A Hot & Sweaty Night in Almaty
The Russian doctor came by today to look at the rash on Otis' face and pronounced it eczema with staph or strep growing on top, i.e., as far as C can tell, impetigo, just like Roberta said. He prescribed what he called a disinfectant, and Roberta called gentian violet or something like it. In any event it leaves nasty stains all over everything. (C: It is beet concentrate in my opinion.) He also prescribed a fungicide if the purple stuff doesn't work. Why this is appropriate is any one's guess. He said if that doesn't work, try leeches or bleeding him. (C: D' s idea of a joke. I liked the guy; D did not. Liking, of course, does not equate with competence. Max says this guy is one of the best doctors in the city. Sigh.) The big news is that Otis' passport was ready and picked up, so we're off to the US Consulate tomorrow for our interview, and then the only thing left to do is get on that plane.
Tony, Cathy, Lizzie, Roberta & Carina (Karina?) came over for dinner tonight. CD whipped up her usual sterling effort, another pork curry, mighty tasty. Our guests brought a beautiful cake. A good time was had by all, who are grateful to be in each other's company and happy to be getting out of Dodge soon.
posted by Candace and David at 8/01/2005 02:11:00 PM
6 Comments:
check the laundry detergent and fabric softener (if they have that) These can frequently cause severe skin inflamations in babies, particularly when a new type is introduced, at the same time that many other new experiences and foods are being introduced all at once. If you are doing laundry try an extra rinse. Once you're back here it will be easier.
RR
the only thing left to do is get on that plane...
Sweeter words I never heard!
Why is there so much pork? Aren't they nominally Muslims?
Actually, impetigo is caused by Staph or Strep, so the different diagnoses by the two different doctors may not be so different. Impetigo typically has a "honey-colored crust" or "golden crust" surrounded by redness. The treatment of choice in The States is topical mupirocin (trade name: Bactroban), which you can probably get over-the-counter in Almati. Another option is Triple Antibiotic Ointment (bacitracin, neomycin and polymixin B). Either way, the treatment is topical and should be applied 3 times per day.
I & G
Kim and I have been following most (Man, there's a lot) of the happenings in K-land.
I am so happy for both of you! What a great kid!
Great site and the love really comes shining through...
Dave Davis and Kim Bui, Alex, Kimmy, An, Felix and (our new edition, Stewie the cat)
Dear all:
Re impetigo: Based on the descriptions I have read on the web, this looks like strep-caused impetigo, but who knows. Actually, "Doc 1" - our friend Roberta the nurse said Bactroban was the way to go and that we could probably get it over the counter - BUT YOU CAN'T. Doc 2 prescribed the beet juice, which Roberta thinks is violet gentian. It makes him look horrible and, as David says, we want to bring home a gorgeous grandchild. We were thinking of switching to Bacitracin, which we brought, so thanks I and G, now we will. Won't be perfect but better than nothing.
Re pork: There is no state religion. There are a fair number of Muslims here, but there are also a fair number of Russian Orthodox and old-style Kazakh animists. There are also limited numbers of Jews, Catholics and Protestants. (We were approached by a Jehovah's Witness one day - made us feel right at home.) But probably most important is 70 years of strongly-encouraged-by-the-state atheism. So lots of pork eaters.
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