April 8, 2018

Chicken pox

Chicken pox was once considered to be a classic childhood illness is a viral infection, that Extremely itchy blisters will form all over the skin.  The causative agent for Chicken pox is varicella-zoster virus, member of the herpes virus family.  This virus is also responsible for causing shingles in adults. Chicken pox is highly contagious & hard to avoid since it is an airborne disease. It is usually a mild disease, but it is always best to safe guard yourself when you are younger and get the vaccination. This is highly contagious & nowadays, a chicken pox vaccination is available, making it much less likely to get. More than 90% of unvaccinated people will become infected during their lifetime, but infection occurs at different ages in different parts of the world.

 Symptoms

fever, loss of appetite,  sore throat, headache, fatigued,  and a feeling of not well.

DURATION :

5 to 10 days – 3 STAGES

1st stage – papules (red or pink raised lesions) – 2nd stage-Vesicles (liquid filled blisters) – 3rd stage – scabs.

sometimes the 3 stages appeared simultaneously.

It is contagious for up to 2 days before the rash appears and spreads by touch, sharing food & drinks, sneezing & coughing.

 

Chicken pox is usually mild disease, but needs medical intervention if you suspect it. Medications are needed to make the chicken pox not appear as severe. following signs are needed medical consultation:

  • rash accompanied by rapid heartbeat, dizziness, shortness of breath, tremors, stiff neck, vomiting, a fever that is higher than 103 degrees, cough that is appearing to get worse, and loss of muscle coordination.
  • The rash spreads to either eye.
  • The rash is warm or tender.

Other Risks Associated to Chicken Pox

Pregnant women or those that have weakened immune systems, chicken pox disease can be severely complicated by pneumonitis or disseminated disease.  This is not mandatory, once you have the disease, you will have it again.  However, if the virus does appear again in the body, a painful outburst of shingles can take place.

Those who have a higher risk of chickenpox include those that have never had it before, those that have not been vaccinated for it, those that live with children, and those that work with children, such as daycare workers or teachers.

Treatment

Treatment is effective when started within 24 hour of onset of disease. Antiviral drugs used is Acyclovir. precautionary measures to be taken during the progression of disease. Avoid scratching the area.Incase itching, cut fingernails short or wear gloves. Wear loose cotton clothes.Take luke warm bath if possible add oatmeal or baking soda.Pat the skin well while drying the skin, don’t rub.Apply a moisturiser with calamine to soothens the skin. Avoid sun exposure. Don’t itch, if necessary take antihistaminic tablet.

Intravenous acyclovir is used in complicated cases.

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Ichthyosis (ick-thee-OH-sis) is a skin disease that causes extremely dry, thick, and scaly skin resembles fish scales.

These are a heterogeneous group of disorders with both inherited and acquired forms. these are the types
Ichthyosis Vulgaris- Most common type of icthyosis Lamellar Ichthyosis- Lamellar ichthyosis is characterized by dark, plate (armor)-like scale. Epidermolytic Hyperkeratosis- characterized by generalized redness and fine white scale Congenital Ichthyosiform Erythroderma- newborn infant with ichthyosis who presented at birth with collodion baby appearance. X-linked Ichthyosis- due to a defect in the enzyme steroid sulfatase, affects males with generalized scaling that usually begins soon after birth.

Ichthyosis Treatment

Several hours each day may need to be devoted the skin if ichthyosis is present in an individual. Daily, a person will need to take a shower or a bath. The skin should be exfoliated on a daily basis, and moisturised well. Moisturising ointments or creams may need to be prescribed by a dermatologist for the individual. Oral retinoids can be prescribed to reduce scaling. If a secondary infection occurs on the skin, oral antibiotics will need to be prescribed. Tips that will help keep the skin looking and feeling its best include applying a good quality lotion within 3 minutes of bathing. Apply to wet skin to keep moisture trapped into the skin. Products that contain lactic acid, alpha hydroxy acids and urea will help to keep skin not only moisturised but also exfoliated. Rubbing a wet pumice stone over crusty scales on the skin can help to remove them. Should there be scales on the scalp, brushing wet hair gently will aid in removing the scales.  

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