Archive for September, 2009

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Natural Skin Care for Rosacea - Acne Rosacea Natural Treatment

Monday, September 7th, 2009

Rosacea is a skin disorder in which red spots and pustules appear on the nose, forehead and cheeks. This mostly affects women belonging to the age group of 30-60 years. This gives the face an inflamed, puffy appearance as the blood vessels beneath the skin become visible. This is often also accompanied with an itching sensation in the eyes.

Rosacea Skin Care Tips

There are a few tips that you may follow at home to treat this condition. Whenever you feel a hot, itchy sensation on your face, soak a soft towel in chilled water and put it across your face for 5 minutes. This will prevent the appearance of red spots on the face. It is also useful to remember that excessive heat can trigger the appearance of rosecea acne. Thus, you should avoid going to very hot and humid environments and always apply a sunscreen lotion before stepping out into the sun. You may also massage some cold chamomile tea on your face to get relief from the itching and burning sensation. Topical application of cucumber juice also helps soothe inflamed skin considerably. The juice of aloe vera leaves is also known to be of great help in this regard. You may also try rubbing the skin around the pustules very gently with some licorice ground with a little water to a paste. Massaging your skin with a few frozen cubes of green tea has a very pleasant, soothing effect and helps reduce irritation and pain. It is also believed that oral consumption of a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar helps reduce the intensity of the symptoms to a certain extent.

Another effective remedy for rosacea is to puree two large tomatoes and add to them a tablespoon of honey and some finely powdered oatmeal. This paste should be applied on the affected areas and allowed to dry for 10 minutes before being rinsed off with cold water. You could also make a thick paste by mixing some fuller’s earth with the juice of a raw potato and use this as a natural cleanser for skin affected by rosacea. For another remedy, blend an egg white, some fuller’s earth and half a cup of distilled water till the mixture becomes uniformly smooth. Massage this paste on your skin and leave it on for 10 minutes before washing it away with water. However, if you are allergic to sulfur, do not try this remedy.

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Leucoderma Treatment - How to Cure Leukoderma

Monday, September 7th, 2009

Leucoderma Causes

Leucoderma refers to a condition in which the certain parts of the skin lose the natural coloring pigment, melanin and consequently turn pale. This causes the appearance of tiny spots which gradually spread and merge together into ugly white patches on the skin, mostly on the arms, neck and back. Leucoderma is caused by excessive stress and anxiety, chronic gastric ailments, illnesses like jaundice and typhoid and burns.

Home Remedies to Treat Leucoderma

There are a few natural remedies that you may follow at home to treat leucoderma. An effective remedy for restoring pigmentation to the white patches on the skin is to grind 50gms of radish seeds with three tablespoons of vinegar and smear this paste on the affected areas. This paste should be allowed to dry completely in air for at least half an hour before being washed off with water. You could also soak 500gms of pounded turmeric in 8 liters of water overnight and boil the mixture the next morning till its volume is reduced to one liter. Now add 500 ml of mustard oil to this solution and boil till a thick viscous liquid extract is obtained. Collect this extract in a bottle and massage the pale patches on the skin with this decoction every day to treat leucoderma.

Psoralea seeds are also known to be an effective natural remedy for leucoderma. These seeds should be soaked in the juice of ginger for three days. The ginger juice should be replaced every day. Following this, the seeds should be husked with hands, dried in shade and then powdered. One teaspoon of this powder should be mixed with a cup of fresh milk and consumed every day. Simultaneously, a paste made by adding a little water to this powder should also be applied on the white patches. Alternatively, you could also soak equal quantities of psoralea and tamarind seeds in water for four days and then shell and dry them out in shade. The seeds should then by powdered and mixed with a little water. Apply this thick paste on the affected areas.

Another popular remedy for leucoderma is to mix some red clay found on the banks of rivers with ginger juice and apply this paste on the affected areas. The high level of copper that such clay contains helps bring back color to pale patches on the skin. It is also useful to drink water kept in a copper vessel overnight.

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Dry Cracked Skin - Causes and Remedies for Cracked Skin

Monday, September 7th, 2009

Causes of Dry Cracked Skin

Excessive dryness of the skin may be caused by the deficiency of essential nutrients like A, B, C and E vitamins, as well as overexposure to the sun and contact with harmful chemicals in certain cosmetic body products. Excessive pressure or friction experienced by the skin may also cause it to crack into fissures.

Home Remedies for Dry,Cracked Skin

There are several simple home remedies for treating dry, cracked skin. You should apply the juice of a cucumber on your face and neck twice every day to moisturize and soothe dry skin. Application of the juice of aloe vera leaves is another effective way of moisturizing the skin as well as speeding up the natural healing process of damaged skin cells. You could also mix the yolk of an egg with some honey, almond oil and lime juice and apply this mixture on your skin. Leave it on for 10-15 minutes before rinsing it away with cold water. This leaves your skin feeling soft and supple. It also helps to apply the pulp of a ripe avocado or banana on the skin, as these have high moisture content. In order to treat dry, cracked skin on the heels and hands, apply some glycerin or coconut oil every night before going to bed.

Alternatively, you could also massage your legs, feet and arms with vitamin E oil every night at bedtime. Mixing a cup of oatmeal powder in your bathwater may also help in preventing your skin from becoming too dry. If the dryness has been caused by overexposure to direct sunlight, massage your skin gently with a mixture of coconut oil and cocoa butter. In order to exfoliate dry, cracked skin, you should add the juice of fresh lemon to a small cup of homemade yogurt and apply this mixture all over your face and neck. After 20 minutes, rinse it away with water. This is an effective way of cleansing away dead skin cells and dirt particles from the surface of the skin without rendering it too dry.

Another effective remedy for treating dry, cracked skin is to heat beeswax, castor oil and lanolin in equal quantities till all the ingredients melt and form a uniform mass. Store this mixture in a container and apply it on your skin every day. This is especially useful in treating chapped lips. In addition, drink plenty of water and eat lots of fresh fruits and green vegetables to keep your skin naturally healthy and well moisturized.

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Bedsore Prevention - Home Remedies for Preventing Bed Sores

Monday, September 7th, 2009

Causes of Bed Sores

Bed sores are abrasions, lesions or inflammations on the skin which mostly affect those parts of the body that are under excessive pressure for long periods of time. It is a common problem experienced by handicapped or bedridden patients as they cannot change their position too frequently. Bed sores mostly appear on buttocks, lower back, heels, ankles, heels and shoulders. Damp and foul smelling skin, discolored patches on the skin and discharge of pus from the skin are the initial symptoms of bed sores. If treated in the initial stage itself, bed sores disappear quickly, but if they are allowed to persist they may impede blood circulation to certain parts of the body and can lead to potentially life-threatening complications.

Home Remedies for Bed Sores

There are a few basic rules that should be followed to prevent bed sores. Make sure that you help the patient change his or her position at regular intervals to ensure that no part of the body has to bear too much pressure for a significantly long period of time. If the patient is completely confined to the bed and is not able to visit the bathroom, make sure that his or her clothes are always dry. This is especially important for those patients who suffer from incontinence, as it is the accumulation of moisture, sweat and dirt that can turn a minor cut into a local infection and lead to serious complications. Dabbing the parts of the skin that are particularly susceptible to perspiration with antibacterial talcum powder is an effective way of preventing dampness and infections.

It is also advisable to use a flat mattress instead of a rippled one, as this evenly distributes pressure along the body and reduces the chances of certain portions of the skin coming under too much stress. You must also air and sun dry the bed linen, cushions and mattresses the patient uses regularly in order to destroy germs that may be breeding in these, which may lead to infections. The patient’s diet should include rich natural sources of protein, vitamin C and zinc. Green, leafy vegetables, fish and fresh fruits should constitute the patient’s daily diet. This makes the skin naturally healthy and boosts the body’s capacity to heal minor wounds on its own. The patient may also be administered light body massages by a professional physiotherapist in order to improve blood circulation in all parts of the skin, which reduces the risk of getting bed sores.

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Vitiligo Cures - How to Cure Vitiligo Naturally

Monday, September 7th, 2009

Vitiligo is a skin disorder in which the cells responsible for the production of the natural coloring pigment, melanin, are destroyed, causing the appearance of white patches on the skin. These white patches generally appear on the limbs and the trunk, but vtiligo can sometimes also affect the inner lining of the nose, mouth and private parts, as well as the retina of the eyes and hair. The incidence of vitligo is higher in women and in people who have a naturally dark complexion. The most common causes of vitiligo are sunburn, emotional stress and trauma, prolonged physical illness and heredity.

Home Remedies to Treat Vitiligo

As a precautionary measure against vitiligo, always apply sunscreen on exposed parts of your skin before stepping out into the sun. This protects the skin from harmful ultraviolet radiation and reduces chances of irregularities in skin pigmentation. There are a few home remedies that you may follow to treat vitiligo. Rub the affected portions of the skin with a slice of onion for 5 minutes twice a day. This stimulates the skin cells to produce more melanin and helps restore pigmentation to pale patches. Massaging the white patches with the juice of ginger also has similar effects. This also has the additional advantage of improving blood circulation in the skin, which promotes even distribution of melanin. An effective natural cure for vitiligo is to grind equal parts of wild duckweed and honey into a paste and consume a teaspoon of this mixture twice every day. You should also massage your skin with the juice of this herb in order to get better results. Rubbing the white spots with fresh figs is also known to make white patches less prominent. You may also mix two parts of radish seeds with three parts of vinegar and grind the mixture till a consistent paste is obtained. Now use this paste to massage the white patches. Following this remedy every day helps reduce the intensity and extent of the condition.

For a simple remedy from the kitchen, crush a few fresh basil leaves and mix their juice with that of a lemon. Smear this mixture on the white patches 3-4 times a day. This brings about a gradual reduction in the prominence of the pale patches in a few months. The leaves of celery have been found to contain a high level of psolaren, a natural chemical that helps treat vitiligo. Thus, massaging the skin with a few crushed celery leaves is beneficial for treating vitiligo.

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Peeling Feet Skin - Causes and Treatment for Peeling Skin on Feet

Monday, September 7th, 2009

Peeling Feet Causes

The outer layer of the skin, epidermis, peels off naturally every 28 days or so and is replaced by a new layer. However, sometimes due to the deficiency of certain essential nutrients in the diet, skin starts peeling at a much faster pace than its normal rate and causes discomfort. This may also happen due to excessive pressure or wear and tear of the skin, exposure to extremes of temperature, sunburn, skin infections and excessive perspiration. In certain cases, this condition may also be genetic in nature and is known as the Peeling Skin Syndrome.

Peeling Feet Remedies

There are a few simple remedies that you may follow to treat this condition. Since the feet bear the weight of the entire body, the skin experiences tremendous pressure and friction all through the day. It is necessary, therefore, that you always wear comfortable shoes that not only support but also protect the feet from heat and dust. However, you should also ensure that your feet do not sweat excessively, since this may irritate the skin and cause the outer layer to peel off. It is recommended that you wear cotton socks so that they absorb extra moisture and keep your feet dry. You should also wash your feet thoroughly with lukewarm water at the end of the day and apply vitamin E oil on them before going to bed. It is also useful to apply the pulp or the juice of a cucumber on your feet every day in order to moisturize and soothe the skin naturally and prevent it from peeling. You may also use a mixture of sandalwood and turmeric powder mixed with some honey and olive oil to nourish the skin cells of your feet and keep them soft and smooth.

Also, crush a handful of mint leaves and massage your feet with their juice half an hour before washing them with water. You may also soak a few walnuts in a bowl of tepid water for a few hours and then grind them to a paste, adding the juice of a fresh lemon to it. Apply this paste on your feet and wait till it dries out naturally; then gently wash your feet with water. Topical application of a mixture of equal portions of olive, avocado and coconut oil is also beneficial in solving the problem of peeling skin. In addition, eat a diet rich in vitamins and minerals by including fish, nuts, fruits, vegetables, whole grains and dairy products. This prevents the skin from peeling at an abnormal rate.

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Tips and Remedies for Healthy Glowing Skin | How to Glow Skin

Monday, September 7th, 2009

The natural complexion and texture of the skin depends on a number of factors like diet, lifestyle, personal hygiene and emotional well being. Exposure to the harsh rays of the sun, dust, air and water pollutants and contact with strong chemicals present in certain skin care products can cause damage to the skin and make it look dull.

How to Glow Skin Naturally

There are a few basic rules that you should follow to keep your skin healthy and glowing. A well balanced diet is the key to good skin. You should eat lots of fresh fruits and raw vegetables, as they are rich natural sources of essential vitamins and minerals that moisturize and nourish skin cells. You should also drink 10-12 glasses of water every day in order to flush out toxins from the body and keep the skin well hydrated all the time. You should also try to keep your skin oil and dirt-free all the time by regularly washing your face with cold water. This cleanses the dust particles, sebum and dead skin cells accumulated in the pores of the surface of the skin, and thereby prevents your skin from looking dull. You should also restrict the consumption of oily, deep-fried snacks, alcohol and cigarettes. You should also use a moisturizing sunscreen lotion that suits your skin type whenever you step out into the sun to protect it from harmful ultraviolet radiation.

Besides these general measures, you may also follow a few simple skin care tips at home to add to the natural glow of your skin. An effective way of making your skin smooth and glowing is to rub it with a small piece of ripe papaya for 5 minutes every day. You may also mix a tablespoon of honey with egg white and apply this paste all over your face and neck. Rinse it away with cold water after 10-15 minutes. This moisturizes as well as tones your skin, giving it a smooth, glowing complexion. You can also make a natural face pack by mixing the pulp of a ripe banana with some honey, the juice of a lemon and a little margarine. You should massage your face with this paste before going to bed every night and wash your face with water the next morning. For cleansing your face, you should add two tablespoons of turmeric powder to the juice of an orange and apply it on your face. After 15 minutes, wash your face with cold water. This acts as an excellent natural scrub and leaves your skin feeling soft and supple.

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White Skin Patches - How to Cure White Patches on Skin

Monday, September 7th, 2009

Causes  of White Patches on Skin

Skin gets its natural complexion from a pigment called melanin. Sometimes, the production and distribution of melanin becomes irregular and causes pale patches or spots to appear on the skin. This condition is commonly referred to as vitiligo or leucoderma. Emotional stress or trauma, sunburn, prolonged physical illness and heredity are some of the factors that may be responsible for this condition. Exposure to harsh chemicals and pollutants may also cause white patches to appear on the skin.

White Skin Patches Cure

There are a few remedies that you may try at home to solve this problem. One of the most popular and time-tested methods of bringing back color to white patches on the skin is to leave some water in a copper bowl overnight and drink it the next morning. Another remedy is dry out pomegranate leaves in shade, crush them to a fine powder and strain this powder through a fine sieve. A teaspoon of this powder should be added to a glass of water and consumed every morning. Also, drink a glass of buttermilk every day in order to restore pigmentation of pale patches on the skin. You should also eat figs and walnuts every day in order to treat pigmentation problems. It is also useful to crush a handful of ginger leaves, tying them up in a piece of cloth and using this as a poultice for external application on the discolored patches of the skin. Alternatively, you may also crush a small piece of ginger to extract its juice and massage the affected areas with this juice twice every day.

The strong chemicals present in ginger juice improve blood circulation in the skin and stimulate the skin cells to produce more melanin, thereby treating white patches on the skin. The juice of a few cloves of garlic may also be applied on the pale patches for similar results. You may also soak a handful of back gram in water for a couple of hours, then grind them to a fine paste and smear this paste on the affected areas. Leave it on till it dries naturally in the air and then rinse it off with water. For another remedy, wash a basil plant along with its roots, with water and boil it in a mixture of half a liter each of water and oil. When the water evaporates completely, mash the basil plant and extract the oil through a strainer. Apply this oil every day on the white spots to restore lost pigmentation to the skin.

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Wrinkle Reduction - How to Fight Wrinkles Naturally

Monday, September 7th, 2009

Wrinkle Reduction

The appearance of wrinkles is a sign of the natural process of ageing. As one grows older, the natural components responsible for making the skin flexible, elastin and collagen, are produced in lesser amounts and therefore fine lines begin to appear on the skin, especially in those areas where the skin experiences the maximum pressure due to constant stretching. Thus, wrinkles appear most prominently on the face, around the eyes and mouth.

Home Remedies for Wrinkles

There are a few simple remedies that you may follow at home to postpone the appearance of wrinkles and make your skin look more youthful. You should make it a habit to always apply sunscreen lotion before stepping out into the sun in order to protect your skin from the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun, thereby preventing the appearance of premature wrinkles. Excessive smoking and drinking are also responsible for the appearance of wrinkles, as they supply free radicals to the body that harm the skin. Try to avoid stress and ensure that you get adequate sleep in order to keep your skin healthy and wrinkle-free.

Besides these general measures, following a few simple skin care tips can solve the problem to a certain extent. Apply egg white over your face and neck and let it dry for 10-15 minutes before washing it away with water. This helps tighten the skin and gives it a smoother, unblemished appearance. It is also useful to mix the contents of a couple of vitamin E capsules with two teaspoons of yogurt and half a teaspoon each of honey and lime juice and apply this on the skin. Wash your skin with water after 10 minutes. This leaves your skin feeling soft and smooth.

Another effective remedy for wrinkles is to mix a teaspoon of turmeric powder with some sugarcane juice and apply this mixture on the skin. You should also rub your face gently with the core of a raw pineapple for 5-10 minutes every day in order to make fine lines on your skin disappear. Every night before going to bed, massage your skin with a small amount of odorless castor oil. This will gradually make wrinkles less prominent. Alternatively, you may also apply coconut oil on your skin to make it smoother and firmer. You may also try consuming a teaspoon of flax seed oil twice a day to prevent the appearance of wrinkles. Another effective home remedy for wrinkles is to mix two teaspoons of honey, one teaspoon of fennel seeds and two tablespoons of vodka and let the mixture settle for a couple of days, and then strain the clear liquid and use it as a skin toner.

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Shingles Remedies - Causes and Home Remedies for Shingles

Monday, September 7th, 2009

Causes of Shingles

Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is a viral infection of the nerves caused by varicella zoster, the same virus that causes chicken pox. The first symptom of shingles is a sharp, burning pain along a nerve, which is followed by the appearance of red blisters on the surface of the skin a few days later. These rashes mostly appear on the midriff and may spread to one side of the chest. The skin around the rashes turns tender and sometimes even numb, but mostly it hurts badly. Occasionally the blisters spread to the limbs and the head too. In about a week, they burst on their own and get healed eventually, but the pain may persist for several weeks more. This happens because the virus that causes chicken pox is not completely eliminated from the body and may remain dormant for several years before attacking the system again when its natural immunity is weakened. Elderly people and chronically ill patients are susceptible to shingles.

Shingles Home Remedies

There are a few home remedies that you may find useful in relieving the symptoms of shingles. One of the most effective ways of reducing the pain caused by shingles is to grind two aspirin tablets to powder, mix this with two tablespoons of chloroform and apply this paste over the affected area. This acts as a local anesthetic and relieves the pain for several hours. In order to get rid of the burning sensation, you may also apply cold packs on the skin at regular intervals. Wrap up a few ice cubes in a soft towel and press this gently against the affected area for 10 minutes to soothe the skin naturally. A solution of baking powder and water may also be applied for similar results.

Alternatively, mix one part of apple cider vinegar with four parts of water, soak a piece of cotton cloth in this solution and dab the affected area with it in gentle upward motions. It is also useful to apply some hydrogen peroxide on the blisters twice o thrice every day in order to prevent them from getting infected. Before going to bed, you may also gently massage the skin around the blisters with vitamin E oil to relieve itching. If you apply a mixture of zinc oxide and yogurt on the skin along the affected nerve, chances of the appearance of painful blisters are reduced. You should also drink one cup of the juice of pear every morning, as it contains caffeic acid which acts as a natural antiviral agent.

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