News

definition:

[1] Now, at this time, at this moment

[2] up to date

[3] fashionable, contemporary

23/07/2012 First aid for insect bites!

Finally sunshine! Although the heat does good for us humans, it also attracts small pests: mosquitoes, wasps and ticks can not only be annoying, but they can also cause dangerous diseases. What to do?

Mosquitoes:

Mosquito bites are usually painful due to the accompanying itching but harmless in this country .You can protect your skin by rubbing it with repellents. Mosquito nets and fly screens are a good protection, helping to not let insects into the apartment. If you have been bitten, it is advisable to disinfect the bite with wound spray, in case you do not have the latter at hand, saliva, water and vinegar or lemon juice can be used as well. It can be dangerous once a stitch is scratched open and bacteria gets into the skin: If the stitch is inflamed, swollen and painful, you should always consult a doctor! In some cases the infection has to be combated with an antibiotic. In particular, we recommend a visit to the doctor, if a sting causes problems after a holiday - insect bites from foreign countries may add additional risks, which must be treated by a doctor.

Bees and Wasps:

Bee and wasp stings are painful! Where possible, the injection site should be disinfected to prevent inflammation and cooled! Since bees lose their sting, it must be carefully removed. Especially stitches in the mouth and throat area can be very dangerous because of the risk of suffocation through the swelling. Again, cooling is particularly important here; if regarded necessary, a doctor / ambulance (112!) should be consulted. In presence of an allergy against insect poison, a single sting can be life threatening: signs of an existing allergy are: severe swelling on the area of injection, hives all over the skin and especially shortness of breath and circulatory failure. Severe allergic reactions are a case for the ambulance! (112!)

Ticks:

Still the rumor holds that ticks would let themselves fall off trees on walkers - this is not the case: ticks especially reside in high grass. While hiking long pants and sturdy shoes are recommended for this reason. In the evening, the clothes and the skin should be searched for ticks! Ticks that are already attached should be removed as soon as possible with a tick remover (do not use "home remedies" such as glue, etc.!). If the tick is being removed within 12 - 24 hours, usually no borrelia infections (the pathogens of the Lyme disease) has taken place yet.

You should disinfect the bite well and watch it carefully:

if a red circle forms around the bite that then spreads farther and fades in the middle, you should see a doctor. An infection can be treated well with antibiotics and thus, dangerous long-term consequences can be prevented. In specific risk areas (Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Hesse and Thuringia) ticks can transmit the dangerous early summer meningoencephalitis ESME. Inform yourself before any trips and vaccinate yourself and your children if necessary.

Source: hautInform July 2012, a press office service of the Professional Association of German Dermatologists

Euromelanoma-week 2012

In the week of 07 - 12th May 2012 the Euromelanoma week 2012th took place. The week was marked by the awareness of skin cancer risks and its prevention. Dermatologists all across Europe pointed the way for better information, effective self-protection and regular skin cancer screenings.

The Professional Association of German Dermatologists BVDD summarized:

"The Euromelanoma-week 2012 can put forward with a new record in Germany: for the first time more than 2,500 study sheets - exactly 2,602 – could be evaluated and the data analysis shows: risk groups such as sunbath users, people with an above average number of moles and outdoor workers are more affected. But skin cancer was also suspected at a number of participants without the typical "risk factors". Conclusion: Protect yourself and your children from too much UV radiation and go to the skin cancer screening- preferably yearly!