Ticks are parasitic arachnids that live in grassy or wooded areas. People can unknowingly pick up ticks as they walk past bushes, plants and grass. Ticks can also be carried on a pet and then transferred to a human. According to the National Institutes of Health: “Ticks can be fairly large—about the size of a pencil eraser—or so small that they are almost impossible to see. Ticks can cause a variety of health conditions ranging from harmless to serious.” (more…)
Whether you are at home, work or out having fun, it is important to ensure your safety by avoiding anything that can cause you to slip, trip or fall. Below are the top causes of slips, trips and falls, and tips for preventing them. (more…)
National Poison Prevention Month (observed in March) is a great time to take stock of everything in your home to see if it poses a danger to anyone. Other than yourself, there may be children, pets or even visitors that you have to watch out for at home.
Winter in New York City often means unpleasant weather, like snow and freezing rain—common culprits of slippery sidewalks, streets and stairs. Snow also can block visibility of curbs, curb cuts, sidewalk cracks and other elements that may affect how you walk about.
Falling on an outstretched hand is the most common way people fracture their wrists. During poor weather, one of the best things you can do to prevent a wrist fracture is to follow the fall prevention tips below:
• In anticipation of poor weather, stock up on household staples ahead of time.
• If poor weather has already begun, order food and household items to be delivered to you.
• Travel outside during daytime hours. More light means increased visibility and increased pedestrian presence.
• Wear sensible footwear. Don appropriate shoes, such as boots, with good support and tread. Avoid heels and open-toed shoes.
• Use handrails and ramps whenever possible. This is especially important for people who have difficulty navigating stairs during the best of weather.
• Take well-travelled streets. Walking on heavily travelled streets is safer, because traffic will have decreased snow accumulation, and if you do fall, an increased pedestrian presence means there will be other people around to assist you and call for help.
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.
Every winter, unfortunately, the hospital sees patients that have had a weather-related accident. Here are some winter safety tips, taking it from the top down: (more…)