HEALTH

Skin bears the brunt of heat
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, April 25
There has been a sudden spurt of skin infections in the city due to change in weather in recent days. Patients with various skin ailments are pouring in at various city hospitals and private clinics. Experts in the city feel that if certain precautions are taken, the skin problems can be easily avoided.

Dr Alka Dogra, Head of Dermatology Department of Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, while talking to Ludhiana Tribune said city residents complained of several skin infections these days. There was an increase in the number of patients at the skin OPD of DMCH.

“Majority of patients complain of fungal infections, in the joints like the hinge joint, arm pits etc. The other common bacterial infection is the boil. The boils occur in scalp and under arms. Most children suffer from prickly heat on the back, front and in joints”. She said due to scorching heat, sometimes the sweat glands got blocked and patient complained of irritation and burning sensation. Dr Dogra said one should immediately consult a doctor if any sign of irritation appears. “The treatment becomes very costly if it is not treated at an early stage”, warned Dr Dogra.

Dr Dogra said synthetic clothes were one of the major factors causing such irritation. She stressed that people should avoid wearing synthetic fabric in excessive heat.

Dr Gurinderjit Singh, another skin specialist, also admitted that skin allergies were on the rise due to the hot weather conditions. “Sunburns are common these days.

People generally do not cover their arms and face and because of sudden exposure to Sun the skin turns red causing a burning sensation. People should choose a good sunscreen lotion and those who cannot afford expensive lotions can apply lacto calamine”, maintained Dr Gurinderjit.

One of the dermatologists at Dr B.L. Kapoor Memorial Hospital said she received 5-6 patients with various skin allergies everyday. “To an extent, one can avoid these allergies. One should wear only cotton clothes in summers as they absorb sweat easily. People should apply dust powder in armpits, while ordinary powder is also helpful. One should take bath twice in summers and try to maintain hygiene”, said the doctor.

Dr Dogra said people from lower strata of society and industrial workers were more prone to skin diseases due to unhygienic working conditions and allergic disorders. “If one has to go out in scorching heat, one should try to cover arms and face to avoid such skin allergies”, she said. 

Aspects of pain discussed
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, April 25
The Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Christian Medical College and Hospital, conducted a symposium on ‘Pain Management’ yesterday, which was attended by experts in alternate therapies and guest speakers from PAU, DMC and CMC. They deliberated on pain-related topics looking into the various causes of pain, remedies available and application of each remedy for a specific type of pain.

Dr Rajeev Kapoor, Deputy Medical Superintendent, CMC, in a press note today said there was a detailed discussion on the role of Reiki therapy, an old Tibetan methodology for pain relief. Dr A.P. Dadhich, Professor and Head, Pharmacology, highlighted the history of pain management. He said opium and related products had been in use since time immemorial. But today a plethora of drugs and alternative therapies were being used in modern times.

Dr Jaideep Raypudi discussed the pathophysiology of pain. Dr Jasleen Narula presented facts about various narcotic and non-narcotic analgesic drugs used for pain with their mechanism of actions and adverse effects. Dr Yashpal Singh, Professor and Head, Neurology, shared his views on neurological pains with their management and Dr R.S. Deswal, Professor and Head, Psychiatry, talked about the role of placebo in psychological pains. He said music therapy, acupressure or acupuncture had psychological importance in pain relief.

Dr R.S. Mann, a Reiki expert, emphasied that Reiki therapy was quite effective in different pains. 

ADMINISTRATION

DC suspends licences of 4 arhtiyas
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, April 25
Mr Anurag Aggarwal, Deputy Commissioner, Ludhiana, today visited a number of mandis in the district to inspect the arrangements of wheat procurement. He ordered the suspension of licences of three arhtiyas, who were reportedly found filling uncleaned wheat in bags, and indulging in other malpractices.

According to a press note issued here today, the Deputy Commissioner suspended the licences of M/s Manjit Singh and Company, Gill Road Mandi, M/s Pala Trading Company, Payal Mandi and M/S Kanshi Ram, Madho Ram, Doraha mandi. At Sahnewal Mandi M/s Parshotam Lal and Company had not provided any tarpaulins on the grains. The firm licence was also placed under suspension. M/s Ram Sarup and Company had put torn tarpaulins on the heaps. It has been issued with a show-cause notice.