by the backwards bending of the big toe. This injury is commonly referred to as turf toe. The most common reason for this type of foot sprains is simply just stubbing or tripping. The next most common reason for this injury is soccer. Soccer player’s shoes are flexible and light in order to play the sport better, but they do not offer much protection for the big toe against this injury. These injuries typically occur in people participating in sports and therefore it is important that they recover and still are able to use their feet for their livelihood. This is especially important for dancers, soccer players, and performers. It is recommended for these people that they keep the foot in a cast or brace and rest it until the injury as healed properly. No chances should be taken with an injury that affects the part of the body that provides someone with their talent and their financial stability.
?First Aid Kit Supplies – Always on the Job
Posted on January 12, 2009
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You know you need first aid kit supplies for your home, but just as important are having kits available on the job. The big difference between the two is often a matter of sheer numbers. At work there could be hundreds of people accessing the first aid kit on a regular basis. Determining which supplies the kit should contain can be a bit of a challenge, but there are basic items every kit should contain.
Industrial and other work place first aid kit supplies are usually kept in a large cabinet than can be hung on the wall. Often, it’s a big familiar red cross painted on the door that indicates it holds emergency supplies. It’s a common symbol that people everywhere recognize. But work place first aid kits have another common feature. They must meet or exceed OSHA standards in order to pass government inspection.
Work place first aid kit supplies must be stocked in a way that prepares the company for unforeseen minor injuries. Most industrial kits also address specific injuries that often occur on the job. These include cuts to the body, chemicals splashed in the eye, skin reactions to chemicals and pulled muscles. Home kits are not normally prepared to deal with problems such as chemical accidents.
Workplace first aid kit supplies can include the following.
• CPR shield
• Knuckle bandages
• Antiseptic gloves
• Sterile eye wash
• Burn gel
• Ice packs
• Sterile eye pads
These first aid kit supplies are in addition to the normal supplies found in kits. Standard first aid kit supplies include items like stop-bleeding powder, antibiotic creams and ointments, tweezers, band-aids, stretch bandage, gauze pads and gauze. It’s not hard to see that some on-the-job first aid kits can become quite large.
Most workplace first aid kits are designed to be refilled with supplies as the contents are used. You can even purchase refill kits. That feature saves money and makes it easier to keep tabs on the supplies needing refilling. A handy checklist on the door indicating what should be in the cabinet makes doing an inventory quick and easy. Smaller kits, in addition to the larger cabinet, can be kept at different areas in the office, warehouse or plant for quick access to band-aids and ointments.
For those workplace situations with high risk of serious injury, there are special first aid kit supplies that can be assembled. These major trauma kits are filled with all the standard supplies but also have important equipment for dealing with broken bones, heart attacks or blunt force trauma.
There are many ways to assemble first aid kit supplies for the workplace. You have to assess the need and types of minor emergencies that occur. Having a first aid kit readily available and well-stocked is important for job safety.
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With Broken Bones the Band Played On
Posted on December 22, 2008
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There have been stories on national news about how, with broken bones, the band played on. In one case, a rock group lead singer danced and pranced on stage for 3 hours with a broken leg. In another case, a guitar player rocked on his instrument despite a broken finger. Sometimes, a broken bone doesn’t make itself known for a while.
It’s hard to imagine how, with broken bones, the band continued to play as if everything was fine. That’s the beauty and the mystery of the human body. Sometimes, things that you would expect to be excruciatingly painful, like broken bones, barely hurt or are masked by adrenaline. In other cases, things that seem like they shouldn’t hurt, such as injuring the tiny tail bone, can be extremely painful.
Breaking a bone is no fun under any circumstance. With broken bones the band played on, but most of us would stop what we’re doing to deal with the problem. Initial and immediate first aid is important when dealing with broken bones. The rocker dancing around on stage with a broken leg was taking a terrible risk of causing more damage. Instead, he should have cancelled the concert, taken the weight off the leg and rushed to a doctor.
Most of us would not be as lucky as the band member. When you ignore a broken bone, one of two things will happen. The bone may knit back together just fine and you have no more problems. On the other hand, the bones may knit together the wrong way. Bones can certainly heal improperly. There are lots of pictures of broken bones on the internet that were not set correctly. In many cases, the way the bone healed looks really odd.
With broken bones, the band played on, but how did the bones heal? Was there any further damage discovered after the show? Was the break worse because it didn’t get immediate first aid? These are the kinds of questions you may have to ask yourself if you decide to ignore the symptoms of broken bones.
If you have any unexplained swelling or bruising, or find yourself avoiding putting pressure on any bones, then you should visit the doctor. Broken bones can come in many shapes and configurations. A fracture on one side of a bone may be barely noticeable except for the dull ache. Yet it needs to be properly treated in order to insure the fracture doesn’t continue to widen.
With broken bones the band played on. But what did they play? They probably played, “Oh, My Aching Bones!”
Back Sprains: Prevention is Key
Posted on December 15, 2008
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Back sprains and back strains are common injuries and most people will experience both at some point in their life time. However, back sprains and strains are definitely something that can be prevented with some care and attention during activity and daily practices. The most common way to obtain a back sprain is through overloading the back muscles. This typically happens by lifting something too heavy or lifting something improperly. However, back sprains can happen during athletic activities, slips and falls, or car accidents. Back sprains can be quite painful and once a strain has happened once, the chances of it happening again are increased. Therefore, prevention of back sprains should be practiced, especially for people who are prone to back troubles, like really tall people. So, here are some prevention tips for back sprains and strains.
There are five key tips that come from the spineuniverse. The first tip is to keep correct posture. The back should be straight and the shoulders rolled back. There should not be a curve in the spine forward at all. Proper posture ensures that the back experiences as little stress as possible. The second tip is to participate in regular exercise. If back problems are a concern a great way to develop strong muscles without a lot of pressure being put on the body is to swim. It is also important to develop strong core muscles because the core muscles keep the body as stable as possible. The third tip is to not smoke. The nicotine found in smoking actually stops the oxygen from getting to the spine. Oxygen should be considered the nourishment for the spine. The fourth tip is to eat a balanced and healthy diet and to maintain a health weight. Maintaining a healthy weight keeps the back from experiencing more stress and weight. The last tip is a combination of things but is referred to as common sense things. For instance, having an ergonomic work area, using proper lifting techniques, and always wear a seat belt. Back sprains can really disrupt someone’s life and mobility. These preventative tips are sure to help ensure that back sprains occur as little as possible. Back sprains of course are not one hundred percent preventable, but it does make a difference to practice these healthy steps. If a sprain does occur, there are many different treatment options but the most important thing to remember is rest. It is important to rest an injury so that it does not get worse. A visit to the doctor is suggested to make sure that it is not something more serious like a pinched nerve or a slipped disc.
Summer Itch and Those Dreaded Mosquito Bites?
Posted on December 1, 2008
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Summer is a wonderful time of year, nice weather, pool parties, picnics, days spent outdoors in nature. However, it is also the time for mosquito bites.
The best treatment for mosquito bites is prevention. When you are outside you need to wear an insect repellant containing deet to keep them away. Be careful though, since repellants contain chemical compounds that may irritate the mouth and eyes make sure you do not apply directly to your children’s hands and never apply more than 10% of the product on your children.
Some people swear by Skin So Soft bath Oil by Avon. Now this product is not designed for mosquito bite protection but seems to work for many people.
Spray permethrin insect repellants onto clothes but never directly on exposed skin. Insects can bite through thin clothing. Also wear long sleeved clothing and have as little skin showing as possible when you are outside in the summer.
Place mosquito netting around baby carriages car beds, and hammocks.
Install screen doors or screens on windows and other openings around your home.
If possible stay in at dawn, dusk, and early evening, this is the time that mosquitoes fly rampant.
Empty all standing water around your house including draining flower pots, dog dishes, barrels buckets, drains, old tires, and swimming pool covers weekly. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water.
First aid for mosquito bites
Mosquito bites are small read bumps “wheals” which are raised in the center. Mosquito Bites will itch for several days annoying everyone concerned.
To treat ordinary mosquito bites you simply cleanse the area with soap and water and apply the long standing tried and true Calamine Lotion. You can also apply an ice pack or cold compress to the sooth the area and reduce inflammation.
Try not to scratch as it only makes the site itchier and causes more swelling and damage to the skin.
Another method some people use to relieve themselves from the itch of mosquito bites is to rub antiperspirant on the area, if still itchy give a second treatment.
You may also use a topical lotion or cream hydrocortisone such as Cortate to stop the itch,
and also an antihistamine such as Benadryl.
However, if the mosquito bites become swollen with pain, and produce a rash you must see a doctor for more professional care.
If you develop flu like symptoms after being bite you must also see your doctor immediately. Depending upon where you live, you might have contracted the West Nile Virus.
The West Nile Virus is transferred to humans by infected mosquitoes. The West Nile Virus symptoms might be mild or could get more severe including: nausea, vomiting, a rash, headaches, fever, stiffness especially in the neck, confusion, paralysis, loss of eye sight, stupor, coma and perhaps even death. These symptoms usually are forthcoming about two weeks after the bites. The severe symptoms may go away or cause permanent damage. The elderly (50 years and over), babies, and people with weak immune systems are the most vulnerable.
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