July 2023 Archive — Quick, Practical Health Notes from Candrugstore

July packed short, useful posts about medications and everyday health risks. If you want actionable takeaways — what to ask your doctor, when to pause procedures, and when to test labs — this month’s roundup saves you time. Below I highlight the main points and clear next steps for each topic.

Top takeaways from each post

Acitretin and tattoos: Acitretin can slow skin healing and change how new tattoos look. If you’re on acitretin, avoid getting tattooed until a clinician says it’s safe. Ask your dermatologist about timing and wound-healing risks before booking a session.

Anemia and autoimmune links: Low iron, B12, or folate can worsen fatigue and affect immune responses. If you have an autoimmune disease and unexplained anemia, get simple nutrient tests and a blood count. Fixing deficiencies often improves energy and can reduce immune stress.

Prilocaine in dental work: Prilocaine is a fast, useful local anesthetic for fillings and some root canals. It’s generally safe but can cause methemoglobinemia in rare cases at high doses. Tell your dentist about lung problems, blood issues, or if you take drugs that raise methemoglobin risk.

Shingles contagiousness: Shingles itself isn’t passed as shingles. But the varicella-zoster virus can spread from an active shingles rash to someone who never had chickenpox — and that person could get chickenpox. Cover the rash and avoid contact with unvaccinated, pregnant, or immunocompromised people.

Ear piercings vs ear canal infections: Piercings mainly risk local (external) infections if not done cleanly or cared for. Inner ear canal infections usually come from water, allergies, or skin conditions. Use a pro piercer, follow aftercare, and see care early for redness, pus, or spreading pain.

Terbinafine and kidney function: Terbinafine can affect organ systems depending on dose and duration. If you have kidney disease or take multiple meds, discuss monitoring with your provider. Regular checkups and lab tests help spot problems early.

Traveling with chronic Hepatitis C: Plan your meds and documents ahead. Carry enough medication, store prescriptions in original bottles, and pack a short medical summary. Avoid alcohol, keep hydrated, and talk with your doctor about vaccines and local care options at your destination.

Quick safety checklist

Before you act on any of these posts: 1) Ask your prescriber about timing and interactions; 2) Get simple blood tests when starting or stopping meds; 3) Delay elective skin procedures while on certain drugs; 4) Keep clear records and meds when you travel. Small steps prevent big problems.

If one of these topics hits home, read the full post for details and questions to bring to your clinician. July’s posts were short, practical, and aimed at helping you make safe, informed choices about treatments and everyday health habits.