Brief summary of Prevention and Control of Common Skin Infections
The Skin and Infections Associated With It
Skin diseases are common through out Africa and are dominated by bacterial and superficial fungal infections. The eczemas are ubiquitous. In some areas discoid lupus erythematosus is common and lichen planus is seen far more frequently than in temperate countries. Then there are the more chronic infections. These are: Leprosy,
Leishmaniasis, Scabies and Onchocericiasis, which affect the skin so distinctively; the whole range of ulcers of the skin; and the serious effects on the skin of protein malnutrition. Therefore this particular chapter concentrates on the general preventive and control methods of skin infections that are important to be implemented by the health extension package workers.
Prevention and control of Bacterial skin diseases
Personal hygiene is the most effective methods for prevention and control of bacterial infections. The following points illustrate the possible preventive methods for bacterial skin infections:
-Washing of hands with warm water and soap before touching broken skin.
-Washing the body with warm water and soap preferably everyday to remove dust and dirt.
-Wearing the right size and type of clothes to suit local weather conditions.
-After washing clothes, if possible, iron it before wearing
-Regular exposure of the skin to air and sunlight is beneficial.
-It is also important to clear the bacteria colonizing the nostrils and under the fingernails with either antibiotic ointment or petroleum jelly several times daily for one week of each month.
Leishmaniasis, Scabies and Onchocericiasis, which affect the skin so distinctively; the whole range of ulcers of the skin; and the serious effects on the skin of protein malnutrition. Therefore this particular chapter concentrates on the general preventive and control methods of skin infections that are important to be implemented by the health extension package workers.
Prevention and control of Bacterial skin diseases
Personal hygiene is the most effective methods for prevention and control of bacterial infections. The following points illustrate the possible preventive methods for bacterial skin infections:
-Washing of hands with warm water and soap before touching broken skin.
-Washing the body with warm water and soap preferably everyday to remove dust and dirt.
-Wearing the right size and type of clothes to suit local weather conditions.
-After washing clothes, if possible, iron it before wearing
-Regular exposure of the skin to air and sunlight is beneficial.
-It is also important to clear the bacteria colonizing the nostrils and under the fingernails with either antibiotic ointment or petroleum jelly several times daily for one week of each month.
Personal Hygiene
Many health problems are due to poor hygiene behavior. The benefits of safe water supply and sanitation efforts in a given community can easily be lost if the communities still carry on with the poor personal hygiene behavior. Health related programs, therefore, should consider carefully the changes in hygiene practices needed to complement improved water and sanitation facilities. To achieve these goals, hygiene education plays a central role and has to be applied on sustainable way. For detailed explanation on personal hygiene the reader is advised to refer the lecture notes on personal hygiene prepared by the carter centre for Ethiopian Health centre team.
Tips on personal hygiene for every day items
Here are some important points that the health extension worker needs to consider in addressing the promotion of personal hygiene, which is important in the prevention, and control of common skin infections:
- Wash your body with warm water and soap preferably every day to remove dust and dirt
- After showering or bathing ensure dry yourself thoroughly. Take special care to dry yourself between your toes, under your armpits and in the groin region.
- Regular exposure of the skin to air and sunlight is beneficial
- After bowel action, ensure the anal area is cleansed form the front backwards and not in the reverse direction. This reduces the chance of infections being passed to an individual’s sexual organs.
- Wear the right size and type of clothes to suit local weather wearing
- Change your clothes, especially underwear, socks, stocking or tights on a regular basis- preferably daily
- Launder towels, washcloths, sheets, pillowcases, duvet covers, and bedclothes on a frequent and regular basis.
- After washing, hang clothes and if possible, iron it before wearing
- Do not share wash cloths or towels
- Do not share brushes, combs, toothbrushes or toilet articles
- Keep washbasins, toilet seats, bathrooms, kitchens and fixtures thoroughly clean.
- Use disposable tissues instead of handkerchiefs
- Use paper towels or tissues in the kitchen
- Items which can not be washed such as mattresses, thick rugs pillows should be given an outdoor airing in bright sunlight when possible
- Air your living accommodation for several hours on a dry sunny day.
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