The Best Time to see a Doctor for Burns

Question: When should you seek medical attention for burns?

When it comes to minor burns, there are a lot of remedies that will allow you to treat them in the comfort of your own home. However, instances can occur when you need more than first aid and should seek medical attention in order to properly treat what are obviously severe burns.

Medically speaking, if the burned area is not more than three inches in diameter, it can be treated at home and will not need a doctor’s presence. It can be aided by cooling down the burnt area by running cold water over it for no less than ten minutes. Do not apply or use ice to treat burns, as this will irritate and worsen the affected area, actually causing more pain, instead of cutting down the swelling that may result in blister build up.

Dressing

If you need a wound dressing for a minor or “not so” severe burn, the proper procedure is to use a clean gauze bandage to cover the affected area and keep it from further exposure to bacteria. Avoid wrapping the gauze too tightly, as it may cause more irritation. This can also be done while waiting for medical professionals to take a look at more serious injuries. Do the best you can as circumstances allow.

Blistering

An indicator that a burn is heading into a severe state is if blisters start to develop. Although blisters heal easily, they are a sign that that more skin activity is building up, which is a cause for concern. When blisters appear therefore, it is the right time to check if the “Doctor is In”.

Severe Burning

Severe burns, such as third degree burns, sometimes won’t actually cause much pain, as some of the skin tissues or even the muscles underneath the affected skin have been seriously damaged. If so, you may feel some numbness, a stiff feeling, or you will notice a white substance around the burnt area.

Another indicator that you need a medical professional is if burnt areas involve your genitals, eyes, ears, hands, or feet, whether they be full or partial burns, as well as over joints.

It is also highly advised to contact emergency services:

• If the burn area is as big: larger than your palm
• If you are not sure how serious the burn is
• If the burn is caused by a chemical or electrical device
• If it results in a state of shock
• If the victim inhaled hazardous fire smoke
• If the cause of the burn is due to a physical abuse
• If there are other factors that may have caused the burn to be severe

Also, if an infection has already occurred, the following signs will be evident:

• Fever
• Unbearable pain
• Red vein-like spread from the burnt wound
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Dizziness
• Thirst
• Abnormal urination
• Lightheadedness

No matter how small or big the wound is, it is still best to consider medical attention to be properly guided and oriented on how to treat it. Misconceptions still exist as to how to treat and care for burns, so it is best to be as informed as possible should the worst happen.

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John Keane is a full time pharmacist and owner of Keanes Pharmacy. Why not discuss this topic confidentially with John anytime in person at Keanes Pharmacy, Austin Friars or 0449342884 ©Keanes Pharmacy 2015 www.keanespharmacy.com

Remedies for Burns within the Home

Question: What does every house need on hand in case of burns?

Sometimes, despite our best efforts, minor incidents like burns can happen within the vicinity of the home. These minor burns damage only the outer layer of the skin, and they are medically termed as first-degree burns. 

Most of these injuries come from five main sources, so show caution when coming into contact with the following:

Common Causes of Minor Burns

• Fire/Flame such as playing with matches or lighted candles
• Steam or hot liquids
• Touching hot objects such as a hot iron, pots, and casserole dishes 
• Electrical burns
• Some chemical burns like cooking oil

Symptoms of Minor Burns

• Blisters if not treated immediately 
• Pain
• Peeling of skin
• Swelling
• Red area or white and scorched skin

Ideally, every house should have a fully stocked first aid kit on hand at all times for relieving these distressing and painful injuries, which is easily purchased and restocked at the local pharmacy. 

In a pinch though, there are natural remedies that can be found within the four corners of the home that can aid in the healing process and lessen the pain. If you find yourself in a situation where you or someone close to you is in discomfort from a burn, try one of the following:

10 home-made remedies

Cold Water

Running cold water all over the burn area for a couple of minutes right after the incident will prevent the burn from spreading. A cold compress over the affected area will also help. Repeating this same process then for a couple of hours will soothe the pain. Using ice is not recommended as it will restrain the blood flow, which will cause damage to gentle tissues around the burned area. A good alternative to ice and water is cold whole milk.

Raw Potato

Minor burns can also be treated by raw potato due to its anti-irritating and easing compounds. It will also greatly mitigate the twinge and lessen the possibility of blistering. Just simply cut a piece of raw potato into chunks, then rub it gently on the affected area ensuring that the juice from the potato is being absorbed by the burned spot. Doing this right after the burn itself will get faster results.

Aloe Vera Plant

Burns can also heal faster with Aloe Vera, as the remedy contains a natural painkiller, astringent and tissue-healing ability. After washing the burned area with cold water or vinegar, slice a small piece of the Aloe Vera leaf and apply the gel gently on the affected area. In the event that you do not have an Aloe Vera plant, a cream that contains Aloe Vera will do also. 

Coconut Oil and Lemon Juice

Coconut oil and lemon juice work very well together in treating minor burn. With its Vitamin E and fatty acids like lauric, capric, and mystric acid, all of which contain anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and anti-oxidizing compounds, coconut oil is a “must-have” in every improvised first aid kit. Lemon juice, on the other hand, has an acidic blend that lightens scars naturally. Mix some lemon juice on coconut oil and gently apply it on scalds. With that mixture, healing will be achieved in the quickest time possible.

Honey

Honey, as naturally sweet as it may be, has a disinfectant solution that helps burn areas heal faster. Spread an ample amount of honey on a gauze bandage, then patch it directly on the affected area. Change the gauze three to four times every day until healed. Honey draws certain fluids from tissues, which naturally cleans the burned area once applied.

Black Tea Bags

Black tea, a staple of every Irish home, has tannic acid that draws out heat from the burned area and reduces the pain. Opinions differ from person to person whether Lyon’s or Barry’s is the better blend for this procedure. In a cup of cold water, place three tea bags and let it sit for a couple of minutes. Next, swab it slowly and gently on the affected area. Another option is to place a cold, wet tea bag straight onto the burn and wrap a piece of gauze bandage around it in order to secure them in place.

Vinegar

Vinegar has a property of an astringent and an antiseptic compound that is very effective in aiding minor burns and avoids the spread of infection. 

Lavender Essential Oil

Lavender essential oil also lessens that possibility of scars occurring as it has both antiseptic and painkiller solutions.

Plantain Leaves

Plantain leaves are a well-known antidote to burns since they are very rich in anti-inflammatory compounds. The most common variety of the plantain that you’ll find at home is the humble banana. Who knew?

Onion Juice

Lastly, onion juice has both sulphur and quercetin chemicals that relieve pain and heal burns smoothly while lessening the chances of blistering.

Question: What are the causes and signs of anxiety?

Answer:  Anxiety disorder is a condition that affects perhaps 1 out of every 20 Irish people at any one time, and it is estimated that 1 out of 9 people will be affected by it at some time throughout their life. 

In itself, anxiety is a natural and healthy feeling, coming as it does from our original “fight or flight” responses to danger that evolved thousands of years ago.  Many ordinary daily situations make us feel anxious, job interviews or exams, even driving on an unfamiliar road. When anxiety begins to inhibit our ability to complete tasks that should not necessarily arouse anxious feelings, however, completing our shopping or talking to others, for example, it becomes more than a natural response and mutates into what can be a serious and upsetting hindrance to living a happy life.

What Causes Anxiety

As far as is known, anxiety is caused by a change in the balance of chemicals, which are known as neurotransmitters, in the brain. When a threat is perceived, hormones and neurotransmitters such as adrenaline are released, causing a change in mood, physiology, and perception. While they help us deal with difficult situations, feeling anxious is necessarily an unpleasant feeling, especially when it occurs frequently and without a suitable reason.  

As you would expect with a condition that often goes undiagnosed, an anxiety disorder does not have one definite or singular cause. Rather, it is usually brought about by a combination of genetics, family history, environment, and life experience. Anxiety can also be a secondary problem that occurs as a result of other conditions such as drug abuse and depression. There is also a strong link between the development of an anxiety disorder and alcohol. Binge drinking in particular will affect the brain’s chemical balance, as the rapid intake of alcohol will lead to a surge in neurotransmitters and a corresponding withdrawal as the alcohol leaves the system afterward. Of course, drinking to excess is often a reaction in itself to a deeper underlying problem, which makes its role in the creation of anxiety ironic.

Symptoms of Anxiety

Anxiety can manifest itself internally through a general feeling of unease or dread that something bad will happen. You may find that you cannot concentrate, are irritable, and/or restless. This restlessness will often come not with the desire for activity, but actually a reluctance to engage in social events and sometimes to even leave the house. In extreme cases, this leads to the onset of agoraphobia, or the fear of open spaces.  Anxiety will often lead to difficulty sleeping, if not outright insomnia. Sometimes, this will force the sufferer to take sick days from work or college, which worsens the anxious condition still more.

The physical symptoms of anxiety include dizziness, as well as excessive sweating, with a quickly pounding or palpitating heart. Sometimes breathlessness and/or stomach ache or headache round off the physical symptoms, which makes for a truly tense and unpleasant experience.  

If you feel that you are suffering from an anxiety or any of the problems outlined in this post, you should seek a consultation appointment with your G.P.

What Are The Benefits Of Flu Shots During Pregnancy?

What are the benefits of the flu shot when pregnant?



The flu shot is the best defence anyone can have in order to be protected against a harmful and common virus, and will also safeguard the immune system.

But is the flu shot also advisable for pregnant women? 

Absolutely.

The flu shot is excellent protection for pregnant women, and it is greatly advised that they get the flu shot at any trimester in order to protect themselves and their unborn child.  The shot is even safe after delivery, and for breastfeeding and lactating mothers.

The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) supports the influenza shot to all pregnant women in order to get the following benefits:

Restrain flu and other maternal complications.  Pregnancy stages add additional pressure to the heart and lungs of any pregnant woman. It also has a great impact on the immune system which opens up the risk of becoming ill due to flu viruses such as pneumonia.

Obstruct possible problems due to the flu while pregnant.  Having flu during pregnancy increases the risk of miscarriage, untimely or premature birth, and low birth weight of the baby.

Provide additional protection to the baby even after birth.  Babies are at high risk of getting sick and catching flu, especially as flu vaccines for children can only be done when the baby turns six months old. Infants whose mothers have taken a flu shot during pregnancy are most likely healthy and have a lower risk of being hospitalized. This increases still further for breastfeeding mothers, whose children share their immune system while they are nursing.

Pregnant women who take the vaccine will not only lower their chances of acquiring the flu, but also lower the risk when coming in contact with those who are sick. 

In the event that you do come in contact with those already infected, older children, for example, avoid touching their eyes, nose, and mouth, and make it a habit to regularly wash hands with soap and water afterward. Avoid sharing glasses or utensils with those who are infected by the virus also. Remember that prevention is still much better than cure. Do not hesitate to ask your doctor or a pharmacist on how to keep yourself safe and healthy against viruses.

Nasal Spray Vaccine

For anyone, most especially present and expectant mothers, if you wish to have a flu shot, it’s probably best not to go for the nasal spray vaccine. Flu shots are made from an inactivated virus, which is why it is very safe for both the mother and the unborn during the pregnancy stage. However, the nasal spray vaccine is produced from a live virus, which of course is not appropriate while in the conception process and during gestation.

Do you have allergies?

Please also do take note that some flu vaccines contain minute amounts of egg protein, so if you are allergic to eggs, consult your doctor or specialist before taking the shot. In almost all cases, you can receive the vaccine, but you may have to wait around a half an hour to see if there are any adverse reactions.