Risk Of Infection From Fish Pedicures

Experts warn that fish pedicures involving tiny toothless carp that nibble away dead skin may spread infection & disease.

Those having feeble immune systems or suffering from conditions including psoriasis and diabetes, in particular, are advised not to go in for fish pedicures as they face increased risk of infection.

A few US states including Texas, Florida, Washington and New Hampshire have banned fish pedicures using Garra Rufa fish amid fears that infection and disease can spread through open wounds.

The Health Protection Agency issued a notice after it noticed fish tank water containing several micro-organisms.

The risk of infection for healthy clients is pretty low when spas adhere to proper hygiene procedures. However, there’s still the risk of transmission of numerous infections — this does include viruses such as HIV & hepatitis.

A thorough examination of clients’ feet needs to be performed to ensure there are no skin conditions, grazes or cuts that may spread infection.

Clients are also advised to wait twenty-four hours after having a leg wax/shaving to minimize the risk of infection.

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Zinc Lozenges – An Effective Remedy For Common Cold

According to Finnish researchers, taking a high dosage of zinc could reduce the length of the common cold by almost half.

Zinc lozenges have proven effective in treating the common cold by reducing its duration by 40%, say University of Helsinki researchers.  

The evidence comes from the combined results of thirteen trials which revealed that taking high zinc doses in the form of lozenges that dissolve in the mouth help fight off colds.

Zinc supplements may cause side effects like nausea, stomach upsets and bad taste in some people. However, researchers didn’t find any proof that zinc lozenges caused lasting harm.

Zinc is vital for the body’s immune system and inadequate amounts of zinc in the diet are known to raise the risk of infection.

The body does not store zinc although it may be found in the bones and tissue. It aids the body’s immune system, is essential for proper smell and taste, helps wounds heal and is vital for male fertility. Zinc may delay sight loss brought on by age-related macular degeneration.

Liver, shellfish, lamb, steak, wholegrains and pumpkin seeds are rich sources of zinc.

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P&G Recalls Oral-B Mouthwash

Procter & Gamble is recalling Oral-B alcohol-free mouthwash owing to contamination concerns.

Procter & Gamble stated that the possible “microbial contamination” posed no health risk to healthy people although those with delicate immune systems like cystic fibrosis sufferers might be at risk.

P&G’s Oral-B mouthwash is being pulled from stores in Canada, Mexico, Colombia & Chile.

Oral B Anti-Cavity Dental Rinse- Alcohol Free and “Oral-B Anti-Bacterial with Fluoride – Alcohol Free Daily Use Mouthrinse” are the 2 products being recalled. 

Nasal Spray Vaccine To Prevent Diabetes In Children

Australian researchers have come up with a nasal spray vaccine that could stop kids from developing Type 1 diabetes or childhood diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes is a life-threatening chronic condition that can shorten life, cause kidney failure, heart disease, amputation and blindness.

The pancreas stops insulin production in type 1 diabetes and the body cannot process sugar without insulin.

Insulin is a key hormone that transports glucose from the blood stream into the body’s cells.

Type 1 diabetes develops when the immune system attacks & destroys the beta cells & more importantly, the insulin itself becomes a definite target of the immune attack that destroys the beta cells.

The researchers discovered that the nasal spray distinctly turned off the immune response to insulin in fifty-two adult new type 1-diabetes patients.

The researchers claim that while giving nasal insulin didn’t stop the loss of insulin-secreting cells, there was proof that the nasal spray made the body’s immune system more insulin-tolerant and could, hence, be used to check diabetes in those at risk, especially children.

However, the insulin nasal spray is not proposed as a treatment for those who already have diabetes.

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A Cancer Vaccine That Can Destroy Tumors

In a significant breakthrough, UK scientists claim they have developed a cancer vaccine which can kill tumors by activating the body’s immune system, thereby enabling it to search for & destroy cancer cells.

Researchers at Cancer Research UK & the University of Leeds say that although the jab might not cure cancer completely, it could help make the deadly disease appear like a chronic illness rather than a ruthless killer. The team says cancer patients given the vaccine would be able to live longer with the disease under check.

The scientists have found a DNA-based way to stimulate the immune system to destroy tumors without causing any side-effects.

Generally the immune system doesn’t recognize cancer as a threat & hence ignores it. The revolutionary new treatment tricks the system into believing the cancer is a virus & must be attacked.

Researchers reckon that the greatest challenge in immunology is to develop antigens (the immune system triggers) which can target the tumor without doing harm elsewhere.

They hope to solve the problem by using DNA from the very same part of the body as the tumor, inserted into a virus.

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