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Ask the DocDr. Davis Smith answers questions submitted by our readers. |
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Q: How important is wearing flipflops in communal showers?
-Kelsey G., Hofstra University
A: Kelsey,
I recommend that my patients avoid going barefoot in public parts of campus, health clubs, pools, shared bathrooms, etc. While it is unlikely that you would contract anything fatal, there are several unpleasant conditions and infections that can be acquired by going barefoot in any environment frequented by a large number of people.
The two most common are athlete’s foot and plantar warts.
Athlete's Foot
Athlete’s foot, or tinea pedis, is caused by a fungus that thrives in warm, moist environments-like bathrooms, locker rooms, and pool areas. It is shed in the dead, dry skin of people who have it, and transmissible by direct contact. The most common symptom is itching, usually between the toes, partly because moisture is easily trapped in this area. Athlete’s foot often also causes a red and/or scaly rash and sometimes, painful cracking or itchy, blister-like lesions. Due to the skin barrier being compromised, the area can also develop a secondary bacterial infection.
Treatments include over-the-counter antifungal creams for most cases and prescription medicines for more serious infections. Unfortunately, it can come back. More Information.
Plantar Warts
Plantar warts are transmitted in the same way as athlete’s foot. Plantar refers to the bottom surface of the foot, and these warts are caused by one of the many types of human papillomavirus (HPV), though not the variants that cause sexually transmitted infection.
Plantar warts are especially likely to be acquired if you have cracks or fissures of the skin, abrasions, cuts, or even just prune-y skin from long water exposure. Because they often occur on calloused parts of the foot and can grow rather large, the warts can be quite painful. (Imagine walking with a lentil glued to your foot.)
Sometimes warts go away on their own, and plantar warts don’t need to be treated unless they are causing you pain. Treatments include over-the-counter preparations of caustic chemicals or freezing agents, as well as some that need to be applied by a healthcare provider.
Warts can be quite stubborn to treat, requiring multiple follow-up visits and a healthy measure of patience. More Information.
There are other infectious conditions that can be acquired through contact with a bathroom floor, though indirectly-that is, by walking barefoot, touching your feet, and then eating. For example, if someone who has used the bathroom has gastroenteritis (vomiting and diarrhea), virus particles might stay on the floor until it is cleaned. The virus wouldn’t be absorbed through your feet, but could be transmitted to more vulnerable membranes (e.g., mouth or eyes).
In addition to protecting your feet from direct contact with the floor, always wash your hands carefully and thoroughly after being in the bathroom and again before eating.
’Tis the season for allergies! If you find the spring flowers filling your nasal passages and reddening your eyes, you probably have a sensitivity to pollen. Pet dander or other irritants can also disrupt your immune system, producing an influx of histamines, which are responsible for dilating capillaries and causing your itchy eyes and stuffy nose.
Self-care for symptoms includes teas of lemon and ginger, green tea with honey, or menthol and echinacea. But if the sniffles interfere with your daily routine for more than two weeks or start getting worse, visit your health care provider, who can prescribe or suggest antihistamine medications and other long-term solutions.
You’re cruising down the highway, yellow streetlights streaming by in a blur, and you feel your eyelids drooping. While you may be eager to reach your destination, driving with too little sleep is startlingly similar to driving while intoxicated, affecting your reaction time and ability to operate a vehicle safely.
According to a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration study, drowsy drivers accounted for more than 5,000 fatalities between 2005 and 2009.
If you’ve had less than six hours of sleep before driving or have been awake for more than 12 hours, your impairment can be similar to a Blood Alcohol Concentration of .10 percent, well over the legal limit.
Many students commit time and energy to causes they support. See how they reach out and help other people.
Volunteer at Light of the Village
I volunteer every Wednesday at a local ministry called Light of the Village, where I teach Zumba to some of the girls that are there working on their GED. I also help tutor the younger kids on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I sometimes dance with the kids on those days too. Volunteering is one of my favorite things to do! I love this ministry and all the things that they are doing for the people in Alabama Village.
-Julisa T., University of South Alabama
Help Out at a Food Pantry
I help prep food to give away at a food pantry on certain holidays or special days. In the image above, we are in action on Martin Luther King's birthday.
-Maria S., MATC-Madison
Donating Blankets
I helped start a community service initiative that raises money to make blankets for kids in group homes and hospitals in SE Wisconsin and northern Illinois. Last year, we donated 60 blankets, and this year we are trying to double that!
-Lindsey R., University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
Collecting Cans and Bottles to Recycle
I give back to my community by recycling. From my neighborhood, I collect cans, glass and plastic bottles, and recycle them.
-Elizabeth H., SUNY Oswego
Volunteer at a Local Food Bank
My classmate and I volunteered at a local food bank.
-Julie B., NDSCS
Work in Community Gardens
I volunteer in community gardens. These gardens help to provide community members healthy, fresh fruits and vegetables. The gardens promote both health and sustainability.
-Sara M., Elon University
Participating in Community and Church Activities
I try to be an active and productive citizen by participating in our community and church activities or programs. I attended the first year of "Feed My Hungry Children" hosted by Salvation Army of Mason City, Iowa. I established a group of Batch '83 (Muntinlupa National High School, Philippines) and Batch '79 (Alabang Elem. Sch., Philippines). We raised funds and donated 25 computers and 25 printers to Alma Mater 2012. I participate at our church, Clear Lake Christian Church, as Sunday School/Christian Education teacher, Diaconate, and as a Nursery Staffing coordinator). Recently, I joined the One-On-One Mentoring Office at Mason City/Clear Lake, Iowa.
-Anamaria C., North Iowa Area Community College
Volunteer with 'Kids Help Phone'
I volunteer with the "Kids Help Phone" youth volunteers. We fundraise all year long, but we play a big role in our annual walk, which raises much of the organization's required funds. The funds support the counsellors that answer the phones 24 hours a day and 365 days a year!
-Danielle W., Vancouver Island University
Served Lunch to the Homeless
I gave back to my community when I served lunch to the hungry men of San Diego at the San Diego Rescue Mission.
-Casieopia C., San Diego State University
Served in Food Pantries
I work with other student volunteers to serve in food pantries!
-Elizabeth P., Florida International University
Helping with Construction Projects
I give back to my community by helping out with any projects that I can. Recently, I have been helping a friend with dry-walling when I have extra time during the week. Before coming to school here in Walla Walla, I helped my pastor put a new roof on the church. He used to be a contractor before he was a pastor. I helped him for nearly a month, mostly working by ourselves. We were able to replace the leaky roof and repair water damage inside of the church. He's the one who taught me how to dry wall, among other things. He's very driven, an excellent role model, and one of the best examples of how to give back to your community.
-Benjamin L., Walla Walla University
Serve in Student Government and Local Youth Group
I serve as a co-president on the student government as we try to reconstruct its model into a more communication-centered, consensus-based structure. I also help out with a local youth group and I teach meditation when I can, to help others learn ways to deal with their own daily stress in more proactive ways. The photo above is some other student government representatives. I'm on the far right!
-Nathan M., University of the West
Collected Books for Elementary Schools
Our University of Memphis Rotaract Club raised over 300 books for one of our local in-need elementary schools. During the fall 2012 semester, we visited the after-school care students weekly and hosted reading groups. At the end of the semester, we threw them a party and distributed the books we collected for them. Some books were left for the school and the rest were given to the students to take home as books of their own.
-Christina G., University of Memphis
Helping Students Learn About Science
Volunteering with the "Let's Talk Science" organization here on campus has led me to traverse the province in the pursuit of showing students in grades K-12 how fun science can be with hands-on classroom and outdoor activities!
-Maria B., University of Saskatchewan
Humane Society Volunteer
I volunteer at the Ronald McDonald House charities, the Humane Society, and have volunteered as coach for tumbling at a cheer gym.
-Erin G., University of Kansas
Read with Students
Three days a week, I read with 6th graders at the local center to help them improve their reading skills and comprehension.
-Sydney B., Texas Lutheran University
Nearly everyone loves peanut butter, and it’s no wonder. It’s packed with protein and potassium and pairs well with many other foods. What’s your favorite way to eat peanut butter (or other nut butters)?
Click on each event to learn more.
National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month
National Women's Health Week - 12 - 18
HIV Vaccine Awareness Day - 18
Heat Safety Awareness Day - 24
