Buzz - Student Health Services Newsletter (Vol. 1)
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TATTOOS
 Business
among tattoo parlors has doubled over the past 10 years. So why
are so many people getting tattooed? Many people just simply like
how it looks and others want to make a unique statement. However,
there are some things to consider before getting a tattoo: consider
the tattoo permanent; try a temporary tattoo first so you will know
how it looks; getting a tattoo hurts especially near joints (wrist,
elbow, knees, and ankles) because more nerves are located there.
It is also important to take care of your tattoo properly cleaning,
disinfecting, etc. Tattoos take about 2-3 weeks to heal and make
sure not to pick at the skin because this can increase the chance
of infection. Sunlight will fade a tattoo so make sure to apply
a sunscreen before going outside and reapply often.
Tanning
Q. Are TANNING BOOTHS less dangerous than a NATURAL tan from the
sun?
A. The fact is that the UVA rays that are emitted from the ultraviolet
light sources in tanning salons are TWO to THREE times more powerful
than the UVA rays which occur naturally from the sun.
Q. Why isn't closing my eyes in the booth good enough?
A. Eyelids are NOT made of ultraviolet blocking material. Burns
to the eyes are the most common type of injury sustained among indoor
tanners. It is critical to wear federally approved protective eyewear
designed for indoor tanning. If you choose not to use these glasses,
it may result in damage to the cornea, retina, and lens which in
turn can lead to cataracts, night or color blindness.
Piercing
 DID
YOU KNOW.. Plastic ear guns can't be sterilized and therefore should
never be used. When going to a piercing parlor make sure that the
needle is individually packaged and opened while you are present.
Piercers should wear a new pair of disposable gloves with each customer.
This is for YOUR safety and also the prevention of blood-borne diseases.
After you get your piercing be on the lookout for signs of infection
that may include: redness, swelling, discharge, bad odor, rash or
fever. Make sure your piercer informs you of proper aftercare and
also when to seek medical advice/treatment.
www.safepiercing.org
Sun Safety
To decrease the risk of damaging your skin you must decrease your
exposure to the sun or artificial light. However, if you must be
out in the sun please take some precautions. First of all, try to
limit your exposure to the sun between the hours of 10 a.m. and
2p.m. Wear loose, light colored, long sleeved shirts when out in
the sunlight and also wear a wide brimmed hat to decrease the chance
of burning your neck and ears (don't forget about your feet). When
selecting a sunscreen make sure it has a Sun Protection Factor (SPF)
of at least 15 and apply it at least 30 minutes before going outside,
and reapply often. One thing often overlooked is the role of different
prescription and nonprescription drugs and how they can heighten
the skins sensitivity to light. So if you are taking any medications
please ask your pharmacist if there are any side effects. Now you
might ask yourself what should I do if I get a sunburn. You can
use a number of topical analgesics with ingredients such as benzocaine,
lidocaine, camphor or phenol that may temporarily soothe the pain
of a mild burn. Moisterizers such as cocoa butter and petroleum
can help reliever the dryness when burned skin begins to peel. If
you have a severe sunburn of if your skin is blistered you should
seek a medical professional for treatment.
www.skincheck.org
Hepatitis A
Are you going somewhere outside the U.S.? Check and see if you
need any additional vaccines before leaving on your trip, especially
the Hepatitis (Hep.) A vaccine. Hep. A is the #1 vaccine-preventable
disease among travelers. Hep. A is a serious liver disease which
is found in the stool of persons with the virus. It is spread by
close personal contact, as well as eating food or drinking water
that has been contaminated. The unwritten rule is: if you can't
boil, peel it or cook it, just FORGET it. The Hep. A vaccine is
a two shot series which should be taken 6 months apart. The vaccine
is effective for at least 20 years. For additional information please
go to:
www.stcloudstate.edu/~healthsv
or www.travelsafely.com
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