Diplomate, Board Certification of Emergency Medicine
Summer is upon us, and I want to add a piece of information
that we haven't spoken about in the past.
Many people are taking medications that may make their skin
more sensitive to the sun and make them burn easier. These
medications include psoriasis and acne medications, such as
coal tar and retinoids. Antibiotics that can cause a problem
are quinolones, often given for urinary tract infections, and
tetracyclines, often given for pneumonia. Sulfa and
penicillin can also do this, especially in allergic patients.
NSAIDS -- pain relievers currently available without
prescription such as Advil and narocin -- can cause this as
well. If you have atrial fibrillation and take procor
(amiodorone), it can cause this too.
Many psychiatric medications, such as phenergan -- often also
used for allergy and vomiting -- and thiazides -- used for
blood pressure lowering -- can also cause this problem.
Remember elderly people do not feel the heat as well, and
light skinned folks must be careful about skin cancer. See
your dermatologist to evaluate dark spots.
Ear infections are not as common as we once thought and they
are most often viral. Most physicians use these as an excuse
to give antibiotics, but do not actually check the ear by
blowing air in it with an insufflator, which is the best way
to make the diagnosis. Augmentin is almost never needed for
an acute infection, and the overuse of antibiotics has led to
resistant bacteria, meaning that kids who really do have this
bacteria must receive stronger medications to fight it.
Adults in contact with kids in day care and play groups who
have been given too much antibiotics may need stronger
antibiotics too.
Under age two, one should treat with antibiotics, but over
two years old -- watchful waiting is what is done in most
European countries. At risk for ear infections are children
who are not nursed, bottle fed by propping up the bottle, the
use of pacifiers and smoking nearby. Write me in care of the
Yated.
A message from GlaxoSmithKline, sponsor of this
column. Augmentin is used with cases that fail to respond
to other antibiotics and in bites from various animals.
Diabetics with foot problems also need the strength of
Augmentin. The dosage is very convenient and the
effectiveness unquestioned.
