Prevention of Foot Odor

Prevention of Foot Odor

What is Foot Odor?
Foot odoris best described as type of body odor that affects the feet and gives off an unpleasant smell. Foot odor affects millions of people. Some people may develop extreme foot odor which is a condition known as bromhidrosis and may be influenced by various factors which include excessive sweating(hyperhidrosis), hormonal changes, stress, certain foods or drugs.

Foot odor often occurs because feet sweat from wearing socks and being enclosed in shoes. Feet have more sweat glands than any other part of the body and as a result they can sweat excessively because of the lack of air ventilation. This excessive sweating creates a breeding ground for bacteria and fungus which causes the foul odor.

Tips to prevent Foot Odor

1. Wash your feet daily in warm water with an antibacterial soap and dry them thoroughly, especially between the toes.

2. Change your socks and shoes at least once a day.

3. Apply an antiperspirant, foot powder, foot spray or foot creams to your feet every morning to keep them dry.

4. Wear thick, cotton or wool socks to help absorb moisture avoid synthetic fabrics such as nylon and polyester.

5. Insert insoles in your shoes as they not only absorb the unpleasant odor but also give off a lovely fragrance.

6. Avoid wearing shoes made of plastic, instead opt for shoes made of canvas, mesh or leather that will allow feet to breathe.

7. If you have worn the same shoes all day and they become moist or wet inside, allow them to dry completely before wearing them again coat them with talcum powder or stuff them with newspaper.

8. Soak your feet in a tub of apple cider vinegar or strong tea as the tannins in the tea will eliminate the odor .

9. Dust your feet frequently with a nonmedicated baby powder or foot powder. Applying antibacterial ointment also may help.

10. Wear thick, soft socks to help draw moisture away from the feet. Cotton and other absorbent materials are best.

11. Avoid wearing nylon socks or plastic shoes. Instead, wear shoes made of leather, canvas, mesh or other materials that let your feet breathe.

These preventive measures also can help prevent athlete's foot, which can flourish in the same environment as sweaty feet.

Persistent foot odor can indicate a low-grade infection or a severe case of hereditary sweating. In these cases, your doctor may prescribe a special ointment. You apply it to the feet at bedtime and then wrap your feet with an impermeable covering such as kitchen plastic wrap.

Soaking your feet in strong black tea for 30 minutes a day for a week can help. The tannic acid in the tea kills the bacteria and closes the pores, keeping your feet dry longer. Use two tea bags per pint of water. Boil for 15 minutes, then add two quarts of cool water. Soak your feet in the cool solution. Alternately, you can soak your feet in a solution of one part vinegar and two parts water.

A form of electrolysis called iontophoresis also can reduce excessive sweating of the feet, but requires special equipment and training to administer. In the most severe cases of hyperhidrosis, a surgeon can cut the nerve that controls sweating. Recent advances in technology have made this surgery much safer, but you may notice compensatory sweating in other areas of the body afterwards.

Prevention of food poisoning

Prevention of food poisoning

[A]Food hygiene

(1) Purchase of food
Select fresh meat and vegetable.
Purchase food from hygienic, reliable and reputable sources to ensure quality.
Do not patronise unlicensed hawkers or food stalls selling cooked food.
Read and follow the storage instructions, and pay attention to the "use by" or "best before" date on food labels when buying prepacked food.
Do not buy any food that is abnormal in appearance, for example: canned food in rusty, expanded or dented cans.

(2) Handling of food
Food should be thoroughly washed before storage or cooking. Meat and seafood must be thoroughly cooked.
Food should be consumed as soon as it is served. Hot food should be eaten when it is still hot and cold dishes should be stored in the refrigerator until consumption.
Use different sets of chopping blocks and knives for cutting raw and cooked food.

(3) Storage of food
Raw and cooked food should be stored separately to avoid cross contamination. Place cooked food  in the upper compartment of refrigerator.
Cooked food, unless consumed at once, should be kept below 4oC or above 63oC. Do not store food under room temperature to avoid multiplication of bacteria.
Leftover food should be stored in  the refrigerator and re-heated thoroughly before consumption.
Refrigerator should be cleaned  properly and regularly and its temperature should be kept below 4oC.
Do not store excessive  amount of food in the refrigerator to avoid affecting cold air circulation.

[B] Personal hygiene
Wash hands with soap and water after going to the toilet and before handling food.
Anybody who suffers from diarrhoea or vomiting should not handle or touch any food to
avoid bacteria contaminating the food.
Bandage wounds with waterproof plasters before handling any food.

[C] Environmental hygiene
Put all rubbish & food remains into a dustbin and cover it up tightly.
Dustbin must be emptied frequently and regularly.
Clean the kitchen frequently and regularly  to prevent harbouring rats and insects.

SNAKE BITE - FIRST AID - PREVENTION

SNAKE BITE - FIRST AID - PREVENTION

1. Keep victim calm. Reassure – ‘not all snake bites are venomous. Not all venomous snakes are deadly. Even if venomous, may not have delivered the toxin into the victim. Even if envenomed, there are effective antivenoms available’. Keeping calm reduces the blood flow and the dissemination of the toxin within the circulation.

2. Remove overlying clothing to prevent venom on the clothing entering through the bite wound. Wash the wound with soap and water. Apply betadine if available.

3. Remove all rings, bracelets, watches, or jewellery from the bitten hand and shoes from the feet of the bitten leg.

4. Apply a light constricting band one to two inches wide (NOT a tourniquet) two to four inches above the bite. The band should be snug, but not tight. It should be loose enough to slip one finger underneath the band and a pulse should be clearly felt below the band. DO NOT cut off the blood supply to the wound area. DO NOT apply a constricting band around a joint, head, neck, or around the trunk of the body.

5. DO NOT cut into the wound - this will spread the venom and cause infection.

6. DO NOT suck on the wound with your mouth - this will cause infection and little venom will actually be removed.

7. DO NOT apply a tourniquet to the wound - this cuts off the blood supply to the wound.

8. Immobilize the site of bite. If it’s a limb splint it. Do not allow the victim to walk.

9. Give 2 paracetemol tablets for pain relief. DO NOT give aspirin as this will thin out the blood and aggravate bleeding. Do not give sedatives or alcohol.

10. Transport victim immediately to the hospital for evaluation and treatment.

11. If the snake is killed take it along for identification. Note: live snakes can appear to be dead therefore exert extreme caution even if snake appears dead.However, do not waste time trying to capture or kill the snake. Nevertheless, a clear description of the snake would help in choosing the appropriate antivenin.

PREVENTING SNAKE BITES 

* Always be aware of your surroundings.

* Walk in areas where the ground is clear so you can see where you step.

* Be aware of where you sit especially in shady areas.

* Wear protective clothing, such as long pants and hiking boots. This would minimise poisoning even if bitten.

* Wear gloves when using your hands to move bush or rocks.

* Don't reach into cracks in rocks, animal burrows or under bushes.

* Don't walk around at night or sleep on the ground because snakes are most active at night. Use a torch / light source when out at night. Use a long stick to probe the path in front of you when travelling at night. Stamp your feet hard when walking so that snakes would sense the vibration and move away.

* Don't tease or handle snakes. It could be dangerous.