Health Pulse What’s that doughnut around your ankles? Swollen ankles and feet may look scary, but they don’t always warrant medical attention − especially if you have been standing or walking for some time. Even so, you should consider the following possibilities and see your doctor if you think that these could apply to you: Lymphedema: this blockage of lymphatic fluid can occur if you have had radiation therapy or removal of your lymph nodes. Untreated, it can lead to infection or deformity. Cellulitis: Rapidly spreading swelling could signal a skin infection called cellulitis, especially if you have diabetes. Venous insufficiency: When the valves in your leg veins become damaged, the blood pools in the lower legs. If chronic, this can lead to skin ulcers and infection. Blood clot: These clots in your leg veins become very dangerous if they travel to the heart or lungs. If you have swelling in one leg or foot, accompanied by pain and low-grade fever, call your doctor immediately. Organ malfunction: Ankles that swell in the evening could indicate right-sided heart failure. Fluid buildup may also result from kidney or liver dysfunction. Medication side-effects: Drugs that can cause ankles to swell up include antidepressants, steroids and calcium channel blockers. A change of drug or dosage may bring down the swelling. Sources: WebMD, Medical News Today Help for hand arthritis If you dread opening jars or lifting groceries, you know how disruptive hand arthritis can be. When it comes to treatment, it pays to experiment: what does nothing for one person may significantly ease pain for another. Start with simple home remedies such as applying a heat or cold pack to your hand. Exercising painful and stiff hands may be the last thing on your to-do list, but strengthening and stretching exercises can improve pain, stiffness and grip strength. Hot tip: before you begin, try soaking your hands in warm water or dipping them in warm paraffin wax. Take full advantage of assistive devices such as jar openers, faucet turners and easy-grip kitchen tools. Also consider hand orthotics − wearable aids that support your hand − especially if your arthritis affects the base of your thumb. And don’t hesitate to consult an occupational or physical therapist, who can teach you how best to protect your hands. If the above methods don’t do the trick, consider pain medication. Start with a topical (applied to the skin) product, which can work as well as pills, but without most of the side-effects. Source: Berkeley Wellness Wearing a mask during the COVID-19 pandemic may be kind to our community, but hard on the skin. Mask-induced skin problems include acne (a.k.a. “maskne”), rashes and itchiness. Try these doctor-approved strategies to protect the skin behind your mask: ▶▶Wear the right mask: snug but comfortable andmade of smooth, breathable fabric such as a cotton-polyester blend. ▶▶Cleanse your face every day, using a mild, fragrance-free cleanser. ▶▶Moisturize after cleansing. Look for a moisturizer with ceramides, hyaluronic acid or dimethicone − and consider a gel moisturizer if you have oily skin. ▶▶Apply petroleum jelly to your lips to prevent the dry, chapped lips sometimes caused by masks. ▶▶Skip the facial makeup − or at least use products labelled non-comedogenic or oil-free. ▶▶Avoid harsh skin treatments such as retinoids or leave-on salicylic acid − or use them sparingly at bedtime. ▶▶If you need to wear a mask for long stretches, take a 15-minute mask break every four hours or so. Front-line health workers have found that this strategy improves their skin. Finally, keep your masks clean. Wash them with gentle soap and store them in a bag when dry. Sources: American Academy of Dermatology Association, Johns Hopkins Medicine Behind the mask CSANews | WINTER 2020 | 43
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