Health related information and news from around the world.

The scales, hair, or feathers normally shed by dogs, cats, horses, goats, rabbits, birds, sheep, rats, and mice are highly allergenic. Atopic children are easily sensitized to these skin outgrowths, and they should avoid them regardless of the results of skin tests.

Dogs sensitize through their hair, saliva, or dander (scales). Because dander is more allergenic than hair or saliva, allergy to the live animal is more severe than that caused by the hair of a dead animal used in furs or rugs or the saliva dripped on floors and furniture.

Allergy to dogs is common because the dog is a popular domestic pet; however, allergy to one breed of dog does not necessarily indicate an allergy to all other breeds. Yet all breeds are potentially dangerous, and a change in dog breed is not a solution to dog allergy.

If an atopic child does not have a dog, he should not get one. If he has one and he is emotionally attached to it, he should be allowed to keep it, but should not be allowed to replace it when it dies. Meanwhile, the dog should not enter his bedroom, and it should be kept outside the house as much as possible.

Even though avoiding dogs may be heart-breaking for a dog-loving child, there is no solution to this problem at the present time (except through a prolonged desensitization program which may not produce satisfactory results). For now, an atopic child should try to live without a dog.

Cats cause allergy because they lend themselves to cuddling and close contact. Their hair is light in weight, and it clings to the furniture for two to three weeks after the cat has been removed from a room. Persons allergic to cats should likewise avoid the other members of the cat family, such as the panther, the lynx, and the leopard (in visits to the zoo).

Commercially, cat hair is used in cheap furs, Chinese rugs, gloves, and toy animals.

Horse hair can be contacted directly through riding or indirectly through contact with the hair clinging to the clothes of persons connected with riding in academies, stables, or racetracks. The stuffing of upholstered furniture and orthopedic mattresses, rope, gloves, toys, fur coats, and suits may contain horse hair and should be avoided. A visit to a zoo should be avoided because the pony, the mule, and the zebra all belong to the horse family.

A person who is allergic to horse hair is usually allergic to horse serum as well. (Horse serum is still used in backward countries to carry tetanus antitoxins.)

Goat hair is known as mohair when it comes from the Turkish goat, alpaca when it comes from the lama of Peru, and cashmere when it comes from the goats in India. It is used to make clothing, costly Oriental rugs, imitation astrakhan, Utrecht velvet, cheap blankets, mops, ropes, brushes, and cheap plaster mixes.

Rabbit may cause allergies in children who keep rabbits as pets. Rabbit hair is used to make coats, trimmings, carriage robes, lining for gloves, slippers, food muffs, mattresses, pillow stuffing, quilts, toy animals, infant wear, hand-knitted trimmings, crochet work, gloves, hosiery, and knee pads for invalids and rheumatic children. Rabbit hair made into felt is used in the manufacture of hats, sounding hammers for pianos, insulation material for buildings, polishing pads, washers for cartridges, and insulation material for shoes. Rabbit hair furs used to be sold with deceptive names suggestive of expensive furs. This practice has now been stopped by law.

Birds and their feathers are an important cause of allergy which should be avoided regardless of the results of skin tests. A child should avoid feathers in his bedroom pillow. (The nearness of the nose to the pillow during the prolonged hours of sleep may account for bad allergic symptoms in the nose and lungs. Old feathers are more dangerous than new ones because they gather dust and molds). Allergic children should not keep birds as pets (canaries, parakeets, etc.).

Sheep wool is an outgrowth of the skin of the animal. Because it is warm, flexible, and light, it is the ideal body cover in cold climates and has been used for this purpose for thousands of years Allergy to wool is caused mainly by fuzzy woolen blankets and coarse socks. Soft woolen clothing loses much of its allergenic powers through the processing and dyeing of the wool thread. Cloth spun from wool includes albatross, astrakhan, blankets, broadcloth, felt, flannel, gabardine, jersey, rugs, serge, suede, tapestry, mohair, tweed, velour, and whipcord.

Silk is a thread spun by the silkworm and is frequently used to make clothing. Rayon (or artificial silk) is a synthetic product made of cotton; it may be used safely by children who are sensitive to silk.

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Infections

This could be a one-off situation where the mother has caught a severe infection during the early part of pregnancy and it is unlikely to recur in a subsequent pregnancy. Or the miscarriage could be due to a genito-urinary infection which needs to be treated before conceiving again to prevent another miscarriage. Mr. Ronnie Lamont, consultant obstetrician and gynecologist at Northwick Park Hospital, believes that bacterial vaginosis may trigger miscarriage or premature birth. A study he conducted with 800 women found that those with bacterial vaginosis had five times the risk of late miscarriage (16-24 weeks), and those who delivered early (24-37 weeks) also had the infection.

Some infections do not cause a miscarriage but a congenital abnormality (where the baby is born with a defect or malformation). For example, German measles (rubella), contracted in early pregnancy, can lead to babies born with congenital blindness, deafness and mental retardation. A simple blood test can tell you whether you are rubella immune, meaning that you have had German measles or have been vaccinated in the past and so have rubella antibodies in your blood to prevent you from getting it again.

Fertility Drugs

One of the most commonly prescribed medicines for fertility problems is clomiphene citrate which is used to induce ovulation. Ironically, though it may increase a woman’s chances of conceiving, it also increases the chance of a miscarriage by 20-30 per cent. It is thought that the clomiphene can interfere with the womb lining, preventing the fertilised egg from implanting. Other techniques used to induce ovulation, like gonadotrophin treatment, can also increase the miscarriage rate.

Weight Problems

It is important not to be underweight or overweight when trying to conceive. Girls don’t begin to menstruate until their bodies are composed of at least 17 per cent fat. Studies have shown that 50 per cent of women who have a Body Mass Index (BMI) below 20.7 are infertile. A BMI of approximately 23-24 would be ideal for conception.

Women with anorexia and girls who exercise to the extreme (such as athletes and gymnasts) can lose their menstrual cycle because of the reduction of fat and therefore become technically infertile temporarily.

At the other extreme, it is known that obesity increases the risk of miscarriage.

Problems with excess weight can also be linked with polycystic ovaries (PCO) which can make conception more difficult. Miscarriages are more likely to occur in women with this condition. However, in a study of women with PCO “who were asked to change their diet, the rate of miscarriages dropped from 75 per cent to 18 per cent for the same women once they had lost weight.

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What is it?

Itchy, irritating, dry skin from any cause. The skin becomes prematurely wrinkled and often drives the person (especially a child) mad with itching.

What causes it?

• Extremes of temperature from freezing winds to direct sun.

• Ageing itself makes skin drier.

• Central heating without humidifiers.

• The use of detergents as bath foams (especially children’s ‘fun’ bath products). This removes the natural oils from the skin.

• The misuse of cosmetics which block the oil glands that normally lubricate the skin.

Prevention

• Drink more water.

• Stay out of harsh sunlight unless you wear an effective sunscreen.

• Never use detergents in the bath and use soaps sparingly.

• Wear gloves if you use detergents for washing up dishes.

• Try to get a humidifier installed in your place of work or any other air-conditioned building where you spend a lot of time.

• Use only small amounts of skin lotions-the skin can absorb only so much, after which you block the natural ducts that bring oils to the surface. The best moisturizer for the skin is water-not oils. Use oils and creams, therefore, on slightly moistened skin. Many good moisturizer creams are mostly water for this reason.

• One skin expert uses a mixture of five vitamin A capsules to a 4 ounce jar of hand or body lotion to alleviate dry skin, with some success.

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Choosing a doctor

Starting from scratch to find a specialist that will suit both your needs and expectations is not easy. Where do you start?

It is best to shop around by talking to friends and relatives – in particular those who have either been diagnosed as having endometriosis or those who suffer from menstrual problems. These women are more likely to have had previous contact with a specialist and can perhaps make recommendations for you. Think about whether you are likely to feel more comfortable with a female or a male specialist.

Once you have decided on a doctor you would like to consult, you need to visit your GP to obtain a referral. It is helpful if your GP is familiar with the specialist you plan to visit as the pair should be in constant communication about your treatment and progress over the coming months.

There are several points to consider when choosing the doctor who will manage your illness and its treatment and help you plan for the future. However, there is no such thing as the perfect doctor – or the perfect patient – so the material in this chapter is merely a guide.

What to look for

You and the specialist you select will be working together to improve your health and well-being, so it is important you feel comfortable and can talk openly. At your first visit, ask yourself the following questions:

•    Does the doctor appear interested in me as an individual and show concern with my general well-being?

•    Does she or he communicate and explain in a way I can understand?

•    Are all my problems taken seriously or do I feel patronized?

•    Has the doctor explained all the options of diagnosis, treatment, etc. thoroughly so that I understand?

•     Does the doctor encourage questions and then answer them completely and in easily understood language?

•     Has further reading been suggested, along with the names of self-help groups for further education and support?

•     Does the doctor show sympathy and understanding and provide some genuine comfort.

It is important to remember that your doctor should let you talk freely and should listen closely to your concerns. It is not unreasonable to expect your doctor to spend some time explaining and talking over concerns and problems with you. After all, you need to develop a relationship where you can feel confident in the doctor’s skills and where mutual respect exists.

There should be enough time during the appointment for you to ask questions. Do not feel intimidated. You may feel the doctor is rushing you and that your time is up but if you have questions you want answered and concerns that need to be cleared up, and then you have every right to continue the consultation.

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Growing old is a growing business with an ever increasing proportion of the population being over 65. People over 65 are at much greater risk than other age groups of having a fatal accident. The problem gets worse as the person becomes older, and women are more likely to be hurt than men.

Suffocating and choking

These accidents are chiefly associated with food. The problems may be exacerbated by arthritic hands which have difficulty cutting up food, ill-fitting dentures, or a total lack of teeth with which to chew the food. There is little that can be done positively to prevent such hazards.

Falls

Falls are the most common type of accident amongst elderly people. More than half of them occur when the elderly person is moving about on the same level but a substantial proportion also take place on the stairs.

Environmental hazards such as poor lighting and worn carpets play a part in this type of accident but physical factors are a more potent factor. These could include physical impairment, drugs or alcohol, inactivity and the reduced ability to retain one’s balance.

Cuts

This type of accident is rarely fatal, with only about twenty-five deaths a year across all age groups. Although the younger groups suffer most there is still a substantial number of accidents in the older range too. There can be medical consequences too as wounds may heal more slowly in the elderly.

Among the younger retired group lawn-mowers and garden tools are major offenders. Handling difficulties among the older group may lead to hitherto unlikely accidents with kitchen knives and can openers.

Fire

Fire and flames are the second major hazard for the older age groups. Nearly 10 per cent of cases are fatal in the 65-74 age group, and 13 per cent in the over 75 age group. Nonfatal accidents are likely to be serious. Many accidents occur because of physical problems in elderly people. Dizziness, blackouts, strokes and heart conditions are often involved in a fall on to a radiant or open fire.

Blows

Once again there are few fatal cases of a person being struck by another person or an object but there are a significant number of such incidents causing injury to elderly people. The younger age group of elderly people is typically hurt trying to retrieve an object from the top of a wardrobe or cupboard while the older age group bumps into furniture while moving about.

The general lowering of shelves and improvement of low-level storage is a task for pre-retirement days with a view to making life easier later.

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