Posted by Reporter on Saturday
“Normal” balanced skin has a solid skin barrier that shields the skin cells, keeping allergens and irritating substances from the deeper skin layers. Unless sunburned, your skin rarely stings, reddens, or develops acne, allowing normal skin types to use most products without reacting. However, the irony is that many products may not be potent enough to penetrate the “thick” barrier and deliver results.
According to leading dermatologist Dr. Leslie Baumann, sensitive skin - which is reported by over 40 percent of people - has a weaker barrier, making it vulnerable to many kinds of skin reactions. While many products target sensitive skin, there are four very different subtypes of sensitive skin, so your treatments and products must address your unique subtype:
Acne subtype: Develops acne, blackheads, or whiteheads
Rosacea subtype: Develops recurring flushing, facial redness, and hot sensation
Stinging subtype: Develops stinging or burning of skin
Allergic subtype: Develops redness, itching, and flaking of skin
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All of these sensitive skin subtypes have one thing in common: inflammation. That’s why all the treatments for sensitive skin are designed to reduce inflammation and reduce its cause.
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Posted by Reporter on
Is there any natural treatment for eczema on the underarms?
Eczema is one of the most common of all chronic skin conditions. It causes your skin to dry out and crack and results in itchy patches of skin that may also be inflamed with blisters. Eczema skin disorder on the under arms can be treated at home however, and there are plenty of natural home remedies that are completely safe and effective.
The key to controlling and preventing eczema outbreaks is through following home remedies in combination with diet and lifestyle changes.
• The most important factor that you need to keep in mind is that eczema outbreaks are often triggered by certain foods, deficiencies, cosmetics or environmental conditions. It is important that you avoid or restrict exposure to such triggers. Fragrant soaps, lotions with alcohol and perfumes, excessively dry air, itchy woolen clothing, dust mites, mildew, mold, pollen, dander, latex, certain jewelry and tobacco smoke are some of the most common triggers. In addition certain foods and nutrient deficiencies as well can trigger outbreaks.
• Since you already suffer from eczema it is important that you don’t spend too much time in an excessively dry environment, like artificially heated rooms. If indoors only keep the heating to the minimum required and use a humidifier in the room.
• Bathe regularly, but not excessively, and use lukewarm water instead of hot or cold water.
• Avoid using harsh soaps as they aggravate the skin and also cause further dryness. Try to use natural and un-perfumed soaps. Soaps with a high glycerin content are also recommended.
• Oatmeal is useful for eczema treatment both as an alternative to soap and also for baths. Have an oatmeal bath, with oatmeal powder added to your bath water before a soak.
• Topical ointments and creams containing cortisone are also very useful and help to alleviate the inflammation and itching associated with eczema.
• Avoid wearing tight and restrictive clothing. Cotton is a much better option.
• Nutmeg can be used as an effective eczema remedy. Make a paste of nutmeg with water and apply it to the affected skin two or three times a day. This remedy is useful for a number of similar skin conditions.
• Mango is not just valued as a fruit delicacy, but it also has curative properties. Peel the skin off a mango and put the pulp in water to boil. After it cools apply the paste over the skin that is affected. Keep this up for at least two weeks.
• As with all other skin conditions restrict your intake of any processed or refined foods and junk foods. Smoking should also be avoided.
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Posted by Reporter on
I was stung by bee on my finger. I removed the stinger but my finger does not stop swelling and is very painful. What should I do? I have tried putting an ice pack and tooth paste.
Being stung by a bee on the finger can at times be more than just annoying and exceedingly painful. They rarely cause severe problems and can be treated safely and effectively at home. In rare cases of an allergic reaction to the venom prompt medical attention is needed as it can be fatal. There are wide variety of natural treatments and home remedies for getting stung by bee. Not all of these remedies have a sound basis to them and are therefore not always effective. Some of them have however been proved to be valuable treatments and are extremely effective. Here are some of the home remedies and treatments that have been found to be extremely effective when stung by a bee.
• Some of the commonly used household ingredients for bee sting remedies include vinegar, meat tenderizer, and baking soda. Make a paste with these ingredients and apply it onto the area that has been stung. The mixture will fizz and foam due to the interaction of vinegar and baking soda. The symptoms will gradually begin to subside. Meat tenderizer contains papain. Papain is an enzyme that is also found in papaya and it is believed to break down or nullify the toxins present in the venom of bees and certain other insects.
• Calamine lotions that are available over the counter are also an effective remedy and provide instant relief from the symptoms.
• Toothpastes are another remedy that are very effective. Since you have already tried this out I would suspect that you may have a mild allergy and would require medical treatment. In most cases toothpaste works quite well, as the alkaline levels of the toothpaste neutralize the acidity of the bee’s venom. The symptoms should normally subside within fifteen to twenty minutes.
• Avoid scratching at the inflamed skin as it can rupture easily leaving the skin even more susceptible to infection.
• A cold compress or crushed ice wrapped in clean soft cloth should also help. Keep it applied against the inflamed skin with gentle pressure. Within twenty minutes the symptoms should subside as the cold constricts vessels, restricting the flow of venom.
• Since you have already tried ice and toothpaste there is another option that can be tried if unable to receive medical aid. Position the arm or leg or other body part at an elevation. Due to gravitational forces the fluids will leave the area and this will result in reduced swelling and the associated soreness.
• Soak yourself in a tub with powdered oatmeal added to the bath water. This will also provide relief from the inflammation.
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Posted by Reporter on
How to grow hair naturally at home?
Hair growth is largely determined by heredity and genetics and therefore can not be changed or speeded up. Hair growth can however be enhanced by proper hair care that promotes and stimulates hair growth and minimizes hair loss. This will help to improve the quality of your hair and the volume as well.
Your hair growth can be maximized to its full potential if your scalp is healthy and free of any chemical residues and bacteria. In addition to a healthy scalp it is important that your environment is clean and stable, your diet is healthy and you are free of stress. All of these factors are important to ensure healthy tissue and blood vessels, which in turn ensure better hair growth. Here are some hair care tips to grow your hair naturally at home.
• Although it is important that you keep your hair and scalp clean, do not go overboard with the washing and particularly with shampooing and conditioning. Limit your use of shampoos and conditioners to a weekly or bi weekly affair.
• Avoid using harsh cosmetic products on your hair like hair sprays and gels. Try to use natural products even when considering shampoos and conditioners. It is also important that you use products meant specifically for your hair type.
• Never wash your hair with hard water.
• Avoid brushing your hair when it is wet.
• Do not use a hair dryer as this can result in severe damage to your hair.
• Instead of rubbing your hair dry with a towel squeeze it dry.
• If you suffer from a dry hair condition then never comb it when excessively dry.
• Massage your scalp and comb your hair regularly. This will not only improve blood circulation and promote oil secretion in the scalp, but will also minimize the formation of knots.
• If you do have knots and split ends consider trimming your hair.
• Drink a lot of water and eat a well balanced diet to ensure that your hair and scalp receive their nutritional requirements.
• When travelling in particular, try to wear your hair in hairstyles that offer the best possible protection against breakage.
In addition to the above mentioned hair care practices here are some natural remedies that you can follow.
Coconut oil is one of the best natural remedies for your hair. It meets almost all your hair needs, providing it with nourishment, healing the structure of hair that is damaged and protecting it from ultraviolet radiation. Apply some oil to your hair and scalp and massage it in gently. Do this as regularly as possible.
Lavender oil also has healing properties and several health benefits for your hair. It is particularly useful against hair loss.
Aromatherapy and steam treatment are also very effective and can significantly improve your hair growth cycle.
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Posted by Reporter on
The nail on my big toe has always been flat but within the last year it seems to be squeezing together, causing a great deal of pain. Is this a fungus (the nail appears to be thicker, although no discolouration) or have I developed an ingrown toenail?
The problem you have described could be indicative of either of the ailments you suspect you are suffering from. In order to get an accurate and precise diagnosis, it is absolutely essential that you show your foot to a doctor. If you can find one, a podiatrist is an excellent person to visit. This kind of doctor will be able to accurately diagnose your condition and will also be able to recommend proper treatments. However, if you cannot find a podiatrist, you can also go to your regular family physician. This will be just as good. Chances are that if you are also troubled with a great deal of pain, it is more likely that you are either suffering from an ingrown toenail or are facing the tough problem of gout. Gout is what typically occurs when the bone of your great toe sticks out a lot and causes pain in all the area. Generally, gout does not really affect your nail too much, but in some cases, you can always expect it to. If you are suffering from toenail fungus, the ways to get rid of it are fairly simple and effective. You can soak your feet in hot water to which a bit of salt has been added for about 10 minutes. Dry off, rinse with plain water, and then apply a generous helping of tea tree oil to your feet. It works better if you do this before bedtime as you can then allow the treatment to work overnight. Remember to wear thick socks so as to not soil your bedclothes. Tea tree oil has a very strong and not altogether pleasant smell. Using this remedy for a couple of days will take care of your fungal infection if this is what you are suffering from.
If it is an ingrown toenail, you would have to work differently. The first thing to do is to clip your nail as close to the skin as you can. It is always a good idea to keep your nails permanently short and clipped. This will help you the most in dealing with ingrown nails. The next thing you will have to make a rule is to stop wearing closed shoes altogether. Closed shoes are sometimes a leading cause of ingrown toenails. Wear open toed shoes and keep away from nail enamel. Polish of any kind will not allow fresh air circulation in your toenails. All these measures should help you out.
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Posted by Reporter on
Hi, I applied raw garlic on face & got skin burns which have turned into black/brown spots all over my face and on top I peeled off the skin unknowingly which turned into red / pink and looks horrible. Please suggest how I can get the normal skin back, thanks!
If you have developed the scars by peeling off scabs from burning, then there are as easy ways to get rid of them as there would be for any other type of scars. When you say that these are red or pink, it is assumed that they are of this color since they are quite old. Old burn scars have a tendency to be of this particular color. Methods to get rid of your scars would totally depend upon how old they are. Sometimes, the older a scar gets, the more difficult it is to remove it completely. Instead, it is easier to get them to lighten to a large extent. You should know this before you start trying out any method to get rid of the scars altogether. It is good to know your limitation before you begin. One of the things you should decide is that these are indeed scars, and not wounds or marks that are still paining. It is inadvisable to try and remove discoloration when the scar has not yet formed. Please note that this could also lead to further scarring. The first thing you can do is gently exfoliate your skin once a week. Make this a regular habit. This will always help to remove a layer of dead skin from the surface, which results in clean skin. Use any exfoliating agent available off the shelf. It is preferable that you use a natural hypoallergenic one, rather than just about any.
Once you have done this, you can make it a point to apply natural bleaching agents such as lime juice to your scars. Lime juice will help to heal them naturally. You can apply lime juice mixed with a bit of sandalwood powder. The sandalwood powder will negate any negative effects that the lime juice may have. You can also make it a point to massage your face with pure olive oil on a daily basis. It is best to do this before bath time. After a massage, you must also apply warm compresses to your face. This will ensure that the oil sets in deeply and well into your skin. Olive oil has excellent healing properties that will help top improve the general texture of your skin greatly. You can alternate this procedure with apply fresh, unsweetened and unflavored yogurt to your skin. This will condition your skin and will also help to even out the color of your skin to a very large extent.
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Posted by Reporter on
I am giving a MK skin care class to summer workshops for ballet and I was just wondering is there anything ballarinas should do over the everyday make-up wearer, I want to give them all the information they need.
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