Guest post by Danielle Jardine, MD
New Yorkers know the drill. When summer temperatures soar into the 90s, we run from one air-conditioned venue to the next, stopping only to refill our ice-cold beverages. Breezes from approaching trains deep within the subway provide temporary relief on our way to beaches, pools or community cooling centers. But what if our jobs or activities have us outdoors or exposed to the summer heat for extended periods of time? (more…)
Guest post by Danielle Jardine, MD
Your favorite boots have been packed away. The warm socks that kept your feet cozy during the long winter are back in boxes under the bed. For the next few months, summer shoes are the favored footwear. From sandals and slings to Birkenstocks and Blahniks, during the warmer months, open-toed shoes are everywhere and toes are once again exposed.
But what about the dreaded fungal nail infection? How do you avoid it? If you have it, how do you get rid of it? Most fungal nail infections affect the toenails, although they can appear in fingernails, too. Keep your toenails and fingernails looking and feeling great this season by knowing what fungal nail infection is and how to avoid or treat it.
I cannot count the number of patients who come into our Williamsburg office with a physical ailment and we end up talking about their overwhelming level of stress. Job, housing, kids, relationships, money and health: Anxiety overshadows pleasure and relaxation tenfold. With today’s modern conveniences, why does life seem MORE stressful instead of more relaxing? (more…)
This is the second in a series on indoor allergies—of which cats are common culprits. For people allergic to cats, the major allergen (substance that causes an allergic reaction) is found in the cat’s saliva, urine and dander (dried flakes of skin).
The most effective way is to rid the house of the cat. This is not acceptable to most people, and after pet removal, the allergen will remain in the house for 6 months or more. The second choice might be to keep the cat outside, which is not possible in certain climates. And, if the outdoor cat is played with, the sticky allergen makes its way into the house anyway.
Studies have shown that washing a cat can reduce the amount of allergen on it (the allergen is mostly in cat saliva, and is transferred to the fur by licking). Based on scientific studies, twice weekly washing would be required—and a lot of rinsing, too—so this is not very feasible, nor favored by cats. Perhaps a Cleopatra-style bath (milk bath) would be acceptable to the cat!
• Removing reservoirs for the allergen, such as carpets, sofas and other upholstered furniture
• Using vacuum cleaners with effective filtration systems
• Installing HEPA-type air filters in rooms, particularly the bedroom
• Increasing ventilation in the house
I like to recommend making the bedroom (where we spend most of our indoor time) a “cat-free zone.” After the room is closed off to the cat, it should be cleaned thoroughly, including damp mopping the sticky allergen off the walls, and cleaning window treatments and bedding. After this cleaning, the cat cannot reenter the room (ever), otherwise the allergen level will increase. This means the door to the room needs to remain closed at all times. But, cats are sneaky, so this is not so readily accomplished.
Stay tuned for more information on indoor allergies.
To find an allergist who is right for you, please call the Physician Referral Service at 1 (866) 804-1007 Monday through Friday, 9 am to 5 pm.
For many of us pet owners, our animal friends provide comfort and companionship. It is often said that we begin to resemble our pets and share common features. This may or may not be true; however, one thing that is becoming evident is that pet owners and their pets can share diseases. Such shared diseases are called zoonoses.
Over the last 10 years, there has been an increase in skin problems in both pets and their owners attributed to what the media has hyped as the “flesh eating bacteria/super bug,” or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). MRSA is a form of bacteria that is resistant to traditional antibiotics. MRSA infection and colonization have been reported in horses, dogs, cats, birds and cows, just to name a few. Still, it is important to note that humans are more likely to acquire MRSA from other humans.
While MRSA may be common and harmless in healthy people and their pets, there is a subset of the population that is more susceptible to these infections: the very young, who still have an immature immune system; the elderly, with declining immune function; and people who have open wounds or sores. Patients on various treatments like chemotherapy or antibiotic therapy also may have decreased immune activity.
The human hands are the most common area for exposure to MRSA because they are the most likely sites to be bitten by an animal. Cats typically pose more of a risk for bite infections because of their very sharp, pointed teeth, which could puncture the joints of the hands. Dogs tend to cause more traumatic destruction of tissue.
Pets usually acquire a MRSA infection from someone who has brought the bacteria home. Once a pet is infected, it could easily transfer the bacteria to additional human beings, such as an individual returning from the hospital or child with a chronic medical problem.
The best way to prevent this kind of transmission to and from your pet is hand washing. It is also important to cover all wounds with bandages. If you develop a wound about the size of a quarter or bigger, prompt medical attention is important, especially if you also have a fever.
A few other things to keep in mind:
• Cat bites typically cause deep tissue wounds that should be washed immediately, covered in antibiotic ointment, bandaged and watched for infection.
• With a dog bite, medical attention may be necessary to evaluate the risk of rabies.
• With pet bites, if the patient is a carrier of Staph. aureus, his or her own bacteria may be lodged deeper, causing an infection. Similarly, a staph infection from one’s own bacteria could occur if it is introduced into a vulnerable location due to a bite or scratch wound, even if the pet is not infected.
• In households where people suffer from serial MRSA infections, pets should be swabbed (tested) and treated when necessary by their vets. Pets may shed the bacteria on their own, but can be treated with a simple nasal antibacterial cream.
So, next time, think twice before kissing your pet!
To find an excellent dermatologist who is right for you, please call our Physician Referral Service at 866.804.1007.
This post is a guest blog by Barbara A. Smith, RN, BSN, MPA, CIC, Nurse Epidemiologist at St. Luke’s and Roosevelt Hospitals.
Not sure if you need a flu vaccine? Not too long ago, the vaccine was only recommended for the elderly and people with high risk conditions like diabetes and asthma. In 2010, the CDC changed the recommendation to include anyone older than 6 months of age. While people with high risk medical conditions are more likely to suffer the severe complications of the flu like pneumonia and hospitalizations, anyone can get the flu and spread it to the more vulnerable people who live and work with them. (more…)