Skin infections afflict flood cleanup hazards

[Guest guest]

Skin infections afflict flood cleanup hazards

Gazette Online - Solon,IA*

By Hadish

cindy.hadish@...

http://www.gazetteonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?

AID=/20080712/NEWS/132903576/0/FRONTPAGE

CEDAR RAPIDS - Rich knew the bumpy rash on his arm wasn't

poison ivy.

" I've had that many times, " said , director of the Indian

Creek Nature Center in Cedar Rapids. " This doesn't itch as much. "

Like other Iowans doing cleanup after the June floods, was

exposed to floodwaters as staff and volunteers worked to clear a

foot of water from the building at 6665 Otis Rd. SE and even higher

water in surrounding land.

" You're down in the muck and there's everything floating around, " he

said. " You can't be in that stuff two weeks without being exposed to

it. "

A trip to the doctor showed he had a skin infection that

described as " jungle rot. "

An ointment has since nearly cleared the rash, but his experience

serves as a warning for those still involved in flood cleanup,

health experts said.

State epidemiologist Dr. Quinlisk said because jungle rot

refers to a specific fungal infection of the feet, it was unlikely

to be that condition, most often associated with military service in

Vietnam or the South Pacific in World War II.

Still, Iowans should be on the watch for skin infections — and other

health hazards — related to flood cleanup, she said.

A survey released Friday by the Iowa Department of Public Health

showed a majority of respondents in Benton, , Linn and Louisa

counties were unaware of flood safety messages.

According to the survey, 80 percent of injuries sustained so far

have happened during cleanup, but fewer than half of the 400 people

surveyed remembered hearing how to prevent injuries via the media.

During cleanup, workers and volunteers should remember the following:

-- To avoid injury, wear sturdy shoes, gloves and other protective

gear, keep your feet from prolonged exposure to moisture and dry

your feet regularly.

-- Never use a gas-powered generator in an enclosed area, such as a

garage or basement. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas

that can cause sudden illness and death if inhaled.

-- Wear a mask during cleanup that could stir up mold spores or

excessive dust. Otherwise, take the mask off. According to the

survey, three-fourths of respondents thought they should always wear

a mask during flood cleanup. In some cases, wearing a mask the

entire time can cause heart and lung stress and contribute to heat

exhaustion.

Hinrichs, spokesman for Linn County Public Health, said as

the weather heats up, he has also seen the opposite with face masks.

" It's hot out, " he said. " But if you're in one of those enclosed

homes, you still need to wear masks. " Hinrichs said he has heard of

people with throat irritation and coughs, as well as skin infections

related to flood cleanup.

Terry , a pharmacist at Hy-Vee Drug Store, 2405 Mount Vernon

Rd. SE, said he typically sees more people with skin infections in

the summer.

Over-the-counter antibiotic or antifungal ointments can help, but if

the infection appears to be serious, the person should see a doctor

for a prescription, he said.

For more information on flood cleanup, go to:

www.idph.state.ia.us/adper/flood.asp

[Guest guest]

jungle rot, just amagion if you dried that toxic soup mix than

inhaled it and as it sticks to the lineings in your airways and sucks

up the moisture there and gets activated again. would it be that

different from what happens when exposed to high doses of mixed

pathogenic and toxic particles in the air in a damp moldy invironment?

that's kind of what I fell happened to my insides,jungle rot.

In , " tigerpaw2c " <tigerpaw2c@...> wrote:

>

> Skin infections afflict flood cleanup hazards

> Gazette Online - Solon,IA*

> By Hadish

> cindy.hadish@...

>

> http://www.gazetteonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?

> AID=/20080712/NEWS/132903576/0/FRONTPAGE

>

>

> CEDAR RAPIDS - Rich knew the bumpy rash on his arm wasn't

> poison ivy.