What are Lice?

Health Basics

What are Lice?

Head lice are tiny, wingless insects that live on the human scalp. They are about as big as sesame seeds. Head lice sustain themselves by sucking blood—just as mosquitoes do. However, unlike mosquitoes, lice cannot fly or jump from one person to another; they can only crawl. Children often get head lice from head-to-head contact with other children, but may also get them by sharing personal items such as hats, combs, or headbands

What are lice, eggs (nits)?

Lice eggs are laid by the female louse. They are about the size of a poppy seed and are difficult to see because their color blends in easily with hair. Lice eggs are laid near the root of the hair and are attached to the hair shaft with a glue-like substance that can’t be washed or blown away.

Nits are the empty eggshells left behind when lice hatch from eggs. Dandruff, sand and flakes of hairspray are commonly mistaken for lice eggs or nits. Eggs and nits are not easily removed and must be carefully combed out with a fine-tooth comb.

Eggs and nits vary in color, from yellowish-brown to white. Since the hair grows, nits are usually found further away from the root of the hair. Many schools have a “No Nit Policy,” which means children who have had head lice are not readmitted to school until all the nits are gone. If you have seen live lice on your child’s head, it is very important to comb out eggs and nits as part of the lice treatment process. Lice treatment products should not be used if lice or nits have not been seen

How long do head lice live?

Head lice live for approximately 40–50 days and go through 3 stages in their life cycle:

Egg Stage: The female louse lays the egg with a special glue that cements it to the hair shaft near the root. The lice egg develops and hatches approximately 10 days later.

Nymph Stage: Once the louse hatches, it is called a nymph and is barely visible to the naked eye. The nymph cannot reproduce because it is not fully developed. After about 12 days, it becomes an adult.

Adult Stage: The female adult louse can lay up to 10 eggs per a day—starting another generation of lice. The adult stage lasts about 30 days. Lice do not live longer than 2 days if they are separated from the head.

How to Get RID® of Lice

getting-rid-of-lice-video-img

Learning that someone in your family has lice is never welcome news. But there’s no need to feel overwhelmed by the prospect of getting rid of lice or preventing them from coming back. With the right information about what kills them, and the right tools, you will be better prepared to get RID® of them.

Anaphylaxis

Health Basics

Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that needs to be treated right away. If you have an anaphylactic reaction, you need an epinephrine (adrenaline) shot as soon as possible, and someone should call 911 for emergency medical help. Left untreated, it can be deadly.

Epinephrine can reverse the symptoms within minutes. If this doesn’t happen, you may need a second shot within half an hour. These shots, which you need a prescription to get, come pre-filled and in ready-to-use pens.

You shouldn’t take an antihistamine for an anaphylactic reaction.

Anaphylaxis is rare, and most people recover from it. But it’s important to tell your doctor about any drug allergies you have before any kind of medical treatment, including dental care. It’s also a good idea to wear a medical alert bracelet or pendant or carry a card with information about your allergy.

If you’ve had an anaphylactic reaction before, you have a higher risk of having another one. You also have a higher risk if you have a family history of anaphylaxis or have asthma.

 

 

Symptoms

The first signs of an anaphylactic reaction may look like typical allergy symptoms: a runny nose or a skin rash. But within about 30 minutes, more serious signs appear.

There is usually more than one of these:

Some people also remember feeling a “sense of doom” right before the attack.

As many as 1 out of every 5 people may have a second anaphylactic reaction within 12 hours of the first. This is called a biphasic anaphylaxis.

Treatment

Epinephrine is the most effective treatment for anaphylaxis, and the shot should be given right away (usually in the thigh). If you’ve had an anaphylaxis reaction before, you should carry at least two doses of epinephrine with you at all times.

Epinephrine expires after about a year, so make sure your prescription is up to date. If you have an anaphylactic reaction and the pen has expired, take the shot anyway.

When medical personnel arrive, they may give you more epinephrine. If you’re not able to breathe, they may put a tube down your mouth or nose to help. If this doesn’t work, they might do a kind of surgery called a tracheostomy that puts the tube directly into your windpipe.

Either in the ambulance or at the hospital, you may need fluids and medications to help you breathe. If the symptoms don’t go away, doctors may also give you antihistamines and steroids.

You probably will need to stay in the emergency room for several hours to make sure you don’t have a second reaction.

After the initial emergency is over, see an allergy specialist, especially if you don’t know what caused the reaction.

Causes

Anaphylaxis happens when you have an antibody, something that usually fights infection, that overreacts to something harmless like food. It might not happen the first time you come in contact with the trigger, but it can develop over time.

In children, the most common cause is food. For adults, the main cause is medication.

Typical food triggers for children are:

  • Peanuts
  • Shellfish
  • Fish
  • Milk
  • Eggs
  • Soy
  • Wheat

Common food triggers for adults are:

  • Shellfish
  • Tree nuts (walnuts, hazel nuts, cashews, pistachios, pine nuts, and almonds)
  • Peanuts

Some people are so sensitive that even the smell of the food can trigger a reaction. Some are also allergic to certain preservatives in food.

Common medication triggers are:

  • Penicillin (more often following a shot rather than a pill)
  • Muscle relaxants like the ones used for anesthesia
  • Aspirin, ibuprofen, and other NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)
  • Anti-seizure medications

Anaphylaxis also can be triggered by a few other things. But these aren’t as common:

  • Pollen, such as ragweed, grass, and tree pollen
  • Stings or bites from bees, wasps, yellow jackets, hornets, and fire ants
  • Latex, found in hospital gloves, balloons, and rubber bands

https://www.webmd.com/allergies/anaphylaxis#1

 

 

Subchorionic hemorrhage

Health Basics

In pregnancy, some types of bleeding are a big issue, while others are not. Subchorionic bleeding is just one type of bleeding. Some cases can become serious, while others don’t adversely affect the pregnancy. But it’s important to call your doctor right away when you experience any form of vaginal bleeding.

Subchorionic bleeding occurs when the placenta detaches from the original site of implantation. This is called a subchorionic hemorrhage or hematoma. It affects the chorionic membranes. These membranes lift apart and form another sac between the placenta and the uterus. The movement and resulting clots are what cause this type of bleeding.

These hematomas can range in size, with the smallest being most common. Larger versions can cause heavier bleeding.

Bleeding that goes beyond a few spots and requires a panty liner is often a sign of something else. Subchorionic bleeding is one such possibility. Bleeding tends to be the only sign or symptom of subchorionic hematoma. You may not even realize you have one until your doctor performs an ultrasound.

If a diagnosis of vaginal bleeding is deemed subchorionic, then your doctor will likely start treatments to prevent miscarriage. Options may include progesterone or dydrogesterone. If the hematomas are large, you may also be ordered to:

  • stay in bed (bed rest)
  • avoid standing for long periods of time
  • avoid sex
  • avoid exercise
  • https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/subchorionic-bleeding#1

Eye infection

Your eyes can get infections from bacteria, fungi, or viruses. Eye infections can occur in different parts of the eye and can affect just one eye or both. Two common eye infections are

  • Conjunctivitis – also known as pink eye. Conjunctivitis is often due to an infection. Children frequently get it, and it is very contagious.
  • Stye – a bump on the eyelid that happens when bacteria from your skin get into the hair follicle of an eyelash.

Symptoms of eye infections may include redness, itching, swelling, discharge, pain, or problems with vision. Treatment depends on the cause of the infection and may include compresses, eye drops, creams, or antibiotics.

https://medlineplus.gov/eyeinfections.html#cat_78

Anxiety

Fear and anxiety are part of life. You may feel anxious before you take a test or walk down a dark street. This kind of anxiety is useful – it can make you more alert or careful. It usually ends soon after you are out of the situation that caused it. But for millions of people in the United States, the anxiety does not go away, and gets worse over time. They may have chest pains or nightmares. They may even be afraid to leave home. These people have anxiety disorders. Types include

Treatment can involve medicines, therapy or both.

Anxiety is a normal response to stress. But when it becomes hard to control and affects your day-to-day life, it can be disabling. Anxiety disorders affect nearly one in five adults in the United States. Women are more than twice as likely as men to get an anxiety disorder in their lifetime. Anxiety disorders are often treated with counseling, medicine, or a combination of both. Some women also find that yoga or meditation helps with anxiety disorders.

 

 

source: https://medlineplus.gov/anxiety.html

Nausea and Vomiting

Health Basics

Nausea is an uneasiness of the stomach that often comes before vomiting. Vomiting is the forcible voluntary or involuntary emptying (“throwing up”) of stomach contents through the mouth.

What Causes Nausea or Vomiting?

Nausea and vomiting are not diseases, but they are symptoms of many conditions such as:

The causes of vomiting differ according to age. For children, it is common for vomiting to occur from a viral infection, food poisoning, milk allergy, motion sickness, overeating or feeding, coughing, or blocked intestines and illnesses in which the child has a high fever.

The timing of the nausea or vomiting can indicate the cause. When appearing shortly after a meal, nausea or vomiting may be caused by food poisoning, gastritis (inflammation of the stomach lining), an ulcer, or bulimia. Nausea or vomiting one to eight hours after a meal may also indicate food poisoning. However, certain food- borne bacteria, such as salmonella, can take longer to produce symptoms.

You should seek immediate medical care if any of the following situations occur with vomiting:

  • There is blood in the vomit (bright red or “coffee grounds” in appearance)
  • Severe headache or stiff neck
  • Lethargy, confusion, or a decreased alertness
  • Severe abdominal pain
  • Diarrhea
  • Rapid breathing or pulse

Source: https://www.webmd.com

Allergic Reaction

Health Basics

What Is an Allergic Reaction?

Some people sneeze like crazy. Others get itchy hives or watery eyes. But whatever the reaction, it boils down to one thing: allergies.

If you have allergies, you have lots of company. As many as 30% of U.S. adults and 40% of children are in the same boat as you.

While your problem may seem to start in the nose or the eyes, allergies actually come from an immune system run wild.

Learning why these reactions happen can help you keep things under control and feeling better.

Why Allergic Reactions Happen

Your immune system has an important job: to defend your body from invaders such as bacteria and viruses that mean you harm.

But when it makes war on substances it shouldn’t, that’s an allergy.

Peanuts, eggs, or pollen, for example, can trigger reactions. They are called allergens.

You can come into contact with allergens in many ways: through the skin, eyes, nose, mouth, or stomach. This can cause your sinuses to clog up, inflame your skin, make it harder to breathe, or cause stomach problems.

Types of Allergies

Here are some common types of allergies:

Hay fever: Also known as allergic rhinitis, it can cause:

Food allergies : You may feel tingling in your mouth. Your tongue, lips, throat, or face might swell up. Or you could get hives. In the worst cases, you might have anaphylaxis and will need medical help right away.

Eczema: Also known as atopic dermatitis, it is a skin condition. You might have it if you have itching, redness, and peeling or flaking.

Medications: If you’re allergic to a certain drug, you may get a rash, facial swelling, or hives. You could find yourself wheezing. In severe cases, you may develop anaphylaxis.

Stings: If you’re allergic to bees or other insects you may get:

  • A large area of swelling, known as edema, at the site of the sting
  • Itching or hives all over your body
  • Shortness of breath, wheezing, chest tightness, or a cough 

How Can I Get Relief?

You can find treatment options for mild to moderate allergic reactions. Antihistamines and decongestants can help treat certain symptoms, as can nasal sprays.

If you have an allergic-type asthma, your doctor might also prescribe an inhaler to ease attacks. Or she may inject a special antibody to manage symptoms.

If you don’t get enough relief by avoiding your allergens and using medications, your doctor may want to give you allergy shots. This type of treatment is called immunotherapy, and it can be effective for hay fever and allergic asthma.

 

Source: https://www.webmd.com

Allergies

An allergy is a reaction by your immune system to something that does not bother most other people. People who have allergies often are sensitive to more than one thing. Substances that often cause reactions are

Normally, your immune system fights germs. It is your body’s defense system. In most allergic reactions, however, it is responding to a false alarm. Genes and the environment probably both play a role.

Allergies can cause a variety of symptoms such as a runny nose, sneezing, itching, rashes, swelling, or asthma. Allergies can range from minor to severe. Anaphylaxis is a severe reaction that can be life-threatening. Doctors use skin and blood tests to diagnose allergies. Treatments include medicines, allergy shots, and avoiding the substances that cause the reactions.

 

source: https://medlineplus.gov/allergy.html

Ear Infection

Health Basics

Ear infections are one of the most common reasons parents take their children to the doctor. The most common type of ear infection is called otitis media. It is caused by swelling and infection of the middle ear. The middle ear is located just behind the eardrum.

An acute ear infection starts over a short period and is painful. Ear infections that last a long time or come and go are called chronic ear infections.

Anything that causes the eustachian tubes to become swollen or blocked makes more fluid build up in the middle ear behind the eardrum. Some causes are:

  • Allergies
  • Colds and sinus infections
  • Excess mucus and saliva produced during teething
  • Infected or overgrown adenoids (lymph tissue in the upper part of the throat)
  • Tobacco smoke

Ear infections are also more likely in children who spend a lot of time drinking from a sippy cup or bottle while lying on their back. Getting water in the ears will not cause an acute ear infection, unless the eardrum has a hole in it.

Acute ear infections most often occur in the winter. You cannot catch an ear infection from someone else. But a cold that spreads among children may cause some of them to get ear infections.

Risk factors for acute ear infections include:

  • Attending day care (especially centers with more than 6 children)
  • Changes in altitude or climate
  • Cold climate
  • Exposure to smoke
  • Family history of ear infections
  • Not being breastfed
  • Pacifier use
  • Recent ear infection
  • Recent illness of any type (because illness lowers the body’s resistance to infection)

Symptoms

In infants, often the main sign of an ear infection is acting irritable or crying that cannot be soothed. Many infants and children with an acute ear infection have a fever or trouble sleeping. Tugging on the ear is not always a sign that the child has an ear infection.

Symptoms of an acute ear infection in older children or adults include:

  • Ear pain or earache
  • Fullness in the ear
  • Feeling of general illness
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Hearing loss in the affected ear

The ear infection may start shortly after a cold. Sudden drainage of yellow or green fluid from the ear may mean the eardrum has ruptured.

All acute ear infections involve fluid behind the eardrum. At home, you can use an electronic ear monitor to check for this fluid. You can buy this device at a drugstore. You still need to see a health care provider to confirm an ear infection.

Exams and Tests

The provider will look inside the ears using an instrument called an otoscope. This may show:

  • Areas of dullness or redness
  • Air bubbles or fluid behind the eardrum
  • Bloody fluid or pus inside the middle ear
  • A hole (perforation) in the eardrum

The provider might recommend a hearing test if the person has a history of ear infections.

Treatment

Some ear infections clear on their own without antibiotics. Often, treating the pain and allowing the body time to heal itself is all that is needed:

  • Apply a warm cloth or warm water bottle to the affected ear.
  • Use over-the-counter pain relief drops for ears. Or, ask the provider about prescription eardrops to relieve pain.
  • Take over-the-counter medicines such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen for pain or fever. DO NOT give aspirin to children.

All children younger than 6 months with a fever or symptoms of an ear infection should see a provider. Children who are older than 6 months may be watched at home if they DO NOT have:

  • A fever higher than 102°F (38.9°C)
  • More severe pain or other symptoms
  • Other medical problems

If there is no improvement or if symptoms get worse, schedule an appointment with the provider to determine whether antibiotics are needed.

ANTIBIOTICS

A virus or bacteria can cause ear infections. Antibiotics will not help an infection that is caused by a virus. Most providers don’t prescribe antibiotics for every ear infection. However, all children younger than 6 months with an ear infection are treated with antibiotics.

Your provider is more likely to prescribe antibiotics if your child:

  • Is under age 2
  • Has a fever
  • Appears sick
  • Does not improve in 24 to 48 hours

If antibiotics are prescribed, it is important to take them every day and to take all of the medicine. DO NOT stop the medicine when symptoms go away. If the antibiotics do not seem to be working within 48 to 72 hours, contact your provider. You may need to switch to a different antibiotic.

Side effects of antibiotics may include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Although rare, serious allergic reactions may also occur.

Some children have repeat ear infections that seem to go away between episodes. They may receive a smaller, daily dose of antibiotics to prevent new infections.

https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000638.htm

Eczema

Health Basics

Eczema is a term for several different types of skin swelling. Eczema is also called dermatitis. Most types cause dry, itchy skin and rashes on the face, inside the elbows and behind the knees, and on the hands and feet. Scratching the skin can cause it to turn red, and to swell and itch even more.

Eczema is not contagious. The cause is not known. It is likely caused by both genetic and environmental factors. Eczema may get better or worse over time, but it is often a long-lasting disease. People who have it may also develop hay fever and asthma.

The most common type of eczema is atopic dermatitis. It is most common in babies and children but adults can have it too. As children who have atopic dermatitis grow older, this problem may get better or go away. But sometimes the skin may stay dry and get irritated easily.

Treatments may include medicines, skin creams, light therapy, and good skin care. You can prevent some types of eczema by avoiding

  • Things that irritate your skin, such as certain soaps, fabrics, and lotions
  • Stress
  • Things you are allergic to, such as food, pollen, and animals

source-www.medlineplus.gov

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