Plantar Warts (Verruca plantaris) or Matang Isda

What is Plantar Warts or Matang Isda?

Place your feet flat on the ground. Do you like there's something small and round stuck on the sole of your foot? But when you look at it, there's nothing to be seen.

Try again, this time really feel that small ball sticking there. Examine it more carefully. You'll probably notice a small mound of callous skin right where you think a bump should be.

Congratulations! You're a lucky winner of a plantar warts or commonly called in the Philippines as matang isda.

Photo courtesy of http://www.emedicinehealth.com/

Since plantar warts grow on the feet, is actually inverted. Removing the callous skin will reveal the actual image of the wart, which resembles a clump of fish eggs rather than fish eye which what matang isda means.

What causes plantar warts or matang isda?

Plantar warts like many common warts is caused by the same virus that causes cervical cancer; the human papilloma virus (HPV) but of a different strain thus it's not cancerous.

Plantar warts is more common among young adults and adults rather than small children. It may also appear on other parts of the body like the hand, but is more common on the soles of the feet and in between the toes.


You can get plantar warts from public showers, sharing of shoes with a person who has plantar warts and direct contact from a person with plantar warts.

Treatment
Home treatments for plantar warts includes:

• Putting a few drops of salicylic acid on the wart. This may have to be done several times until the warts is fully removed.
• Soaking the affect area in a warm water then scrubbing the callous with an emery board until the warts is removed. This may take several sessions until the warts is removed.

If the above home treatments don't work, visit your dermatologist to have the warts professionally removed. Your doctor may opt to freeze or burn the warts to remove it.


Prevention

• Avoid walking barefoot on wet areas. Opt to use sandals or slippers.
• Change socks daily.
• Clean shoes regularly.
• Avoid borrowing of socks, shoes or sandals.
• Keep feet and hands clean and dry.
• Avoid direct contact with people infected with warts.
• Treat the warts immediately to avoid it from getting worse.

Source:  emedicinehealth.com

Impetigo Contagiosa or Mamaso

What is Impetigo (Mamaso)

Have you ever notice a small blister that forms yellow or honey-colored crusts on your childs' face, body, arms or legs; and heard your mother or grandmother called it mamaso? Those small blisters are called impetigo, commonly known in the Philippines as mamaso. The name came from its nature of forming small blisters or paso before erupting into wounds.

Impetigo (mamaso) is a bacterial infection on the surface of the skin caused by staphylococcus and streptococcus bacteria.

Is Impetigo (Mamaso) Contagious?
Impetigo is highly contagious, and can be transmitted through skin to skin contact and sharing of towels and other household items. Once it starts, impetigo can often spread to the entire body and be contracted by other children.


How is Impetigo (Mamaso) Diagnosed?
Diagnosis is very straightforward, but should never be mistaken to other skin disease such as ring worm and scabies. The tale-tell of impetigo is the small blistering that forms an ooze.
It is still recommended to check with a physician and rule impetigo as the cause of the problem.


Treatment of Impetigo (Mamaso)?
Impetigo is not serious and should not cause worry. Mild impetigo may go away on its own without medicinal treatment, just by keeping the infected area dry and clean. However, for cases lasting more than 7days a topical anti-biotic ointment such as Mupirocin (Bactroban) can be applied on the wound's surface.
Clean and dry the area first, then apply a thin amount of Mupirocin on the wound 3 times a day. Covering the wound with a light gauze can help keep the wound clean and lower the risk of contracting it to the other areas of the body.
Your physician may also prescribe an oral anti-biotic in addition with the anti-biotic ointment, depending on the severity of the infection.


Source: Medicine.Net, Dermatology.FromYourDoctor.Com