Archive for June, 2008

Bug Off! How to get Relief from Bug Bites

Sunday, June 29th, 2008

Bugs come in all shapes and sizes. The effects of bug bites and stings depend largely on the bug that has bitten or stung you and the intensity of the allergic reaction you have from those bug bites. People have allergic reactions to bug bites and stings because of the venom these insect inject into the skin of their victims. This venom or saliva aids in their digestive processes. In the case of certain spiders, the venom paralyzes their prey so feeding can occur.
Most bug bites are annoying but harmless causing a lot of itching, a bit of swelling, and some redness around the affected area. Many bug bites can be quite painful as well. Spiders and scorpions are bugs to watch out for because of the pain factor.
Most severe reactions to bug bites cause a condition called anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis symptoms are more dangerous than the common allergy reaction to bug bites. Some of the anaphylaxis symptoms include: trouble breathing, wheezing, dry mouth, sore throat, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, chills, coma and death.
Treatment for bug bites
The most logical first step is get away from the assaulting colony of bees or which ever insect is the culprit.
If you have been stung by a bee you must remove the stinger immediately, the more time spend in the skin the more possibility of venom entering the wound site. Remove the stinger with tweezers.
A word of caution, if you have not successfully removed the stinger you will need to get medical attention. Thoroughly wash the affected area with soap and water.
Apply an ice pack to sting bites to help prevent inflammation.
For tick bites remove the tick with tweezers, or adhesive tap.
If the bug bite site is very itchy, you can take an antihistamine such as Benadryl; one or two tablets every six hours.
You can also use a topical cream containing hydrocortisone.
For anaphylaxis symptoms you must get a prescription for epinephrine or adrenaline depending up the area of the world that you live in. Follow the directions to the tee and carry the prescription around with you at all times.
Having the proper medication on hand when an anaphylaxis reaction occurs can be the difference between life and death.
If you do not have a prescription, call 911 or find the way to get yourself to the hospital immediately for medical care.
It is always wise to keep a first aid kit handy, not buried under piles of junk in the attic or garage. Find a place such as a kitchen or bathroom cabinet in your home to store the bug bites kit. Have a kit tucked in the glove compartment of your car and take it on outings and trips with you. The items you will need the most often are tweezers, pain relievers, ice packs, topical ointments with hydrocortisone, adhesive tape, bandages, scissors, alcohol and or alcohol pads, band-aids, sterile gauzes, peroxide, anti bacterial cleaning swaps, and even though not included in your kit, make sure you have a cell phone that you can use if you are in an out of the reach place such as a remote camping area

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One of the benefits of having options for buying your own medical equipment through companies such as Care Medical is that you can choose what you want and have the equipment customized if need be. Care Medical is a company that offers medical equipment for sale or rent to private individuals or even to health care facilities and long term care facilities. Care Medical can provide equipment such as power scooters, wheelchairs, IV equipment and even oxygen equipment for breathing treatments. Since many people cannot afford to purchase the equipment outright or may only need it for a short period of time, renting as opposed to buying may be a far better financial choice. Renting medical equipment from Care Medical or another rental company does provide the benefit of having the item replaced should it malfunction or require repairs. In most cases as long as the damage is not caused by renter misuse the company will simply replace the equipment, usually on the same day if at all possible. Typically most rental agreements will also cover some type of insurance on the equipment while it is being rented. Renting or purchasing your own medical equipment can also ensure that the patient has the same high quality care that they would have should they stay in a hospital or nursing home. Many patients seem to feel more content and happier when in their own home and renting lift chairs or hospital type beds from Care Medical helps patients stay safe as well as comfortable. Often the cost of the rental of this items is only a fraction of the cost of long term facility care plus it may be completely or almost completely covered by medical or disability insurance. In addition the ability to have the patient at home can provide more options for in home support if the correct equipment is already in use. Many home health care agencies can provide information on equipment rental and will only work in homes where the correct care equipment is available. Companies such as Care Medical equipment rentals will help patients and their families in working with insurance companies and doctors to get the necessary medical supplies. Often through negotiations with insurance companies the rental agencies can make agreements that a private individual may not have the ability to do. This negotiation process is often a very stressful part of trying to get medical supplies, so if a company can do the process for the patient and family it can be much easier on everyone.

First Aid Kit List – Making Sure It’s All There!

Saturday, June 28th, 2008

A first aid kit list serves the same purpose as any other list. It’s a way to insure everything is included in the kit. The list can be used to restock an existing kit, create a new kit or to simply determine what’s in the kit. Some industrial or commercial size kits can be very large and contain hundreds of items. A list makes it easy to find what you need quickly.

A comprehensive first aid kit list includes a number of items you may not even consider on your own. The emergency management agencies have created many different lists intended to help people become more aware of the need to be prepared for both small and large occurrences.

Some people create their own lists while others used prepared lists. The lists are often taped to the inside of the box and are used to keep track of the contents. But even if you use a list, it needs to be double checked regularly to keep it current with your lifestyle. Lists are made to be revised and refined over time.

A typical first aid kit list will include the following items from which you can choose the ones you deem necessary. You can print an online list, review it and check the items you want in your first aid kit. In fact, different lists can be created for different kinds of first aid kits. The questions you should ask yourself are as follows.

• Should you include a temporary water supply or water purification tablets in the kit?
• What kind of non-perishable food would fit in the kit?
• How much emergency food is required for the family?
• Which basic first aid supplies should be assembled?
• Which supplemental first aid supplies will be necessary?
• Are any non-prescription drugs recommended?
• Are there prescription drugs which should be included?
• Which medical instruments might be necessary?
• Are any personal hygiene products necessary?
• What kinds of weather protection supplies should be included?
• Are special medical needs dictating particular supplies?
• Should personal documentation be included in the first aid kit?

As you can tell, there can be a lot of decisions to make when assembling a first aid kit. That’s where a list can come in handy. A first aid kit list makes it much easier to decide which supplies are necessary for your kit.

Even after the first aid kit list is completed and the kit assembled, it’s important to make sure you make a plan for checking your lists regularly. The non-perishable food items must be rotated in order to keep them fresh and usable. In addition, products such as ointments or over the counter medications may have expiration dates.

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Makeup is a common thing that people decide to wear according to their own preference and choice. Some may want to use a little of a lot, but one thing should be taken into consideration when wearing it. How it treats the skin. Some people can wear makeup without any kind of problem, yet there are others who have allergies with it. One of the reasons for this is the ingredients or chemicals that have been used in creating and blending the makeup. The skin can become irritated, red and itchy with some burning. There may also be some bumps, perhaps small blisters or hives that begin to surface on the skin where the makeup has been. If there is a sensitivity to makeup, maybe it would be a good idea to stay of way from makeup and use a sunscreen that has shades of color or try switching the brand. Sometimes, the brand can be the cause but not always. Trial and elimination is the best solution for this, so don’t get discouraged.