Skin Infections Will Be More Dangerous During Extended Power Blackouts
This article will discuss how to avoid, or at least control skin infections contracted during power blackouts. This is important because skin infections are more likely to occur during power blackouts, and these infections that are contracted during power blackouts are more likely to become serious infections.
During a power blackout, conditions will be less sanitary, thus increasing the chances of contracting serious infections. If, for example, there is no running water available for bathing, families usually will have to transport untreated water from the nearest river, lake, or pond. Also, for a hot bath, they will have to heat this water. Thus, the work involved in bathing unfortunately might decrease the number of baths that family members take.
This lack of running water could come about if there is not electricity to pump water into elevated water towers. If no water can be pumped into these towers, they soon would be empty.
Decreasing the number of baths, during a hot summer without air conditioning, could result in skin that is a more favorable surface for infectious agents. Thus, even just a skin scratch that might not be of concern during normal times could result in a serious infection during a power blackout.
The family members most at risk for infections will be the very young or very old family members. These family members have weaker immune systems.
Such infections will be more serious because the medical system will not be as available during power blackouts as it is during normal times. The medical personnel that are available will be inundated with patients who have been involved in accidents caused by the power blackouts. Also, businesses such as pharmacies probably will be closed due to a lack of electrical power.
Without prompt home treatment of minor infections, these minor infections quickly can become serious infections. Without prompt medical help, that might not be available, these serious infections can have permanent or even deadly consequences.
A reduction in the number of baths or showers is just one example of a cause of infections that are more likely to occur during power blackouts. Another example could be mold growth in hot, damp houses. Still another example might be a person with a skin wound who wades through contaminated flood waters.
What can be done to avoid or control skin infections during power blackouts? People should change their clothing for freshly washed clothing when the clothing they are wearing becomes soiled. Well-stocked first aid kits should be available, and everyone should know how to use them. These first aid kits should contain Neosporin.
Preventative maintenance of bodies is important. People, for example, should keep their immune systems constantly strong. Doing so will help them more during power blackouts than will immune systems that are already compromised.
How would you and your family members deal with infections during extended power blackouts?
