How do you treat a chigger bite? What causes it?

It turns out that there is no one creature called a chigger – the word actually refers to the larval stage of a trombiculid mite. The mites are usually reddish in color and are also known as red bugs, harvest mites, and berry bugs.

One of our patrons had heard that chiggers burrowed into the skin or laid eggs in the flesh. While this is true of certain parasites (ticks and botflies, respectively), it isn’t a problem with chiggers. What they’re actually doing is drilling tiny holes in the skin with their specialized mouthparts and injecting a fluid that breaks down skin cells and allows the chigger to digest them. The itchy red bump accompanying a chigger bite is the skin’s adverse reaction to all this abuse.

Often, several chiggers will bite at once, causing a rash of red welts. They typically bite in folds of skin or where clothing is tight against the body (like waistbands or the tops of socks). Wear insect or tick repellent to minimize the chance of bites. Healthline recommends trying not to brush against vegetation, but that may not be feasible. Since chiggers usually take about an hour to attach to the skin, showering after spending time in wooded areas might be enough to avoid bites. If you have been bitten, it can take anyway from one to three weeks for the bites to heal. While chiggers don’t carry diseases, the bites can get infected if they’re scratched too much. Keep them clean and relieve this itch with ice, hydrocortisone cream, calamine lotion, or a baking soda and water paste.

We found our information on boyslife.org, healthline.com and in The Complete Guide to Camping and Wilderness Survival by Vin T. Sparano. While it didn’t have anything on chiggers, Wilderness Medicine by William Forgey includes information on how to treat snake bites, stingray stings, and scorpion stings.

Is there anything I can do for my cracking fingernails?

Although we are not dermatologists here at the library, we found some tips in the book A Complete Guide to Manicure and Pedicure by Leigh Toselli and the Globe and Mail article “Why do my fingernails peel and crack?” by Dr. Sheila Wijayasinghe that our patron may be able to use.

Both sources suggest protecting nails from water and harsh chemicals – wearing gloves while cleaning and washing the dishes, for instance, and using a non-acetone nail polish remover when necessary. Commercial nail oils and strengthening formulas are available, but we cannot vouch for their efficacy.  Toseli also suggests using almond oil or even just a regular hand cream or lotion to keep nails moisturized.

According to Toseli and Wijayasinghe, calcium and vitamins A, D, and B12 are important for healthy nails. Calcium can be found in bitter greens, tofu, dairy, and nuts; vitamin A is in fish, liver, egg yolk, milk, and many vegetables; vitamin B12 is also in eggs and dairy, and vitamin D can be absorbed from a few minutes of sunlight or found in fish, liver, and milk.

Nails grow slowly, so it may take up to six months for them to show significant improvement. 

How much force does it take to break a bone?

We couldn’t find any clear answers to this question, because a lot of factors need to be taken into account. Even though according to The Handy Anatomy Answer Book by Patricia Barnes-Svarney and Thomas E. Svarney, one cubic inch of bone can theoretically withstand the weight of around five pickup trucks, and is ounce-for-ounce stronger than reinforced concrete, most of us know someone who has broken a bone, because bone will still break on impact. Charles Q. Choi, writing for LiveScience, says that this is because force is generally delivered quickly, and David Biello, writing for Scientific American, adds that the angle of the force affects whether the bone will break, and what kind of fracture it will be.

On UC Santa Barbara’s Science Line, the writers explain that bones are designed to withstand certain types of stress – arm and leg bones, for instance, have curves to them. This makes them able to resist force from certain directions, but vulnerable from the others.

According to DK’s Human Body, a transverse fracture, where the bone breaks straight across the width, is usually caused by a direct or angled force, whereas a comminuted fracture, where the bone breaks into several fragments, is caused by direct impact. A greenstick fracture, where a bone bends and cracks but does not break all the way across, is most common in children, whose bones are still relatively flexible. As we age, our bones become more porous and fragile, and fractures become more likely.

Where can I find information on mental health?

“I’m doing research for school and I need to find information on mental health.”

The Newton Falls Public Library has a section devoted to mental health, including books on the history of mental illness, memoirs, and books to help people and their families understand, treat, and live with their mental illness. DSM-5 Made Easy: The Clinician’s Guide to Diagnosis, written by James Morrison, and Mental Health Disorders Sourcebook, edited by Amy L. Sutton, provide basic information on a variety of different disorders.

We also looked online. The National Alliance on Mental Illness, founded in 1979, has a lot of information on their website, NAMI.org. They provide information on symptoms, treatment, and support on everything from anxiety to schizophrenia. Database resources are available as well. The Ohio Web Library provides access to Consumer Health Complete, a database of health information including videos, diagrams, magazine articles, fact sheets, and scholarly reports.

Our patron was specifically looking for information on illnesses similar to schizophrenia. We found schizoaffective disorder, who involves a person having some of the symptoms of schizophrenia (including delusions, disorganized thoughts or speech, hallucinations, and reduced emotions or behavior, such as a flat voice and expression or a lack of pleasure in life) for at least a month, along with symptoms of depression of bipolar disorder. Morrison also mentions schizophreniform disorder, which might be diagnosed when a person has only been showing symptoms of schizophrenia for less than six months. 

What are ketones?

One of our patrons had heard about ketones in relation to diabetes but wasn’t sure what exactly they were. We weren’t sure either, and while we’re not a substitute for the doctor’s office, we were able to look up some information with the resources available at the library.

Mosby’s Medical Dictionary was the first place we checked. It defines a ketone as a kind of organic chemical produced by “oxidation of secondary alcohols” and then went on to describe its structure. The Diabetes Sourcebook more accessibly defines ketones as “chemical[s] produced where there is a shortage in insulin in the blood and the body breaks down fat for energy.” An excess of ketones in the body can cause ketoacidosis, a dangerous and potentially fatal condition.

The American Diabetes Association Complete Guide to Diabetes provides more information on ketoacidosis. While it can happen at any time, it’s more likely to occur in times of stress, including sickness and pregnancy. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, fruity-smelling breath, and rapid breathing. Ketoacidosis is more of a problem for people with type 1 diabetes, who don’t produce insulin on their own, though it can also affect people with type 2 diabetes. Fortunately, there are tests that can be done at home to check for ketones.

We have several books on diabetes available for borrowing, such as Chris Smith’s Cooking with the Diabetic Chef, Theresa Garnero’s Your First Year with Diabetes, and The New Family Cookbook for People with Diabetes. 

Why do my legs itch when I run?

“Every time I try to go running, my legs itch really badly. Is something wrong?”

We’re neither doctors nor physical trainers here at the library, but we looked into it. Itchy legs during exercise are common enough that Go Ask Alice, Livestrong, and Outside all covered the problem on their websites.

If the itching is accompanied by hives and difficulty breathing, it may be a symptom of exercise-induced anaphylaxis, a serious, though very rare, condition, and you should visit your doctor. If it’s only the hives, they can be triggered by a multitude of things, including the increased body temperature that comes along with hot weather, stress, or exercise. (Another term for hives is “urticaria,” and the specific type that’s triggered by exercise is “cholinergic urticaria.”)

The season could also be the culprit. Skin can get dry and itchy in the winter, and may be further irritated by sweat and tight-fitting clothes. Some people also have cold urticaria, a condition where, as the name suggests, cold temperatures bring on hives.

According to another theory, the itching is caused by blood moving through your capillaries. The capillaries expand during exercise to increase blood flow, and if your body isn’t used to that, nearby nerves send signals to the brain that it interprets as an itching feeling. Go Ask Alice and Livestrong both support this theory, though Outside argues that there isn’t enough evidence.

To control the itching, try wearing loose cotton clothes, as tight synthetic material can aggravate sensitive skin. Make sure your skin is well-moisturized and that you’re dressed for the weather. Outside and Livestrong also suggest taking an antihistamine before exercising. Finally, keep at it – as your body gets used to the workout, the itching sensation may diminish in time.

Runners looking to improve are welcome to come check out our selection of books, including Build Your Running Body by Pete Magill, Thomas Schwartz, and Melissa Breyer; Runner’s World Complete Book of Running; Running: Start to Finish by John Stanton; and Feet, Don’t Fail Me Now by Ben Kaplan.

What Are Some Potassium-rich Foods?

“I’m looking for food high in potassium. Do you know where I can find information on something like that?”

The only potassium-rich food we could think of off the top of our head was bananas, but there had to be more out there. Fortunately for us, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services published a chart of potassium-high foods listing the portion size, amount of calories per portion, and amount of potassium (in milligrams) per portion. The banana, surprisingly, ranks solidly toward the middle. A medium banana has about 422 milligrams of potassium, but a baked potato in its jacket has 738 and a sweet potato baked in its skin has 542. Other foods on the list include tomatoes, kidney beans, Pacific cod, and dried apricots. For the curious, the list is available here.

According the Health Reference Series Diet and Nutrition Sourcebook, potassium can lower blood pressure and may also decrease the risk of kidney stones. Also, if there’s a lot of salt in your diet, eating foods rich in potassium can lower the effects of the salt on your blood pressure.

We have an assortment of health-related cookbooks, such as the American Heart Association’s Go Fresh, available here at the library for anyone to come and browse.

Is It Bad to Crack Your Knuckles?

“It is bad to crack your knuckles?” If you’re a knuckle-cracker, someone’s probably told you that it causes arthritis. One of our patrons was curious as to whether or not that was actually true.

We have a new book in the library, Is That a Fact? by Dr. Joe Schwarcz, which investigates popular health rumors like that and sees whether or not they can be backed up by scientific evidence. Unfortunately, we couldn’t find anything about knuckle-cracking in it. However, it turns out it’s a popular enough question that we could find the answer online. BBC.com, WashingtonPost.com, and ScientificAmerican.com, among others, have all tackled the question.

Cracking knuckles won’t actually lead to arthritis. Occasionally, people have been known to injure their thumbs or tear the ligaments in their fingers by cracking their knuckles too zealously, but there’s no evidence that it’ll cause harm over time.

So what’s actually making the snapping sound when you crack your joints? Your joints are surrounded by a capsule filled with liquid called synovial fluid. When you crack your knuckles, you’re popping the bubbles in the fluid. That’s why it takes a while after cracking your joints to be able to crack them again – the bubbles need time to reform.

Age, family history, and strain on your hands, whether from injury or through work, are the most common factors causing arthritis. For anyone interested in learning more, The Arthritis Sourcebook edited by Amy L. Sutton, is available through CLEVNET.

I'm Worried About My Dog's Health

Newton Falls Public Library patrons often come into the library seeking information to help their pets. "I think my dog has allergies.  His eyes are red rimmed and he is scratching himself."  "I'm worried my dog has been poisoned. He is vomiting.  What things are poisonous to dogs?" Most of our staff members have pets, so we understand the concerns our patrons have about theirs.

We were able to locate some information about allergic skin reactions in the The Merck/Merial Manual for Pet Health, Bruce Fogle's ASPCA Complete Dog Care Manual and Caring for your Dog.  The website, www.petmd.com had a wealth of articles about dog allergies for our patron.

PetMD was also a useful source of information for our second patron.  Our patron's description of symptoms matched some described on the website: "Your pet may be experiencing unexplained vomiting, diarrhea, or may appear to be weak (lethargic) to the point of being unable to move."  There was some information about poisonous substances, but not a list that our patron wanted.  We located additional websites for her which included: 24/7 Animal Poison Control Center run by ASPCA (phone # 800-213-6680); pets.webmd.com that has a list of the top ten poisons; and www.doctordog.com/dogbook/dogpoison.html  that has "Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook." This last site had the type of listing she wanted printed to take home.

Each book and website we consulted encouraged the user to contact a veterinary professional in order to correctly treat both allergies and poisoning.

What Can You Tell Me About Tenosynovitis?

"Earlier this year, I was diagnosed with tenosynovitis in my hand. Could you find me some more information on it?" Though none of us here at the Newton Falls Public Library are doctors, and therefore aren't qualified to give medical advice, we could certainly provide the resources to help answer our patron's question.

First, we wanted to define tenosynovitis. -Itis means "inflammation," which gave us a clue. According to Dorland's Illustrated Medical Dictionary, tenosynovitis is the inflammation of the protective sheath around the tendon. The cause is often unknown, but it can be related to overuse of the tendon.

According to our patron, hers had been bad enough that her entire right hand had curled up, leaving her unable to stretch out her fingers. Fortunately, after a trip to the doctor, it had gotten much better, but she still had trouble bending her wrist and was hoping for more information on possible treatments.

We looked in the Mayo Clinic Family Health Book and the Merck Manual Home Health Book. Both stressed the importance of seeing a doctor, because if the tenosynovitis is caused by an infection, it's necessary to treat it immediately before it causes any permanent damage. Otherwise, both suggested treatments including over-the-counter painkillers like Tylenol, Advil, and aspirin; resting the affected area; splinting; and changing one's activities, especially when the inflammation is caused by overuse. According to the Mayo Clinic Family Health Book, if these methods aren't effective, a doctor can inject a steroid, such as cortisone.

Our patron gained some relief by rearranging her computer so that she could rest her arm while using the mouse. She was hoping to also find some exercises or stretches that might help. Typing "tenosynovitis exercises" into an online search engine brought up "De Quervain's Tenosynovitis Exercises." Although De Quervain's tenosynovitis is a particular kind, affecting the tendons on the thumb side of the wrist, our patron felt that the exercises  would be beneficial. Suggested exercises included grip strengthening (squeezing a rubber ball for five seconds at a time) and the finger spring (placing a large rubber band around the outside of the thumb and fingers, and then opening the fingers to stretch the rubber band).

Are There Restrictions When Donating Blood?

"I'm considering donating blood.  Are there any restrictions?" The Newton Falls Public Library staff knew that the  American Red Cross is the local organization which sponsors blood donation collections, so we accessed their website to see if we could find the information needed by our patron.

At www.redcross.org, we selected Give Blood and then For First Time Donors. There is a great deal of useful information on this web page, including tips for successful donation, what to bring, and what to expect. The basic requirements state that "In most states, donors must be age 17 or older. Some states allow donation by 16-year-olds with a signed parental consent form. Donors must weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health." Donors are given a mini physical that includes a check of your temperature, pulse, blood pressure and hemoglobin level present in a sample of blood. They will also be asked some questions during a private and confidential interview about health history and places traveled. The site gives some common reasons for not being allowed to donate which include low hemoglobin /hematocrit, and cold, flu or other illness symptoms. Temporary deferrals are given for certain travel locations and some medications. Permanent deferrals may also be given because of travel as well as some medical conditions. The site did not list what these locations or conditions were, so the staff encouraged the patron to contact the American Red Cross at 1-800-RED-CROSS.

Where Can Families Without Health Insurance Get Eyeglasses?

“Do you know any group that assists families without health insurance in getting eyeglasses, especially for my daughter?” The Newton Falls Public Library staff is very aware of the importance of being able to see clearly in order to read.

The first step taken was to contact the county’s Job and Family Services [JFS]. They informed us that the individual should fill out a state of Ohio Request for Cash, Food, and Medical Assistance application. The application may be accessed online at http://jfs.ohio.gov or by visiting their county’s JFS office.  Even if the parents do not meet the income requirements, the child may be eligible to receive the aid needed.

JFS also recommended that our patron phone 211. 211 Ohio can be reached by simply dialing 211. In Trumbull County the caller will reach Trumbull 211, Community Solutions; in Mahoning County, Help Hotline Crisis Center; and in Portage County, United Way 211Portage. The appropriate local information and referral agency will give the caller contact information as to groups and government agencies which may be able to assist her in getting the necessary eye exam and glasses for her daughter.

Do You Have to be a Citizen of Canada to Receive Public Health Benefits?

“Do you have to be a citizen of Canada to receive health benefits or can you just be a resident?” The Newton Falls Public Library staff knows that many individuals are unable to afford health insurance. We are sure that many people will find the answer to this question to be interesting.

Searching online, we typed in the question: “Do you need to be a Canadian citizen to have health care?” Eliminating the websites which discussed the pros and cons of socialized medicine, we found the site for Citizenship and Immigration Canada. The page Live in Canada links to About being a permanent resident of Canada. Permanent residents and their dependents are able to receive most of the social benefits that Canadian citizens receive, including health care coverage. There is also information about immigrating and applying for permanent status. If our patron would choose to move there, they would have to live in Canada for at least two years within a five-year period to keep their status as a permanent resident.

The public health insurance in Canada is paid for through taxes. It is different in each province and territory and, depending on your coverage you may also require temporary private health insurance. This will also be necessary while waiting on your permanent resident status to be approved. “You must buy this private insurance within five days of arriving in your province or territory or insurance companies may not provide coverage for you. Refugee claimants who cannot afford private health insurance and refugee claimants living in provinces that have a three-month waiting period can receive emergency and essential health services at no cost”. Some of the public plans do not cover dental expenses, private hospital rooms, prescription drugs, ambulance services and prescription eyeglasses.

We were surprised to find that the Canadian health care system seems to be a combination of public and private coverage. 

Do Buttons Have Lead in Them?

“Do buttons have lead in them? I’m concerned about my child chewing on them.” The staff of the Newton Falls Public Library can understand parents worrying about the items little children put in their mouths, especially small items which may also be accidently swallowed.

While browsing through the book, About Buttons: a collector's guide: 150 A.D. to the present by Peggy Ann Osborne, the author describes 18^th century buttons made of “embroidered fabrics, assorted metals, mother-of-pearl, glass, porcelain, and pottery”; some with “paintings on ivory, vellum, or paper (pg. 9).” In the chapter there was no mention of the types of metal with the exception of silver and copper. Some materials used in the 19^th century were silver, brass, pewter, glass, and pearl. As we continued looking we also noticed buttons made of wood, steel, vegetable ivory, plastic, and nylon. This book is organized by years, styles, and countries but unfortunately, not by materials. Button, Button: identification and price guide by Peggy Ann Osborne has a chapter, Materials from A – Z. Almost 60 different materials are listed as being used in button making. Some of the more unusual are alligator skin, bamboo, linoleum, rubber, snakeskin, and straw. The Collector's Encyclopedia of Buttons: now with values by Sally C. Luscomb is set up alphabetically. There is no listing for lead between Le Chic (a trade name) and League of American Wheelman (Bicycle Buttons).

Our search continued online to www.greybirdrelics.com  which sells Civil War relics and antiquities. The page on buttons has Civil War era or earlier coat weight buttons made of lead,  “said to have served dual purpose.”  Ian Kelly-Military Insignia site notes “From 1830 onwards, Regular Army infantry regiments that had been wearing silver buttons changed to gilt buttons and thereafter, silver buttons were mainly worn by Militia and Volunteer regiments, and sometimes by pipers of regular regiments. Other Ranks buttons were made of lead or pewter until 1855 when brass was introduced.” It would seem that buttons most likely to be made of lead are military.

Desrues, a French company manufactures “the most precious jewellery and buttons for Chanel, its biggest client, as well as for Louis Vuitton and many others.” Their operations focus on ”Moulding and casting metals, glass enamelling, machining wood, remodelling resins, polishing, soldering, lacquering, varnishing, gilding, silver plating, working with lead glass and threading pearls . . .” Apparently, some buttons for modern high end designers do have lead in them.

If their child continues to chew on buttons and our patron is unable to clearly determine what buttons are presently manufactured to have lead, there are lead testing kits available.

Why Do I Have Ridges in My Fingernails?

“I have ridges in my fingernails, and when I use polish they are not smooth and shiny looking. What causes it? Can I do anything about it? The Newton Falls Public Library staff hadn’t considered this topic before.

A complete guide to manicure & pedicure by Leigh Toselli was the first place we looked.  On page 26, the author discusses various nail problems and remedies. Vertical ridges, such as our patron was concerned about, are not uncommon and become more prevalent as we age and there is a decrease in moisture and natural oil levels. Toselli also states that it can be due to illness or nutritional deficiencies. She suggests treating them with “regular applications of nourishing and cuticle oil.” Our patron was satisfied with the information. She also borrowed the book which contained additional information about exercises, skin and joint care, and reflexology for hands and feet.

We were curious if medical resources agreed with this information, so we investigated further online.  The MayoClinic’s site  had more information about healthy nails and concurred with Toselli that ridges become more prominent with age. Both Health links, MedlinePlus and NetWellness, on www.OhioWebLibrary.org also give information about this and other conditions which can occur with fingernails, and what steps should be taken.

I Need Information About Giving Massages

“I need some information about giving massages. I would especially like to know if you have any videos about it.” The Newton Falls Public Library staff hoped this search would be a relaxing one and began it with our online catalog.
The library owns several books on massage, including Feet First: a guide to foot reflexology by Laura Norman and The Reflexology Atlas by Bernard C. Kolster and Astrid Waskowiak. Newton Falls Public Library does not own any videos about massage but a selection of videos, including Infant Massage: the power of touch, Reflexology, the Timeless Art of Self Healing and the series Healthy Massage, are available through our shared TiPL (Trumbull Independent Public Libraries) catalog. These items may be requested from the owning library, and borrowed by the patron at our library.

In seeking information about this subject on the Internet, we found numerous links to massage and reflexology videos, but were not sure of the quality of the techniques shown. We also discovered the Holland Reflexology Institute School For Advanced Reflexology [http://www.hollandreflexology.com/] in Niles and Cortland. The website of this Ohio State Registered School has online videos and a list of other Ohio massage therapy schools and their links.

Will Quitting Smoking Cause My Face to Break Out?

“Will quitting smoking cause my face to break out?” The Newton Falls Public Library staff admires patrons who are trying to improve their health and we are happy to try to find the answers to their questions.


The Enlightened Smoker's Guide to Quitting by Bear Jack Gebhardt addresses the common belief that quitting smoking means that you will gain weight in the chapter The Sound of One Hand Eating – I Have to Smoke or I’ll Get Fat! Gebhardt seems to feel that the weight gain is an eating problem, not a nonsmoking one. In Smoking 101: an overview for teens by Margaret O. Hyde and John F. Setaro the effects of smoking on the skin are listed [p.36]. They include robbing the skin of collagen making smokers have more wrinkles and reducing the blood supply to the skin giving the face a grayish pallor.

How to Wash Your Face: America's leading dermatologist reveals the essential secrets for youthful, radiant skin by Barney J. Kenet says that smoking can impair healing of wounds which may also result in larger scars, and “may have an influence on psoriasis [p.168].” The Acne Prescription: the Perricone program for clear and healthy skin at every age by Nicholas Perricone and Breaking out: a woman's guide to coping with acne at any age by Lydia Preston have a great deal of information for those suffering from acne.

There are many websites on the subject of smoking and acne. The September 17, 2007 Daily Mail article, Smoking gives women acne, scientists reveal [www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-482302/Smoking-gives-women-acne-scientists-reveal.html] states that “For people who suffered acne as teenagers, the probability of also suffering acne in adulthood is four times higher in smokers than non-smokers.”

This still didn’t answer our patron’s question. The website, Quit Smoking Support [http://quit-smoking-support.woofmang.com/viewtopic.php?t=4010] has a posting "Now that I've quit smoking, why am I getting acne like I'm a danged teenager?!" The site responder states “smoking introduces all kinds of nasty pollutants into our bodies . . . One day, we quit smoking . . . but . . .it throws our bodies into an upheaval. Suddenly the chemical balance is thrown out of whack again while, at the same time, our bodies start the detoxification process. . . drink lots of water to help flush out all the toxins. This is good advice and it helps a great deal. However, it's just not fast enough for your body when [it] begins to excrete the toxins in any way it can . . . recovering heroin addicts have been known to develop raging cases of acne, too.” This last bit of information satisfied our patron.

Quit Smoking, Save Money

“I need to quit smoking; the new tax is costing me too much money. Do you have anything to help me?” The Newton Falls Public Library staff understands the difficulty in dealing with this addiction. An article in the Cleveland Plain Dealer [3/31/2009] states that with the new tax cigarettes in Cuyahoga County will cost around $6.20 a pack. The American Cancer Society’s website, www.cancer.org, has a smoking cost calculator. Being conservative, if our patron pays $6 a pack, only smokes half a pack a day, and could quit today; the savings would be $1095 in a year. That would seem to be a good incentive to check out some of the materials available.

The library has a new book which our patron might want to consider, The Enlightened Smoker's Guide to Quitting by Bear Jack Gebhardt. Often a method which works for one individual doesn’t work for another, so books may be borrowed from other libraries in our shared TiPL [Trumbull Independent Public Libraries] catalog. Some of the titles available are American Lung Association 7 Steps to a Smoke-free Life by Edwin B. Fisher, Jr. with Toni L. Goldfarb, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Quitting Smoking by Lowell Kleinman and Deborah Messina-Kleinman, and How to Quit Smoking Without Gaining Weight by Bess H. Marcus, Jeffrey S. Hampl, and Edwin B. Fisher.

The American Cancer Society’s website has a great deal of information to assist the smoker and those around them get through the transition to nonsmoker. Nicotine Anonymous [www.nicotine-anonymous.org] has a twelve step program offered at meetings in Trumbull and Mahoning Counties. They also offer telephone and Internet meetings. The Ohio Tobacco QUIT LINE 1-800-QUIT-NOW (or 1-800-784-8669) is a free telephone cessation service. Individualized tobacco-quitting guidance is supplied and eligible callers can be offered nicotine replacement therapy.

Options to help you while going through withdrawal are meditation and exercise. For meditation you might want to consider Yoga Journal's Yoga Practice for Meditation [videorecording], Quantum Wellness: a practical and spiritual guide to health and happiness by Kathy Freston, Meditation for Dummies by Stephan Bodian, or Breath Sweeps Mind: a first guide to meditation practice. The library also has numerous books and videos on various forms of exercise, dance, and sports to divert the mind and help to keep weight off while giving up cigarettes.

Can Wild Birds and Pets Catch Salmonella?

“I was going to buy some seed and peanut suet for the wild birds, and thought about the peanut butter problem in the news. Can birds get salmonella?” Many Newton Falls Public Library staff members also enjoy feeding the birds and have pets of their own, so we wondered about them as well.

In Bird Owner's Home Health and Care Handbook by Gary A. Gallerstein, there is a section about intestinal disorders. It states that salmonella is a “notorious” cause of this disorder [p. 143]. Gallerstein’s book has an interesting chapter on wild birds, how to attract them, their food preferences, and the care of injured or orphaned birds. Searching online revealed additional information about this infection and birds. AvianBioTech.Com [www.avianbiotech.com/diseases/salmonella.htm] listed general symptoms which include lethargy, anorexia, diarrhea, and in chronic cases, arthritis (particularly in pigeons) that may be present. They also include unique clinical symptoms for certain species of birds. In the online article, Salmonella Infection in Birds: Maintain a Bird Feeder that Won’t Spread Salmonellosis
by Rosemary Drisidelle [wild-birds.suite101.com/article.cfm/salmonella_infection_in_birds], Drisdelle lists many tips for maintaining safe conditions. Some of the hints are: start with a good birdfeeder; bake birdseed for one hour at 250F; keep the feeder clean and disinfected; and minimize the growth of mold in the seed. She also notes that birdbaths can be a source of the spread of salmonella and other diseases, so it should be refreshed and disinfected.

The Merck/Merial Manual for Pet Health has information on salmonella infection in cats, dogs, gerbils, guinea pigs, hamsters, horses, and pet mice and rats. The disease is more frequently seen in hamsters and gerbils, than other the domesticated animals.

Information about the peanut product recall is available from the Food and Drug Administration’s website [http://www.blogger.com/www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/salmonellatyph.html]. There you will find links to all pet products affected by this recall. The FDA also included a warning on the site for people who may handle contaminated pet food products, to wash their hands with hot water and soap before and after handling pet-food products and utensils. According to this site, the symptoms of Salmonella infections in pets include lethargy, “diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Well animals can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, contact your veterinarian.” They also report that as of March 2, they have not received any reports of illness associated with pet products.

Health Insurance for Children

“I saw an article about health insurance for children in Ohio. Can you find me any information?” The Newton Falls Public Library staff knows that this is important as they see more individuals losing employment and insurances.

There are different options for families to consider and the state’s website for Jobs and Family Services [http://jfs.ohio.gov/] is an excellent place to begin. The state of Ohio has several different programs. Healthy Start (SCHIP) and Healthy Families are Medicaid programs. Healthy Start is available to pregnant woman and/or children younger than 19 in families with income up to 200% of the federal poverty level. Healthy Families is available to those having a child younger than 19 years of age, with income up to 90% of the Federal Poverty Level.

The Children's Buy-In Program is for children with serious illnesses whose families earn more than $42,000 a year and cannot find coverage or private insurance that is priced reasonably. Your child might be eligible for CBI if he/she is younger than age 19, a United States citizen and a resident of Ohio, in a family whose gross income is more than 300% of the FPL, has not had any insurance for at least 6 months before enrolling and is not eligible for Medicaid. Your child must also meet one of the following to qualify: unable to obtain creditable coverage due to a pre-existing condition, lost only available creditable coverage due to exhausting a lifetime benefit , only available coverage is more than twice the state premium for CBI, or participates in the program for medically handicapped children (ODH/BCMH).

The county health departments also offer preventive health services to families and children. Contact the Newton Falls Public Library staff for the information you need to reach your local county’s agency. Trumbull County’s immunization schedules for children and adults are available online at http://www.tcbh.org/nursing.cfm. Family and Children’s First Council of Trumbull County [http://www.familyfirsttrumbull.org/] has programs related to children’s health including Help Me Grow for pregnant women and children under 3 years and Second Step, a school based prevention program.

The library has resources available to assist parents in making wise health care decisions for their children. Some of the titles which may be borrowed are: Your Child's Health: the parents' one-stop reference guide to: symptoms, emergencies, common illnesses, behavior problems, healthy development by Barton D. Schmitt, Naturally Healthy Babies and Children: a commonsense guide to herbal remedies, nutrition, and health” by Aviva Romm, and “Childhood Diseases and Disorders Sourcebook: basic consumer health information about medical problems often encountered in pre-adolescent children, including respiratory tract ailments, ear infections, sore throats, disorders of the skin and scalp, digestive and genitourinary diseases, infectious diseases, inflammatory disorders, chronic physical and developmental disorders, allergies, and more: along with information about diagnostic tests, common childhood surgeries, and frequently used medications, with a glossary of important terms and resource directory.

By going online and accessing the Ohio Web Library [http://www.ohioweblibrary.org/] with your library card, you can find additional information by selecting ‘Resources’ and then ‘Health and Medicine.’ The ‘Consumer Health Complete’ allows you to search a variety of medical and health resources. If you are looking for specific non-emergency information, choosing NetWellness permits you to ‘Ask an Expert.’