My Rash
Today I got to experience Chilean healthcare from a whole new perspective-- that of a patient! First things first: I AM TOTALLY FINE. What happened was that yesterday I woke up to find little red bumps on my arms and tummy. Not pretty, and they itched. After briefly considering, and then disregarding, the idea that that could be pulgas (flea bites! eww!) my Chilean mom diagnosed me with an allergic reaction. Luckily my American mom sent me off with plenty of Benadryl, so we decided that I would take some Benandyrl and put off going to the clinic unless mi roncha stuck around until the next day.
As luck would have it, mi roncha made its big comeback today at approximately 2:30pm, just before my afternoon class. (I swear I didn't plan it this way.) Seeing as how we have an excursion to Tacna, Peru this weekend, Jessica and I decided that a visit to the clinic was in order. Honestly, as a student of the Chilean healthcare system, I couldn't have been more thrilled! We are always visiting public hospitals and health centers, but this would be my first time in a private health center. And plus, maybe the itching would stop.
At the health center, the doctor tells me that it is, indeed, an allergic reaction to something I ate. I have no idea what, because I don't remember eating anything new in the past few days, but I will take his word for it. He gives me an injection of antihistamine and gives me an anti-allergy medication called CAM that I am to take for the next 5 days. He also advises me to avoid fish, eggs, bananas, and chocolate, as these foods all have the potential to agitate a roncha. The chocolate thing will be tough, but I will do my best.
If anyone is curious, this (CAM) is the website of the medication I was given.
Aren't you eating new things all the time? ha ha. Dad commented that everytime you leave NJ you get a rash, but honestly, he must have forgotten all the ones IN NJ!You are just one itchy chick! Glad you have been treated, and honestly I couldn't be happier with the care you are getting. It gives a mom (the American one) comfort! :) Tell Jessica "mucho gracias" for taking such good care of you.
ReplyDeletePS. Couldn't you have just asked for a tour of the clinic, instead of actually having to be a patient??? LOL
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteSorry you got the itchies, but glad you were taken care of, and that you're with such a caring family. I agree with Mom, however, (American one) there are better ways to see the medical profession at work, without being a patient.
Hope you enjoyed your weekend away. Gramps is so anxious to know where you went in Peru (as well as Chile, of course) and what you have been seeing. To be honest, so am I!
Love you,
Grammy