Archive for March, 2010

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Cuts From Shaving: Tips to Help You Heal Razor Nicks

Friday, March 26th, 2010

How to Stop the Bleeding

Cutting yourself, while shaving, especially when you are in a hurry, is very common and almost everyone has suffered from this at some time or the other. Even one minor cut or nick could draw blood and leave a permanent scar. In case you do cut yourself while shaving, it is very important to first stop the blood, for which, you can try the following:

  • Ice: Applying ice cubes on any cut stops the bleeding immediately, as their coldness constricts the blood vessels. This enables them to form a clot, because the flow of blood slows down.
  • Pressure: Apply some pressure on the cut for about ten to fifteen minutes, using a clean piece of cloth, some tissue paper or a piece of gauze.
  • Petroleum jelly: Applying a dab petroleum jelly, or using some of your chap-stick could stem the flow of blood, as these ointments seal the cuts and nicks, by allowing a blood clot to form.
  • Deodorant: Most deodorants either contain aluminum chloride, or its derivative. This substance acts like a hemostatic agent. It allows a blood clot to form immediately. You can apply some deodorant to your fingertips or on to a Q-tip and then rub it onto the cut.
  • Cleansing: It is very important to clean the cut properly. You can use a mild soap and water or you could use an antiseptic, such as iodine or hydrogen peroxide.
  • Astringents: Applying an astringent on cuts can sting a bit, but it also helps the healing process. Astringents like witch hazel, have a cooling effect. They constrict the blood vessels and reduce the bleeding, eventually allowing the blood to clot.
  • Bandages: It is advisable to cover the wound with a bandage, to avoid any contact with dirt, germs or bacteria.

There are also several simple tips to help you speed up the healing process of a shaving cut. Use a non-perfumed moisturizer to prevent the formation of a scab. This will reduce the chances of the skin scarring. Use some antibiotic ointments that can kill the harmful bacteria which cause an infection. These ointments not only prevent infections, but also promote healing, by keeping the skin moist. Apply some petroleum jelly on the cut, to prevent it from forming a thick and hard scab. Minor cuts appear harmless and usually are not a cause for concern. However, in case the bleeding does not reduce even after applying pressure on the cut for about fifteen minutes or so, you may need to contact your doctor. In case the cut gets inflamed or becomes red, it could be a sign of a serious infection and may require antibiotics.

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Naturl Cures for Poison Ivy | Treating Poison Ivy Rashes

Friday, March 26th, 2010

When a person’s skin comes in contact with poison ivy, they normally break out into a rash, because of the presence of “Urushiol” found in the plant. This rash, along with other symptoms of poison ivy (like blisters, red pimples, inflammation), can appear a few hours or even days after contact with the plant. Poison ivy usually effects areas like the face, legs, hands, or arms, but can spread to other parts of the body. Healing from this problem could take anywhere between a week or two. Calamine lotion is one of the most effective ways to soothe and cure poison ivy.

Home Remedies to Cure Poison Ivy

However, in case you do not have any at hand, you can try some of the following home remedies in order to alleviate your discomfort:

•    Aloe Vera: Applying liberal amount of Aloe Vera gel or juice on the affected areas, soothes the itch and dries up the poison ivy

•    Oatmeal: Boil some oatmeal, as you normally do and allow it to cool a bit, till it is no longer hot, but warm. Apply the warm oatmeal to the areas that have been affected. Apply the oatmeal mixture in such a way, that it forms a thick layer. As the mixture dries, it should harden. This treatment has been known to alleviate the discomfort to a large extent.

•    Baking Soda: This is another ingredient often used to provide relief from the itchiness caused by poison ivy. Make a thick paste using baking soda (3 tablespoons) and water (1 teaspoon) and apply it to the rash. Leave it on, till it dries. You could also try a “baking soda bath”, which is very soothing.

•    Banana Peel: Using the inner part of a banana peel has been known to bring instant relief, when rubbed on a rash caused by poison ivy.

•    Vinegar: Although its smell is not very pleasant, vinegar helps in curing poison ivy, as it seems to remove its poison. All you need to do is apply vinegar (preferably apple cider vinegar or distilled white vinegar) liberally on the blisters or rash.

Apart from the above home remedies, you could also try some of these natural remedies, which have been known to help in healing poison ivy:

  • Jewelweed leaves or juice
  • Honeysuckle leaves
  • Goldenseal root powder
  • Tea tree oil
  • Fiddlehead ferns
  • Wild peach tea
  • Rhubarb
  • Manzanita leaf tea
  • Sweet fern

In case you notice an unusually high amount of swelling or rapid redness, please contact your doctor immediately, as these two symptoms could occur because of a severe allergic reaction.

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How to Remove Dead Skin from Face through Home Remedies

Friday, March 26th, 2010

Everyone wants to have soft, glowing and smooth skin. Unfortunately, the presence of dry skin, or even worse, dead skin, can make that impossible. Dead skin is a lot worse than dry skin and is not easy to get rid of. The removal of dead skin could take weeks and at times, even months. Dead skin cells occupy the topmost layer of your skin. This prevents the emergence of fresh skin cells. Dead skin can also block the supply of nutrients, required by fresh skin cells. Though it may take a while for you to remove dead skin, the good news is that there are many simple, yet effective home remedies to help you.

Homemade face scrubs:

You can make a face scrub at home, by mixing lemon, baking soda, finely-ground sugar granules and honey.  First, you need to wash your face with water and dry it. Then apply the scrub on your face, with your fingertips. Starting at the forehead, apply the scrub to other parts of your face, moving your fingertips in a circular motion. In order to avoid any damage to your skin, please ensure that you do not rub the skin too hard. Alternate between firm and gentle massage strokes to maximize the effect of your scrub. Wash your face and pat it dry after about 2 minutes. Using this or any other good face scrub will not only remove dead skin and its cells, it will also visibly reduce your wrinkles, fine lines and scars.

Fruit peels:

A peel made from fruits like pineapples and papayas contain substances called bromelain and papain that are very effective when dealing with dead skin. These substances are “proteases”, which expedite the riddance of dead skin cells.

To make this peel, you will need -

  • Papaya      -  1 cup
  • Pineapple -  1 cup
  • Honey       -  2 tablespoons

Puree the fruits in a blender & add honey, to make your fruit peel.

Wash your face and then apply the peel to your face, making sure that you avoid applying it too close to your eyes. For the first time that you use this peel, leave it on for only a minute or so. After that, you can leave it on, for about five minutes. Then wash your face thoroughly, with cool water and pat it dry. Apply a moisturizer after the process.

Apart from the above mentioned alternatives, you could also try -

  • Exfoliating your skin, using a face wash and a sponge.
  • Using a cleanser made from applesauce.

Eczema or psoriasis may be the root cause of this problem and so you should consult your dermatologist if you do not see any improvement in your skin.

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Combination Skin Care - How to Care for Combination Skin

Friday, March 26th, 2010

Combination Skin

The skin on your face may have varying degrees of oiliness, dryness and sensitivity. Usually the T zone may have one skin type which is in opposition to the cheeks. In other words, the T zone can have oily skin, while the cheeks remain dry or sensitive and vice versa. For predominantly oily combination skin, it is important to cleanse and moisturize the skin thoroughly. Take care to not use a product that strips the skin of its oils completely as this will only cause it to produce more oil. Hence the moisturization to make sure that your skin is not dehydrated. Before going to bed each day, take off your makeup completely, cleanse and moisturize the face. If the makeup is not cleaned up, it may, along with the dirt and grime, clog up the pores in your face. This can cause an irritation and inflammation of the skin that can lead to a formation of pimples.

Cleansers for Combination Skin

Honey is one of the best cleansers for combination skin as it has a soothing and healing effect and can moisturize the dry areas in your combination skin. Its antioxidant properties help leech the toxins out of the skin and its antiseptic properties prevent the formation of acne. Honey reduces the levels of bacterial attack on the skin by acting on the oily regions of combination skin. Avoid astringent toners for the skin as they can be very harsh for combination skin and you may instead use rosewater or a solution of cucumber and distilled water after the cleansing process.

The toner is an excellent means of removing the residue of the cleanser from the skin and it aids in spreading the excess oil in one area to the dry parts in other areas of your face. After the use of the toner, the skin has to be moisturized and glycerine can be used if mixed with distilled water in a ratio of 1:4. Massage it into the skin gently with your finger tips and spread it across evenly. If it starts getting colder, add a drop of lavender or almond oil to the mixture and massage onto your face. You may have to try different kinds of oils before you discover which one suits your skin best.

You may also have to use a scrub to exfoliate your skin in order to get rid of blackheads and whiteheads that clog up the pores. The scrub can be used once or twice a week and remember to drink plenty of water to keep your skin healthy and hydrated.

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Teen Skin Care Tips - How to Care for Teenage Skin

Friday, March 26th, 2010

Skin care should ideally begin in one’s teenage years and will prove to be helpful in the long run. The most important step in skin care involves protecting it from the harmful ultra violet rays of the sun. Hence it is essential to use a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 on all exposed pats of your body. The sunscreen should ideally be applied half an hour before stepping out into the sun and you may in addition, use an umbrella or a wide brimmed hat. Wear loose clothes that cover most of your body as they will provide some protection from the sun.

Skin Care Tips for Teens

In order to begin a skin care regimen, you must first identify the kind of skin you have, whether dry, oily or combination skin.Choosing moisturizers and cleansers will depend upon the type of skin each person possesses. Teenage skin is prone to pimples and acne as the hormones begin to act up.

  • Wash your face with a mild cleanser and warm water twice a day and dab at it keeping it dry.
  • Be careful to not pop your pimples as it can scar and the fluid within is likely to spread to other areas of the face causing further pimples.
  • Always use good quality makeup and throw them out once the expiry date is over and if they begin to look or smell different.
  • Remember to clean all your makeup, especially around the eyes and lips before going to bed.
  • Unwashed makeup can clog the pores in the face and damage it if the practise is continued for a long period of time.
  • Wash your hands thoroughly before touching your face in order to apply moisturizer or makeup and try not to touch it too often, this is because bacteria from the hands can affect the face by causing the pores to get inflamed and irritated.
  • All makeup sponges and brushes must be replaced often as well.
  • If you are prone to acne attacks on other parts of the body apart from the face, it would be best to wear loose fitting clothes which allow the skin to breathe.
  • Your scalp must be clean at all times and you must wash your hair to get rid of the dirt, grime and dandruff that can clog the pores on the face.
  • Eating a healthy balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables will help nourish the skin and it is essential to cut down on greasy and oily junk food to maintain healthy and glowing skin.

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Red Skin Blotches - How to Get Rid of Red Blotches on Skin

Friday, March 26th, 2010

Red Skin Blotches

Red skin blotches may be caused by an allergic reaction to some kind of food, medicine, clothing or plant. Another possible condition is rosacea which is known to affect fair skinned people in particular. The redness may be accompanied by burning and stinging and the skin can break out into pimple-like boils. While the cause of this condition is unknown, researchers believe that the cause of the redness and stinging could be excessive exposure to sunlight, biting cold wind, sudden fluctuations in temperature and over consumption of coffee, spicy food and alcohol. Apply a cold compress to the face to reduce the stinging and burning to some extent. If the blotches are caused by over exposure to sunlight and its harmful UV rays, you may wish to consult your dermatologist at the earliest to assess the extent of cell damage under the skin.

Tips - Home Remedies to Reduce Blotches on Skin

  • Take care to use a sunscreen lotion that has an SPF above 30 on all the exposed areas of your skin.
  • Wear clothing that covers most of your body for protection against the sun, although this may be uncomfortable during the summer months.
  • A sunscreen is necessary even when inside the house as the sun’s rays can come in through your windows.
  • Use an umbrella or a wide brimmed hat when out in the sun and drink about 5-6 liters of water every day to keep your skin hydrated as this will help cleanse your system and aid in the repair of damaged cells.
  • Take a little turmeric powder, about half a teaspoon and mix it with a little warm water. Consume the mixture twice a day until the problem subsides.
  • For an effective topical application, mix half a teaspoon of turmeric, a pinch of salt and some mustard oil to make a paste. Apply this paste on the blotches and wash it off in fifteen minutes. However, avoid this application in case your skin is broken as it might sting a bit.
  • Extract one tablespoon of juice from red ochre and mix it with a bit of honey. Consume this thrice a day to help reduce the blotches.
  • Avoid scrubbing your face or using harsh soaps.
  • Avoid steaming or going too close to the oven as the steam can cause the already dilated capillaries to burst.
  • Diet plays an important role in curing most skin conditions and a regular healthy and balanced diet will supplement any treatment you are undertaking for the red blotches. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables and avoid fast food and artificially flavored and caffeinated beverages.

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Reduce Puffiness - How to Get Rid of Puffy Eyes Naturally

Friday, March 26th, 2010

Eye puffiness can be caused by a diet heavy in salty food, chronic sinusitis and other allergies. There are also irritants and chemicals present in perfume, makeup and detergents which cause inflammation and affect the eyes. This combined with a computer driven work environment can cause the puffiness and redness. If you suffer chronically from puffy eyes, you will need to consult a physician to ascertain the cause. There are, however, a few remedies you may practice at home.

Home Remedies to Reduce Puffiness and Swelling

  • Wash your face and particularly your eyes with ice cold water.
  • Have a regular schedule especially when it comes to rest, relaxation, and sleep. Make sure that you get at least seven hours of sleep every night.
  • Drink about six liters of water every day as this will help to keep your body hydrated and help to flush your system. This will also help to reduce the puffiness around your eyes.
  • Take two tea bags and moisten them with water. Now refrigerate them till they are sufficiently chilled. Place the bags over your closed eyelids and allow them to cool the puffy inflamed region. Although rubbing your eyes when they are inflamed may provide temporary relief, in the long run this will only sereve to damage the delicate skin tissue around your eyes.
  • Slice a cucumber and a potato and blend a small slice of each in a blender.Once you get the pulp, mix it into a cup of basil tea and put it into your ice tray to get cubes of ice. Wrap a cube in a small piece of cotton and place this over your eyes. This remedy is well known for its immediate cooling effect as well as for its curative properties.
  • A simpler remedy would involve slicing the cucumber and potato and placing a slice each on your closed eyelids.
  • Alternate with cucumber and potato and keep the slices in place till they are no longer cool. Take a round metal spoon with smoothened edges and refrigerate it. Apply the spoon onto the puffy region from time to time to reduce the swelling.
  • You could also beat the whites of an egg and then add a drop of witch hazel to this mixture. Use a brush to apply it evenly over your face and underneath your eyes. The witch hazel will also aid in reducing the swelling, while preventing the egg from drying up too fast. This remedy is known to make the skin feel tighter and reduce the puffiness. Remember to remove your contact lenses before going to bed as leaving them on can cause irritation and puffiness.

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Olive Skin Care Tips - Caring for Olive and Light Brown Skin

Friday, March 26th, 2010

Your skin care depends not only on the color of skin, but also on your skin type. The three main types of skin are oily, dry, and combination skin. People with olive or brown colored skin are at a higher risk of suffering from certain skin conditions. It is important for you to know about such risks so that you can take preventive measures if possible.

One’s skin tone sometimes becomes olive colored or brown after being exposed to direct sunlight for a prolonged period. This is because the harmful UV rays of the sun attacks the skin and in its attempt to protect itself, the skin produces excess melanin. This in turn darkens the skin and it may appear tanned and patchy in places.  People with this skin color are susceptible to hyper pigmentation and this occurs when a cut, scrape or burn leaves a dark mark in the place of injury. Vitiligo, melasma, keloids and skin cancer due to prolonged exposure for years under the sun are other conditions that sometimes affect olive or brown skinned people. Some things that you must avoid while taking care of your skin involve moisturizing with thick, heavy oil, using skin lighteners that contain mercury as an ingredient, sunscreens with an oil base, bleaching creams and agents that use steroids. You should also avoid a high fatty diet that includes junk food and other aerated drinks, alcohol consumption, and smoking.

Tips to Reduce Dark Marks

  • Cleansing, moisturizing, and exfoliating your skin regularly is of paramount importance and it is essential to put on your sunscreen twenty minutes before stepping out of the house.
  • Use a sunscreen with an SPF about 30 and wear long sleeved clothing and a hat if possible to offer protection against the sun.
  • Drink about 8-10 glasses of water every day and make sure your diet is rich in green leafy vegetables, fruits, nuts, whole grains, dairy products like milk and cheese, lean meat, and both salt water and fresh water fish.
  • Massage soy milk as a moisturizer onto your skin as this is known to reduce dark marks and give your skin an even tone.
  • The hyper pigmentation caused by excess exposure to the sun is reduced as the lost moisture is replenished and the damaged cells are repaired to some extent. Crush pomegranate seeds and use the pulp as a gentle scrub for all the exposed areas of your skin. An uneven skin tone and dark marks can also be reduced by consistently following this remedy thrice a week for at least two months.

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What are the Causes of Petechiae and Treatments

Friday, March 26th, 2010

Petechiae in Children

Petechiae are small red or purple spots that appear on the body and are caused by a minor hemorrhage. The commonest cause of these Petechiae is the result of physical trauma like a particularly hard bout of vomiting, crying or coughing. This can result in what are known as facial petechiae which occur particularly around the eyes. Petechiae are in this instance totally harmless and usually tend to disappear in a few days. Petechiae can be a sign of low platelet counts or thrombocytopenia. This occurs when the platelet function gets inhibited. This is normally a side effect of medicines or caused by certain infections. They also tend to occur when pressure is applied in excess to any tissue like the case when a tourniquet is tied to an extremity. Some other malignancies can also be the cause of petechiae occurring. Dermatologists are the most adept specialists to treat these conditions as they can identify them easily and correctly and also differentiate between petechiae and some other similar looking rash. They can also be identified as vasculitis which is an inflammation of the blood vessels. This needs to be immediately treated to avoid any permanent damage occurring. The seriousness of petechiae in children and infants depends on the clinical context. Children suffering from viral infections tend to be more susceptible to petechiae. In this case it does not qualify as a serious illness. However there are illnesses like meningococcemia, certain causes of thrombocytopenia and leukemia that they are a signal of. Hence at no times can they be ignored.

Treatment for Petechiae

Treatment for petechiae is aimed at the underlying cause of the disease. Somebody who is suffering from petechiae that has been caused by an infection will accordingly be treated with antibiotics. If petechiae has been caused by an allergic reaction to a particular kind of medicine, then the obvious remedy is to stop administering or ingesting that drug or medicine. If petechia has occurred due to low platelet count then the treatment involves giving a transfusion of the blood factors or platelets. Patients who are suffering from cancer or leukemia may need to be treated with radiation therapy or chemotherapy. Petechia that has been caused by a particular injury does not need any treatment. At times application of an ice pack sporadically on and off during the course of the day can help reduce the petechiae. Eventually the petechiae will fade and disappear in time. Hence most petechiae will disappear once the cause of it appearance has been identified and subsequently treated.

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Natural Lipoma Treatment - How to Get Rid of Lipomas

Friday, March 26th, 2010

Lipomas are bumps or deposits of fatty tissue that accumulate beneath the skin. They tend to be soft and can be easily moved around with one’s finger. They are mostly harmless, unless the deposit forms over areas where it can hit a nerve or an area where the fatty tissue accumulation can be disfiguring.

Normal procedure includes the doctor doing a check to ensure that the bump is only a lipoma and not something serious like a tumor. Once the nature of the bump is clearly ascertained and it is established to be a lipoma then the removal of the fatty deposit can be discussed. There are various methods by which the deposits can be got rid of; including surgery, steroid injections, laser treatment and liposuction. These are done at various places like the doctors clinic, hospitals or even cosmetic parlors.

Home Remedies to Get Rid of Lipomas

However there are ways and means to get rid of these lipomas using home remedies too.

  • Some of the home remedies for treating and getting rid of lipomas are application of castor oil. Try applying castor oil to the lipomas topically. This can be done several times a day for best results.
  • Flaxseed oil is oil is known to be high in omega 3. Hence ingesting this oil can possibly help to dissolve the lipomas or at the minimum stifle the growth of the fatty tissues.
  • The juice from the lemon fruit is known to help in eliminating toxins from a person’s body. It also helps in stimulating the liver. Thus it may help the body to digest the fats and thus further reduce the quantum and size of those fatty tissues that have deposited beneath the skin.
  • Turmeric is known to have many beneficial properties. Many herbal experts suggest that making a mixture of turmeric powder and olive oil and applying it to the deposits of fatty tissues can help to soften these lipomas and thus reduce them.
  • Eating a healthy and well balanced diet is always beneficial to people and particularly in the case of people suffering from lipoma growths. People who have tried to maintain healthy diet have actually reported a decline in the size and shape of the deposits. Avoiding eating fatty foods, like meats and dairy and eating lots of green and leafy vegetables and fruits is very beneficial. Also avoiding white flour and white sugar is helpful in keeping these fatty tissues under control. Eliminating processed foods, artificial sweeteners and eating chemical and preservative free foods helps make for a better diet and healthy eating.

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