0:00:24 > 0:00:27He's Dr Chris.
0:00:27 > 0:00:30And he's Dr Xand. Yep, we're twins.
0:00:30 > 0:00:34Your body is amazing and we're going to prove it.
0:00:34 > 0:00:36THEY SCREAM Here we go!
0:00:36 > 0:00:40We'll push our bodies to extremes,
0:00:40 > 0:00:43show how the strangest of injuries get fixed...
0:00:43 > 0:00:44I've got a poorly finger.
0:00:44 > 0:00:49Uncover the secrets behind the most amazing bodies...
0:00:49 > 0:00:52and experiment on each other,
0:00:52 > 0:00:55to show you just how your body works.
0:00:55 > 0:00:56HE LAUGHS Oh, no!
0:00:56 > 0:00:57Coming up today...
0:00:57 > 0:00:59On Operation Ouch!
0:01:00 > 0:01:04What's this woman going to do with this box?
0:01:04 > 0:01:08Xand joins paramedics at the scene of an emergency.
0:01:08 > 0:01:09And I make Chris drink his own wee.
0:01:09 > 0:01:12- What? - HE CHUCKLES
0:01:12 > 0:01:13But first...
0:01:13 > 0:01:16What started off as a normal day for our first patient
0:01:16 > 0:01:19has ended up with a trip to Accident and Emergency.
0:01:19 > 0:01:21Luckily they've come to the right place.
0:01:21 > 0:01:22BOTH: Phe-ew!
0:01:26 > 0:01:28At Royal Manchester's Children's Hospital
0:01:28 > 0:01:31there's a new admission. Eight-year-old Charlie.
0:01:31 > 0:01:34I've got a big hole in my head.
0:01:34 > 0:01:36Right, that explains the big plaster, then!
0:01:36 > 0:01:41I've got a new bike and it's fast and I crashed.
0:01:41 > 0:01:44I think we need the details, don't you?
0:01:46 > 0:01:48Charlie was outside with his twin brother.
0:01:48 > 0:01:51I thought we were the only twins on this show!
0:01:51 > 0:01:53Afraid not, Xand.
0:01:53 > 0:01:55So they were trying a few tricks on their brand new bikes.
0:01:55 > 0:01:58But what's missing from this picture?
0:01:58 > 0:02:00- Helmets?- You've got it.
0:02:00 > 0:02:03Anyway, they spotted a staircase and came up with a cunning plan.
0:02:03 > 0:02:07- Ooh, traffic lights! - On your marks, get set...
0:02:07 > 0:02:08- They're not, are they? - ..and go!
0:02:08 > 0:02:10That looks dangerous!
0:02:10 > 0:02:12Yes, and not surprisingly,
0:02:12 > 0:02:14Charlie lost control and went flying.
0:02:14 > 0:02:18Jumbo Jet, parachutist and a bird.
0:02:18 > 0:02:19Crikey, this is a long way down!
0:02:19 > 0:02:22And he landed, whacking his head on some railings.
0:02:22 > 0:02:24Ouch!
0:02:24 > 0:02:29It was like rain dripping, but in blood.
0:02:29 > 0:02:32Ew! Let's check out that holey head.
0:02:32 > 0:02:36Enter Dr Omar Amin.
0:02:36 > 0:02:39Now then, young man, can you tell me what happened to you today?
0:02:39 > 0:02:44I was playing outside on my bike and my handlebars turned
0:02:44 > 0:02:48and made me crash into this metal fence.
0:02:48 > 0:02:50- Oh, dear.- And I banged my head.
0:02:50 > 0:02:53- How's your bike?- It's good.
0:02:53 > 0:02:54Is it still in one piece?
0:02:54 > 0:02:56Hang on, this isn't a bike hospital!
0:02:56 > 0:02:58Let's get a look at that hole.
0:02:58 > 0:03:00Prepare yourself, everyone.
0:03:00 > 0:03:02Eurgh! Yeah, it's a big 'un!
0:03:02 > 0:03:03It's gone quite deep, hasn't it?
0:03:03 > 0:03:04It's gone really deep.
0:03:04 > 0:03:06I'd say so.
0:03:06 > 0:03:08It's about one and a half centimetres long
0:03:08 > 0:03:09but it's really, really deep
0:03:09 > 0:03:11and it's gone right down to his bone,
0:03:11 > 0:03:14and if you open up the cut, you can actually see down to his skull.
0:03:14 > 0:03:17To show you what Dr Omar is talking about,
0:03:17 > 0:03:19there's some gross blood coming up.
0:03:19 > 0:03:22If you're squeamish, look away for one second now.
0:03:23 > 0:03:26OK, all clear!
0:03:26 > 0:03:30Charlie's forehead is made up of five layers of skin and tissue.
0:03:30 > 0:03:34The hole in his head goes through all of that to his skull.
0:03:34 > 0:03:36And did you know when you're born,
0:03:36 > 0:03:39your skull is made up of 44 separate bony elements,
0:03:39 > 0:03:42but as you grow, many of them join up to make solid bones,
0:03:42 > 0:03:44like the frontal bone,
0:03:44 > 0:03:47and that's what we can see in Charlie's injury.
0:03:47 > 0:03:50What I propose we do is give it a good wash and a clean,
0:03:50 > 0:03:53Make sure there's not going to be any infection there,
0:03:53 > 0:03:55and then what we'll do is pop some stitches in.
0:03:55 > 0:03:58Before the stitching can start,
0:03:58 > 0:04:02Nurse Louise applies anaesthetic gel to numb Charlie's cut...
0:04:02 > 0:04:03- There we go. All done.- Thank you.
0:04:03 > 0:04:05You're very, very welcome, sweetie.
0:04:05 > 0:04:06..and leaves it to work its magic.
0:04:06 > 0:04:09We have to get your head fixed, don't we?
0:04:09 > 0:04:12- You could be a model one day, couldn't you?- No!
0:04:12 > 0:04:14- Why? What do you want to be? - A cycler.
0:04:14 > 0:04:16You're not being a cycler!
0:04:16 > 0:04:18Yeah, nice try, Charlie,
0:04:18 > 0:04:21but I think Mum's going to take a bit of convincing!
0:04:21 > 0:04:23Anyway let's leave that anaesthetic to numb your head
0:04:23 > 0:04:26and we'll be back later to see how you're getting on.
0:04:27 > 0:04:29Ouch!
0:04:31 > 0:04:34And now to our lab where we put our bodies to the test
0:04:34 > 0:04:37to show you how your body works.
0:04:37 > 0:04:39Ow, that really hurt!
0:04:39 > 0:04:41Just don't try anything like this at home.
0:04:41 > 0:04:43Today we're looking at our wee.
0:04:45 > 0:04:46Where have you been?
0:04:46 > 0:04:48I've been for a pee. This is my urine.
0:04:48 > 0:04:51It's light yellow and it doesn't smell much.
0:04:51 > 0:04:53That's cos I've drunk lots of water, but Chris hasn't.
0:04:53 > 0:04:56No, I haven't drunk lots of water and this is my urine.
0:04:56 > 0:04:59It's dark coloured, it's strong smelling,
0:04:59 > 0:05:02and it really hurt to pee and that's cos I'm dehydrated.
0:05:02 > 0:05:04But what is wee?
0:05:04 > 0:05:07Well, it's made by your kidneys.
0:05:07 > 0:05:11Everyday they work hard to get rid of waste products called toxins
0:05:11 > 0:05:14and hold on to water that's needed to make your body work.
0:05:14 > 0:05:20Your wee is the mixture of those waste toxins and any leftover water.
0:05:20 > 0:05:23Now we've got an experiment where we're going to separate
0:05:23 > 0:05:26the water from the toxins in Chris's urine.
0:05:26 > 0:05:28And then Chris is going to drink it!
0:05:28 > 0:05:30What?
0:05:30 > 0:05:33This may seem like a terrible idea,
0:05:33 > 0:05:35but Chris won't actually be drinking wee.
0:05:35 > 0:05:38He'll be drinking pure water extracted from it.
0:05:41 > 0:05:43So as we heat the urine,
0:05:43 > 0:05:45the water vapour is evaporating and boiling off here
0:05:45 > 0:05:47and then being cooled by the liquid in this tube
0:05:47 > 0:05:49and then just dripping out there.
0:05:49 > 0:05:52Right now your kidneys are busy
0:05:52 > 0:05:55separating out water from waste toxins.
0:05:55 > 0:05:58Only they don't need all this kit. They just do it naturally.
0:05:58 > 0:06:02It's amazing, isn't it? In just this tiny distance
0:06:02 > 0:06:04you go from disgusting, undrinkable urine,
0:06:04 > 0:06:08just along this tube and into clear, refreshing, delicious water.
0:06:08 > 0:06:10I mean, that is amazing, isn't it?
0:06:10 > 0:06:13And if that was water your kidneys separated out,
0:06:13 > 0:06:16it would now be distributed to all your organs and muscles
0:06:16 > 0:06:18to keep them working properly.
0:06:18 > 0:06:20Doesn't smell like water.
0:06:20 > 0:06:22Eurgh! No, it doesn't!
0:06:22 > 0:06:25You're still going to have to drink it, though.
0:06:25 > 0:06:26You told everyone you would.
0:06:26 > 0:06:28I didn't say to anyone I was going to drink it!
0:06:28 > 0:06:30Well, I'm not going to drink it! It's not my urine.
0:06:30 > 0:06:32Fine, I will drink it.
0:06:32 > 0:06:35DRUM ROLL
0:06:35 > 0:06:38HE GIGGLES
0:06:38 > 0:06:41I can't believe he drank it!
0:06:41 > 0:06:44Actually, it smells bad but it doesn't taste bad.
0:06:44 > 0:06:47Which I'm very happy about.
0:06:47 > 0:06:49Without water, your body wouldn't work
0:06:49 > 0:06:51and you can help your kidneys
0:06:51 > 0:06:53do the best job they can
0:06:53 > 0:06:56just by drinking plenty of water every day.
0:06:56 > 0:06:59If you're weeing regularly and it's light in colour,
0:06:59 > 0:07:02you'll know you're helping your body.
0:07:02 > 0:07:04Ouch!
0:07:04 > 0:07:06If you're in need of medical help, fast...
0:07:06 > 0:07:09There are teams of paramedics near you ready to assist.
0:07:10 > 0:07:13We're going on call with the UK's emergency services,
0:07:13 > 0:07:16heading into the thick of the action to help save lives.
0:07:16 > 0:07:19I'm heading out in this rapid response vehicle
0:07:19 > 0:07:23to show you more about the life-saving work these paramedics do.
0:07:26 > 0:07:29This fast medical service is on standby 24 hours a day,
0:07:29 > 0:07:32ready to help you in an emergency.
0:07:32 > 0:07:33On call with me today
0:07:33 > 0:07:35is paramedic, Jan Vann.
0:07:37 > 0:07:39And a new call has just come in.
0:07:39 > 0:07:44We're on a call to a 66-year-old man who's apparently fighting for breath.
0:07:44 > 0:07:48There's obviously lots of reasons why you could be short of breath.
0:07:48 > 0:07:49Could be his lungs or his heart,
0:07:49 > 0:07:53he could have an infection, could be heart failure.
0:07:53 > 0:07:55All sorts of different things.
0:07:55 > 0:07:57We arrive on the scene and Jan has got us there fast,
0:07:57 > 0:07:59in just three and a half minutes.
0:07:59 > 0:08:03Our patient is called James. He's struggling for breath,
0:08:03 > 0:08:04so Jan gets to work quickly.
0:08:04 > 0:08:06Let's have a quick look at your oxygen levels
0:08:06 > 0:08:08and I'm going to listen to your chest.
0:08:08 > 0:08:11You sound pretty quiet in there.
0:08:11 > 0:08:14She said the chest is quiet, which you might think is good.
0:08:14 > 0:08:16In fact, that means there isn't much air getting in.
0:08:16 > 0:08:18Normally we can hear the air rushing in and out
0:08:18 > 0:08:20so that his chest is quiet isn't good.
0:08:20 > 0:08:22The other thing is she's put a monitor on him,
0:08:22 > 0:08:25which is looking at the levels of oxygen in his blood.
0:08:25 > 0:08:29That should normally be between 95 and 100%.
0:08:29 > 0:08:31At the moment it's 85%.
0:08:31 > 0:08:33So that's significantly less than we'd expect.
0:08:35 > 0:08:37Now it looks like he's breathing smoke.
0:08:37 > 0:08:41What he's actually got is oxygen that's bubbling through a drug.
0:08:41 > 0:08:44It's called a nebuliser. It's designed to open up his airways.
0:08:44 > 0:08:47It's commonly used for people with asthma.
0:08:47 > 0:08:49Helps them breathe much better.
0:08:49 > 0:08:52Did it just come on when you woke up this morning?
0:08:54 > 0:08:56Oh, really?
0:08:56 > 0:08:59With James having had difficulty breathing for a couple of days,
0:08:59 > 0:09:02it's really important to find the cause.
0:09:02 > 0:09:04What Jan is doing is measuring what's called his peak flow.
0:09:04 > 0:09:07That's how fast he can breathe air out of his lungs.
0:09:09 > 0:09:11Brilliant.
0:09:11 > 0:09:13What that tells us is how much resistance there is to his breathing.
0:09:13 > 0:09:17- That helping at all with the breathing?- Yeah.
0:09:17 > 0:09:18It is? Good.
0:09:18 > 0:09:20Although the nebuliser is helping James to breathe easier,
0:09:20 > 0:09:23he'll need further tests to find out why this keeps happening.
0:09:23 > 0:09:26so an ambulance crew arrive to take him to hospital.
0:09:26 > 0:09:29That nebuliser's worked a treat. It's worked straight away.
0:09:29 > 0:09:31You see a big effect with a nebuliser?
0:09:31 > 0:09:33Yeah. The thing is with breathing problems
0:09:33 > 0:09:36it can go wrong quite quickly. They can deteriorate really quickly.
0:09:36 > 0:09:39So the sooner they go into hospital, then the better.
0:09:39 > 0:09:43As James leaves in the ambulance,
0:09:43 > 0:09:45we get ready for the next call out.
0:09:45 > 0:09:47With rapid response teams like this all over the UK,
0:09:47 > 0:09:50it means that expert medical care
0:09:50 > 0:09:52can be with you in minutes of a serious emergency.
0:09:52 > 0:09:55Still to come....
0:09:55 > 0:09:56A spot!
0:09:56 > 0:10:00I find out more about the body's largest organ, the skin.
0:10:00 > 0:10:05We show you a trick to amaze your friends with
0:10:05 > 0:10:09And discover why I'm staying well away from that snake.
0:10:09 > 0:10:14Now, did you know there are up to 400 joints in your body?
0:10:14 > 0:10:16They sit between your bones, and without them,
0:10:16 > 0:10:20you'd only be able to move your eyebrows and your tongue.
0:10:20 > 0:10:22That's amazing! And so's this.
0:10:22 > 0:10:25An ordinary warehouse full of boxes.
0:10:25 > 0:10:27I can see that, Chris.
0:10:27 > 0:10:30And this is a clear plastic box.
0:10:30 > 0:10:32Again, I can see that. But what's it doing here?
0:10:32 > 0:10:34- And who's this?- You'll see.
0:10:34 > 0:10:37She's hiding an amazing body skill.
0:10:37 > 0:10:39She's very bendy.
0:10:39 > 0:10:43She is, indeed, and you're about to find out what she can do.
0:10:43 > 0:10:46Now you'll notice she's a lot bigger than that box.
0:10:46 > 0:10:49Ooh, is she going to...no, she's not is she?
0:10:49 > 0:10:51Yes, she is.
0:10:51 > 0:10:56This is Delia Du Sol and she's a contortionist.
0:10:56 > 0:10:58A professional acrobatic performer
0:10:58 > 0:11:02who's trained herself to fit into unbelievably small spaces.
0:11:02 > 0:11:06So how does Delia's amazing body do this?
0:11:06 > 0:11:10Well, inside Delia's limbs she has super stretchy ligaments.
0:11:10 > 0:11:12That's the soft tissue that holds our bones together.
0:11:12 > 0:11:16Although she was born this way, Delia trains hard every day
0:11:16 > 0:11:19to make sure her ligaments remain flexible
0:11:19 > 0:11:21but this isn't something to try at home.
0:11:21 > 0:11:25It's fine to practise flexible moves at home
0:11:25 > 0:11:27but, erm, I wouldn't recommend
0:11:27 > 0:11:29squeezing yourself into small spaces.
0:11:29 > 0:11:31That's because if you get it wrong
0:11:31 > 0:11:34you can get stuck and seriously injure yourself.
0:11:34 > 0:11:37There are very few people in the world
0:11:37 > 0:11:40able to bend their bodies this way.
0:11:40 > 0:11:43It takes years of training to achieve a body skill like this.
0:11:43 > 0:11:45Now that's amazing!
0:11:45 > 0:11:47Ouch!
0:11:48 > 0:11:50It's not amazing, Xand.
0:11:50 > 0:11:53Let's head back to the Emergency department
0:11:53 > 0:11:55to see what the latest is with our patient.
0:11:59 > 0:12:01In Manchester, eight-year-old Charlie is in hospital
0:12:01 > 0:12:04with a hole in his head.
0:12:04 > 0:12:06Charlie was out riding his bike with his twin brother
0:12:06 > 0:12:09when they had an idea for a race.
0:12:09 > 0:12:13Only it was down some stairs and they weren't wearing any helmets.
0:12:13 > 0:12:15They set off, bumpety-bumpety bump,
0:12:15 > 0:12:17when all of a sudden, Charlie lost his grip
0:12:17 > 0:12:20- and went flying through the air... - Ooh, mind the bird!
0:12:20 > 0:12:23..whacking his head on some railings.
0:12:23 > 0:12:26It was like rain dripping but in blood.
0:12:26 > 0:12:28The wound has been numbed with gel
0:12:28 > 0:12:31and now it's time to fix that head.
0:12:31 > 0:12:33But before the stitching can begin,
0:12:33 > 0:12:35the team need to make Charlie comfortable.
0:12:35 > 0:12:37What we're going to do is put some magic gas on
0:12:37 > 0:12:40and it makes you feel a little bit woozy.
0:12:40 > 0:12:42The gas Charlie is breathing in
0:12:42 > 0:12:44is known as laughing gas.
0:12:44 > 0:12:47It makes you relax and stops you feeling any pain,
0:12:47 > 0:12:50meaning Dr Omar can get to work.
0:12:50 > 0:12:53First the deeper tissue is sewn up with dissolvable stitches.
0:12:53 > 0:12:55You're doing so well, Charlie.
0:12:55 > 0:12:59So well, in fact, his mind's on something else entirely.
0:12:59 > 0:13:04- I'm still starving, actually. - You're still starving?!
0:13:04 > 0:13:06It's an interesting time to be thinking about food,
0:13:06 > 0:13:08but when a guy's gotta eat, a guy's gotta eat.
0:13:08 > 0:13:10You'll have to wait a bit longer though, mate,
0:13:10 > 0:13:12cos we've got to tackle the top layer now.
0:13:15 > 0:13:18Is it fixed?
0:13:18 > 0:13:19It's fixed!
0:13:19 > 0:13:24One forehead fixed and a patched-up patient ready to go.
0:13:24 > 0:13:26- Thank you.- Nice one, Charlie.
0:13:26 > 0:13:29I enjoyed that because it tickled a bit.
0:13:29 > 0:13:33Tickled?! Must have been that laughing gas!
0:13:33 > 0:13:36I'm very pleased with the way that the stitches have come together
0:13:36 > 0:13:38and I think that in a few weeks' time,
0:13:38 > 0:13:40you shouldn't be able to see much of a scar.
0:13:40 > 0:13:43Well, it's good news, and I'm sure Charlie's learnt his lesson.
0:13:43 > 0:13:45Do you need to wear a helmet while you're on grass?
0:13:45 > 0:13:47- Yeah, what do you think?- Yeah.
0:13:47 > 0:13:50Phew! You had us worried there for a moment!
0:13:50 > 0:13:53So Charlie heads off home with a nice new head.
0:13:53 > 0:13:56Bye, Charlie!
0:13:56 > 0:13:57Ouch!
0:13:58 > 0:14:01We've got loads of amazing body tricks to show you.
0:14:01 > 0:14:05Here's how to fool your friends' tastebuds.
0:14:05 > 0:14:08This is a good trick and all you need is the tongue.
0:14:08 > 0:14:10But the tongue has to be dry,
0:14:10 > 0:14:13so that's what I'm going to do with this kitchen towel.
0:14:13 > 0:14:15Now I'm going to take a piece of food...
0:14:15 > 0:14:16- HE WHISPERS - ..chocolate...
0:14:16 > 0:14:17..and put it on Xand's tongue.
0:14:17 > 0:14:19Without looking at his tongue,
0:14:19 > 0:14:21let's see if Xand can guess what the food is.
0:14:21 > 0:14:23Can you tell me what that is?
0:14:23 > 0:14:25HE SLURS
0:14:25 > 0:14:26Is it itchy?
0:14:26 > 0:14:28HE SLURS
0:14:28 > 0:14:30You've lost your keys?
0:14:30 > 0:14:32Oh, cheese! Why didn't you say?
0:14:32 > 0:14:34Now the reason Xand can't taste it
0:14:34 > 0:14:36is because the molecules in food
0:14:36 > 0:14:38that give it flavour need to be dissolved in saliva
0:14:38 > 0:14:40before you can detect them.
0:14:40 > 0:14:43OK, Xand chew it up for me now.
0:14:43 > 0:14:45- So can you tell me what it is? - Chocolate.
0:14:45 > 0:14:48- That's right. Could you taste it with a dry tongue?- No.
0:14:48 > 0:14:52Chris has found a way to take away the taste of chocolate.
0:14:52 > 0:14:54Why would you do that?!
0:14:54 > 0:14:56You know how much I like chocolate!
0:14:56 > 0:14:59So in order for a food to have a taste
0:14:59 > 0:15:02it must be dissolved in saliva first.
0:15:02 > 0:15:05Only then can the flavour be detected by our taste buds.
0:15:05 > 0:15:10Give it a try and see if you can trick your friends.
0:15:10 > 0:15:12Ouch!
0:15:12 > 0:15:16Now it's time for Chris to show you a hospital department
0:15:16 > 0:15:18you've never seen before.
0:15:18 > 0:15:21MUSIC: "Crazy In Love" by Beyonce
0:15:25 > 0:15:27A spot!
0:15:27 > 0:15:28Normally this would be a disaster,
0:15:28 > 0:15:30but today I'm on duty at the skin clinic
0:15:30 > 0:15:33so I can get this checked out.
0:15:33 > 0:15:38And nurse Debbie Woodcock is ready for emergencies just like this.
0:15:38 > 0:15:40Right, so, I'm just going to have a look at it
0:15:40 > 0:15:43with my magnifying glass which looks right into your skin, OK?
0:15:43 > 0:15:45Yeah, that just looks like a simple pimple.
0:15:45 > 0:15:48- It's not the worst you've ever seen? - Nothing to worry about.
0:15:48 > 0:15:49I really want to squeeze it!
0:15:49 > 0:15:51Don't squeeze your spots, no,
0:15:51 > 0:15:53because what if your hands aren't clean
0:15:53 > 0:15:54and then you go pwuh!
0:15:54 > 0:15:57And all the gunge comes out of the spot like we want it to,
0:15:57 > 0:16:00but under all your fingers and your nails, you might have lots of germs.
0:16:00 > 0:16:02Then when you squeeze it all the pus might go out,
0:16:02 > 0:16:05but then you've left a hole and all the germs might go in.
0:16:05 > 0:16:08So what you're saying is I have to live with this for a couple of days?
0:16:08 > 0:16:11Oh, Chris, it's just a simple pimple! I think you'll survive!
0:16:11 > 0:16:13OK, enough about my skin complaint.
0:16:13 > 0:16:17At the dermatology unit they look at skin.
0:16:17 > 0:16:19It's our largest organ
0:16:19 > 0:16:23and it provides a protective layer all over our bodies.
0:16:23 > 0:16:26But like anything in the human body, things can go wrong.
0:16:26 > 0:16:31Rachael comes into the clinic with some very sore patches on her legs.
0:16:31 > 0:16:34Nurse Sophie Dolman takes a look.
0:16:34 > 0:16:36So this is typical of eczema
0:16:36 > 0:16:39and that layer of skin that keeps the moisture in isn't working,
0:16:39 > 0:16:41so your skin is really dehydrated.
0:16:41 > 0:16:44Eczema is a very common problem.
0:16:44 > 0:16:46It makes the skin dry, itchy and sore
0:16:46 > 0:16:50and bad patches can get infected if not looked after properly.
0:16:50 > 0:16:52So Rachael you've tried lots of creams. They haven't worked.
0:16:52 > 0:16:55So why haven't the creams that Rachael's tried worked?
0:16:55 > 0:16:56They haven't been strong enough.
0:16:56 > 0:17:00Help is at hand with a special moisturising treatment
0:17:00 > 0:17:03We've put on some very, very strong moisturising cream
0:17:03 > 0:17:05and some steroids onto the eczema
0:17:05 > 0:17:07and the steroids are going to damp down the inflammation.
0:17:07 > 0:17:10They work better if they're kept against the skin.
0:17:10 > 0:17:12And now they're bandaging it all up,
0:17:12 > 0:17:15cos otherwise everything would get very greasy.
0:17:15 > 0:17:21Next in is Daniel who's had a rare skin condition since birth
0:17:21 > 0:17:23which causes his skin to blister very easily.
0:17:23 > 0:17:25It's not infectious but it is serious,
0:17:25 > 0:17:27and the symptoms need to be kept under control.
0:17:27 > 0:17:29I can see that you've got dry skin
0:17:29 > 0:17:31on your face and on your neck and on your hands.
0:17:31 > 0:17:34Why have you got dry skin?
0:17:34 > 0:17:37My skin produces too much on my joints
0:17:37 > 0:17:41and doesn't produce enough where it looks normal.
0:17:41 > 0:17:44What kind of things does it stop you doing?
0:17:44 > 0:17:46I weren't allowed to do PE in school.
0:17:46 > 0:17:50When I, like, walk far I come out in blisters.
0:17:50 > 0:17:53- On your feet?- Yeah, yeah, my feet are the worst bit.
0:17:53 > 0:17:56Can you show me where you've got the condition?
0:17:56 > 0:18:00- My elbows, my hands. - You're making too much skin here.
0:18:00 > 0:18:03This is Dan's hand, this is my hand,
0:18:03 > 0:18:04and everywhere there are creases,
0:18:04 > 0:18:06everywhere the skin folds on Dan's hand,
0:18:06 > 0:18:08he makes too much skin
0:18:08 > 0:18:10and this is what he has to rub off
0:18:10 > 0:18:12with the moisturising cream.
0:18:12 > 0:18:16Obviously this is a tough thing to live with. How do you manage?
0:18:16 > 0:18:20I just get on with it and cope the best I can with it.
0:18:20 > 0:18:22Do you ever get self-conscious about it?
0:18:22 > 0:18:24No, there's no point.
0:18:24 > 0:18:27It's just part of me, isn't it?
0:18:27 > 0:18:30So although Dan's skin condition can't be cured,
0:18:30 > 0:18:32he'll still come to the clinic regularly.
0:18:32 > 0:18:33He's getting the treatment
0:18:33 > 0:18:36he'll continue getting for the rest of his life
0:18:36 > 0:18:38and that enables him to both cope with the pain
0:18:38 > 0:18:39and deal with the skin.
0:18:39 > 0:18:43OK, right, good to see you again, Daniel.
0:18:43 > 0:18:46Finally Molly comes into the clinic to check up on her eczema,
0:18:46 > 0:18:49after receiving the same treatment as Rachael a few weeks ago.
0:18:49 > 0:18:52She's been following a moisturising regime at home.
0:18:52 > 0:18:55So, Molly, I haven't seen you for four weeks. How's your eczema?
0:18:55 > 0:18:56It's nearly gone.
0:18:56 > 0:19:01- Nearly gone?- Can you show me?- Yes.
0:19:01 > 0:19:03- So it was bad on the knee, was it? - Yeah.
0:19:03 > 0:19:04And how much better is this now?
0:19:04 > 0:19:08Much better, because last time I came it was all red
0:19:08 > 0:19:10and it had all gone really dry.
0:19:10 > 0:19:14So are there lots of different ways of treating eczema?
0:19:14 > 0:19:16Do you have to treat different children differently?
0:19:16 > 0:19:17Yes, and everybody's different,
0:19:17 > 0:19:20so what one cream will work for one person won't work for another.
0:19:20 > 0:19:23So unfortunately, with the amount of creams there are,
0:19:23 > 0:19:25- it is a bit of trial and error. - And with Molly it looks like
0:19:25 > 0:19:28you've found the right moisturising cream.
0:19:28 > 0:19:30You're feeling quite good about this?
0:19:30 > 0:19:32Yes.
0:19:32 > 0:19:34Ouch!
0:19:34 > 0:19:38How much does the average adult's skin weigh?
0:19:38 > 0:19:39Is it as much as...
0:19:48 > 0:19:49The answer is C.
0:19:49 > 0:19:52Three pineapples weigh just under 3 kilos
0:19:52 > 0:19:54and so does the average adult's skin.
0:19:55 > 0:19:57Ouch!
0:19:57 > 0:19:58- Xand?- Yes?
0:19:58 > 0:20:00- Hold this.- Argh! A plastic snake!
0:20:00 > 0:20:02These things are terrifying!
0:20:02 > 0:20:04Yes, but what if the snake was real?
0:20:04 > 0:20:08This is a case for Investigation Ouch!
0:20:10 > 0:20:13As a doctor specialising in tropical medicine,
0:20:13 > 0:20:16I'm used to working in some exotic locations with dangerous creatures.
0:20:16 > 0:20:18But today I'm on the top floor
0:20:18 > 0:20:21of the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine.
0:20:21 > 0:20:24And in fact, this is one of the most dangerous locations
0:20:24 > 0:20:25I've ever been in,
0:20:25 > 0:20:29because on this floor are 180 of the world's deadliest snakes.
0:20:30 > 0:20:34There are many species of snake here and each one is capable
0:20:34 > 0:20:37of delivering a potentially life-threatening dose of venom,
0:20:37 > 0:20:40a poisonous fluid snakes inject through their fangs.
0:20:40 > 0:20:44Now if you're wondering who on earth would volunteer
0:20:44 > 0:20:45to work with these deadly snakes,
0:20:45 > 0:20:47meet Dr Robert Harrison.
0:20:47 > 0:20:51Why are you keeping 180 venomous snakes in this room?
0:20:51 > 0:20:54We take venom from these snakes and that then is used
0:20:54 > 0:20:56to make medicines to treat people
0:20:56 > 0:20:58who would otherwise die from snakebite.
0:20:58 > 0:21:01That life-saving medicine is known as antivenom
0:21:01 > 0:21:04and it's actually made from the snake venom itself.
0:21:04 > 0:21:07The antivenom medicine Dr Robert
0:21:07 > 0:21:09and his team are helping to make in Liverpool
0:21:09 > 0:21:13is used to treat people 4,000 miles away in West Africa,
0:21:13 > 0:21:17where there are 36,000 deaths every year from snake venom.
0:21:20 > 0:21:22Meet Paul Rowley, an expert snake handler
0:21:22 > 0:21:25who's brought some snakes out of their habitat for us to see.
0:21:25 > 0:21:29Well, this is a Nigerian Saw-Scale Viper
0:21:29 > 0:21:34and it's amongst the most dangerous snakes in the world to man.
0:21:34 > 0:21:37Even though they are small they are an extremely dangerous snake.
0:21:37 > 0:21:39They do kill a lot of people.
0:21:39 > 0:21:43Because antivenom medicine is made using snake venom,
0:21:43 > 0:21:46Dr Robert and Paul have to collect that venom from the snake's mouth,
0:21:46 > 0:21:48but it's a dangerous business.
0:21:48 > 0:21:51When the snake bites a dish like this,
0:21:51 > 0:21:55the poisonous venom drips out of the fangs and is collected.
0:21:55 > 0:21:58It's a bit like milking a cow and it doesn't hurt the snake.
0:21:58 > 0:22:02Rob, what would happen if instead of a glass dish this was human flesh?
0:22:02 > 0:22:04Once it gets into the blood,
0:22:04 > 0:22:06it causes terrific bleeding throughout the body.
0:22:06 > 0:22:09The poor patient is just bleeding from everywhere,
0:22:09 > 0:22:11from the nose, from the gums,
0:22:11 > 0:22:13from the eyes and internally.
0:22:13 > 0:22:16For a little snake it can cause a lot of harm,
0:22:16 > 0:22:19and this small drop of venom that we've just collected
0:22:19 > 0:22:21is more than enough to kill a human being.
0:22:21 > 0:22:24But it's also enough to make the antivenom
0:22:24 > 0:22:25that will save people's lives.
0:22:25 > 0:22:28If you're squeamish, look away now.
0:22:28 > 0:22:32This is a 12-year-old boy who was bitten on the foot
0:22:32 > 0:22:34by a Nigerian Saw-Scale viper.
0:22:34 > 0:22:37He lost his big toe but the antivenom saved his life.
0:22:37 > 0:22:40Each snake has a different type of venom
0:22:40 > 0:22:44and needs its own antivenom to be made.
0:22:44 > 0:22:47So, ready for another? This one is seriously fangtastic!
0:22:47 > 0:22:50This is a Nigerian puff adder.
0:22:50 > 0:22:53So the snake has just bitten a mat,
0:22:53 > 0:22:56and that's just one of the problems of doing this.
0:22:56 > 0:22:58This is a very, very tricky thing to do.
0:23:00 > 0:23:04This adder's venom has a different effect on the human body
0:23:04 > 0:23:05to the previous snake.
0:23:05 > 0:23:09Terrific destruction of the tissue around the bite.
0:23:09 > 0:23:12It just destroys the muscle and the skin.
0:23:12 > 0:23:14So this venom actually dissolves flesh,
0:23:14 > 0:23:17and then it spreads around the body and causes of other problems.
0:23:17 > 0:23:21This is a seven-year-old boy who was bitten on the hand
0:23:21 > 0:23:23by a Nigerian puff adder while he was cutting grass.
0:23:23 > 0:23:26The venom caused blood-filled blisters to erupt,
0:23:26 > 0:23:29but he made full recovery thanks to the antivenom.
0:23:29 > 0:23:33But not all snakes release their venom by biting.
0:23:33 > 0:23:37This snake is extremely quick and it can spit its venom.
0:23:37 > 0:23:42And that's why it's called the spitting cobra.
0:23:42 > 0:23:45In fact, it can spit as far as two metres
0:23:45 > 0:23:48and if it was to get in your eyes, it could blind you.
0:23:48 > 0:23:51So Dr Robert's got his faceguard on and I'm staying well away
0:23:51 > 0:23:53to let the experts collect the venom.
0:23:55 > 0:23:58You're just milking the venom glands there?
0:23:58 > 0:24:01We're just massaging the venom glands.
0:24:01 > 0:24:04Now, don't worry. It's highly unlikely that you'll ever need
0:24:04 > 0:24:05the antivenom being made here.
0:24:05 > 0:24:08We don't have any snakes like that in England, do we?
0:24:08 > 0:24:10We don't. We're really lucky we don't have anything
0:24:10 > 0:24:13like the cobras or the hooded puffer or things like,
0:24:13 > 0:24:15that but we do have the British Adder
0:24:15 > 0:24:19and it is actually a really quite important snake.
0:24:19 > 0:24:21There was a near-death case two years ago
0:24:21 > 0:24:25which...when you're going out, just stay clear of these snakes.
0:24:25 > 0:24:28Don't handle them, don't touch them. Leave them alone.
0:24:28 > 0:24:31Rob, I think after today, that advice is extremely obvious.
0:24:31 > 0:24:33I'm going to stay well back!
0:24:33 > 0:24:38That was spectacular, and remember,
0:24:38 > 0:24:41the venom that Rob and Paul risk their lives to collect
0:24:41 > 0:24:44today in Liverpool will be used to make antivenom
0:24:44 > 0:24:46and that will be used to save people
0:24:46 > 0:24:50who've been bitten by snakes in Africa.
0:24:50 > 0:24:51Ouch!
0:24:52 > 0:24:54In the Accident and Emergency department
0:24:54 > 0:24:56the team are ready for their next case.
0:24:56 > 0:24:57Let's meet him.
0:24:59 > 0:25:03This is nine-year-old Ahmed. He's a sight for sore eyes!
0:25:03 > 0:25:04I hit my eye on the windowsill.
0:25:04 > 0:25:07I woke up the next day and my eyebrow had a big bump
0:25:07 > 0:25:08and I couldn't open it.
0:25:08 > 0:25:11I bet that caused a few raised eyebrows at home!
0:25:11 > 0:25:14Not yours, though, Ahmed, obviously! So how did it happen?
0:25:14 > 0:25:17Ahmed was at home playing a video game.
0:25:17 > 0:25:22He was having fun when his big sister fancied a go.
0:25:22 > 0:25:25She tried to muscle her way in. Ah, sisterly love!
0:25:25 > 0:25:28Oh, 3-2! Come on, the Blues!
0:25:28 > 0:25:29Ahmed stood his ground,
0:25:29 > 0:25:33but before he could take a shot at goal,
0:25:33 > 0:25:36she pushed him off the chair - ouch!
0:25:36 > 0:25:39When I look down or when I look up, it hurts.
0:25:39 > 0:25:41I can only look straight.
0:25:41 > 0:25:43Luckily, Dr Rachel Jenner's on hand
0:25:43 > 0:25:46to see what's up with that eye.
0:25:46 > 0:25:48What happened to your eye?
0:25:48 > 0:25:49I banged my eye on the windowsill
0:25:49 > 0:25:52and then I looked in the mirror and I had a big bump here.
0:25:52 > 0:25:54Yeah, that is a biggie!
0:25:56 > 0:26:00Ahmed's developed a periorbital haematoma,
0:26:00 > 0:26:03which is a much more impressive way of saying he's got a black eye.
0:26:03 > 0:26:05It's actually blood that turns a black eye black,
0:26:05 > 0:26:08caused by bleeding under the skin and around the eye,
0:26:08 > 0:26:11leaving him with a right shiner.
0:26:11 > 0:26:12To be sure there's no serious damage,
0:26:12 > 0:26:15Dr Rachel begins a thorough examination.
0:26:15 > 0:26:18One of the first things we always do is check their eyesight.
0:26:18 > 0:26:20We'll cover up your good eye.
0:26:20 > 0:26:23Can you start at the top of the chart and read the letters?
0:26:23 > 0:26:25T-H-V-A-U-X...
0:26:25 > 0:26:28So Ahmed's eyesight is looking great
0:26:28 > 0:26:31but there's more to check out than that.
0:26:31 > 0:26:35Behind your eye lies a bony socket holding your eyeball
0:26:35 > 0:26:38and lots of muscles and nerves that allow your eyes to move,
0:26:38 > 0:26:41and it's all these parts Dr Rachel needs to examine for damage.
0:26:41 > 0:26:45First she checks his eyeballs. are reacting normally.
0:26:45 > 0:26:48Can you keep looking at my finger?
0:26:48 > 0:26:52Then she makes sure his eye socket isn't broken. That'll be sore, then.
0:26:52 > 0:26:56If I touch you on your cheek there, does it feel OK?
0:26:56 > 0:26:58Luckily our eyes are well-protected
0:26:58 > 0:27:00so things are looking good for Ahmed.
0:27:00 > 0:27:02I don't think there's any damage to your actual eye.
0:27:02 > 0:27:05I think it's just your eyelid that's very, very bruised
0:27:05 > 0:27:08and that will be sore like a bruise anywhere on your body.
0:27:08 > 0:27:11- It should get better by itself. No special treatment.- Thank you.
0:27:11 > 0:27:13I'd steer clear of that sister of yours, though.
0:27:13 > 0:27:16- Ooh is that her? - No, no, a different one.
0:27:16 > 0:27:18Well, this has all been a real eye-opener for Ahmed.
0:27:18 > 0:27:21I've learned never to fight with my sister again.
0:27:21 > 0:27:24Smart move, smart move! Bye, Ahmed!
0:27:28 > 0:27:30Next time...
0:27:30 > 0:27:32we whisk up a blood smoothie.
0:27:32 > 0:27:35Xand's going to find out what's wrong with these body bits.
0:27:35 > 0:27:39And Chris is in theatre for some amazing eye surgery.
0:27:39 > 0:27:42And now I'm going to open the skin on the surface of the eye.
0:27:42 > 0:27:45So we'll see you next time on Operation Ouch!
0:27:59 > 0:28:03Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd