Posts Tagged ‘Dr Charmaine Gauci’

  • THE SKIN GAME

    I was calmly reading Barbara Streisand’s biography while waiting in a surgeon’s clinic. A few days before, I had undergone a biopsy to remove a mole which in the last months had seemingly cropped out of nowhere on my skin. On that day I was to meet the surgeon to get feedback about it. I wasn’t worried at all. I was sure that there was nothing wrong with the mole as I felt completely healthy. Ironically I was actually irritated for spending more money on such futile tests! Little did I know what was waiting for me. Nothing ever changed my life that much…

    My surgeon greeted me warmly and then slowly but quite directly, he told me that the results of the mole removed were positive. Ah, good then, I thought. Positive is ok, no? But my surgeon shook his head. The results were positive on the reporting of a malignant mole. It was a Melanoma case. In short – I had cancer! I was surprised by the result and could not quite get it. For a brief moment I thought that my surgeon was playing a nasty joke on me to see how I would react to such news. Playfully I even asked him whether I should start saying goodbye to all the people I knew before I got buried? But he did not laugh and instead he started to inform me about the procedures which would follow, whilst reassuring me that I will be in good hands. I left the clinic still quite incredulous. It was the silence that followed as soon as I phoned my husband to tell him the news that finally burned the dire reality in my mind.

    I drove home as if in a dream. I had never ever thought of ending up in this way. I was shocked at how life can change within a few minutes. I was only 37 and definitely not ready to die at all. I thought of my daughter who was only six and of my husband. Then my parents came to my mind and I felt deeply concerned about the consequences of such news upon them. My relatives and friends followed and then the people I had loved and those who had loved me. My life ran fast in my mind as if I was watching a film. I arrived home and my daughter came running happily to hug me as she always does. In the background I could see my husband looking at me thoughtfully. How could I leave all this behind me? How could I tell to such a young child that she could lose her mother in a short time?

    Thankfully this matter was followed up promptly by another small operation in which this time, the immediate flesh that surrounded the area where the mole had appeared, was removed.  The cancer had not penetrated much into the skin and therefore that was all physically, except that I had to attend to regular follow ups with my doctor and obviously I had to ensure not to expose myself too much to the sun and to apply protective sunscreens.

    However psychologically I was badly shaken. I had decided not to tell anyone about my Melanoma until I did the operation and the results proved that I was out of danger… although you never actually have this guarantee. But in this way, I relieved my relatives of all the stress that was involved until the results were issued. There were only a few days of waiting but all along them I felt distraught. It was as if my world had stopped moving and instead I was completely focused on myself. How was I going to survive this? What could I do to help myself? Maybe there was nothing that I could do but pray. I had been noticing and ignoring the appearance of this strange dark mole for months now and I was not sure how much harm I had allowed myself to get into. Warnings of the Health Department kept nagging at my mind but strangely there were always other things which I deemed more important to take care of and I kept postponing in referring this matter to a doctor until one day I found the time.

    Actually, on looking back at my life I realized that I had a regular tendency to ignore my self. I had moved from one job to another without ever doing what I really wanted – to study archaeology. I had stopped writing novels because I never ever found time. Moreover I had for long tried to smother the love I felt for drama because those around me never approved. In a nutshell, I never gave myself the time to do what my soul really craved for. This recognition began to eat me up in despair. I promised myself that if I succeeded to surpass this incident, my life would change. I would never ignore myself anymore!

    Fortunately another chance was in store for me and I surely kept my word. In a few months’ time I managed to introduce my writing to Aleks Farrugia, the Torċa editor, and he allocated me a weekly two-page article in his newspaper. Moreover, I attended to drama workshops and subsequently I was entrusted with a number of roles in various TV productions. I finally allowed myself to study the subjects I yearned for so much and this year I started a BA in Archaeology and Anthropology.

    I must admit that I am finally really living and not simply existing. Ironically it had to be a close brush with death to set me in motion. I am grateful that I was allowed another chance, knowing that not everybody is so lucky. An adequate health insurance was providential to cover such an urgent matter. Moreover I owe my life to our professional local surgeons and to the Health Authorities who constantly warn and inform us about how to protect ourselves from the sun’s rays and how to recognize any suspicious moles and symptoms. Finally I am adamant to use this experience to safeguard others from this potential risk. I want to ensure that this second chance saved much more than one life…

    Interview with Dr Charmaine Gauci – Director, Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Directorate.

    What is Melanoma and how is it caused?

    Melanoma is a skin cancer caused by unprotected exposure to UV rays. It forms within melanocite cells which are found within the skin to give it pigmentation. When these cells are excessively exposed  to the sun, they start to change shape and to multiply whilst also becoming cancerous. Unfortunately Melanoma cases are increasing because of two main factors: the depletion of the ozone layer and a new lifestyle resulting in spending more time near the sea under the sun’s rays.

    What are the symptoms of Melanoma?

    In the beginning an individual feels perfectly healthy. It is only when the cancer grows deeper that some symptoms are perceived due to metastesis. At this point, the cancer would prove more difficult to cure. It cannot be stressed enough how crucial it is that if one identifies a suspicious mole, one must immediately refer it to a doctor. If recognized in an early phase, a Melanoma can be cured in a short time. However, if ignored, Melanoma could be fatal.

    How do you recognize a malignant mole?

    ABCDE Leaflet 2011 – melanoma Regular self-examination is the best way to get familiar with the moles on your skin. Tricky areas such as the feet soles should not be forgotten. Moreover, a family member or a friend can help you check areas which you cannot see yourself, such as the back, the scalp and the mouth. For the identifying of malignant moles, the ABCDE rule is recommended:

    Asymmetry: when a mole is not symmetrical;

    Border: when a mole’s border is irregular;

    Colour: when there is different colour pigmentation in same mole;

    Diameter: when a mole reaches around 6mm (although there are also smaller moles which are malignant);

    Evolution: if a mole starts changing shape, size, colour or if blood comes out of it. Moreover, a mole which appears late in life should always be given attention.

    How is Melanoma cured?

    In case of an early identification, a biopsy and an excision will remove the cancerous area. If the cancer has already spread in the skin, other methods such as chemo-therapy and radio-therapy are used. Eventually each case is treated according to that particular situation.

    What are the recommended precautions to decrease the risk of Melanoma?

    One should definitely avoid exposure to UV rays during the severest hours of the sun, that is from 11:00am to 4:00pm. Even in cloudy weather UV rays are still dangerous. Umbrellas give some measure of protection but never enough. Sunscreen creams/sprays are a must but they should not be considered as sun-blocks because no product actually stops the sun’s rays from penetrating the skin. When choosing a sunscreen cream/spray, a high factor is recommended. Re-application every two to three hours is suggested especially if one has gone for a swim. Light clothing, hats and sun glasses are further protective measures.

    I would like to emphasize that these harmful rays are not only existant near the sea. UV rays are found everywhere and therefore for example a housewife should avoid washing the clothes on the roof during these hours. The same is suggested to workers who’s work is outside like technicians and salesmen.

    From which grade are UV rays dangerous?

    From 3 – 4, one should start taking precautions. From 5 – 6, UV rays are moderate but one must apply a sunscreen. At more than grade 6, UV rays are extremely harmful.

    What is the probability of re-emergence of Melanoma in an individual who has already been cured of it?

    These individuals will have a greater pre-disposition to the effects of Melanoma and therefore they should take stricter precautions.

    How much has this condition spread in our country? Have there been any fatalities in Malta due to Melanoma?

    New Cases in Malta: 1999 – 2008

    Males 163 and Females 196

    Deaths attributed to malignant cutaneous Melanoma: 1999 – 2009

    Males 43 and Females 27

    Our directorate works in different settings including schools, workplaces and the community. Anyone who would like to organize a health promotion program can contact us on tel: 2326 6789 or email: charmaine.gauci@gov.mt. More information is available on our website: http://www.sahha.gov.mt.

    (Note: An edited version of this article was published on FIRST Issue July 2011)

    2011.07.01 / no responses / Category: Malta Independent on Sunday - First magazine

  • GĦALIEX ŻDIEDU L-BRAM?

    F’dawn l-aħħar snin, hekk kif jasal is-Sajf, miegħu qed jaslu wkoll numru kbir ta’ bram li jħassar ħafna mill-pjaċir li dan l-istaġun iġib miegħu. Issa qed tissemma wkoll speċi ġdida li taf tidħol fl-ibħra tagħna – il-Portughese Man of War: speċi li tixbaħ lill-bram u li t-tingiża tiegħu, jekk tkun qawwija biżżejjed taf tkun fatali! Aħbar inkwetanti li deherli li ta’ min jixtarra.. Iddeċidejt li nitkellem ftit mal-bijoloġista Dr Adriana Vella sabiex nifhem aħjar għala qed isseħħ din il-bidla fl-ibħra tagħna. Min-naħa tagħha Dr Charmaine Gauci spjegatli xi prevenzjonijiet u x’miżuri għandhom jittieħdu f’każ ta’ tingiża minn dawn l-ispeċi…

    INTERVISTA: DR ADRIANA VELLA Ph. D. (Cambridge) – Akkademika Universitarja, Bioloġista fil-Konservazzjoni u Fundatriċi tal-BICREF

    Għaliex qed jiżdied il-bram fl-ibħra tagħna?

    F’dawn l-aħħar ħames snin, l-istaġun tas-Sajf tagħna kien kull darba ddominat minn aħbarijiet dwar il-kwantità dejjem tikber ta’ bram fil-bajjiet tagħna. Bla ma jrid wieħed jistaqsi għala qed jiġri hekk kull darba, sena wara l-oħra? X’inhu jgħin lil dawn il-kreaturi biex jirnexxielhom jikbru f’tant kwantitajiet? Aħna qegħdin nagħtu biżżejjed għajnuna lill-entitajiet lokali biex jassistu fil-konservazzjoni tal-ħajja marina u fis-saħħa tipika  tal-biodiversità li xi darba kellna fl-ibħra tagħna?

    Il-bram u l-organiżmi oħra li jixbħuhom ħafna jitqassmu f’erbgħa kategoriji: Scyphozoa (l-aktar bram komuni); Hydrozoa (Portuguese man-of-war); Anthozoa (anemoni tal-baħar u koralli) u Cubozoa (bram magħruf bħala ‘box jellyfish’ li huma l-aktar tossiċi).

    F’dawn l-aħħar snin ġie innotat illi l-aktar bram komuni u dominanti fil-Mediterran huwa dak tat-tip Pelagia Noctiluca u wkoll il-Cotylorhiza Tuberculata. Il-gżejjer Maltin laqgħu fihom diversi minn dawn l-ispeċi, l-aktar mit-tip tal-Pelagia Noctiluca. Probabbilment anki dis-sena ser jiġri l-istess, hekk kif dawn jiġu mkaxkra sal-kosta tagħna permezz tal-kurrenti u r-riħ.

    Il-bram għandu fetħa gastrovaskulari waħda li tintuża għad-diġestjoni u għaċ-ċirkolazzjoni. Għandu wkoll sett ta’ tentakli (qishom swaba’ twal) illi fihom hemm maħżun ammont ta’ velenu. Tajjeb li wieħed ikun jaf illi anki meta t-tentakli jitqaċċtu minn mal-bram, dawn jibqgħu perikolużi peress illi l-velenu jibqa’ hemm għal ġimgħat sħaħ.

    Huma diversi l-fatturi li qed jikkaġunaw din iż-żieda drastika tal-bram fostom: is-sajd żejjed u bla limitu (li qiegħed anki jaffetwa kemm il-ħut iż-żgħir u kemm il-predaturi l-kbar), il-bidla fil-klima u t-tibdil Adriana Vella tal-abitat tal-ħlejqiet marini. Dan kollu b’detriment kbir ukoll għall-organiżmi l-oħra tal-baħar. L-evidenza kull ma tmur qegħdha turina illi l-istruttura tal-eko sistema tal-baħar tista’ tinbidel b’ħeffa minn waħda dominata mill-ħut (li żżomm il-bram f’ammonti aċċettabbli peress li dawn jittieklu mill-ħut) għal sistema mhux daqshekk mixtieqa ta’ stat gelatinuż b’konsegwenzi serji ekoloġiċi, ekonomiċi u soċjoloġiċi. Għalhekk huwa neċessarju illi biex dan it-tibdil fl-eko sistema jitwaqqaf, tiżdied aktar ir-riċerka dwar dawn l-organiżmi u l-bqija tal-ħajja marina.

    Jiena nemmen illi l-gżejjer Maltin għandhom jinvestu fi proġett biex dan il-bram jinġabar u biex jiġi ikkontrollat minn madwar il-kosta tagħna. Żgur illi proġett simili jgħin ħafna biex kemm il-Maltin u kif ukoll it-turisti, li jgħinu tant lill-ekonomija Maltija, biex jgħumu bla biża’ u bla periklu fil-bajjiet tagħna. BICREF tista’ tgħin fil-ko-ordinazzjoni ta’ proġett simili li kieku tiġi pprovduta bil-fondi għalih.

    Dan l-aħħar qed tissemma l-possibilità illi ħlejqa tal-baħar magħrufa bħala l-‘Portuguese man-of-war’ tidħol fl-ibħra Maltin. X’tikkummenta dwar dan?

    Dis-sena l-Biological Conservation Research Foundation (BICREF) irċeviet żewġ rapporti flimkien ma’ xi ritratti tal-Portuguese man-of-war li ttieħdu lokalment. Dawn qalulna illi tnejn mir-ritratti ittieħdu fi Frar u Marzu li għaddew f’Għajn Tuffieħa filwaqt li ritratt ieħor inġibed fiċ-Ċirkewwa ukoll fix-xahar ta’ Marzu. Immedjatament il-BICREF għaddiet dawn ir-rapporti u r-ritratti lill-Awtorità tas-Saħħa. Ta’ min isemmi illi dawn l-ispeċi ntlemħu wkoll f’April lejn il-kosta tan-naħa t’isfel ta’ Spanja u anki qrib il-gżejjer Baleariċi. Fi Frar li għadda din l-ispeċi feġġet ukoll fin-naħa tal-Lvant ta’ Sqallija.

    Il-Portuguese man-of-war, li xjentifikament hija magħrufa bħala ‘Physalia Physalis’ tista’ tgħix fil-baħar Mediterranju bħala parti mid-distribuzzjoni tal-ispeċi. Iżda jista’ jagħti l-każ illi dan l-aħħar din l-ispeċi qed tiżdied fl-abbundanza tagħha. Fix-xhur u s-snin li ġejjin ser ikollna stampa aktar ċara kemm din l-ispeċi tista’ tiżdied fl-ilmijiet tagħna sakemm ma tiġix ikkontrollata minn kundizzjonijiet bijoloġiċi li jżommuha fi kwantità aktar baxxa.

    Il-Portuguese man-of-war tissejjaħ ukoll ‘man of war’ jew ‘blue bottle’. Tajjeb li niċċaraw illi dan l-organiżmu mhux speċi ta’ brama iżda huwa ‘siphonophore’ jew aħjar kolonja ta’ organiżmi individwali li Portughese Man of War fuq l-art (ritratt ta' C Mallia)huma kollha modifikati biex jaqdu funzjonijiet differenti fejn fosthom hemm dawk li jżommu l-ispeċi fuq il-wiċċ tal-baħar, dawk li jsibu u jaqbdu organiżmi oħra għall-ikel, dawk li jgħinu l-organiżmu biex jiekol u dawk li jeżistu għar-riproduzzjoni tal-ispeċi. Bħall-bram komuni li nafu aħna, il-Portuguese man-of-war jinġarr mal-kurrent u permezz tar-riħ u jmantni lilu nnifsu fuq ħut żgħir u organiżmi żgħar oħra.

    It-tingiża tal-Portuguese man-of-war tweġġa’ ħafna aktar minn dik tal-brama komuni. Madanakollu peress li din tibqa’ fil-wiċċ (mhux bħal brama li tinżel f’qiegħan differenti) tista’ tintlemaħ u tiġi evitata ħafna aktar faċilment. Sfortunatement, bħal fil-każ tal-bram, it-tentakli ta’ dawn l-organiżmi jibqgħu velenużi għal diversi ġranet saħansitra meta jitqaċċtu minn mal-ispeċi u għalhekk il-ġarr tagħhom mal-kurrenti fil-bajjiet tagħna jista’ joħloq periklu għall-għawwiema.

    X’inhu x-xogħol li twettaq il-Biological Conservation Research Foundation (BICREF)?

    Għal dawn l-aħħar ħdax-il sena il-BICREF għamlet diversi stħarriġ dwar il-baħar li jdawwar il-gżejjer Maltin u assistiet ukoll fir-riċerka tal-konservazzjoni sabiex jiġu studjati kemm l-ispeċi kostali kif ukoll Cotylorhiza tuberculata (ritratt ta' A Buttigieg BICREF)dawk il-ħlejjaq li jinstabu f’baħar miftuħ bħad-delfini, il-fkieren, il-baleni u kull speċi oħra li niltaqgħu magħha waqt dan l-istħarriġ. Permezz tal-għajnuna ta’ bosta sidien tad-dgħajjes, il-BICREF kostantement tiġbor aktar informazzjoni f’dan ir-rigward. Sabiex tissaħħaħ il-kuxjenza dwar il-bżonn tal-konservazzjoni tal-ispeċi marina, il-BICREF ipproduċiet ukoll dokumentarju bl-isem ta’ ‘Waves of Life’. Dan id-dokumentarju li hu twil madwar siegħa, huwa frott ta’ ħames snin xogħol ta’ osservazzjoni, fotografija u iffilmjar mill-voluntieri tal-BICREF. Apprezzajna ħafna meta dan id-dokumentarju rebaħ premju ta’ Mertu mill-Accolade. Ix-xewqa tagħna hija illi nuru dan id-dokumentarju fuq l-istazzjonijiet kollha lokali sabiex il-pubbliku jkun jista’ japprezza l-ġmiel preżenti tal-wirt naturali tal-ibħra tagħna.

    Liema huma dawk l-ispeċi marini li jgħixu fl-ibħra Maltin u li huma protetti? X’inhuma l-konsegwenzi meta wieħed jikser dawn ir-regoli?

    Jeżistu diversi speċi li diġà huma vulnerabbli ħafna minħabba l-impatt uman fuq l-ibħra tagħna. Fost dawn insibu uħud illi jinqabdu għall-ikel b’mod intensiv bħall-qarnit komuni, it-tonn (blue fin) u t-trilja. B’mod indirett, hemm ukoll kreaturi oħra li għalkemm huma legalment protetti, xorta waħda jbatu ħafna mill-intervent tal-bniedem bħall-klieb il-baħar, il-fkieren u d-dniefel. Għal dir-raġuni l-BICREF tħoss illi x-xogħol tagħha huwa neċessarju mmens u jistħoqqlu aktar sostenn. Għalkemm hemm ħafna speċi marini li diġà huma protetti kemm b’leġiżlazzjoni lokali u kif ukoll dik internazzjonali, il-BICREF temmen illi ftit qiegħed isir biex jiġi kkonfermat illi kulħadd qed jimxi ma’ dawn ir-regoli sabiex insaħħu r-rikkezza tal-biodiversità futura tal-ibħra tagħna.

    Kemm hi importanti l-pożizzjoni ta’ Malta fejn tidħol ir-riċerka tal-konservazzjoni bioloġika marina?

    Minħabba l-pożizzjoni ċentrali tagħhom fil-baħar Mediterran, il-ġżejjer Maltin għandhom ħafna x’joffru f’dik li hi riċerka u konservazzjoni marina. Fl-istess ħin il-BICREF tixtieq illi jkollha rwol ħafna akbar fl-istrateġiji lokali li jimmaniġġjaw kemm iż-żoni u kif ukoll l-ispeċi protetti proprju minħabba l-esperjenza illi hi għandha f’dan il-qasam.

    BICREF kemm temmen li hu kbir il-kunflitt bejn is-sopravvivenza tal-ħajja marina u l-interessi tal-bniedem?

    BICREF temmen illi aktar ma jgħaddi ż-żmien, il-poplu Malti qiegħed dejjem aktar jippretendi li jiżdied il-progress fil-konservazzjoni tan-natura u fil-kwalità tal-ħajja kemm madwar u kemm fuq il-gżejjer tagħna. Għajnuna politika u finanzjarja akbar għall-protezzjoni tan-natura, m’għandhomx isarrfu f’inqas għajnuna għal kwistjonijiet oħra. Huwa tassew inġust meta jseħħ dan. Kompetenza u esperjenza lokali f’dan il-qasam diġà għandna. Għaldaqstant l-għajnuna għandha tiġi immirata biex jiġi assistit ix-xogħol volontarju flimkien mar-riċerka xjentifika ħalli dawn jikkontribwixxu fit-tagħrif u fl-għodda neċessarji għal aktar żvilupp sostenibbli.

    Aktar informazzjoni dwar ix-xogħol tal-BICREF tistgħu issibuha fuq il-websajt www.bicref.org.

    Kull minn jixtieq jagħti l-għajnuna tiegħu fix-xogħol volontarju ambjentali tal-BICREF huwa mitlub jikkuntattjana fuq bicref@gmail.com  jew jiktbilna fuq dan l-indirizz: BICREF, PO BOX 30 Hamrun.

    —————————————————————————————————————————–

    INTERVISTA: DR CHARMAINE GAUCI – Direttur fid-Dipartiment Għall-Promozzjoni tas-Saħħa u l-Prevenzjoni tal-Mard

    Kemm hija serja tingiża ta’ brama għas-saħħa tal-bniedem?

    Fil-biċċa l-kbira tal-każi t-tingiż mill-bram isir b’mod aċċidentali – billi bniedem jgħum, imiss jew jiġborhom bl-addoċċ. Il-proċess ta’ kif brama tgħaddi t-tossiku tagħha jaħdem b’mod li jixbaħ ħafna lill-Pelagia Noctiluca - l-aktar speċi komuni fl-ibħra tagħnamekkaniżmu tal-jack-in-the-box. Awtomatikament kif xi ħaġa tmiss mal-brama, f’temp ta’ 3 millisekondi din tirreaġixxi billi tarmi ammont ta’ tossiku fl-oġġett li jmiss magħha. Kollox isir b’ħeffa kbira u b’penetrazzjoni qawwija li kapaċi tasal sa fond ta’ 0.9mm. Meta jintlaħaq dan il-fond, it-tossiku jiġi ddepożitat fil-ġilda u wara jiġi assorbit mis-sistema ċirkulatorja. Fl-istess ħin it-tentakli tal-brama jeħlu mal-vittma. It-tossiku jerħi minnu kimiċi u medjaturi infjammatorji li jaffetwaw l-organi tal-ġisem fostom liċ-ċelloli nervużi u lill-kliewi. L-ewwel reazzjonijiet għat-tossiku tal-bram normalment ma jkunx wieħed allerġiku imma aktar tossiku u li jikkaġuna uġiegħ. Bosta drabi s-sintomi ta’ tingiża ta’ brama,  fostom tal-magħrufa Scyphozoan, huwa ħafna uġiegħ imma rarament tkun fatali. Is-sintomi li jsegwu t-tingiża ta’ brama regolarment jikkonsistu f’uġiegħ partikolari fil-parti milquta, ħakk, raxx u marki mqabbża fuq il-ġilda.

    X’miżuri għandhom jittieħdu meta wieħed jitniggeż minn brama?

    Huwa importanti ħafna illi qatt ma tuża l-ilma ħelu fuq tingiża ta’ brama għax dan ikompli jgħin biex it-tossiku tagħha jixtered aktar. Preferebilment għandhom jittieħdu dawn il-miżuri:

    -         Xarrab jew laħlaħ il-parti li tniggżet mill-brama bl-ilma baħar.

    -         Neħħi t-tentakli tal-brama b’xi biċċa zokk, kartuna jew b’xi pinzetta. Oqgħod attent li dawn ma jmissux ma’ partijiet oħra tal-ġisem sabiex tevita li terġa’ titniggeż.

    -         Applika xi tip ta’ alkoħol fil-parti milquta; bħal ngħidu aħna l-ħall.

    -         Tħokkx il-parti milquta.

    -         Tapplikax silġ jew ilma jaħraq.

    -         Fittex trattament mediku mill-aktar fis possibbli jekk tinnota li għandek diffikultà biex tieħu n-nifs jew biex tibla’ jew jekk tħoss xi uġiegħ f’sidrek jew inkella uġiegħ qawwi fil-parti milquta.

    Kemm hija perikoluża l-ispeċi magħrufa bħala l-Portughese man of war?  Huwa minnu illi t-tingiża tagħha taf tkun fatali?

    Kien hawn xi rapporti li numru ta’ speċi tal-Portughese man of war dehru fil-baħar Mediterran. Irridu nagħrfu illi din il-ħlejqa marina mhiex brama imma hi kolonja ta’ invertebrati marini. It-tingiża Dr Charmaine Gaucitagħhom tikkawża uġiegħ qawwi u tħalli marki ħomor fuq il-ġilda li jixbħu lid-daqqiet ta’ frosta. F’ċerti każi t-tingiża ta’ din l-ispeċi tista’ tħalli effetti serji fuq il-bniedem fostom deni u interferenza mal-funzjoni tal-qalb u l-pulmun. Iżda irridu ngħidu wkoll illi t-tingiża tal-Portughese man of war, rarament tkun fatali.

    Madanakollu wieħed għandu jieħu l-parir tat-tabib tiegħu jekk wara tingiża ta’ dawn l-ispeċi jinnota xi wieħed jew aktar minn dawn is-sintomi:

    -         Jekk l-uġiegħ tat-tingiża jippersisti jew isir aktar intens.

    -         Jekk ikun hemm reazzjoni estrema jew f’każ illi r-raxx jiżdied.

    -         Jekk tinħass sensazzjoni fejn tħossok ġeneralment ma tiflaħx.

    -         Jekk fuq il-ġilda tifforma linja ħamra bejn it-tingiża u l-glandoli minfuħin.

    -         Jekk il-parti affetwata ssir ħamra, sħuna jew ratba.

    -         Jekk issib diffikultà biex tieħu n-nifs.

    X’għandu jsir jekk aċċidentalment wieħed imiss mal-ispeċi tal-Portughese man of war?

    L-aħjar trattament jixbaħ lil dak li wieħed għandu jagħmel jekk jitniggeż minn brama. Iżda f’każi simili l-applikazzjoni ta’ ftit silġ fuq il-post wara li xxarrab bl-ilma jaħraq, jgħin ħafna. Qatt tuża l-ħall.

    X’inhuma l-aħjar prevenzjonijiet li nistgħu nieħdu f’dawn il-każi?

    -         Preferibilment wieħed għandu jevita li jinżel jgħum f’postijiet fejn jaf li hemm il-bram u anki f’dawk l-inħawi fejn ikun ġie rrappurtat li kien hemm numru kbir ta’ bram.

    -         Evita milli tiġbor bram mejjet.  Dawn il-ħlejqiet akkost li jkunu mejtin u mnixxfa, kultant ikunu għadhom kapaċi jgħaddu t-tossiku tagħhom!

    -         Ilbes ħwejjeġ protettivi meta tinżel tgħum f’postijiet fejn ikun hemm ħafna bram.

    (Dan l-artiklu ġie ppubblikat fit-Torċa tat-12 ta’ Lulju 2009)

    2009.07.12 / no responses / Category: Torca - Perspettivi