…As Paediatrician warns against arbitrary use of steroid for skin diseases***
Following the frequency of heat waves in Kaduna state, a
medical practitioner, Dr Bilkis Mohammed says it is important for residents to
reduce the time stayed in the sun.
Mohammed, who is the Secretary of the Nigeria Medical Association
((NMA), said on Tuesday in Kaduna that as the heat waves become more common and
intense, the risk of heatstroke continues to rise.
“The weather is hot and humid therefore concerns will be on
dehydration, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
“Exposure to the extreme temperature is the leading cause of
weather related deaths.
“This not only includes heatstroke but also problems
associated with breathing difficulties and exacerbated preexisting medical
conditions.’’
She tasked residents on the importance of staying cool
particularly the elderly and young persons at greater risk of heatstroke
and other problems associated with excessive heat exposure.
According to her, depending on a person’s age, presence of
chronic medical conditions and the amount of fluids they consumed, heatstroke
especially in very high temperature can occur in just a few short hours.
Mohammed also said that exercises and outdoor activities
should be done early morning or evening but not under the sun.
According to her, wearing thin, loose clothing during the
heat allows good airflow, which helps sweat to evaporate.
“Wearing loose fitting clothing that breathes well will help
your body regulate temperature.
“Also avoid dark clothing as it absorbs more heat than light
clothing,’’ she said.
The medical experts advised residents to hydrate regularly.
“Have a bottle of water handy while outside and avoid
crowded spot,’’ she said.
In the meantime, a Consultant Dermatologist, Dr Funmi Ajose,
has warned mothers to stop arbitrary use of steroid ointment in their babies
cream in order not to damage the skin.
Ajose of the Department of Medicine, Lagos State University
Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), gave the warning in an interview on Tuesday in
Lagos.
Steroid creams are used to reduce skin inflammation caused
by conditions such as psoriasis, dermatitis and eczema.
They are the cornerstone and first-line treatment of these
and many other skin diseases.
However, the consultant dermatologist said that it was very
wrong to apply strong chemicals on baby’s skin to treat skin infection of any
sort without establishing the cause.
“As mothers, if your children have rashes, you have to look
for the cause of the rashes first, which can be in their soap or in the wrong
ointment applied to their skin.
“A lot of mothers use wrong soap on their babies’ skin and
the wrong soap can give problems.
“They also use wrong moisturizers; some of the moisturizers
make the children to sweat and when they sweat, they develop rashes.
“So before you even think of adding that over the counter
steroid cream like Skineal to your child’s cream, you should first of all know
whatever it is that is giving your child rashes and stop the use,’’ Ajose
advised.
The dermatologist said that using plastic underlay on the
baby’s bed when sleeping could also generate sweat and cause rashes.
She also cautioned against adding liquid antiseptic to
baby’s bathing water, as doing so could cause the child to develop skin rashes.
Ajose urged mothers to use good quality coconut oil on their
babies’ skin, saying it is better than the moisturizers sold in the market.
The skin expert advised parents to always consult qualified
physicians if they notice that their children were experiencing skin irritation
or any other unusual developments.