Mind malaria temperatures to avoid blisters
IT came and went as a simple fever. Little did I know that it would leave blisters all over my lips.
By Hawah Mudondo
IT came and went as a simple fever. Little did I know that it would leave blisters all over my lips.
Fever blisters are painful and can cause bleeding if forced to peel off before they heal.
Many people get through this nasty experience and some think malaria is naturally followed by lip blisters. But doctors say the blisters are avoidable.
According to Dr. Joseph Nabali, Eye Nose and Throat, clinician Mulago Hospital, fever blisters are fluid filled sores which may be painful or cold sores that usually occur outside the mouth on the lips. They can also be localised on the outer surface of the lips.
“Lip sores last for 10 to 14 days,†he said.
People who get resistant malaria without proper treatment, and those whose immunity is low are most likely to get fever blisters. Dr Godfrey Bagonza of Mulago Hospital called this temporally weakness in the immune system of the body, which may be caused by such factors as AIDS, TB and strong malaria.
Nabali says blisters are caused by the body reacting to high temperatures, commonly associated with fever or have less fluids in the body (body electrolytes).
According to Bagonza, fever blisters can be avoided by getting the right treatment for malaria early.
The person should also have good nutrition and make sure the high temperatures are controlled during treatment.
High temperature can be lowered by taking drugs, mopping with cool moist cloth and drinking a lot of fluids.
Fever blisters are not treated but only managed. Apply lip bam or creams to avoid cracking. Be patient and do not remove them forcefully.
IT came and went as a simple fever. Little did I know that it would leave blisters all over my lips.
Fever blisters are painful and can cause bleeding if forced to peel off before they heal.
Many people get through this nasty experience and some think malaria is naturally followed by lip blisters. But doctors say the blisters are avoidable.
According to Dr. Joseph Nabali, Eye Nose and Throat, clinician Mulago Hospital, fever blisters are fluid filled sores which may be painful or cold sores that usually occur outside the mouth on the lips. They can also be localised on the outer surface of the lips.
“Lip sores last for 10 to 14 days,†he said.
People who get resistant malaria without proper treatment, and those whose immunity is low are most likely to get fever blisters. Dr Godfrey Bagonza of Mulago Hospital called this temporally weakness in the immune system of the body, which may be caused by such factors as AIDS, TB and strong malaria.
Nabali says blisters are caused by the body reacting to high temperatures, commonly associated with fever or have less fluids in the body (body electrolytes).
According to Bagonza, fever blisters can be avoided by getting the right treatment for malaria early.
The person should also have good nutrition and make sure the high temperatures are controlled during treatment.
High temperature can be lowered by taking drugs, mopping with cool moist cloth and drinking a lot of fluids.
Fever blisters are not treated but only managed. Apply lip bam or creams to avoid cracking. Be patient and do not remove them forcefully.