All about Scabies; Introduction, how to discover and effective treatment.

The main symptom of scabies is intense itching that is worse at night when the skin temperature is warmer.
The skin rash that is associated with a scabies infection is made up of tiny red insect bites or spots. If you scratch the rash, you may also develop crusty sores.

Burrow marks can be found anywhere on the body but, in adults, they often appear in the some areas as shown in the picture:


-Your GP will usually be able to diagnose scabies from the appearance of your skin, and by looking for the burrow marks that are made by the Sarcoptes scabiei mite.

-Ink test
The burrows of scabies mites can be highlighted by using an ink test. The ink is rubbed around an area of itchy skin before being wiped off with an alcohol pad. If scabies burrows are present, some of the ink will remain and will have tracked into the burrows, showing up as a dark line.

In order to confirm the diagnosis, a skin sample may be gently scraped from the affected area so that it can be examined under a microscope for evidence of scabies mites and their eggs and faeces (stools).

Treatment of Scabies:
The two most widely used treatments for scabies are:

• permethrin cream
• malathion lotion

Permethrin cream is usually recommended as the first treatment. Malathion lotion is used if the permethrin cream proves to be ineffective. Both medications contain insecticides that kill the scabies mite.

Permethrin cream should be used under medical supervision for women who are pregnant and also for young children who are between two months and two years old. You should check with your GP before using this treatment.
.It is important that all members of your household, and any close contacts

Some advices for Scabies treatment:
1-Permathrin cream or malathion lotion should be applied to cool, dry skin and not after a hot bath. If the cream or lotion is applied when the body is hot, it will be absorbed quickly into the skin and will not remain on the area where the burrows are present.
2-Apply it to the whole body from the chin and ears downwards, paying particular attention to the areas between the fingers and toes and under the nails and areas where there are skin folds. Treatment can be massaged under fingernails and toenails using an old toothbrush (which should be sealed in a bag and thrown away afterwards).
3-Adults should not apply lotion above the neck. However, in children under two years old a thick layer should be applied to the scalp, face and ears, avoiding the eyes and mouth.
4-People with a weak immune system, the very young and elderly people should apply the treatment to their whole body, including their face and scalp.
5-If you wash your hands within 8–12 hours, reapply the cream to your hands, making sure that you also put it under your nails.
6-Permethrin needs to be left on for 8–12 hours, and malathion should be left on for 24 hours.
7-Follow-up treatment after seven days is recommended in order to make sure that the treatment is successful. This will ensure that any mites that have hatched from existing eggs will be killed by the second application.

How to know your baby teething? And how to deal with it?

9 month infant with right lower central incisor about to emerge

The process of teething has some symptoms that vary from child to child.Some may be a lot fussier than others while they are teething. The soreness and swelling of the gums before a tooth comes through is the cause for the pain and fussiness a baby experiences during this change.
Teething can begin as early as 3 months and continue until a child's third birthday.

Most babies show common symptoms include :
- drooling (which can lead to a facial rash) or dribbling, mood changes and feelings of irritability or crankiness and swollen gums. Note that the extra saliva may cause your baby to occasionally cough or gag whith is usually nothing to worry about as your baby seems fine and shows no signs of a cold or flu and does not run a high fever.
- Crying, sleeplessness, restless sleep at night, and mild fever are also associated with teething. Sometimes babies might refuse to eat or drink due to the pain.
Pulling on the ears is another sign of pain; the pain in the mouth throbs throughout the baby's head so they pull their ears believing that it will provide relief.

Also it is so important to know that teething has not been shown to cause the following:

* high fever ; diarrhea, runny nose and cough; prolonged fussiness; and rashes on the baby body.

How to deal with teething of baby ?
# Infants chew on objects to aid in the teething process.Teething rings, water filled and chilled rubber teething toys; mom and dads fingers can all provide counter pressure that can sometimes bring relief. Offering your baby cold food and a cold bottle of water can also help. If sucking on the bottle bothers your child, offer a cold cup of water. The water can also help replenish your baby’s fluid if they’re drooling a lot or have loose bowel movements.

# Medicines that are taken by mouth to help reduce the pain: Acetaminophen (Children's Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Children's Advil or Motrin) may also help with pain "but should not be administered to babies under 6 months of age".....Your doctor will tell you if it’s all right and what the proper amount is to give your baby.

Lists of Foods in case of Gastritis "Gastritis Diet"

It is so important for people with gastritis or those who suffering from inflammation of the lining of the stomach, Actually Gastritis is the medical term for almost any stomach upset, sometimes also referred to as gastroenteritis .

The most common cause of gastritis is a dietetic indiscretion such as habitual overeating; eating of badly combined or improperly cooked foods; excessive intake of strong tea, coffee, or alcoholic drinks; or habitual use of large quantities of condiments and sauces.

Foods you have to Avoid :

* Alcohol, black and red pepper, chilies, chili powder, and hot peppers often irritate the stomach lining. Foods with caffeine can increase the amount of stomach acid. These foods include coffee (regular and decaf), teas, colas, cocoa, chocolate. Avoid or limit these items if they cause you pain.

* Limit your intake of peppermint, fatty foods, tomatoes, tomato juice,and citrus juices. If they cause heartburn or pain in your esophagus. You may need to limit seasonings such as onions, garlic, cinnamon, and cloves if they upset your stomach.

How to get semen sample ?

1-The most common way to collect a semen sample is through masturbation, directing the sample into a clean cup.

2-A sample may also be collected during intercourse in a special type of condom known as a collection condom. Collection condoms are made from silicone or polyurethane, as latex is somewhat harmful to sperm. Many men prefer collection condoms to masturbation, and some religions prohibit masturbation entirely. Adherents of religions that prohibit contraception may use collection condoms with holes pricked in them.

3-A third option for collecting a sample is through coitus interruptus (withdrawal). With this technique, the man removes his penis from his partner near the end of intercourse and ejaculates into a cup.

4-Finally, if a blockage in the vas deferens is suspected to impede fertility, semen can be taken directly from the epididymis. Such a collection is called per cutaneous epididymal sperm aspiration (PESA). Alternatively, the testicular tissue itself, instead of the sperm produced can be investigated. Then, the collecting method is called TESE.

Diet pills, supplements and surgery

Diet pills and surgery can help with weight loss — when combined with a healthy diet and physical activity. But diet pills aren't for everyone. Neither is surgery. In fact, many doctors consider them only if you have weight-related health problems.

If you're in that group, you and your doctor need to carefully evaluate the potential benefits of diet pills or surgery and weigh them against the possible long-term risks. Your doctor will also counsel you about the lifestyle changes you'll need to make to be successful over the long term.

A word of caution: Although you can find diet pills and supplements at your local drugstore, supermarket or health food store and online, most haven't been proved safe and effective. And some are downright dangerous. Talk with your doctor before taking any diet pills or supplements

How to wash your hands properly

The Harvard Medical School Guide to Lowering Your Cholesterol

From the experts at one of the world’s most respected medical schools–your complete guide to managing cholesterol and staying healthy for life

Everybody knows that high cholesterol is something to be concerned about. But what does it really mean when your doctor tells you that your cholesterol levels are high, and what should you do about it? If you’re worried about your cholesterol, here’s your chance to get the answers you need from a top expert at the Harvard Medical School.

As founder and chief of the prestigious Lipid Metabolism Unit at Massachusetts General Hospital, Dr. Mason W. Freeman treats hundreds of patients each year and oversees breakthrough cholesterol research.

In The Harvard Medical School Guide to Lowering Your Cholesterol he explains:

* What cholesterol is and the difference between “good” and “bad” cholesterol

* How to assess your risk for high cholesterol

* How to work with your doctor to develop the best treatment plan for you

* Cholesterol-lowering drugs–who should take them, what to look out for, and how to be sure your doctor is monitoring you properly

* How to manage your cholesterol through diet and exercise

* The latest scientific findings on alternative therapies

About the Harvard Medical School health guide series

Each book from Harvard Medical School gives you the knowledge you need to understand and take control of your health. In every book, a world-renowned expert from Harvard Medical School provides you with the latest information on diagnosis, traditional and alternative treatments, home remedies, and lifestyle changes that can make a powerful difference in your health.

DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES IN THE FIRST YEAR

Developmental milestones are a set of functional skills or age-specific tasks that most children can do at a certain age range. Your pediatrician uses milestones to help check how your child is developing. Although each milestone has an age level, the actual age when a normally developing child reaches that milestone can very quite a bit. Every child is unique!

By 3 months of age does your child:
Motor Skills
* lift head when held at your shoulder
* lift head and chest when lying on his stomach
* turn head from side to side when lying on his stomach
* follow a moving object or person with his eyes
* often hold hands open or loosely fisted
* grasp rattle when given to her
* wiggle and kick with arms and legs


Sensory and Thinking Skills
* turn head toward bright colors and lights
* turn toward the sound of a human voice
* recognize bottle or breast
* respond to your shaking a rattle or bell


Language and Social Skills
* make cooing, gurgling sounds
* smile when smiled at
* communicate hunger, fear, discomfort (through crying or facial expression)
* usually quiet down at the sound of a soothing voice or when held
* anticipate being lifted
* react to "peek-a-boo" games


By 6 months of age does your child:
Motor Skills
* hold head steady when sitting with your help
* reach for and grasp objects
* play with his toes
* help hold the bottle during feeding
* explore by mouthing and banging objects
* move toys from one hand to another
* shake a rattle
* pull up to a sitting position on her own if you grasp her hands
* sit with only a little support
* sit in a high chair
* roll over
* bounce when held in a standing position


Sensory and Thinking Skills
* open his mouth for the spoon
* imitate familiar actions you perform


Language and Social Skills
* babble, making almost sing-song sounds
* know familiar faces
* laugh and squeal with delight
* scream if annoyed
* smile at herself in a mirror


By 12 months of age does your child:
Motor Skills
* drink from a cup with help
* feed herself finger food like raisins or bread crumbs
* grasp small objects by using her thumb and index or forefinger
* use his first finger to poke or point
* put small blocks in and take them out of a container
* knock two blocks together
* sit well without support
* crawl on hands and knees
* pull himself to stand or take steps holding onto furniture
* stand alone momentarily
* walk with one hand held
* cooperate with dressing by offering a foot or an arm


Sensory and Thinking Skills
* copy sounds and actions you make
* respond to music with body motion
* try to accomplish simple goals (seeing and then crawling to a toy)
* look for an object she watched fall out of sight (such as a spoon that falls under the table)


Language and Social Skills
* babble, but it sometimes "sounds like" talking
* say his first word
* recognize family members' names
* try to "talk" with you
* respond to another's distress by showing distress or crying
* show affection to familiar adults
* show mild to severe anxiety at separation from parent
* show apprehension about strangers
* raise her arms when she wants to be picked up
* understand simple commands

Vertebroplasty with Procedure Demonstration

What is Vertebroplasty :

The vertebral column or backbone tends to get weak as a person gets old. This is more common in women since female hormones are necessary for normal mineralization. The weak bones in the spine collapse, producing painful fractures. Till a few years ago the only treatment that was available for condition was a major surgery. However thanks to interventional radiology today a fractured bone of the spine can be strengthened by injecting a specialized medical cement ( bone cement) into the diseased vertebral body .

Procedure Demonstration :

Stryker Vertebroplasty uses a specially formulated acrylic bone cement to stabilize and strengthen the fracture and vertebral body. Its done on an outpatient basis and requires only a local anesthetic and mild sedation, eliminating the complications that may result from open surgery and general anesthesia. Stryker Vertebroplasty is considered a minimally invasive procedure because it is done through a small puncture in the patients skin (as opposed to an open incision). Technically simple, it usually takes about 30 minutes to complete.

Using sterile technique and fluoroscopic visualization, a 10-, 11- or 13- gauge needle is advanced into the fractured vertebra using a transpedicular approach. Bi-pedicular needle placement is recommended. Once the needles are in the correct position, bone cement is slowly injected into the vertebral body, diffusing throughout the intertrabecular marrow space and creating an internal cast that stabilizes the bone.

Following the procedure, patients lie flat on their back for a short period of time as the cement continues to harden. They may then go home. Almost all patients undergoing Stryker Vertebroplasty experience 90% or better reduction in pain within 24-48 hours and increased ability to perform daily activities shortly thereafter.

100 Questions & Answers About Your Child's Asthma (100 Questions & Answers about)

100 Questions & Answers About Your Child’s Asthma Gives You Authoritative, Practical Answers To Your Questions About Childhood Asthma, Treatment Options, Post-Treatment Quality Of Life, Coping Strategies For Both Patient And Caregiver, Sources Of Support, And Much More. This Book Is An Invaluable Resource For Understanding And Coping With The Medical, Psychological, Emotional And Financial Considerations Of A Child With Asthma.

Breakfast and Weight Control

Why does eating breakfast help control weight?

Here are some of the ways regularly eating a healthy breakfast may help you lose excess weight and maintain your weight loss:

* Eating breakfast reduces your hunger later in the day, making it easier to avoid overeating. When you skip breakfast, you may feel ravenous later and be tempted to reach for a quick fix, such as candy from the vending machine. In addition, prolonged fasting — which occurs when you skip breakfast — can increase your body's insulin response, which in turn increases fat storage and weight gain. In fact, skipping breakfast actually increases your risk of obesity.
* Eating breakfast gets you on track to make healthy choices all day. People who eat breakfast regularly tend to eat a healthier diet — one that is more nutritious and lower in fat. When you skip breakfast, you're more likely to skip fruits and vegetables the rest of the day too.
* Eating breakfast gives you energy, increasing your physical activity during the day. A healthy breakfast refuels your body and replenishes the glycogen stores that supply blood sugar (glucose). Skipping breakfast is associated with decreased physical activity.

Unfortunately, more Americans are skipping breakfast. If you're one of them — whether you're trying to save time or cut calories — you may want to reconsider, especially if you're trying to control your weight.

Facts About Sun Exposure

Direct sun exposure without any protection is very harmful to skin, as ultraviolet A rays are high-energy rays that can penetrate even tinted glass. Use a maximum UVA protection sunscreen on a daily basis with advice from a board-certified dermatologist in this free video on skin care.

Galactorrhea Causes

Galactorrhea is a milky nipple discharge unrelated to the normal milk production of breast-feeding. Galactorrhea itself isn't a disease, but it's a sign of an underlying problem. Although it occurs most often in women, galactorrhea can happen in men and even sometimes in infants.

Sometimes, the cause of galactorrhea can't be determined, and the condition goes away on its own.

Galactorrhea often results from too much prolactin — the hormone responsible for milk production (lactation) when you have a baby. Prolactin is produced by your pituitary gland, a marble-sized gland at the base of your brain that secretes and regulates several hormones.

Possible causes of galactorrhea include:

* Medications, such as certain tranquilizers, antidepressants and high blood pressure drugs
* Herbal supplements, such as fennel, anise or fenugreek seed
* Birth control pills
* A noncancerous pituitary tumor (prolactinoma) or other disorder of the pituitary gland
* An underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)
* Chronic kidney disease
* Excessive breast stimulation, which may be associated with sexual activity, frequent breast self-exams, a skin rash on the chest or prolonged clothing friction
* Nerve damage to the chest wall from chest surgery, burns or other chest injuries
* Spinal cord surgery, injury or tumors

Idiopathic galactorrhea
Sometimes doctors can't find a cause for galactorrhea. This is called idiopathic galactorrhea, and it may just mean that your breast tissue is particularly sensitive to the milk-producing hormone prolactin in your blood. If you have increased sensitivity to prolactin, even normal prolactin levels can lead to galactorrhea.

Brown rice VS White rice in type 2 diabetes

Healthy eating plays a major role in diabetes prevention and management, as demonstrated by a new study published online by the Archives of Internal Medicine, suggesting that choosing brown rice over white rice may help reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. But selecting the right type of rice isn't the only food choice you can make to help avoid the disease. To ward off diabetes—or keep it in check if you've already been diagnosed—consider adding the foods on the following slides to your diet.

Higher Healthcare Costs in 2011

WASHINGTON :- The amount employers spend on their workers' healthcare costs will reach a 5-year high in 2011, and employees will also face larger out-of-pocket costs for their medical care next year, according to a forecast released Monday by the consulting group Hewitt Associates.

Because of higher medical claim costs, an aging population, and changes under the new healthcare reform law, employers can expect to pay nearly 9% more toward their employees' healthcare costs than they did in 2010.

The findings are in line with a recent survey by the National Business Group on Health that asked large employers what they expected to pay for their workers' medical costs in 2011. The answer: about 9% more than in 2010.

The average total healthcare premium per employee working at a large firm will be $9,821 in 2011 -- up from $9,028 in 2010.

Employees will contribute, on average, $2,209, or 22.5% of the total premium, which is a few hundred dollars more than in 2010, when the average employee at a large firm paid 21.8% of their total premium, to total slightly less than $2,000. Once out-of-pocket costs for co-pays and deductibles are factored in, employees can expect to pay about $486 more than they paid toward their medical costs in 2010.

The authors of the Hewitt report say that the new figures mean that healthcare premiums have more than doubled in the past decade and employees' share of their medical costs will have more than tripled.

The high 2011 cost projections are based on a number of factors, the study authors said. For one, employers haven't hired many new employees in recent years, which has resulted in a slightly older work force that is more prone to expensive medical conditions.

Certain insurance market reforms contained in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) -- such as covering dependents until age 26 and eliminating lifetime and annual limits -- contributed to about 1% to 2% to the 9% increase in what employers are likely to pay in 2011.

"After 18 months of waiting for healthcare reform to play out, employers find themselves in a very challenging cost position for 2011," said Ken Sperling, Hewitt's healthcare practice leader, in a press release. "Reform creates opportunities for meaningful change in how healthcare is delivered in the U.S., but most of these positive effects won't be felt for a few years. In the meantime, employers continue to struggle to balance the significant healthcare needs of an aging work force with the economic realities of a difficult business environment."

Hewitt's data came from a database with detailed census, cost, and plan design information for 350 large U.S. employers representing 14.4 million participants and $51.9 billion in 2010 healthcare spending.

Cesarean Birth (C-section) Delivery & Birth

Water Liposuction - The Futuristic Technology is here

Water Liposuction or Water Assisted Liposuction with Body-Jet is the newest FDA approved liposuction. Unlike laser or other liposuction methods, the new technique uses water which is the most natural substance to our delicate body to loosen up fat from the connective tissue for easy removal. It is ultra safe and highly effective. People see results instantly and recover even faster.

3 Exercises to lose weight fast

It is not difficult to lose your weight when you have the right information, at the right time, and the right tools to put it to use. If you will do these 3 best popular exercises on a consistent basis, week in and week out, then combined with a good diet, you will lose weight fast.


1. Interval running: Running has the potential to burn more calories per amount of time worked than any other exercise there is. No, I don’t mean jogging. Although you can use walking, then jogging as a way to prepare yourself to be able to run in the future. Interval running is just running with short breaks in between. For example: run for 30 seconds, then take a 30 second break then repeat.

2. Rowing: ..wow I love it, Rowing is a complete body workout and can be done outside on a lake, in the comfort of your own home, or at a gym. It burns a lot of calories and builds lean muscle.

3. Squat Presses: This exercise is well known to trainers and athletes alike, but not to the mainstream. It is simply taking a dumbbell or a barbell, then doing a squat. As you come to the top of your squat, you press the dumbbells (or barbell) above your head and then bring it back down and repeat. This exercise works every large muscle in the body and if done with short rest periods can be a good cardio workout (gets the heart rate up).

If you really want to lose weight, and want to do it fast, then you will have to use exercise. If you do these exercises 3-5 times per week (and be sure to mix it up), then you will reach your weight loss goals.

4 Alternative Therapies for Alzheimer’s

Treatment with the herbal supplement ginkgo biloba to improve mental functioning is considered experimental.

Other therapies, like light therapy, aromatherapy, and exercise, may help reduce behaviors such as agitation but should only be done with supervision.

Other Choices :

* Ginkgo biloba. Many people take ginkgo biloba to improve or preserve memory. But studies have not shown that ginkgo biloba helps improve memory or prevent dementia.15 Ginkgo biloba is widely used in Europe to treat age-related dementia, including Alzheimer's disease.

* Aromatherapy. One small study indicates that this therapy, when used as a lotion containing essential balm oil, may be safe and effective for reducing significant agitation in people with severe dementia.16 But more research is needed to prove its effectiveness.

* Light therapy. This treatment is often used to relieve depression. It may help reduce depression, agitation, and sleeplessness associated with Alzheimer's disease. The person is exposed to either natural light or artificial light for several hours every morning or at night to reduce depression.

* Exercise. Gentle exercise, such as walking or swimming, can also relieve symptoms of depression associated with Alzheimer's disease. Exercise is most effective when it is combined with teaching caregivers how to work through behavioral problems with the person who has Alzheimer's disease.

Another way a caregiver can try to reduce agitation is to play soothing music for the person who has Alzheimer's disease, during meals and when the caregiver is helping with bathing.

Athlete's Foot

Also called: Tinea pedis



Athlete's foot is a common infection caused by the tinea fungus. It is not serious. Symptoms include itching, burning and cracked, scaly skin between your toes. Tinea grows best in damp, dark and warm places, which is why it often develops between your toes. It can spread to your toenails, as well, making them thick and crumbly.

You can get athlete's foot from damp surfaces, such as locker room floors. To prevent it

• Wash your feet every day
• Dry your feet well, especially between your toes
• Wear clean socks
• Don't walk barefoot in public areas
• Wear flip-flops in locker room showers

Treatments include over-the-counter antifungal creams for most cases and prescription medicines for more serious infections.