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HEADLICE

Staff WriterJanuary 17, 2011 August 6, 2020 H

HEADLICEWhat are they?Headlice are tiny grayish parasitic insects that live in the hair. They cling to the hair, close to the scalp and suck blood from the skin. Infestation by headlice occurs sporadically among young children. Symptoms: Persistent itching and scratching of the scalp, the eggs of the lice (nits) are visible as tiny white grains clinging to the hair. Scalp irritation, often concentrated behind the ears or the on the back of the neck, in severe cases the lymph glands in the neck mat swell.Transmission: Lice move directly from the head

PSORIASIS

katswinkJanuary 17, 2011 P

PSORIASISWhat is it?Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition characterized by an unsightly flaking of the skin.Symptoms: Red, raised patches which gradually enlarge and form silvery white scales. Occurs most frequently on the arms, legs, genitals, scalp and nails, The lesions may cause considerable discomfort, when the nails are affected they become thickened, pitted and separate from the nail bed, sometimes the skin eruption is accompanied by painful swollen joints.Causes: Psoriasis tends to run in families. An overproduction of skin cells causes a thickening of the skin and flaking. Trigger factors include

CYSTITIS

katswinkJanuary 17, 2011 C

CYSTITISWhat is it?Cystitis is an inflammation of the bladder.Symptoms: A burning sensation as urine passed, frequent urge to urinate, passing of small amounts of urine. Cloudy, Blood stained and/or strong smelling urine. Fever, abdominal or pelvic pain may be present.Causes: Inflammation of the bladder.Treatment in the home: Drink plenty of fluids-4 to 5 litres very 24hours. Mild pain killers such as aspirin and paracetamol may ease discomfort. Empty the bladder completely each time when passing urine. Empty the bladder after intercourse. After the bowel action, wipe the anus from front to back. Do

HEARTBURN

Staff WriterJanuary 17, 2011 August 6, 2020 H

HEARTBURNWhat is it?Heartburn refers to a burning sensation beneath the breastboneSymptoms: A burning sensation beneath the breastbone. Sometimes pain in the upper abdomen. Sometimes an acid taste in the mouth. Sometimes pain when swallowing.Causes: Overindulgence in food and drinks, eating too quickly, Eating very rich, fatty or spicy foods, Pregnancy, Stress, Overweight, Other diseases for example hiatus hernia, gallstones, peptic ulcer.Treatment in the home: Take an antacid or a teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda dissolved in water, don’t eat foods that bring on symptoms. Avoid coffee, rich, spicy and fatty foods. Limit

RHINITIS

katswinkJanuary 17, 2011 R

RHINITISWhat is it?Rhinitis may be either seasonal or perennial. Seasonal rhinitis is commonly known as heyfever and is an allergy to pollen. Perennial rhinitis occurs all year round and is an adverse reaction to airborne allergens. Both have the same symptoms.Symptoms: Sneezing, itchy, watery eyes, runny nose, intermittent blocked noseCauses: Hayfever is usually due to sensitivity to grass, weed or tree pollen. Perennial rhinitis is caused by an allergic reaction to house dust mites, animal fur, feathers etc. An allergy to cow’s milk may also cause rhinitis.Possible complications: Allergic rhinitis has

BEDWETTING

katswinkJanuary 17, 2011 B

BEDWETTING What is it?Incontinence at night after the age of five or six years. Causes: Delayed maturity of control over bladder, bedwetting runs in families and is slightly more common in boys. Anxiety, e.g. the arrival of a new baby, separation from the parents, family tensions and urinary infection. Possible complications: None Treatment in the home: Do not give the child anything to drink after the evening meal, wake the child in the late evening so that he may use the toilet. Do not scold or punish the child for wet nights: praise him

DERMATITIS

Staff WriterJanuary 17, 2011 August 6, 2020 D

DERMATITIS What is it?Dermatitis is an inflammatory skin rash that is usually itchy. Symptoms Atopic dermatitis: Starts in early childhood, Dry, red and Scaly Skin. Small itchy rash, mainly on the face and flexures of the elbows and knees. As the child scratches, wet and weepy areas form. These later crust over.Contact (allergic) dermatitis: An itchy red flaky rash which is usually limited to the area of contact. May take weeks or months to develop. In the case of severe allergy the dermatitis develops within 48 hours. The skin becomes red and itchy,

INDIGESTION

Staff WriterJanuary 17, 2011 August 6, 2020 I

INDIGESTIONWhat is it?Indigestion refers to discomfort in the upper abdomen or lower chestSymptoms: Some of the following symptoms may be present: General sense of discomfort in the upper abdomen or lower chest, Heartburn, Nausea, Acid or bilious taste in the mouth, Belching.Causes: Overindulgence in food and drink, eating too quickly, Eating very rich, fatty or spicy foods, pregnancy, stress, other diseases, for example hitus herna, gallstones, peptic ulcer.Treatment in the home: Take an antacid or a teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda dissolved in water, don’t eat foods that bring on

RINGWORM

katswinkJanuary 17, 2011 R

RINGWORMWhat is it?Ringworm is a contagious fungal infection of the skin.Symptoms: A red itchy rash that spreads out in a shape of a ring. Mild scaling of the skin is common. Usually appears in warm, moist areas such as groins, armpits and under the breasts. Ringworm caught from domestic animals or cattle may affect any part of the body. When ringworm affects the scalp, the skin flakes and itches and bald patches develop. On the nails ringworm may cause white spots, or the nails may be yellow and crumbly.Causes: Fungal infectionPossible

BITES AND STINGS

Staff WriterJanuary 17, 2011 August 6, 2020 B

BITES AND STINGS What is it?Bites and stings can range from mild and almost unnoticed to the extremely serious. There are two types of bites- those from non-poisonous creatures such as dogs and cats and those from venomous creatures such as snakes and spiders. Stings are caused by insects and some fish. Danger Signs: if the victim of a bite or sting shows signs of acute distress such as facial swelling, difficulty in breathing or extreme pain, call a doctor immediately or take the victim to hospital. Bee stings: Remove bee stings with