Some tips to remember when applying acne medication:

Applying acne medications may sometimes cause slight irritation such as dryness, burning and tightness of the skin. However, this is normal and related to its active ingredients. A remedy would be to apply the acne medication one at a time, or every other day until the skin gets use to it. Applying a light moisturizer in the morning can help.

If the acne medication is cream  or gel based, just squeeze a pea size to your fingertip. This is sufficient enough to cover the entire face. But be sure to avoid applying around the yes and lips because these are very sensitive areas wherein the skin is thin. These are medications you are using so reactions can happen if you apply too much.

Clean the face properly. If you wear make-up such as foundation or concealers, be sure to use a make-up remover (cream or lotion based), wash the face gently with mild cleanser and pat dry, do not rub the face nor use hand towels. The face should be clean and dry; residue make-up acts like a barrier so absorption of the medication will be lesser, thereby makes it ineffective.

Excessive exposure to sunlight or UV radiation should be avoided.

Never use other topical acne medications not recommended by your physician because this may cause interactions, or may produce additive irritant effects with your present prescribed drug.

It is best to consult your dermatologist for the proper acne drug suited for the specific type of acne. It is best you have your doctor’s guidance on how to properly apply the acne medication, the length of the acne treatment, the possible reactions that can happen and what to do in such cases.

Be consistent in applying your acne medication. Results cannot be seen overnight, the skin needs time to recover. Compliance to the acne treatment depends on you. Best result is seen when you apply the medication consistently.

In the Philippines, July is observed as the National Disaster Consciousness Month, through Presidential Executive Order No. 137.The theme for the 2010 Disaster Consciousness Month is “Safe Ka Ba?: Programa Laban Sa Kalamidad Tungo Sa Pag-Unlad.” This is being observed to focus our attention on the need to prepare for natural disasters such as typhoon, flood, earthquake, landslide and volcanic eruption which have all occurred for the past 15 years in our country.

In line with this, The One Million Safe Schools and Hospitals Campaign is a global advocacy initiative to make schools and hospitals safer from disasters. This initiative is part of the 2010-2011 World Disaster Risk Reduction Campaign on “Building Resilient Cities – My city is getting ready!”

Spread the Word ! Help promote the campaign

You can help make schools and hospitals safer through a simple click.

So, sign up and make a pledge to make our schools and hospitals a safe place not only for us, but also for the generations to come.

Just go to the Safe-Schools-Hospitals website and follow the easy-to-follow steps. You can also make your pledge through the campaign’s Facebook page.

You can help by using the campaign counter in your e-mail signature, adding the campaign graphic in your website, sending a tweet or posting an item in FaceBook about the campaign.

Post this poster in your school or hospital

I_Pledge_Poster2

I have encountered a lot of people being infected with viral conjunctivitis. The following is a health advisory from the Department of Health. Hand hygiene (hand washing with soap and water or use of hand sanitizer, best is still 70 % isopropyl alcohol) is the basic precaution for all common diseases .

Sore Eyes is a term often used for viral conjunctivitis

Incubation period or time from exposure to onset of symptoms: 5 -12 days

Mode of Transmission

• Direct contact by one’s eyes with hands contaminated with eye secretions of an infected person.

• Touching of eyes with hands getting contact with surfaces, instruments, eye solutions, make-ups contaminated with the virus from an infected person.

• Entry of the virus through the eyes by swimming in poorly chlorinated pools.

Signs and Symptoms

• Begins in one eye and later affects both eyes.

• Watery to pus-like discharge.

• Redness of the eye with pain and/or itching sensation.

• Eyelids that are stuck together on awakening.

• In severe cases, pain of the eyes on exposure to sunlight and foreign-body solution.

Treatment

• There is no specific treatment during the acute phase (1-2 weeks).

• If eye discharge is profuse and pus-like or patient develops blurring of vision or severe pain, consultation with an ophthalmologist is advised.

Prevention

• Wash hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water.

• Minimize hand-to-eye contact.

• Use only own towels, eye drops, make-ups and applicators, sunglasses or eye glasses.

• Wear eye/sunglasses on a windy day to protect one’s eyes from foreign particles

• Avoid crowded places.

• Disinfect surfaces, doorknobs, counters, elevator buttons and hand rails with dilute bleach solution.

• Clothes, towels, pillow cases and anything else which may have come in contact with an infected person should be washed

Source:

HEALTH ADVISORY, National Center for Health Promotion, National Center for Disease Prevention and Control. Department of Health