Rashes Can Be a Problem in the Summertime

By Amanda Godsey, FNP-C

Amanda Godsey is a Nurse Practitioner in our Northwest Primary Care Clinic. Nursing has been Amanda's passion now for 18 years. She loves caring for people and helping them be able to achieve their maximum health benefits throughout their lifetime. You can reach Amanda at Northwest Primary Care Clinic, 200 Carraway Drive, Suite B2, Winfield, AL 35594 or call 205-487-7556.

Summertime is when more rashes occur than at any other time throughout the year. People contract poison oak, poison ivy, sumac rashes, scabies, and even eczema may become more prevalent during the summertime as well. There is one rash that is encountered more often this time of the year. It is not transmitted by plants or animals but is transmitted by people. It is viral in nature and is known as hand-foot-mouth disease, or HFMD. Although this rash can occur any time of the year, it is more prevelant during the warmer months. We have already noted this rash in our clinic this summer.

HFMD usually affects children less than 5 years old but adults also may get this disease as well. It usually begins with fever, decreased appetite, sore throat, and fatigue. One to two days after the fever begins, a painful rash can develop in the mouth, palms of the hands, and soles of the feet. The rash normally looks like flat red spots but can develop blisters that may rupture and drain. Not everyone will experience all the above symptoms. Some patients may only have one or two of them. The rash can spread to the entire body, as well, but usually presents to the hands, feet, and mouth in the beginning.

Read more: Rashes Can Be a Problem in the Summertime

Back to School with Northwest Medical Center

School bells will be ringing soon and Northwest Medical Center is helping area students get ready for the new school year by collecting school supplies to be distributed throughout our service area. We have collection stations in several areas of the hospital where you can bring donations of school supplies to help our students go back to school well-prepared for a great year. Please see the list of supplies below and consider donating to this worthwhile community project. Your participation will be greatly appreciated by the students who receive these supplies!

School Supplies Needed:

• Loose Leaf Paper
• 3-ring Binders (1-inch or 2-inch)
• Notebooks
• Folders
• Glue Sticks
• Crayons (24 Count)
• Color Pencils
• #2 Wooden Pencils
• Mechanical Pencils
• Lead for Mechanical Pencils
• Clorox Wipes
• Hand Sanitizer
• Paper Towels
• Kleenex Tissues
• 4X6 Index Cards
• Yellow Highlighters
• Scissors

Please bring your generous donations to the hospital and place them in one of the collection boxes.

CEO Bob Henger Shares Hospital News on Gold 97.7

Northwest Medical Center CEO Bob Henger sits down with Doug Threadgill of WKXM Radio to discuss news and happenings at the hospital. Take a listen.