Calamine Health Dictionary

Also known as varicella. An acute, contagious disease predominantly of children – although it may occur at any age – characterised by fever and an eruption on the skin. The name, chickenpox, is said to be derived from the resemblance of the eruption to boiled chickpeas.

Causes The disease occurs in epidemics affecting especially children under the age of ten years. It is due to the varicella zoster virus, and the condition is an extremely infectious one from child to child. Although an attack confers life-long immunity, the virus may lie dormant and manifest itself in adult life as HERPES ZOSTER or shingles.

Symptoms There is an incubation period of 14–21 days after infection, and then the child becomes feverish or has a slight shivering, or may feel more severely ill with vomiting and pains in the back and legs. Almost at the same time, an eruption consisting of red pimples which quickly change into vesicles ?lled with clear ?uid appears on the back and chest, sometimes about the forehead, and less frequently on the limbs. These vesicles appear over several days and during the second day may show a change of their contents to turbid, purulent ?uid. Within a day or two they burst, or, at all events, shrivel up and become covered with brownish crusts. The small crusts have all dried up and fallen o? in little more than a week and recovery is almost always complete.

Treatment The fever can be reduced with paracetamol and the itching soothed with CALAMINE lotion. If the child has an immune disorder, is suffering from a major complication such as pneumonia, or is very unwell, an antiviral drug (aciclovir) can be used. It is likely to be e?ective only at an early stage. A vaccine is available in many parts of the world but is not used in the UK; the argument against its use is that it may delay chickenpox until adult life when the disease tends to be much more severe.... chickenpox

Also known as dengue fever, breakbone fever, and dandy fever, dengue is endemic and epidemic in tropical and subtropical regions. It is an acute infection caused by a ?avivirus (family togaviridae) transmitted by mosquitoes – especially Aedes aegypti. Incubation period is 5–8 days, and is followed by abrupt onset of symptoms: fever, facial ERYTHEMA with intense itching (which spreads throughout the body), sore throat, running eyes, and painful muscles and joints are common accompaniments. The symptoms subside within a few days and are frequently succeeded by a relapse similar to the ?rst. Further relapses may occur, and joint pains continue for some months. In uncomplicated dengue the mortality rate is virtually zero. Diagnosis is by virus isolation or demonstration of a rising antibody-concentration in the acute phase of infection. There is no speci?c treatment, but mild analgesics can be used to relieve the pains, and calamine lotion the itching. Prevention can be achieved by reduction of the mosquito-vector population.

Dengue haemorrhagic fever This is a more severe form of the disease which usually occurs in young children; it is largely con?ned to the indigenous population(s) of south-east Asia. It is accompanied by signi?cant complications and mortality. Immunological status of the host is considered important in pathogenesis.... dengue

The rash produced by the sudden release of HISTAMINE in the skin. It is characterised by acute itching, redness and wealing which subsides within a few minutes or may persist for a day or more. Depending upon the cause, it may be localised or widespread and transient or constantly recurrent over years. It has many causes.

External injuries to the skin such as the sting of a nettle (‘nettle-rash’) or an insect bite cause histamine release from MAST CELLS in the skin directly. Certain drugs, especially MORPHINE, CODEINE and ASPIRIN, can have the same e?ect. In other cases, histamine release is caused by an allergic mechanism, mediated by ANTIBODIES of the immunoglobulin E (IgE) class – see IMMUNOGLOBULINS. Thus many foods, food additives and drugs (such as PENICILLIN) can cause urticaria. Massive release of histamine may affect mucous membranes – namely the tongue or throat – and can cause HYPOTENSION and anaphylactic shock (see ANAPHYLAXIS) which can occasionally be fatal.

Physical factors can cause urticaria. Heat, exercise and emotional stress may induce a singular pattern with small pinhead weals, but widespread ?ares of ERYTHEMA, activated via the AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM (CHOLINERGIC urticaria) may also occur.

Rarely, exposure to cold may have a smiilar e?ect (‘cold urticaria’) and anaphylactic shock following a dive into cold water in winter is occasionally fatal. The diagnosis of cold urticaria can be con?rmed by applying a block of ice to the arm which quickly induces a local weal.

Transient urticaria due to rubbing or even stroking the skin is common in young adults (DERMOGRAPHISM or factitious urticaria). More prolonged deep pressure induces delayed urticaria in other subjects. IgE-mediated urticaria is part of the atopic spectrum (see ATOPY, and SKIN, DISEASES OF – Dermatitis and eczema). Allergy to peanuts is particularly dangerous in young atopic subjects. Notwithstanding the many known causes, chronic urticaria of unknown cause is common and may have an autoimmune basis (see AUTOIMMUNE DISORDERS).

Treatment Causative factors must be removed. Topical therapy is ine?ective except for the use of calamine lotion, which reduces itching by cooling the skin. Oral ANTIHISTAMINES are the mainstay of treatment and are remarkably safe. Rarely, injection of ADRENALINE is needed as emergency treatment of massive urticaria, especially if the tongue and throat are involved, following by a short course of the oral steroid, prednisolone.

Angio-oedema is a variant of urticaria where massive OEDEMA involves subcutaneous tissues rather than the skin. It may have many causes but bee and wasp stings in sensitised subjects are particularly dangerous. There is also a rare hereditary form of angio-oedema. Acute airway obstruction due to submucosal oedema of the tongue or larynx is best treated with immediate intramuscular adrenaline and antihistamine. Rarely, TRACHEOSTOMY may be life-saving. Patients who have had two or more episodes can be taught self-injection with a preloaded adrenaline syringe.... urticaria

Measles, formerly known as morbilli, is an acute infectious disease occurring mostly in children and caused by an RNA paramyxovirus.

Epidemiology There has been a dramatic fall in the number of sufferers from 1986, when more than 80,000 cases were reported. This is due to the introduction in 1988 of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine (MMR VACCINE – see also IMMUNISATION); 1990, when the proportion of children immunised reached 90 per cent, was the ?rst year in which no deaths from measles were reported. Even so, fears of side-effects of the vaccine against measles – including scienti?cally unproven and discredited claims of a link with AUTISM – mean that some children in the UK are not being immunised, and since 2002 local outbreaks of measles have been reported in a few areas of the UK. Side-effects are, however, rare and the government is campaigning to raise the rate of immunisation, with GPs being set targets for their practices.

There are few diseases as infectious as measles, and its rapid spread in epidemics is no doubt due to the fact that this viral infection is most potent in the earlier stages. Hence the dif?culty of timely isolation, and the readiness with which the disease is spread, which is mostly by infected droplets. In developing countries measles results in the death of more than a million children annually.

Symptoms The incubation period, during which the child is well, lasts 7–21 days. Initial symptoms are CATARRH, conjunctivitis (see EYE, DISORDERS OF), fever and a feeling of wretchedness. Then Koplik spots – a classic sign of measles – appear on the roof of the mouth and lining of the cheeks. The macular body rash, typical of measles, appears 3–5 days later. Common complications include otitis media (see under EAR, DISEASES OF) and PNEUMONIA. Measles ENCEPHALITIS can cause permanent brain damage. A rare event is a gradual dementing disease (see DEMENTIA) called subacute sclerosing panenecephalitis (SSPE).

Treatment Isolation of the patient and treatment of any secondary bacterial infection, such as pneumonia or otitis, with antibiotics. Children usually run a high temperature which can be relieved with cool sponging and antipyretic drugs. Calamine lotion may alleviate any itching.... measles

Ticks are blood-sucking arthropods which are responsible for transmitting a wide range of diseases to humans, including ROCKY MOUNTAIN SPOTTED FEVER, African tick typhus, LYME DISEASE and ?èvre boutonneuse (see TYPHUS FEVER). Apart from being transmitters of disease, they cause intense itching and may cause quite severe lesions of the skin. The best repellents are dimethyl phthalate and diethyltoluamide. Once bitten, relief from the itching is obtained from the application of calamine lotion. Tick-bites are an occupational hazard of shepherds and gamekeepers. (See also BITES AND STINGS.)... ticks

A liquid drug preparation applied to the skin. Some examples of drugs prepared as a lotion include calamine and betamethasone, which are used to treat skin inflammation.... lotion

Inflammation of the skin caused by overexposure to the sun. The ultraviolet light in sunlight may destroy cells in the outer layer of the skin and damage tiny blood vessels beneath.

Fair-skinned people are most susceptible.

The affected skin turns red and tender and may become blistered.

The dead skin cells are later shed by peeling.

Calamine lotion soothes the burned skin.

Analgesic drugs may be taken to relieve discomfort.

A high protection factor sunscreen helps to prevent sunburn.

Severe sunburn in childhood increases the risk of skin cancer in later life.... sunburn

 Redness and possible blistering caused by a sensitive substance such as chromium, nickel, other metals, rubber, paints, cosmetic materials, plants (primula), house dust mites, aerosols, deodorants, photocopying, dyes in clothing, etc. A patch test establishes diagnosis. A suspected irritant is applied to the skin and after two days its reaction is noted. If inflammation is present the test is positive. Symptoms may include vesicles with weeping, scaling, and presence of dropsy.

In a study of 612 patients attending the Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield, more than half of the women who had ears pierced reported skin reactions to metallic jewellery, while a third had sensitivity to nickel. (British Journal of Dermatology, Jan 1992)

Treatment. Remove article or cause of irritation. Garlic is claimed to be successful, either in diet or by capsule when the condition is caused by histamines. Other agents: Betony, Burdock leaves, Chickweed, Dandelion, Figwort, Gotu Kola, Plantain, Red Clover.

Internal. Burdock tea. Clivers tea.

Tablets/capsules. Garlic, Devil’s Claw, Blue Flag.

Topical. Avoid use of Calamine, if possible. Creams or salves: Aloe Vera, Comfrey, Evening Primrose, Witch Hazel, Jojoba. All are alternatives to corticosteroids.

Tamus (Black Bryony) tincture. Distilled extract of Witch Hazel. ... dermatitis, contact

An intense irritation or tickling sensation in the skin. Generalized itching may result from excessive bathing, which removes the skin’s natural oils and may leave the skin excessively dry. Some people experience general itching after taking certain drugs. Many elderly people suffer from dry, itchy skin, especially on their backs. Itching commonly occurs during pregnancy.

Many skin conditions, including chickenpox, urticaria (nettle rash), and eczema, produce an itchy rash. Generalized skin itchiness can be a result of diabetes mellitus, kidney failure, jaundice, and thyroid disorders.

Pruritus ani (itching around the anal region) occurs with haemorrhoids and anal fissure. Threadworm infestation is the most likely cause of anal itching in children. Pruritus vulvae (itching of the external genitalia in women) may be due to candidiasis, hormonal changes, or to use of spermicides or vaginal ointments and deodorants. Insect bites, lice, and scabies infestations cause intense itching.

Specific treatment for itching depends on the underlying cause. Cooling lotions, such as calamine, relieve irritation; emollients reduce dryness.... itching

A common, mild skin disorder in which a rash of flat, scaly-edged, pink spots or patches appears on the trunk and upper arms. It is not contagious and mainly affects children and young adults. Its cause is unknown. The rash lasts for 4–8 weeks, may cause itching, and usually clears up without treatment. Calamine lotion or antihistamine drugs may relieve any itching. pityriasis versicolor A common skin condition in which patches of white, brown, or salmon-coloured flaking skin appear on the trunk and neck. Also known as tinea versicolor, it is caused by a fungus that exists on most people’s skin. Treatment is with antifungal drugs. pivampicillin See penicillin drugs. pivmecillinam See penicillin drugs. pizotifen An antihistamine drug used to prevent migraine in people with frequent, disabling attacks. Adverse effects can include nausea, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, and muscle pains.

Prolonged use may cause weight gain.... pityriasis rosea

Several species of plant, including foxglove, holly, deadly nightshade, and laburnum, are poisonous. Nettles, hogweed, poison ivy, and primula cause skin reactions, including rash and itching, on contact. Young children are the most commonly affected. Symptoms of poisoning vary according to the plant but may include abdominal pain, vomiting, flushing, breathing difficulties, delirium, and coma and require urgent medical advice. Skin reactions can be treated by application of alcohol or calamine lotion; corticosteroid drugs may be prescribed for severe reactions. Poisoning usually requires gastric lavage. Fatal poisoning is rare. (See also mushroom poisoning.)... plants, poisonous

A group of spots or an area of red, inflamed skin. A rash is usually temporary and is only rarely a sign of a serious underlying problem. It may be accompanied by itching or fever.

Rashes are classified according to whether they are localized (affecting a small area of skin) or generalized (covering the entire body), and the type of spots. A bullous rash has large blisters, a vesicular rash has small blisters, and a pustular one has pus-filled blisters. A macular rash consists of spots level with the surrounding skin and discernible from it by a difference in colour or texture. Nodular and papular rashes are composed of small, raised bumps.

Rashes are the main sign of many infectious diseases (such as chickenpox), and are a feature of many skin disorders, such as eczema and psoriasis. They may also indicate an underlying medical problem, such as the rashes of scurvy or pellagra, which are caused by vitamin deficiency. The rashes of urticaria or contact dermatitis may be caused by an allergic reaction. Drug reactions, particularly to antibiotic drugs, are a common cause of rashes.

A diagnosis is based on the appearance and distribution of the rash, the presence of any accompanying symptoms, and the possibility of allergy (for example, to drugs). Any underlying cause is treated if possible. An itching rash may be relieved by a lotion, such as calamine, or an antihistamine drug.... rash