Saturday, August 11, 2007

Health Tips for August 11

Health Tip: Treating a Bedsore

Bedsores are skin injuries that occur when a person stays in one position in a bed, wheelchair, or other device for long periods. With continued pressure on the same area, the skin begins to break down, creating a sore.

The U.S. National Library of Medicine offers these suggestions to treat a bedsore:

* Immediately relieve pressure on the skin, using pillows, foam cushions or sheepskin.
* Clean and treat the sore regularly and thoroughly, according to your doctor's instructions. Proper cleaning is a must to prevent infection.
* Rinse the skin regularly with a salt water solution to help remove any loose, dead tissue around the area.
* Reduce friction and trauma to the skin by sprinkling the linens or chair with a light powder.
* Eat a healthy, balanced diet and treat any underlying conditions that can impede the healing process.

Health Tip: Walking on Foreign Soil

When you travel overseas, take good care of your feet.

You should bring comfortable, broken-in walking shoes. Don't go barefoot. Many bacteria, parasites, worms and leaches live in the soil and can invade your feet if you go barefoot, says the University of Maryland Traveler's Clinic.

Bring sandals or sneakers for walking on beaches. Jelly fish, stinging coral, poisonous rock fish, sea nettles and other painful and potentially dangerous hazards are found on or near beaches, particularly those in Asia and the South Pacific.

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