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- Scabies.
- Scalds.
- Schizophrenia.
Scabies
Scabies is a contagious skin disease caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei. The skin becomes extremely itchy and
red lesions appear in the skin when the female mite burrows into the skin and deposits her eggs and faeces.
Although considered only a problem with the impoverished or dirty surroundings, scabies actually occurs at all
socioeconomic levels. Nursing homes and child-care centers are ideal breeding grounds for the parasite, which needs
a human host to survive.
Symptoms:
- itching, especially at night.
- rashes and abrasions on the skin, a result of scratching and digging.
- thin, pencil-mark lines on the skin.
Treatment:
Scabicides (chemicals to treat scabies) include:
- Benzyl benzoate lotion.
- Gamma benzene hexachloride cream.
- Permethrin cream.
- Malathion lotion.
The scabicide has to be applied to the whole body from the chin to soles. In children under 2 years, the elderly in rest
homes, and some others with reduced resistance, the scalp and face also needs to be treated.
A single overnight application (8 hours) washed off the following morning is usually successful, although a second application
four to seven days later is often recommended. It should not be repeated for several weeks after that without medical advice.
Although the scabies mite cannot live off the human skin for longer than 24 hours, each treatment with scabicide should be
accompanied by washing, in hot water, of bedsheets, pillow cases and any clothes worn over the previous week.
Most people improve within a few days of treatment but it may take 4-6 weeks for the itch and rash of scabies to go
away completely. Also, have all close family contacts treated whether or not they have the itchiness.
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Scalds
A burn is caused most commonly by fire or heat. It can also be caused by friction, chemicals, electricity or
radiation. A scald is a burn by "wet heat" such as hot liquids or steam.
Types of burns and scalds:
Superficial: The skin is red, hot and painful but without blisters. Damage is superficial and temporary.
Partial-thickness: The outer layer of skin is damaged. The skin has blisters besides being red, hot and painful.
Full-thickness: All layers of the skin are damaged, sometimes the underlying tissues as well. The skin may be pale
and leathery, or charred. It is relatively painless because the nerves are damaged.
What you can Do?
Superficial burns and scalds, and partial-thickness ones affecting an area smaller than that of the victim's palm can
be managed by yourself at home.
- Remove all tight clothing and accessories like rings from the injured part before swelling occurs.
- Place the injured part under cold running water for at least 10 minutes to ease the pain. Then pat dry with a clean cloth.
- Medicines and dressing are not needed. But you can apply a soothing cream or lotion indicated for scalds and burns if you like.
- Never break a blister. If a blister breaks on its own, leave the flaps of skin alone. Apply an antiseptic lotion.
When to see a Doctor?
- If you need help with the dressing.
- If the burn or scald gets infected. Signs of infection include fever, pus formation and increasing pain,
redness and swelling.
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Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a group of psychotic disorders characterised by disturbances in thought, perception, affect,
behaviour and communication lasting longer than six months.
Schizophrenia is a disease of the brain. Changes in neurophysiological functions that characterise schizophrenia have been identified,
but its exact causes are unknown. Genetic factors appear to play a role, as close relatives of a person with schizophrenia are more likely
to develop the disorder. Problems with intrauterine development and birth may increase the risk of developing schizophrenia later in life.
Psychological and social factors may also play some role in its development. The level of social and family support appears to influence
the course of illness and may help prevent relapse.
There are 5 recognised types of schizophrenia: catatonic, paranoid, disorganised, undifferentiated and residual. Features of schizophrenia
include its typical onset before the age of forty-five; continuous presence of symptoms for six months or more; and deterioration from a
prior level of social and occupational functioning.
Symptoms:
There are different types of schizophrenia and each type has different symptoms. Here is the list:
Catatonic type:
- motor disturbances.
- stupor.
- negativism.
- rigidity.
- excitement.
- may be unable to take care of personal needs.
- decreased sensitivity to painful stimulus.
Paranoid type:
- delusional thoughts of a persecution or grandiose nature.
- anxiety.
- anger.
- violence.
- argumentative.
Disorganised type:
- incoherence (not understandable).
- regressive behaviour.
- flat affect.
- delusions.
- hallucinations.
- inappropriate laughter.
- mannerisms.
- social withdrawal.
Undifferentiated type:
- the prominent symptoms of the illness have abated but some features, such as hallucinations and flat affect, may remain.
Treatment:
The goals of conventional treatment include helping patients toward normal interactions with others, enabling patients to live in the
community, and controlling the illness through the smallest effective dosage of medication. A combination of medication and psychotherapy
is usually required.
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