How to Treat Prednisone Side Effects in Dogs on Steroid Therapy

Learn how to manage/treat the side effects of prednisone in dogs, like skin problems, vomiting, muscle wasting, excessive thirst, urination and infection.

LEARN HOW TO TREAT SOME SIDE EFFECTS OF A DOG

Prednisone is a glucocorticoid that's used to treat inflammation, skin conditions, gastrointestinal problems, asthma and autoimmune disorders like lupus. Prednisone may be prescribed on a short term basis, or it may be prescribed on a long term basis.
There are many significant side effects associated with steroid therapy and some can be a bit difficult to manage. In fact, prednisone is one drug that can actually change the pet's body over time. It can permanently affect the dog's adrenal glands after just one week, resulting in Cushing's Disease (associated with overactive adrenal glands) or Addison's Disease (associated with adrenal insufficiency.) This can lead to a dependence upon the drug and it's one reason why the dog's prednisone dosage must be tapered gradually at the end of the treatment period.

Adjusting the Dog's Dose to Reduce Prednisone Side Effects
Many prednisone side effects can be lessened or eliminated by lowering the dog's dose, so consult the dog's veterinarian to determine if a dose adjustment is a viable option for your pet. The prednisone dosage is calculated based on weight and the nature of the condition that's being treated. When it's prescribed for its anti-inflammatory properties, the dosage is 0.1 mg to 0.3 mg per pound of body weight, given twice a day. When prednisone is used as an immunosuppressant, the dosage is 1 mg to 3 mg per pound of body weight, up to three times per day.
The pet should be on the lowest possible dose with a therapeutic effect. Every dog's body is slightly different, so an effective dose for one 50-pound dog may be excessive or insufficient for another 50-pound dog.
Managing Excessive Drinking and Urination as a Side Effect of Prednisone
Most dogs on prednisone experience excessive thirst, called polydipsia, and excessive urination, known as polyuria. These particular side effects cannot be counteracted or eliminated; they must be managed as follows:

• Ensure your dog has constant access to water;
• Arrange for more frequent walks or provide a doggy door so the pet can access the bathroom area when needed; and
• Provide puppy pads if your dog is left home alone for long periods of time and cannot access the bathroom area.

Aside from being inconvenient, the dog's excessive thirst and frequent urination are not harmful. In fact, the increased urination will help to flush toxins from the dog's kidneys. Many dogs on steroid therapy long term will experience slight bloating or "water weight," as the tissues in the dog's body retain a bit more water than what's normal.
Increased Appetite, Weight Gain and Muscle Wasting in Dogs on Steroids
Many dogs on prednisone will gain weight because the drug can increase appetite. An easy solution to this problem involves adding water to the pet's kibble. Add hot water to the pet's food -- the kibble should be completely covered with hot water. Allow it to sit for approximately 10 minutes. The kibble will swell and absorb the water. The dog will feel fuller, without extra calories, and the water will serve to satiate the pet's thirst.
In addition, feed smaller, more frequent meals. Pet owners can also increase the amount of exercise that the dog performs on a daily basis. This will burn calories and it will also help to combat another prednisone side effect: muscle wasting.
Muscle wasting is most commonly seen in dogs on prednisone long term, particularly in cases where the pet is on a high dosage. This effect cannot be avoided, but it can be managed by keeping the pet active with daily exercise and activity, which will maintain muscle tone. Also, feed a high-protein diet. Supplement the pet's food with items like:

• cooked beef;
• cooked chicken;
• cooked turkey;
• tuna fish; and
• other high-protein foods like peanut butter, served in an appealing form like homemade peanut butter treats.

Managing a Dog's Upset Stomach Due to Prednisone
Some dogs on steroid therapy will experience gastrointestinal upset, including vomiting, ulcers and diarrhea. One of the most effective ways to treat this particular side effect is to give the medication with food. The food dilutes the concentration of the drug in the dog's stomach, making it less likely to cause upset.
In addition, some dogs may do well with an anti-vomiting medication, given in conjunction with the prednisone. If you give the medication with food and the dog's vomiting and upset stomach persists, consult your veterinarian, as he/she can recommend an over-the-counter medication like Pepto Bismol or Pepcid or the vet may opt to prescribe a medication to treat the gastrointestinal upset. Always consult your vet before giving over-the-counter medications to a dog, as they may upset a pre-existing health issue or the OTC medications may interact with one of the dog's prescribed medications.
Fur Loss, Skin Problems and Staph Infections in Dogs on Prednisone
Poor coat -- including fur loss and thinning fur -- along with skin problems and infections are all common side effects of prednisone. This cluster of side effects cannot be avoided, but they can be managed.
Provide the dog with a daily multi-vitamin, a Vitamin E supplement and a liquid skin and coat supplement to improve the condition of the pet's fur and skin. Also, soak a piece of bread in olive oil or add a couple tablespoons to the pet's meal to combat dry skin and add sheen. Practice good grooming methods to keep the pet's coat and skin in the best possible condition.
Staph infections occur as a result of the immunosuppressant properties of the drug. Staph bacteria is normally present on the skin, but minor scratches can become infected in a dog with a suppressed immune system. What's more, thinning skin is a long term side effect of prednisone and this can make the skin more prone to injury. In some cases, the infections occur in the form of pus-filled blisters that arise suddenly and without any apparent cause. This creates a moth-eaten appearance to the dog's coat, as the fur overlying the wound falls off when the pustule breaks open. (See photo below.)
In addition, flea infestations are a major cause of staph infections in dogs on steroid therapy because the skin parasites are constantly breaking the skin. Therefore, it's important to prevent and immediately treat a dog's fleas while on prednisone. The only effective treatment for chronic skin infections is oral antibiotics, which may need to be administered for two to three months or longer.
A small number of dogs on prednisone may suffer from an itchy skin problem known as calcinitis cutis. (See photo below.) Small calcium deposits form beneath the skin's surface, resulting in intense itching and hard white lumps (calcifications.) Small deposits may be reabsorbed, while larger deposits will be gradually pushed out through the skin over the course of several weeks, resulting in chronic wounds that are prone to staph infection and opportunistic bacterial infection. The condition can be treated with daily cleansings, anti-itch medications and oral antibiotics.
Steroid therapy can also lead to diabetes, Cushing's disease and eye problems like glaucoma and cataracts. These side effects are most common in dogs on prednisone long term. If unusual symptoms are observed, contact your veterinarian to arrange for an examination.
To learn more, read "Prednisone Side Effects in Dogs on Steroid Therapy."
To learn more about staph infections in dogs, read "Dog Staph Infection Remedies and Topical Treatments for Skin Infections,"
Dog owners may also wish to read "Dog Skin Problems -- Antibiotic Treatment for Staph Infections in Dogs."

How Do I Treat Dog Vomiting?

 "Why is my dog vomiting?
Learn how to treat a vomiting dog at home, and learn symptoms and how to tell if a dog is sick with a more serious illness.

At some point, every dog owner will find him or herself in a situation with a dog with an upset stomach. Pet owners are often left wondering "Are there any home remedies for dog vomiting? Can I stop my dog's vomiting?" and "How do I help my vomiting dog at home? Is there anything I can do to help a dog with an upset stomach?"
Fortunately, there are several steps that the owner of a sick dog can take to help treat a vomiting dog with an upset stomach. This article will provide step-by-step directions on how to treat dog vomiting at home, along with information on how to tell if a dog is sick with a serious problem and when to take a dog to the veterinary clinic.

Treating a Vomiting Dog - "Why Is My Dog Vomiting?"

There are many reasons why a dog may start vomiting. A dog owner must consider possible causes for the dog's vomiting. A dog's upset stomach can be a symptom of a much more serious problem like poisoning or Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus, better known as "GDV" or bloat.
The following are some of the more common causes of dog vomiting:

• Eating a new, unfamiliar food
• Eating too much "people food"
• Stomach virus
• Stress or anxiety
• Excess stomach acids and bile
• GDV or "bloat"
• Eating a non-food item or foreign object
• Ingesting a chemical or toxin
• Food sensitivities
• Stomach problems like a stomach ulcer or gastritis

Pet owners should consider these common causes of vomiting in dogs and determine which causes may be to blame for the dog's upset stomach.
In a situation where the dog may be suffering from a potentially deadly health problem like bloat, ingesting a toxin or foreign object, the dog should immediately be transported to the veterinary clinic for an examination; owners should not attempt to treat these potentially serious cases of dog vomiting at home.
Symptoms of a Serious Illness in a Vomiting Dog
Before attempting to treat a dog at home for vomiting and upset stomach, the owner must look for signs of a more serious problem. If any of the following symptoms are present, a trip to the veterinarian's clinic is warranted:

• Dehydration
• Vomiting blood
• Projectile vomiting
• Vomiting for more than 24 hours
• Dog not improving after 24 hours
• Bloated appearance
• Fever
• Pale gums in dog

Home Remedies for Dog Vomiting and Upset Stomach
For many cases, the owner can treat the dog's vomiting at home by following these steps:

1. Remove access to the dog's food for 12-24 hours; this allows the dog's stomach to rest and recover.
2. Give maple syrup or Nutri-Cal to the dog every 4-6 hours. For maple syrup, give one large spoon for every 15 pounds of body weight. If the dog won't lick the syrup or Nutri-Cal, rub it on the dog's gums.
3. Add unflavored Pedialyte to the dog's water in a 50-50 mix to help combat dehydration.
4. Monitor how much water the dog is drinking. Excessive, fast drinking is a common response to nausea in dogs, and it can cause dog vomiting, worsening the dog's upset stomach. If necessary, limit the water available to the dog; dole it out in hourly "rations."
5. If the dog won't drink water, offer low-sodium broth or a diluted clear soup like chicken soup. No onion soup, as onions are toxic to dogs. Bullion cubes can also be added to water. Clear non-citrus juices can also be offered.
6. After 24 hours, offer a bland diet of homemade dog food consisting of plain white rice or cottage cheese with plain skinless chicken or boiled hamburger meat, with the fat strained away.
7. When first offering food, only offer one or two bites worth.
8. If the dog keeps the food down for four hours, offer a slightly larger ration of food - approximately 4 bites worth.
9. Wait an additional 4 hours and offer food again. Feed approximately one-third of the dog's normal meal size.
10. For three full days, feed the dog the bland diet of homemade dog food three times per day. Each meal should be small - about one-third of the dog's normal meal size.
11. After feeding the bland food for three full days, begin to phase the dog's normal dog food back into the equation. This must be done over the course of 3 to 5 days, gradually adding more dog food while decreasing the amount of homemade bland food.

Dogs can also be given over-the-counter medications like Pepto Bismol or Pepcid, but approval from a veterinarian is required to give a dog medicines, as this can worsen the dog's condition in certain situations.
Over-the-counter medicines can also interact with the dog's prescription medication, so it's essential that dog owners consult their veterinary clinic prior to giving a dog medicine at home.
More Help for a Sick Dog
Notably, the home treatment for a dog that's vomiting yellow fluid on a chronic basis is different. To learn how to help a dog that vomits yellow liquid, read Why Is My Dog Vomiting Yellow Liquid?
Many dog owners will also get very frightened when they see a dog vomiting blood. To learn more about what causes a dog to vomit blood, read Why is My Dog Vomiting Blood?
Pet owners must also monitor their dog's vital signs when the dog is sick to ensure that the pet is not becoming critically ill. To learn more on how to examine a sick dog at home, read Is My Dog SIck - How to Check a Dog's Vital Signs.

How to Plant and Care for a Bottlebrush Plant

Planting and caring for a bottlebrush (latin name: Callistemon) requires minimal upkeep but results in maximum floral beauty.

As a frost tolerant and woody plant, bottlebrushes are attractive options for home gardeners. Since they also tolerate drought and damp conditions well, they are showcased throughout landscaped lawns and gardens all over the world. The flower spikes are colorful and full of texture, and the leaves of some bottlebrush varieties are ornamental as well. Since the average lifespan for bottlebrushes is twenty to forty years, they promise beauty and blooms for many years. Although the woody shrub is low maintenance, proper care can help to ensure it continues blooming to its fullest each year.

Planting

Arrange to plant a bottlebrush shrub in full sun to maximize the amount of blooms and growth of the plant. Find a spot that receives at least 6 hours of sunlight a day for best results.

Choose a well-draining soil to plant the bottlebrush. Although bottlebrushes do well in a variety of soil types, they do not take kindly to alkaline type environments. Plant the seeds during spring or summer. Cuttings from mature bottlebrushes may also be used. Do not plant other flowers or plants within five feet of sowing the seed into the soil. Since bottlebrushes tend to expand and grow quite easily, give them room and resist planting other varieties of flowers too close.

Fertilizer

Apply a low-phosphorus fertilizer to the soil in either the spring or fall. This gives the bottlebrush extra nutrients for a richer soil.

Mulching

Add mulch around the base of the plant to retain soil moisture and to help prevent weeds from sprouting up. This needs to be done every

Pruning

When the plant has produced flowers and is thriving, prune the bottlebrush back to desired size and shape. This must be done either early in the season before the flowers have bloomed or after the flowers are finishing. Cut the tips of the branches for early season pruning. Or you may choose to cut behind the finished flowers. Some flowers may have to be sacrificed in order to achieve a desired shape. Pruning helps to keep the shrub compact and attractive as well as encourage re-flowering throughout the season.

Water

In extreme heat and dry conditions, give the bottlebrush a deep watering to ensure it prospers. Mulching can help keep out the intense heat in some regions as well. Otherwise, the bottlebrush does not require regular watering other than natural rainfall.

Considerations

If bugs become a problem, use a repellent spray which can be found in most garden centers.

The bottlebrush is an excellent low-maintenance plant that, with a little care, will reward gardeners with beautiful displays each year.

How to Treat Wasp Stings Using Home First Aid

Wasp stings can be painful. Learn why they're painful and use natural home remedies for treating them, or choose simple over the counter pharmacy options.

This article does not cover emergency anaphylactic shock treatment which requires immediate care and attention. This piece is to provide a range of home-based wasp sting remedies for those who do not have an allergic reaction but will still find that being stung by a wasp is uncomfortable and possibly painful.

To find emergency treatment on anaphylactic shock treatment, go toanaphylaxis.org.

Why is Wasp Venom Painful

Surprisingly there is less known about wasp venom than there is about bee venom, and tracking down the cause of the pain of a wasp sting has been elusive. Although the chemical constituents can be identified, the cause of the pain is less easy to pinpoint; however there appears to be some correlation betweencatecholamines and the discomfort of wasp venom. Catecholamines contain adrenaline and noradrenaline which are normally transported in the blood stream and it may be these constituents released into skin tissue that cause the pain.

Treating Wasp Stings

Firstly, check for sure that the wasp sting hasn't been left in, in which case just use the edge of a credit card drawn firmly across the skin, or a pair of tweezers, to extract it. Treating wasp stings usually just involves treating the effects of the venom, as the wasp does not generally leave its sting behind as a bee will do unless the wasp has been swatted and had its sting snapped off.

Apply some ice in a towel, or a small pack of frozen peas, to the stung area. Never put ice directly onto the skin as there is the possibility of skin burn. Leave this pack of ice - or peas - on the skin for about ten minutes. The intense cold will reduce blood flow to the area which in turn will lead to a reduction in the reddening and defensive reaction. Take the ice pack off for about five minutes and then reapply.

Ibuprofen or paracetamol can ease the discomfort, but always check the information leaflet for contraindications.

If the area becomes irritated and itchy, do not scratch. This will only make matters worse by further damaging the skin structures where the sting has entered, and is likely to disperse the wasp venom further into the surrounding tissues. Scratching may also lead to broken skin and infection, which will make treatment and healing more complicated. The area should not be squeezed or pinched either, even though this can bring temporary relief for other types of skin irritation - the less chance the wasp venom has of leaching into the surrounding tissues the better.

Itching can be eased by applying some calamine lotion frequently throughout the day. This is a harmless skin treatment often prescribed for itchiness caused by rashes as well as skin conditions such as chicken pox so it is well documented as being effective.

An extra treatment for itchiness is an oral antihistamine which will reach the inflamed area through the bloodstream and tackle the itchiness from the inside. If calamine is also being used this will be an effective and benign two-pronged approach method of dealing with the irritation from the wasp venom.

Some people find that Benadryl topical applications will work, and as this is a treatment specifically for stings this may well be a useful thing to keep in the medicine cabinet.

A Few Natural Home Remedies for Wasp Stings

1. Baking soda mixed with a little water to form a paste and then applied to the wasp sting area is a useful remedy for easing the irritation. A small dressing can be applied and secured with tape to keep the baking powder paste in place. This is useful at night when the warmth of the bed can make any skin irritation worse.
2. An application of a paste of water and meat tenderiser is is a popular treatment and works because the papain in the tenderiser breaks down the proteins, one of the main constituents of wasp venom. This is best applied and then kept in place with a small dressing to avoid it being rubbed off.
3. Pure aloe vera gel is another natural method of cooling and soothing the sting area. Aloe vera is known universally as a wonderful healing skin treatment and it contains no harsh chemicals, additives or medications.
4. The application of mud to the stung area is an American Indian treatment which works by drawing the venom out of the skin in the same way that a clay face mask draws impurities out from the skin of the face. This needs be nothing more elaborate than mud from the garden. Leave for 10-15 minutes to allow the mud to dry completely.

Further home remedies include the following:

• the inside of a cut onion to rub over the wasp sting site.
• white or cider vinegar applied with a piece of cotton wool.
• a copper penny. Placed on a wasp sting this apparently reduces the swelling, redness and irritation and has something to do with the copper content of the coin reacting favourably with the body's own chemical makeup.

If after using these remedies the irritation persists or worsens, or the redness spreads, do seek medical advice. The above home first aid measures are very basic and are for anyone who has no out of the ordinary major reaction to insect stings and bites. If there is any doubt ask for a doctor's or pharmacist's opinion.

If you found this article useful you may be interested in reading the following to learn more about wasp stings:

How to Avoid Being Stung by Wasps which has some useful deterrents and precautions, The Life Cycle of the Wasp as a fascinating overview of one of the garden's most useful predators, and What is a Wasp Sting which examines the structure and function of the sting and gives some information on wasp venom.

How to Care for Dogs After Spaying Surgery

Getting a female dog spayed involves a more invasive surgery; the dog's recovery after spaying surgery is longer and more difficult. Learn how to care for a spayed dog.

Often, getting a dog "fixed" with a spay or neuter surgery is the first time a new dog owner will have to care for a dog that's just undergone surgery.

Caring for a dog that's just had surgery and been under general anesthesia can make some dog owners uneasy and nervous. Knowing what to expect when a dog is spayed is the first step toward helping the dog through the recovery process after surgery.

Here, pet owners will learn how to help a dog recover after getting spayed; the more invasive of the two procedures used to "fix" a dog, cat or other pet.

How Do I Prepare My Dog for Surgery When She is Spayed?

Dog owners should prepare a dog for spaying surgery starting the night before the operation is scheduled. Food and water should be withheld after 8:00 p.m. the night before the dog is spayed; this will lessen the dog's chances of vomiting while under general anesthesia.

A dog who vomits while under anesthesia can aspirate (inhale into the lungs) the vomit, causing pneumonia or even death. So it's important to pull up any food and water bowls no later than 8:00 p.m.; this will ensure that any food and water in the dog's system has moved into the lower portion of the digestive system, making vomiting and aspiration unlikely.

In most cases, the veterinarian will perform the spay operation early in the day; the dog can then recover from general anesthesia under the watchful eye of the veterinarian. Complications from spay or neuter operations are fairly uncommon, so most dogs go home the same day.

What is the Dog's Recovery Like After a Spay Operation? How Long Does it Take for the Dog to Recover from Surgery?

Since the spaying procedure takes longer than neutering, the dog is under general anesthesia for a bit longer; this makes the recovery process a bit more difficult. Spaying surgery is also more invasive as the vet cuts through the muscles of the abdominal wall, so recovery takes longer.

After a dog is spayed, she will typically require about 24 hours to recover from the general anesthesia. When a dog arrives home from getting spayed, it's common to see the following symptoms:

• Grogginess
• Lethargy
• Sleeping (more than usual)
• A Lack of Balance
• Little/No Appetite
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Bathroom Accidents
• Panting
• Aggression (usually toward other pets)

These symptoms are temporary, and most will disappear by the following morning.

When the dog arrives home after getting spayed, keep her isolated from other pets; a dog who is disoriented due to anesthesia and experiencing pain and discomfort due to the operation is more likely to snap or bite at another pet or even a child.

After spaying surgery, the dog will need to urinate more frequently due to the IV fluids that were received during the operation. It's important to bring the dog outside every couple hours in anticipation of her bathroom needs. A dog that's just emerged from anesthesia will sleep heavily; the dog may even urinate in bed without realizing it.

A few hours after the dog arrives home, owners can offer a small meal. Some dogs will opt to eat after surgery; others will refuse. Upset stomach is common after general anesthesia, so offering a bland homemade dog food like rice with plain, skinless chicken or boiled hamburger meat will encourage eating while preventing stomach upset.

Special Care for a Dog After Spaying Surgery

Recovery time is about 14 days in a female dog who's just been spayed. Try the following to promote recovery after spaying:

• Limit Activity and Take Short Walks. The abdominal muscles and incision will need time to heal, so short leash walks for bathroom breaks only are recommended for a dog that's just been spayed.. Therefore, the dog must be kept quiet with leash walks only for the two weeks following the surgery.
• Monitor the Incision. The incision for a female dog that's just been spayed will be several inches in length. It's a fairly large incision that must be closely monitored for any signs of infection. Symptoms of an infected wound include swelling, redness or discharge. The incision and underlying structures (i.e. blood vessels, muscles, etc.) will take 10 to 14 days to heal.
• Clean the Incision 2-3 Times a Day. For the first 2 to 3 days, dog owners may be advised to clean the incision several times a day using betadine, which can be applied (generously) using a sterile gauze pad to gently pat the dog's surgical incision and surrounding area. This will disinfect the incision and surrounding skin. Allow the betadine to air dry. Note: This method should only be used on dogs with stitches (a.k.a. sutures) or a staple incision closure.
• Keep the "Cone" On! After a dog is spayed, she will be sent home with an Elizabethan collar, also known as an "e-collar," "lampshade" or "cone." This will prevent the dog from licking the incision or biting the incision or stitches, as often occurs late in the healing process when the healing skin starts to itch. The "lampshade" must be kept on until the dog's stitches are removed about 14 days after the surgery.

Some veterinary surgeons will opt to close the wound with glue or dissolving stitches. Therefore, not every dog requires suture removal. If a pet owner is unsure whether suture removal is required or if concerns arise after spaying surgery, it's important to consult the veterinary clinic.

In dogs with a wound glue incision closure, owners must avoid cleaning or washing the actual incision since this can interfere with the wound glue. If "weeping" occurs, resulting in dried discharge on the dog's skin, a warm, damp washcloth can be used to (gently) clean the skin around the incision, but avoid direct contact with the actual wound.

More Help for an Owner of a Pet That's Had Surgery

To learn more about how male dogs are neutered, read How Do You Neuter a Dog?

Dog owners may also enjoy Post Surgery Incision Care for Pets and Post-Anesthesia Care for Dogs with learn tips on how to care for a dog after she's spayed.

Bum Yeast Infection Signs: "Butt Crack" Sore, Itchy from Fungus

Itching of the "crack" is embarrassing but treatable. Redness, soreness, itchiness, discomfort in this sensitive area are often signs of yeast infection.

• An Itchy Bottom May be a Sign of Yeast Infection

Anal itching and soreness has many possible causes, including hemorrhoids (piles), psoriasis, and eczema. One of the most common causes is a yeast infection of the bottom, also known as a fungal infection. Yeast infections of the "bum crack" can be easily treated and cured. If left untreated, the problem can continue for many weeks or months and get worse.
Itchy Bottom and Other Signs of a Butt Yeast Infection
Fungal infections of the bottom can manifest as several different symptoms. Frequently, a person will have a really itchy bottom. This bum itchiness can be persistent and very annoying, resulting in an unrelenting cycle of itching and scratching that can be difficult to stop.
Embarrassing Problems.com notes, “When [the butt] becomes irritated, scratching is a natural reaction, but this damages the skin further – the itch/scratch cycle.”
Bottom crack irritation is another sign of a yeast infection. The bum may be red, raw, and sore, and the skin may be cracked. The redness often appears as a ring-shaped rash around the anus. The skin may peel, and sometimes bleeding is a problem.
Bum Fungal Skin Infection Causes
The rear crack is an ideal location for yeast to flourish. The area is dark, warm, and sweaty. “Fungi love warm, damp and damaged skin, so if you have an itchy anus for any reason and then damage the skin by scratching, fungi can take hold and make it worse,” EmbarrassingProblems.com states.
Treating Fungus Problem in Bum Crack
There are a few different treatment options for a butt fungal issue. Over-the-counter creams and ointments that are effective at treating yeast infections include clotrimazole, Lamisil, Lotrimin, and Monistat. Lamisil and Lotrimin are used to treat jock itch and Monistat is used to treat vaginal yeast infections, but both are effective against yeast infections of the bum as well.
To treat bum irritation, creams for diaper rash, such as A+D Zinc Oxide Diaper Rash Cream, is very helpful. MayoClinic.com states that Cortaid and Preparation H Anti-Itch Cream can also reduce inflammation and itchiness.
Soreness of the "butt crack" is embarrassing, but it is easy to treat when it is caused by a yeast infection. Over-the-counter medications for fungus infections are effective. However, if a fungal infection of the bottom lasts for more than a week with treatment, it is best to make an appointment with a doctor. The fungus may require a prescription medication to clear it up.

Benefits of Lactate during Exercise

An increase in lactate levels during training helps you to manage energy resources and to adapt your body to exercise.

Athletes and coaches often consider lactate only as a source of fatigue and pain, but this is not true. Lactate is not a dead endpoint of anaerobic metabolism, but a molecule that contains fuel and can be moved around in your body as needed. It also acts as a signal to your muscles to adapt to exercise.
Our cells store only a small amount of ATP (= molecule containing energy), which means that they have to replenish their stores continuously. They have three mechanisms to do so: the ATP-phosphocreatine system, the glycolytic system and the oxidative system.
The ATP-phosphocreatine system
Phosphocreatine is a high energy molecule which can be broken down to generate ATP. It is a very quick system that does not require oxygen and does not produce lactate, but as there is only a limited amount of phosphocreatine available, it is only used for the 5 to 15 first seconds of high intensity exercise. It is therefore only interesting for sprinters, and not for endurance athletes.
The glycolytic, oxygen independent or anaerobic system
We can also generate ATP by breaking down glucose or glycogen. This is a quick system that does not require oxygen, but produces only a limited amount of ATP. It is the preferred system of the fast switch (type 2) fibres. The end product is pyruvic acid, which can be taken up in the oxygen dependent system (see below) or transformed into lactate.
The oxidative, aerobic or oxygen dependent system
Pyruvic acid can be taken up by mitochondria, which are the cell’s energy plants. It enters then a complex series of chemical reactions and finally produces a large amount of ATP. This system is slow and requires oxygen, but as it can produce a large stream of energy for a long time, it is preferred by the slow switch (type1) fibres.
Increasing the intensity
Recent studies have shown that the amount of oxygen present in the muscle cells never decreases that much that the oxidative system has to stop. The terms “anaerobic” and “aerobic” are thus incorrect, and should be replaced by “oxygen independent” and “oxygen dependent”.
As you increase the intensity of your workout, only the oxygen independent system is quick enough to respond, and it will produce more pyruvic acid than the slower, oxidative system can handle. If your cells produce more pyruvic acid, more lactate will be formed.
Moving energy around
Contrary to popular believe, lactate is not a waste product, but an energy rich molecule. It reaches the bloodstream and is taken up by neighbouring type 1 fibres, other muscles, the liver, the heart, the brain or about any other organ. It is then transformed back into pyruvic acid and used as fuel. In the liver and in inactive muscles, it can even be transformed back into glucose or glycogen and stored.
The point at which the lactate production exceeds the clearance is called the lactate threshold. Obviously, it is not a real threshold but a gradual process. As you get fitter, your body becomes better at taking up and using lactate from the bloodstream, and you will able to work harder or run faster before reaching your threshold.
A signalling molecule
Scientists now believe that lactate also promotes the formation of new mitochondria, and therefore makes your muscles better adapted to exercise.
To stay healthy, your body has to maintain a balance between the different chemical substances in your cells and fluids. Some scientists think that an increasing amount of lactate in your blood is a signal for your unconscious brain that you are working very hard, and that this balance might be disrupted if you continue. To make sure that this will not happen, your brain will slow you down by making you tired and recruiting less muscle fibres. This is in accordance with the central governor theory, about which I have blogged previously.
The good and the bad
All the chemical substances in your body have advantages and disadvantages, and there are therefore no bad molecules. It is all about balances. Lactate is not an exception, and it deserves a much better reputation than it actually has in the popular press.
Love lactate and enjoy your workout!
References
G A Brooks. Cell – cell and intracellular lactate shuttles. J Physiol 2009; 587(Pt23): 5591-5600.
R S de Oliveira Cruz, R A de Aguiar, T Turnes et al. Intracellular shuttle: the lactate aerobic metabolism. ScientificWorldJournal 2012, 2012: 420984.
A Philp, A L Macdonald and P W Watt. Lactate – a signal coordinating cell and systemic function. J Exp Biol 2005; 208: 4561-4575.