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Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP)
Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura is a bleeding disorder. A person suffering from ITP has too little blood platelets. This disease is idiopathic because there is no known cause why the platelets are being destroyed by the immune system in the first place. Some symptoms of ITP are:
- skin rash
- easy bruising
- abnormal menstrual bleeding
- sudden and severe loss of blood from the gastrointestinal tract
There are no other abnormal characteristics although sometimes it is preceded by a viral infection in children. In adults, ITP can be a more long-term problem and may follow a virus, or certain drugs. It can also be triggered by pregnancy or other immune disorders.
If your doctor suspects that you have ITP, you will be given a series of tests. You will have a complete blood count, possible biopsy and a platelet abnormality test. If your testing rounds come back positive for ITP, you will be given a drug called prednisone. In children, there is no treatment necessary. If you do not respond to the initial treatment, there are other drugs that your doctor may prescribe for you.
Incontinence
During pregnancy, you may notice that every time you sneeze, you have to cross your legs or else you wet your pants a bit. Don’t worry; this problem will go away after the baby is born. When you sneeze, cough, or belly-laugh, your diaphragm contracts and pushes your abdominal contents and uterus down onto your bladder, causing you to dribble urine if your bladder is full or your pelvic floor muscles are weak. To avoid this nuisance, keep you bladder as empty as possible. Urinate frequently and get into the habit of triple voiding. Every time you urinate, bear down three extra times to empty your bladder as completely as you can. Also, to lessen the force on your diaphragm, be sure to open your mouth when you cough or sneeze; keeping your mouth closed causes pressure to build up in your chest and aggravates the problem. As soon as you deliver the baby, your bladder will have more room to expand. In the meantime, a napkin or panty liner may be necessary.
Itching in Pregnancy
Many pregnant women find that they feel itchy more than usual. Some areas of your skin may itch because they are dry and flaky, other areas may itch because of a prickly heat rash. Many women find the itching most bothersome in the skin that stretches, mainly over the abdomen, but also on hips and thighs. To soothe itchy skin, add a cup of cornstarch and a half cup of baking soda to a half filled tub of water, or use the soothing commercial compound Aveeno. Soak and soothe your skin. Alternatively, add a tablespoon of cornstarch and a tablespoon of baking soda to a quart of warm water, and use a towel to make a compress to drape over especially itchy areas.
Impetigo
Impetigo is a very contagious bacterial infection of the skin. It takes about 5 to 10 days after being exposed to the bacteria before your child will show signs that he or she have contracted the infection. If you notice a honey coloured crusted lesion that began as tiny blisters around your child’s mouth and nose, this is a sure sign of Impetigo. There are anti-bacterial ointments that work well in treating the infection. If the infection is more wide spread, antibiotics may be prescribed by your doctor. Washing the infected area with warm soapy water is also used to keep the lesions from spreading. It’s a good idea to keep the raw skin covered so that your child cannot pick at the lesions. Impetigo is contagious up to twenty four hours after antibiotic treatment begins and it is highly recommended that you keep your child away from other children until that twenty four hour period has passed.
Itchy bump (Mum)
It is not unusual for Mum to develop a rash that looks like small red bumps that cause itchiness during pregnancy. A woman’s changing hormones are responsible for this uncomfortable skin rash. You can prevent itching by avoiding hot showers and exfoliating your skin once a week with any number of over-the-counter products.
It is always a good idea to consult your physician if the rash becomes red and raw and the itch intensifies.
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