Its tough being an athlete: Athletes Foot-The Itchy Truth!

Manuh: Hi guys!!! Were gonna discuss today a skin disease in summer is —ringworm, or athlete's foot, or Dhobie itch. 

Cherry: Its common  name might be Athletes foot but it can affect anyone.. 

Manuh: Ewwww,,whats that smell! Kuya Janitor!

Cherry: Ano?

Manuh: ewww is that a varsity shoe? It smells!

Cherry: I think I'm gonna faint!

Janitor: Sorry, I thought you need an example for athlete's foot..

Manuh: But not in my face...Lets quickly get to the discussion because this room smells!!!!Obnoxious!! 

Cherry: Agree, you start while I cover my nose!

Manuh: Athletes foot ,it is caused by the invasion into the skin of a small fungus which is related to yeast. It forms a network of branching roots, which grow insidiously in the upper layers of the skin.

Manuh: the Epididermis..

Cherry: It is particularly likely to grow well on moist skin surfaces, and for that reason the feet, and especially the areas between the toes, are affected. It also grows on the hands between the fingers, under the armpits, and on the thighs. 

Manuh: This is why people who engage in activities which promote sweating actually are prone to develop this!

Cherry:The most prominent symptom is itching. 

Manuh: Because the skins' get irritated!If the blisters are scratched open with the finger nails, infection is likely to set in and considerable inflammation may result. 

Cherry: It always appears in the feet area thus making it popular as "Athletes Foot"

Manuh: When not on the feet, it is almost always ascribed to something else than what it actually is—acid, or heat, or irritation from rubbing.

Cherry:The disease is seldom dangerous except as the scratching may cause infection.So beware guys from this disease!

Manuh: So we are going to give you some tips in preventing Athletes Foot!

Cherry: Always keep your shoes, yourself and other articles you use everyday CLEAN!

Manuh: Its very important so that fungi will not dwell in those areas and multiply and cause you something you will regret!

Cherry: Sun dry or airdry your shoes to keep it dry and free from moisture..

Manuh: Fungi loves moisture because it gives them nutrients and a place to live in..mostly the feet produces moisture and is in a tight place therefore a perfect home for fungi!

Cherry: Dont share shoes or other articles if you have Athletes foot or you may spread it to your comrades or spread some to yourself!

Manuh: if you have Athletes Foot its better to apply foot powder because it has ingredients that help reduce the population of Fungi!

Cherry: Observe proper handwashing  as posted in our previous publication..to prevent the spread of infection and or fungi!

Manuh: Wash your feet with absolutely lots and lots of soap!!!! and Be sure to scrub it thoroughly then rinse well!!!

Cherry: Dont ever scratch affected are, seek medical help if condition worsens..

Manuh: Keep your feet dry by keeping it away from moisture, letting it dry by exposing it to the air and by frequent "foot-washing"..hehehe

Cherry: Other than that seek medical help if fungi results to infection or condition worsens.

Manuh: Naka-unli? 

Cherry: oo..:)

Manuh: Guys, its better to use slippers rather than rubber shoes because its fresh and more air can circulate...

Manuh: Remember guys dont forget to beeeeeeee Clean!Fresh and Unbelievably Cool!

Manuh: If you Hate Itch, then Prevent the Hitch!

Cherry: Bye guys weve got to tell the janitor to provide foot powder for our varsity players!ahahahaah :)

Prick me Not! Prickly Heat- Hassle!

Manuh: Hey guys!It's Sunday! Ironically were gonna discuss about  today that involes the mother of all life- the Sun!
Cherry: Omigosh..Manuh whats that?!
Manuh: What? Where?
Cherry: There in your face?!
Manuh: Oh that's prickly heat! I got it from bathing yesterday near our beach!
Cherry: Really? Why didnt you call me?
Manuh: Uhmm you were with Rowena last time!
Cherry: oh yah, silly me, anyway lets go to the topic, what is this prickly heat anyway friend?
Manuh: Prickly Heat (bungang araw in tagalog), know medically as Miliaria, is a common problem during the heat of summer. Prickly Heat are tiny bumps on the skin that look like rashes. Prickly Heat is caused by clogged sweat glands that result to bumps filled with fluid. 
Cherry: because it is a kind of rash it gives off a "prickly" feeling or sensation which results to the name of "Prickly heat"..
Cherry:Who gets affected? or who can get it?
Manuh: Anyone as long as they can prevent it,but People who are overweight or sweat easily are more likely to get prickly heat. Babies and children are also more prone to prickly heat because their sweat glands are not fully developed.

Cherry: Interesting! 

Manuh: Right, here in the Philippines where the heat is extraordinary, sweat glands in our bodies react crazily, and when they get overworked, they get clogged and cause tiny bumps..
Cherry: Prickly heat occurs when the sweat gland ducts get plugged due to dead skin cells or bacteria such as Staphylococcus epidermidis, a common bacterium that occurs on the skin which is also associated with acne. The trapped sweat leads to irritation (prickling), itching and to a rash of very small blisters, usually in a localized area of the skin.

Manuh: Symptoms of Prickly heat include small red rashes, called papules, which may itch or more often cause an intense 'pins-and-needles' prickling sensation in the face, neck, under the breasts and under the scrotum. Other areas include skin folds, areas of the body that may rub against clothing, such as the back, chest, and stomach, etc.

Cherry: oh! So you mean when your sweat builds up after a very strenuous or very energetic activity, you can get Prickly heat?

Manuh: Yes partner, but the most important factor that makes Prickly heat possible is that 

people are unhygienic or that their clothes are very dirty or not well washed..

cherry: oooohh.. Better  change my detergent, hehe and you should really take a bath!

Manuh: of course, golf course darling! Sheesh you dont need to rub it in my face:)

Cherry: Anyway, so guys better get clean after playing basketball, volleyball, or biking..or even shopping in the streets of San Fernando, which is sooooo hot! Take a bath, get spalsheeeeddd! 

Manuh: Another tip use air conditioning to cool the environment, wearing light clothing and in general, avoiding hot and humid weather. Frequent cool showers or cool baths with mild soap can help to prevent heat rash.

Cherry: Don't scratch your prickly heat because it will only worsen the disease..

Manuh: Use an antibacterial soap when experiencing too much of prickly heat or an anti-itch solution like Calamines or Calamine.. when we have an itch at home, my mom would use Calaminex for my rashes:) 

Cherry:And guys go for a more comfortable clothing like cotton and not polyester because it irritates the skin..

Manuh: and never never never never delay BATHS!!!!!! Because bacteria can build up in your skin and do you want to suffer the whole day with itch ruining fun activities with your families and friends!? So keep cool but still fun!

Cherry: That wraps our session on Prickly heat! Remember being clean and fresh makes you an even better person in summer!

Manuh: Right partner, goodbye guys we got some work to do in the beach..were architects and we build SAND CASTLES!:) 

Reference:http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/prickly-heat/Pages/Introduction.aspx
http://www.blastingvolume.com/2010/04/prickly-heat.html

Stinging to the Bones-The Sting of JellyfisH

 Manuh: Hi friends! ah... Summer again and its times for another day in the sun and in the water..But beware because you might get stung by one of the most unique and amazing underwater critters-The jellyfish!
Cherry: Jellyfish are like thee most cutest!dont you think?
Manuh: All pink and round with tentacles--ugh! :)
Cherry: I agree.. I hate tentacles...
Manuh: But lets get to the topic... Why is a jellyfish a hassle this summer?
Cherry: They're not really a hassle this sumer because most of them are just swimming around and actually its actually us..the humans fault, to why we get stung..
Manuh: Its because we swim near them..
Cherry: Correct !especially in shallow waters with coral reefs and tons of fish that the jellyfish could feed on..
Manuh: Mostly we can't actually help ourselves swim near these areas becausde its summer and its really fun to just waddle in pure ocean water..ahhh...the refreshness!:)
Cherry: well ok then go then to the beach..
Manuh: Kidding! So what part of the jellyfish do you think gives us that sting?
Cherry: The tentacles, they contain venom which is also used to catch their food..
Manuh: The stings' venom is quite painful and it can also be lethal when not treated immediately..
Cherry: So were here to discuss on tips on handling a jellyfish sting..
Manuh: there are few species of jellyfish that are poisonous, and those species usually have longer tentacles which stride and sway around waters..like this picture..

Cherry: these Tentacles contain stingers which injects into anything that comes near to them..
Manuh: Although they are not fatal, they can cause excruciating pain especially among children because when they panic in the water, they are only aggravating the pain..
cherry: Some are allergic to stings from the jellyfish, and might suffer from anaphylactic shock which in return may lead to death..
Manuh:  So one, calm the person so that the pain will not worsen, then APPLY VINEGAR to the affected area for about 3 minutes or until the pain subsides because it helps lessen the pain, ..

Cherry: And as much as possible, bring the person to the nearest hospital or medical aide for any allergic reactions from the sting..
Manuh: And guys when you go out to the water for some fun, be sure to have someone to go with you to some parts of the water in case you get stung by a jellyfish..or better yet just do other summer stuff besides swimming like boat ridding, sailing, beach activities, etc.
Cherry:  Or ask any information about those bodies of water you are going to before swimming if there are any cases of jellyfish stings in order to keep you safe as well as the people dear to you...
Manuh: Contact your local resort manager or ask the resident lifeguard for any information regarding jellyfish in the swimming areas!
Cherry: That just about wraps up our session on THE STING FROM A JELLYFISH!
Manuh: remember be safe to have a safe summer and away from JELLYFISH STINGS! :) 
Manuh: Guys! again, we are Cherry and Manuh, signing off!
References: First Aid Handbook by Dr. Susan Lipscombe and Anita Kerwin-Nye

sun burn

SUN BURN

Summer season is the time when we feel the hotness of the environment that's the reason why most of the people are experiencing sunburn, even they don't go swimming into beaches or pools...

Let's talk about sun burn for us to have information and for us to prevent it...

WHAT IS SUN BURN?

Sunburn results from too much sun or sun-equivalent exposure.

WHO ARE AT RISK TO EXPERIENCE SUN BURN?

• Almost everyone has been sunburned or willbecome sunburned at some time.
• Anyone who visits a beach, goes fishing, works in the yard, or simply isout in the sun can get sunburn.
• Improper tanning bed use is also a source of sunburn. Although seldom fatal (sun poisoning), sunburn can be disabling and cause quite a bit of discomfort.

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF SUN BURN?

• Irritation
• skin redness
• painful sensation in the skin
• skin loss
• sometimes blistering may oocur

HOW TO PREVENT?

• wear wide-brimmed hats, long-sleeved shirts, and long pants.

• Put sun-blocking agents if there isavailable for use especially the exposed part of the body
• use umbrella when going out
• take a bath often for the body to feel cool, fresh and for not to be dehydated

Heat Stroke: “Too much heat can Kill you!”

Hello again! It’s us again, Manuh and Cherry, here to discuss in another edition of Summer Strikers-Heat Stroke: “Too much heat can Kill you!”

Manuh: With today’s condition of global warming and rising temperatures, we can’t help but get beaten on by the sun’s heat as it penetrates more through the ozone layer with very HOT HOT sun rays!! And since its summer were getting much more than we expect and heat stroke is a very Hot Hot topic!

Cherry: That’s right! With the sun giving more than just rays of sunshine and happiness, were experiencing extreme conditions where temperatures specifically heat rise and rise as summer peaks!

Manuh: That’s why were going to discuss about Heat stroke since its very well-known during summer, and we don’t want that to ruin a good fun summer :)

Cherry: So what is heat stroke? Heat stroke(or sun stroke) is when the body’s heat controlling parts or mechanisms(like the body’s own aircondition) fail to cool the body because of too much exposure to too much heat.

Manuh: Like being under the sun or in a non-ventilated room without aircondition J like this room Im staying!

Cherry: Hey! Were in a democratic country you know!

Manuh: hehe.. So when the body fails to cool, it gets overheated and the temperatures g dangerously high..

Cherry: Scary but true, Because no cooling takes place, the body stores in more and more heat making the brain cells burst because the body’s heat cooling parts  speed up..

Manuh: woah! Guys it could lead to permanent disability or even death.. L

Cherry: so what are the signs and symptoms friend?

Manuh: well miss cherry, there are numerous but im only gonna give five of the most important!

1.   Temperature of 105 degrees Fahrenheit!-this is the part when the body starts to boil..

2.   Rapid strong pulse!- the heart is trying to adjust to heat changes.

3.   Head ache-most common sign!  Brain cells and the hypothalamus are the most affected.!!

4.   Shortness of breath-after initially deep breathing then later shallow weak breathing!

5.   Lastly as the most severe part, when the victim is in seizures(body shakes furiously from too much work or stress) or sudden collapse..

Cherry:  Heat stroke is no joke guys,when your experiencing this symptoms or your friend its much better to seek immediate  first aide help, so now were gonna give you tips to avoid heat stroke..

When you go out,Its very important to protect yourself from the sun at all times especially when going out to a vacation or just simply playing basketball by:

Manuh: wearing sun block lotions, with high SPF, wearing loose clothing and beach wear so heat won’t be trapped in:) don’t ever wear coats! Or raincoats! Ahahaah :p

Cherry: Joking aside..be sure to bring WATER, or ELECTROLYTE filled drinks, in order to keep yourself hydrated and from overheating like a car engine under the scorching sun!

Manuh: as much as possible take some time or relax just being under the shade and avoid too much strenuous(body-stressing) activities like basketball, farming, trekking, volleyball, Frisbee throwing..

Cherry: Frisbee throwing? This is the phillipines! :P

Manuh: So what? We can afford Frisbees! Other than that this is a very democratic country! :D

Cherry: Alright, Alright! Also as much as possible trying taking more baths and stay indoors with fans blasting in your face..to keep your bodies cool and well regulated.. :)

Manuh: OA, you mean a jet turbine in your face! :)

Cherry: don’t listen to him..(laughs) :D

Manuh: stay also guys in places which are windy and try to stay cool!! Eat a block of ice(laughs) kidding! :D

Cherry: well then that ends another session of Summer Strikers! :)

Manuh: Hope to see you guys again and have a fun hassle free summer guys! Its off to the beach!!Yahoo! :)

Reference: An Introduction to First Aid for Colleges and Universities, Diseases and Disorders Handbook

proper handwashing

It is necessary for eveyone to know the importance and how to do the proper handwashing to prevent ourselves from acquiring diseaases like sore eyes which is very common this summer ....

Handwashing  

• Hand washing for hand hygiene is the act of cleaning the hands with or without the use of water or another liquid, or with the use of soap, for the purpose of removing soil, dirt, and/or microorganism
• it is also the way for us to prevent acquiring sore eyes when you sudden contact to a person with sore eyes and other diseases..

USE PROPER HANDWASHING TECHNIQUES --- PROTECT YOUR HEALTH

• Handwashing is the single most important procedure for preventing the spread of biological contamination. Despite this fact many laboratory personnel don't wash their hands properly. Here are some handwashing tips and procedures for your use.

1.  Consider the sink, including the faucet controls, contaminated.
2.  Avoid touching the sink.
3.  Turn water on using a paper towel and then wet your hands and wrists.
4. Work soap into a lather.
5. Vigorously rub together all surfaces of the lathered hands for 15 seconds. Friction helps
    remove dirt and microorganisms. Wash around and under rings, around cuticles, and  
    under fingernails
6. Rinse hands thoroughly under a stream of water. Running water carries away dirt and
    debris. Point fingers down so water and contamination won't drip toward elbows.
7. Dry hands completely with a clean dry paper towel.
8. Use a dry paper towel to turn faucet off.
9. To keep soap from becoming a breeding place for microorganisms, thoroughly clean
    soap dispensers before refilling with fresh soap.

10. When handwashing facilities are not available at a remote work site, use an appropriate

      antiseptic hand cleaner or antiseptic towelettes. As soon as possible, rewash hands

      with soap and running water.

Seeing Red:SORE EYES!!

What is sore eyes?Sore eyes is a common term for an inflammation of the thin covering of the eyeball and the inner eyelid brought about by a viral infection which may be highly contagious.
Manuh: Oh, yeah..sore eyes is a very scary disease especially that it can affect other people when not isolated properly or handled in a sanitary way, its very prominent in summer because of the heat and being exposed to different hazards of summer like smoke and dirty waters!
cherry: agree!!!!sore eyes is very common this summer... always be aware not to acquire this king of illness this summer for you to enjoy it.

How does sore eyes spread?
Sore eyes can spread by contact of contaminated hands with the eyes (hand-to-eye contact) or through touching of eyes with hands, which got into contact with contaminated surfaces or objects. It can also spread through droplets from a person with sore eyes, who also has a runny nose or cough.
Manuh: Its not true about other people speculations that when you look at a persons's  eye you would get sore eyes, but definitely having direct or indirect contact gets you sore eyes!
Cherry: yeah right... in summer, people engage in contact sports like volleyball, so be sure to check some of your players before touching sports equipment!
What are the signs and symptoms of sore eyes?
* Redness of the eye
Manuh: if the redness does not disappear, its definitely sore eyes
Cherry: with greeny discharge or crust that builds up..* Eye discomfort describing as burning or gritty but not sharp
* Vision is usually normal although smearing particular in waking, maybe common.
* Pain on the eye on exposure to light
* Water-like discharge commonly seen but later eyes maybe difficult to open in the morning, glued together
* Runny nose and sore throat maybe present
How long does sore eyes last?
Signs and symptoms of sore eyes will peak in three to four days, and patient will be relieved and recover in about 10 to 14 days.
Manuh: so as much as possible, you should visit your nearest physician..
Cherry: only when home remedies do not work..

How do you prevent sore eyes?
* Wash hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water.
* Do not touch your eyes and face without washing your hands.
* Do not share towels, eyeglasses/ shades and make up.
* Do not reuse handkerchiefs (using a tissue is best).
* Used make-up must be thrown away if the patient has been diagnosed with infectious conjunctivitis.
* Be careful that tips of eye drops or ointments do not touch the eyes or eyelashes.
* Don’t swim (some bacteria and viruses can be spread in the water).
* Avoid shaking hands.
* Disinfect surfaces, doorknobs, counters, elevator buttons, hand rails with dilute bleach solution.
Clothes, towels, pillow cases and anything else which may have come in contact with an infected person should be washed.
What should patients with sore eyes do?
* Frequently wash hands with soap and water.
* Use clean tissue to remove discharge from eyes and wash hands afterwards.
* Dispose used tissue in garbage bins. If the latter is not available, keep tissue in a small plastic bag then discard it as soon as you find a garbage bin.
* To prevent irritation of the eye and possible scarring, do not use contact lens while one has sore eyes.
* Do not wear eye make-up until the problem has been resolved.
* Warm compress may be helpful to relieve discomfort and remove "crust."
* Use antibiotic or antiviral medication only upon prescription by the doctor.
* If drops or an ointment is prescribed, the applicator tip and infected eye must never come in contact with each other.
* Especially for persons with sore eyes with runny nose or cough, stay in a separate room or away from other family members or co-workers.
Manuh: PROPER HYGIENE  is thee most important aspect in preventing sore eyes!
Cherry: so we can enjoy our summer free from itchyness and pain!
http://www.unilab.com.ph/consumer/health_news_ailment_details.asp?ttt=81