Effective Strategies for Dealing with Diaper Rash

Diaper rash is a really annoying baby problem. It can get out of control easily, and can make your baby miserable. Luckily, it can be controlled with a little effort on your part. Following are some remedies that worked well with my children.

Some babies are just more prone to diaper rash than others, and if yours is prone, you'll really have to keep on top of the problem. The most important thing you can do is change your baby's diaper regularly. Diaper rash is caused by the skin being constantly exposed to wetness, so changing frequently can prevent the problem. Most of the diaper rash ointments on the market are designed simply to protect your baby's skin from wetness, so they are great at preventing diaper rash. If your baby is diaper rash prone, you might want to use an ointment at every changing as a preventative measure.

But, what if your baby already has a raging case of diaper rash? As I said, most of the products labeled as diaper rash ointments are best at preventing diaper rash, not healing it. There are a few concoctions that can help cure a bad case of diaper rash.

The first is Maalox - yes Maalox. Put some liquid Maalox on a cotton ball and apply to baby's sore bottom. Let it dry a bit before diapering. For obvious reasons, don't buy the mint flavor, and don't use this bottle of Maalox for anything but treating diaper rash.

A second helpful treatment for diaper rash is an oatmeal bath. There are some good oatmeal bath products on the market, even some designed especially for baby. These work wonders on diaper rash. Usually one or two baths is all it takes.

Finally, I had great luck when I mixed diaper rash ointment with a little bit of hydrocortisone cream. About 3 parts diaper rash ointment to one part hydrocortisone. One caution here- check with your doctor before you try this one, since hydrocortisone cream is normally not recommended for use on children under the age of two years.

If these remedies don't work, check with your pediatrician. There may be some prescription products for extreme cases. But, the most important measure to take for diaper rash seems to be persistence. Keeping on top of the problem is your best bet for keeping the rash at bay.

My First Honey Water Fast - The Wins and Woes

For six years after giving birth to two daughters, I was putting on a presumably insignificant kilo every year, until I scaled a weighty 66kg and realized that my wardrobe was changing far too fast and that standing at 1.66m with a protruding tummy was not at all flattering in any kind of outfit. Other than blaming it on my slow metabolism rate and a natural love for food, I discovered that there was surely more I could do - going on a diet. However, that was equally daunting. I was not ready to keep up with special diet plans and ensure the preparation work for making special foods for each meal. Then, one day, incidentally while browsing in the library, I stumbled upon a Chinese book with the title "Slimming with Honey" (as I would translate it in the best possible way into English) written by a Taiwanese expert in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Being a honey enthusiast, I was naturally spurred to flip the pages to ascertain its usefulness. And when I read that the author lost 2kg and improved her skin complexion significantly in just three days by going a body detoxification program with honey and water as the only source of sustenance, I immediately checked the book out of the library.

Yes, I went on my very first 3-day fast, losing 3kg as a result. My tummy was reduced, my thighs didn't seem to rub against each other so much anymore when I walk, and I felt lighter, and could even fit into some of my old clothing. The beauty of this 3-day fast is its simplicity - no complicated diet plans to follow from Monday to Sunday, no fat-burning pills to pop, and no creams or ointment to rub on the tummy regularly. What it requires only are the available of pure honey, a resolution to fast for three days and a correct attitude when breaking fast. Knowing how nutritious honey is helps in bracing me up for the program. I was convinced that this natural sweetener containing a myriad of small doses of nutrients and vitamins and a horde of antioxidants, is a wise choice of food during a fast. But what probably also inspired me a great deal is the well-known proposition that our organs occasionally deserve a good break after working so hard non-stop since the day we were born and allowed ourselves to indulge in the immensity of so-called good foods. Moreover fasting isn't a rocket science; for thousands of years, almost all cultures have used it to help clear the body of toxins, give our digestive organs the opportunity to rejuvenate and restore optimum function.

This Honey Water Fast Simply Involves the Following:

For 3 days, take only honey with water or tea. For each 150cc of water, mix with 1 to 2 tablespoons of pure honey. Drink this for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and whenever you feel tired or thirsty. Keep yourself hydrated the whole day but limit total consumption of honey to 150cc each day.

Day One:

The temptation for food and to break fast and start all over again was very real for me. I constantly felt hunger pangs and my mind just kept slipping into images of my favorite foods. However, reminding myself of what the book shared - "one should get used to it on the 2nd day" gave me great consolation and courage to stay on. Focusing on my work in the office nonetheless was a big challenge when every nerve and cell in me was screaming for food.

Day Two:

As per what was described in the book, I experienced more energy instead of weakness, and my bowel movement was smooth, but sort of explosive. However, what was disappointing to me was - there was no euphoria high as I continued to fast and my yearning for food did not seem to get any lesser. I somehow didn't get used to hunger like how the book has described and all I wanted to do when I got back home from work was to sleep and forget about all the ill-feelings.

Day Three:

I was a bit surprised by my energy level in the morning and happy that I could still keep up with my usual 30-minute workout at 6.30am. And thankfully, my gastric did not give me any problems like in the past whenever I skipped meals. However, by noon, I was feeling famished again and by 5pm I was actually getting frustrated and moody about the depravity of food. And one strange phenomenon that was really not funny - I became extremely sensitive to odors and even the smell of people's breath! To brighten up things a bit on my last day of fasting, I expanded the range of tea varieties that I use to chamomile, rose, and fruit, and also increase the floral varieties of honey to clover, leatherwood, and manuka. By evening, when I stepped unto my bathroom scale, I had already lost an unbelievable 3kg and a big bulk of my tummy.

Day Four:

To break fast, I followed the author's advice of going on a soft diet and abstaining from meat, diary products, and oily and spicy stuff for the first two days. My breakfast consisted of a small bowl of oat cereal mixed with honey, but to my surprise, I didn't feel excited at all when I tasted food again. In the afternoon, I was hungry and eager to go for some nice soft food but at the same time also felt somewhat revolting. Eating seemed to be a brand new experience. Flavors and textures of foods had become so different for me that I actually could not appreciate their tastes like before. My appetite was so bad that it was almost like having dreadful symptoms of morning sickness. In the end, I ended eating only a slice of fresh papaya, half a bowl of plain congee, a cup of water melon juice for the whole day, and honey water for the whole day. It was when I felt such disappointment did I realize that breaking fast is even be harder than fasting. My breaking fast experience today was far from what the book has prepared me mentally for - do not lose control and overeat, do not jar the digestive system by gorging on meat and junk food.

Day Five:

The start of the day was not as depressing as the day before. I began to respond to food more positively and continued to take plain soft food. By evening, to my relief, my appetite was back to normal and that was when I did something stupid - I took a bottle of cold lemon juice to quench my thirst. And result? I ended the day with a big mess, whining like a baby, throwing up big time and feeling weak. What a memorable anti-climax to my fasting experience!

Day Six:

I slowly normalized my diet, but still avoiding too sweet, sour and spicy, or salty foods, so that my stomach could slowly get used to having different types of foods again.

12 Things I Learnt From This 3-day Honey Water Fast:

1. Take only pure honey. Raw honey which is the most nutritious form of honey of course is the best. Use it if it's available.

2. Make use of different honey varieties and assorted tea types to make the 3-day fast less dreadful.

3. Stay away from icy cold water, strongly caffeinated teas such as red tea, and oolong tea, alcohol and don't smoke.

4. Do not add to your tea and honey any lemon, which can be too hard and stimulating for the stomach. Take just water, and soothing honey and tea.

5. Following an amazing theory in the hibernation diet which I had previously read, I take a glass of warm honey drink before going to bed so as to fuel the liver, speed up fat-burning metabolism, and keep blood sugar levels balanced.

6. You could modify this three-day fast to two days or one day, or even one meal to suit your needs. For instance, on occasions when you feel you have overeaten, you might wish to detoxify the body for a day by replacing all foods with just honey drinks.

7. I wouldn't recommend this diet for young children, pregnant mothers, and people with a medical condition. If you are ill or recuperating from a sickness, postpone your fasting.

8. This detoxification program is so easy that I feel it could also be very suitable for men who are trying to lose weight but would not bother a bit to figure out how to prepare all the special meals, or have no time or energy to do so.

9. Whenever you are about to give up while fasting because you feel you could not withstand the hunger, tell yourself that it is really possible and you can make it. If others can do it, so can you. Always go back to your initial intention - what makes you want to do this. Picture yourself in the desired state of health, distract yourself with lots of things to do, and persevere.

10. Remember that fasting is not complete without proper breaking of the fast - which is just as important and can be even harder. Be mentally prepared to put up a fight when confronting food again because a slumbering digestive system is highly sensitive and needs time to get back to speed. Take fresh fruit and vegetables slowly and drink fresh fruit juices. Avoid cold and citrus stuff. Eat smaller meals, chew your food well, and eat according to hunger.

11. The longer the fast, the more time is needed for breaking the fast. Typically, a period of no less than one half the length of the fast is required for breaking the fast. A disciplined re-feeding process helps me to reinforce good dietary habits and I am now more conscious of what I eat.

12. Finally, it is erroneous thinking that you can eat all you want since you have deprived yourself for a while. We need to get this right: Fasting is not a cure for obesity or any sickness, it is a process that facilitates the body's own healing mechanism. Rightly conducted, it is a sure, quick, safe way to unload a toxic overload. Abstinence from food, followed by rational eating, has proven very effective in helping thousands to give up bad eating habits, re-establish health and strength.

Herbal Treatments for Blisters

A blister is a painful fluid filled pocket on the skin. They can be caused by shoes rubbing our feet, hoeing in the garden, spending a lot of time sweeping, touch a hot iron and so forth. They result from physical trauma to the skin -- from repeated rubbing or a minor burn. The body creates a cushion of fluid to protect the underlying tissue. The collected fluid and the raw skin that is underneath the blister contain specialized cells that limit the injury and begin the process of healing. This is why it is best to leave a blister intact so that the cells in the fluid can assist in the healing.

If possible it is best to try and prevent the development to blisters - although I am the fist to acknowledge that this is not always possible. I frequently get blisters when working in the garden or when wearing a new pair of shoes or shoes that I haven't had on for a while. However, if possible take measures to prevent the blister formation.

What you can do if you have developed a blister

o Clean the area by soaking it briefly in warm water. Pat the area dry.

o Do not break an intact area. If the blister has already broken do not remove the protective covering of skin.

o Apply a small amount of herbal salve to a bandage or soft gauze and gently cover the blister. The herbs mentioned below can be obtained as ointments, creams, salves or oils. They make a useful part of a herbal medicine kit.

The herbs that will promote the healing of the skin and fight infections include:

o comfrey,

o calendula,

o chamomile,

o lavender,

o St. John's wort.

o You can use lavender and tea tree essential oils on the blister. These essential oils need to be diluted by adding five times as much neutral vegetable oil - such as almond, sesame, vitamin E or avocado oil.

o Avoid causing further stress and physical injury to the area for several days.

o Repeat the cleaning and application of the herb cream and dressing two to three times per day until the blister is healed.

Herbal blister ointment

The following ointment is appropriate for use with blisters, minor cut, abrasions, minor burns and fungal skin infections.

½ ounce dried calendula blossoms

½ ounce dried comfrey root

2 cups almond, olive or other pure vegetable oil

½ cup finely chopped beeswax

10 drops lavender essential oil

10 drops tea tree oil

Combine the herbs and vegetable oils in a suitable pan and allow it to heat gently for 2 - 4 hours. You need to check it and stir it frequently to prevent it from burning. When the oil is yellow in color and has a 'herby' smell then it ready for straining - you can do this through a coffee filter or a piece of clean cloth. The result is an infused herbal oil.

To each cup of infused oil add ¼ cup of beeswax. Heat the oil and beeswax together over a very low heat until the beeswax is melted. Be careful not to allow it to boil or burn. The balm should be the consistency of an easily spreadable paste. To test this place a tablespoon of the mixture into the freezer until it cools. If it seems too thin add some more beeswax. If it is too thick add a little oil.

Remove the mixture from the heat and quickly ass the essential oils. Pour into clean glass containers and cover tightly. Cool to room temperature.

With appropriate care the blister should heal effectively in a couple of day and there shouldn't be any infection. However, if the blister is particularly deep or there is underlying bruising or if you have circulation problems or diabetes you would be wise to seek the assistance of a health professional.

Flaxseed - A Natural Wonder Treatment For Eczema

Up to 20 percent of the world's population has suffered from eczema at some point in their life. For some, it is a chronic condition that worsens with particular irritants in their diet or environment. For others, they are the lucky ones and grow out of eczema as the years go by. Eczema is a general term which describes a number of different skin conditions with the most common being atopic dermatitis. It appears as a dry, red and itchy type of rash over the body.

Typical Triggers that Cause Eczema Flare-ups

Eczema looks different from person to person and is also the reason why there are a number of factors that can cause flare-ups. Allergies to dust mites, pollen, meat or dairy products trigger eczema in some people while detergents, hot weather or even stress can be the cause. Colds and other illnesses caused by viruses can also be included in what sets off a bout of eczema.

Eczema is not age specific as babies and adults alike can develop this recurring irritating skin condition. However, many medical experts contend that those people who have a family history of skin conditions and allergies are twice as likely to develop eczema as someone who is not. Basically, the reason that eczema occurs is because it is an anomalous reaction to the body's immune system.

There is no cure for eczema but the preventative and treatment measures for it are boundless. Many of the preventative measures end up only lessening the severity of the eczema flare-up and these include: moisturizing often, reducing stress, avoiding skin irritants like new detergent or soap, reducing allergens such as pollen, dust mites and pet dander, avoid extreme temperature and humidity changes and even taking care to not sweat.

The Common Eczema Treatments With eczema, a huge number of medical treatments are in the form of some type of ointment or cream. 

Corticosteroids, cyclosporine A and a few new forms of ointments and creams under the calcineurin inhibitor family which work to regulate the body's immune response are among the many treatments today.

Perhaps one of the most successful treatments is flaxseed, a natural solution for many different health issues. Flaxseed is chockfull of essential fatty acids like Omega 6 and Omega 3 so important for many functions of the body. Flaxseed can be taken both internally and externally, depending on a particular person's preference. Some people enjoy the taste of flaxseed and will eat it as a snack or sprinkled on some other food. Others prefer to use the liquid form of flaxseed called flaxseed oil which can be ingested or applied topically.

If taken internally, flaxseed will take a little time to build up in the body before it can actually be helpful in the treatment of eczema. However, in the oil form, it can be directly applied to the skin which will soothe the itchy rash, moisturize it and eventually clear it up. Suppleness and elasticity slowly returns to eczema-prone skin after repeated treatment with flaxseed.

It is important to consult with a doctor before embarking on flaxseed as the treatment of choice for eczema. While it is natural and therefore should not be harmful, a doctor can best guide someone as to the dosage to take if ingesting versus spreading it on the body as a topical treatment. 

The great news is that doctors will likely not have a problem with flaxseed as a treatment for eczema because it has proven to be so beneficial in the treatment of a number of other health issues.

How to Remove Scars

Lots of people have scars. They may be caused by an accident or injury, or the result of surgical incisions. Either way, many people see their scars as a blemish that draws attention away from who they really are. But when it comes to removing scars, what options are available?

Chemical Peels

A chemical peel is a process that dissolves the outer layer of skin using strong chemicals. The skin underneath is smoother and healthier. It depends on what type of scarring you have as to what kind of chemical peel you would get. Most scars require deeper chemical peels. These need a longer recovery time, but the effects also last longer than shallow chemical peels.

Laser Skin Resurfacing

In this process, a laser is used to destroy skin cells that are scarred, and then your body naturally replaces them with new, healthy, beautiful skin cells. The process itself is quick, and requires about three months to recover. During that time, the skin needs to be protected with a bandage and ointment, and you need to avoid skin exposure.

Natural Remedies

For people who want a less invasive, more natural approach to scar removal, there are lotions, ointments, creams, and oils that may be able to help. The key is looking for the right ingredients to the product.

Vitamin E can be a good ingredient for scar removal. It's an antioxidant, so it destroys the free radicals in your skin that can prevent proper healing. It also encourages the production of collagen, which helps the elasticity of your skin. If your skin is producing enough collagen, it looks younger and smoother.

Onion extract is another natural remedy that may help. It's a popular ingredient found in scar gels. It has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that can help in the healing process. And like vitamin E, onion extract can help in the production of collagen in the skin.

Aloe vera is a common natural remedy for burns, and can be used to treat scars, as well. Its healing properties can help the skin create new, healthy skin cells, and reduce or eliminate the appearance of scars.

Finally, honey is a natural remedy that has been used for centuries as a medical ointment. Honey has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that help generate the growth of new, healthy skin tissue. Not only that, but local honey can help combat environmental allergies!

These are just a few of the options available to you in getting rid of scars. Ultimately, you need to decide what's best for you, and consult with a doctor about your particular scar and what would work. When it's over, though, your skin will be smooth, beautiful, and people will see who you really are!

Diaper Rash

A common, yet frustrating baby skin problem is diaper rash. Diaper rash is a skin irritation typically caused by irritants or excessive moisture in the diaper area. Diaper rash is especially common when baby starts eating solid foods, is teething, or is taking antibiotics.
A mild case of diaper rash involves a simple, red rash, while more serious cases can actually include blistering, bleeding and open sores. There are several steps you can take to avoid diaper rash or to treat a mild case:

~ Change baby frequently -- it is important to keep baby dry and clean. Cloth diapers need to be changed more frequently than disposables. Remove soiled diapers immediately.
~ Avoid using diaper wipes, especially those with heavy perfumes and alcohol. Instead, use lukewarm water and a washcloth to cleanse the diaper area. Pat dry or allow to air dry completely before putting another diaper on.
~ If using cloth diapers, wash in a mild detergent - again, without perfume or bleach. If using disposables, try changing brands for persistent rashes.
~ Apply a thin layer of diaper rash ointment or petroleum jelly on baby's dry bottom during diaper changes and after bath. If baby is particularly sensitive and prone to diaper rash, you may want to get into the habit of doing this at all diaper changes to prevent further outbreaks.
~ Allow baby to go diaperless whenever possible. The fresh air will keep baby's bottom dry and if he's recovering from a case of diaper rash, it will feel wonderful to his tender skin. Just a few minutes of fresh air can make a difference.
~ If the rash does not clear up within a few days, if there is bleeding, blisters or open sores, or the rash is primarily in the folds of baby's skin, contact your pediatrician. The rash may actually be a yeast infection, or may be serious enough to require preion medication to aid the healing process.
Few babies are fortunate enough to avoid this pesky condition altogether during their diaper days. However, by keeping baby's bottom clean, dry, and away from known irritants, you can lessen the chances and severity of an outbreak.

9 Great Tips to Cure Diaper Rash

Diaper rash varies from baby to baby, but here are some basic steps you could take. Please see a health professional if it looks really bad, with bleeding or anything really red, or something which just is not going away no matter what you do. Use your common sense and motherly intuition.

1. Allow baby to "air out" for as long as possible. Keep him in crib or bed fora while, or let him sleep with no diaper on, just diapers and bed pad underneath him and blanket over him for the night (weather permitting).

2. Lay baby on side or stomach to reduce pressure on buttocks.

3. Get outside in the sunshine and let his diaper area soak up a little sun (weather permitting).

4. Stop all lotions, creams, baby wipes, soaps, powders, detergents, or additives which you think could be making baby sore. Since so many things of this nature can cause a rash, it is all the more reason to keep what you put on baby in the way of chemicals to a minimum. It makes diagnosing a whole lot easier if you have less an array of variables to begin with!

5. Do use some soothing ointment. Old Desitin is one of the great ones. It usually clears up any minor rash by next morning. For those of you who may not like the cod liver oil in Desitin (though I believe that is precisely what is healing the skin) you might try a calendula cream or other gentle, herbal preparation.

6. Change a baby much more often during the course of a rash.

7. A white vinegar rinse (1/4 to 1/2 cup) in the rinse load, plus a little cider vinegar (1/4 cup) in the tub is supposed to help.

8. Change to wool or cloth diaper covers which are the most breathable, or go without any covers for awhile. Fitted Velcro diapers without covers on would work well in this situation. Baby will need to be monitored.

9. Keep happy and positive, and please see a health professional if all else fails!

10 Natural Ways to Treat Minor Burns

1. It sounds obvious but the most important thing is to remove the source of the burn. If there is clothing burning, remove it straight away. Things like hot toffee need to be washed off immediately.

2. Do not use butter or any of those other old wives remedies. Cold water is the only thing you should put onto a burn.

3. Run cold clean water over the burn to clean it and take out any heat. This may take twenty to thirty minutes. A doctor should check any burns to a baby or to an elderly person, immediately. For anyone else, small first or second- degree burns can be treated at home.

4. After cooling the burn with clean cold water the injury can be gently wrapped with a clean, dry cloth like a gauze pad.

5. Leave it for 24 hours. Let the healing begin without poking, prodding or peeking at the wound.

6. Every day clean the burn with plain soap and water. Remove any peeling skin gently, and then keep it covered, dry and clean.

7. Aloe Vera is a soothing treatment for burns. It eases the pain and speeds healing. Break off a stem and peel away the outer skin. The gel like flesh underneath can be rubbed gently onto the burn.

8. When the healing is underway, break open a capsule of vitamin E and gently rub into the burn. It helps the healing and prevents scarring.

9. You can use an antibiotic ointment if you choose. The wound and the area around it need to be kept perfectly clean. If you feel soap and water are not enough you can use an antibiotic ointment or a solution of Betadine or similar in the water.

10. Leave blisters alone. They are nature's band-aids. Do not pop them. If they pop on their own, keep the area underneath covered, as it is vulnerable to germs.

Do You Know the Types of Lupus?

Sometimes, a lupus flare-up comes suddenly and without warning. You may see a butterfly rash over the bridge of your nose and swelling, or you may experience headaches, dizziness, a fever and pain in various locations. According to the Lupus Foundation, there are some things that you can do to prevent a flare-up.

Always take your prescribed medication, never miss a doctor's appointment (even if you feel fine), avoid sulfonomide drugs (typically used to treat bronchitis or urinary tract infections), decrease your exposure to sunlight and use sunscreen, get lots of rest and do not smoke. The good news is that 80-90% of the people with this condition can still live a normal life span, with treatment.

There are five types of lupus: systemic lupus erythematosus, which affects the joints and organs; discoid lupus, which affects the skin; sub-acute cutaneous lupus erythematosus, which is characterized by skin lesions; drug-induced lupus that develops after a drug reaction; and neonatal lupus that affects newborns. Lupus signs include: fatigue, fever, weight loss/gain, joint pain/stiffness/swelling, butterfly rashes on the cheeks, skin lesions that worsen with sunlight, mouth sores, fingers and toes that turn white or blue in the cold, shortness of breath, chest pain, dry eyes, easy bruising, anxiety, depression and/or memory loss.

The Lupus Foundation says there are no two cases of such a condition that are exactly alike. Signs may emerge gradually or come on suddenly, and can be mild or severe. Most people have "flare-ups" or episodes. To test for lupus, your doctor will ask you some questions, run a standard physical, take urine and blood samples and perform an electrocardiogram.

Discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) manifests itself as an inflammation, with rashes and scarring on the face, ears and scalp. The lesions may be inflamed, scaling or crusty in appearance, with the centers lighter and the rims darker. A small percentage of these patients have internal organ failure too, but usually symptoms are primarily skin-related.

Cortisone ointment or injections can be helpful in treating the flare-ups. Drugs like Plaquenil, Aralen, Imiquimod, Quinacrine, Accutane or Soriatane are sometimes prescribed but should be carefully monitored for side effects.

Dealing with this condition can be an emotional ordeal. Sometimes sufferers encounter depression, anxiety, fatigue and high levels of stress. Learn all you can about systemic lupus erythematosus to help yourself cope. Reading about new treatments and research being done can give you a sense of hope.

Be open with your family and friends about how you are feeling and let them know how they can help. Meditating, writing in a journal or simply making time for yourself through rituals or routines can make life more enjoyable as well. For sufferers of this condition, it's empowering to connect with others who are experiencing the same life events. You can check the Lupus Foundation or Arthritis Foundation websites for the nearest chapter.

Homemade Diaper Ointment

Your baby's skin is very soft, sensitive, and delicate. Their sensitive skin can be prone to rashes from chemicals in soaps, lotions, or baby wipes. A very common rash that most babies will get is diaper rash. Using a diaper ointment can prevent or soothe the irritation caused from a rash. Choosing the best diaper ointment to stop the rash is very important because creams with harsh chemicals could make the rash worse and cause more discomfort to your baby. Natural baby products are the best to use on your baby because the ingredients are completely organic; they don't have any chemicals or synthetic ingredients, and won't harm your baby or their skin.

You can make your own natural ointment at home and control the ingredients you want to use. If you don't have time to make your own ointment, you can always buy natural products that are guaranteed to be organic and chemical free. It can be a fun project to make homemade diaper rash cream, but if you don't have the time or can't find the ingredients you should always lean towards purchasing an organic baby product.

Most recipes from homemade diaper rash cream include some common ingredients such as almond oil, emu oil and kukui nut oil. Other ingredients you can use are: tea tree oil, water, jojoba oil, shea butter, avocado oil, or other types of oils depending on the recipe you want to follow. Making the ointment can be as easy as just combining the ingredients, while other recipes require that you heat the ingredients in a double boiler to combine. Some recipes are more time consuming and require that the ingredients sit in a sunny window for at least a week so that the ingredients can infuse together properly.

Using emu oil in homemade recipes is very common because of the healing powers the oil contains. It is used to cure anything from skin rashes to wrinkles to body pains. It is a moisturizing agent that is great for diaper rash and can be used for any type of dry skin. Emu oil is also used to treat acne, bruises, cuts, arthritis or other joint pain, scars, and wrinkles just to name a few.

Now that you know what is used in homemade ointments, you can look for these ingredients in natural products you want to buy for your baby if you don't have the time or ingredients to make your own ointments. Buying natural products for you and your baby is the best alternative to making homemade remedies.

Prescription Medication For Cold Sores

Anyone who has ever had a cold sore knows that they are painful and not very pretty to look at. This leads many to looking for the best possible treatment options available. Many times this is a prescription medication for cold sores.

A cold sore is an outbreak of the herpes simplex virus. At some point in a person's life, they have been exposed to an infected person and the virus got into their system through an abrasion or cut in the skin. Once there it stays for life many times remaining dormant for years until the conditions are right for an outbreak.

The first outbreak can be particularly difficult and this is why many people seek out prescription medication for cold sores instead of over the counter or home remedies. The most commonly used prescription treatment for cold sores is an antiviral topical ointment. Below we will look at a few of these.

- Penciclovir is an antiviral cream prescribed to treat cold sores

- Valtrax is a traditional treatment for shingles and genital herpes, however, it can be effective in treating simplex one viral outbreaks

- Acyclovir is also an antiviral used to treat a host of viral infections, genital herpes, shingles, cold sores and more. This antiviral can come in an oral treatment or in ointments of varying strengths.

These are the three most popular choices for treating herpes simplex 1 or the common cold sore. Recently there has been debate about which of these is a better treatment. The obvious answer is that is best determined by your health professional. Nevertheless, there were some head-to-head studies done between acyclovir and penciclovir and the results suggest that the latter is better.

All tests and studies also show that the sooner you begin any treatment the less time it will take to heal. Therefore, if you happen to be prone to frequent outbreaks it could be wise to keep a supply of your prescription medication for cold sores on hand, so that you may treat it immediately. The crucial time period is when the area first begins to tingle; this is a signal that a cold sore is imminent. Apply a topical antiviral as soon as you feel a cold sore coming on and you will greatly diminish its effect.

Finally, although treatment is necessary for the healing process it is also important to practice good hygiene right before and during an outbreak. This will prevent the spread of the virus to other people as well as other areas of your body.

Medications For Angular Cheilitis

There are so many reasons why anyone with Angular Cheilitis would want to have it healed as soon as possible. It is not because the disease is deadly. It is not because it is contagious. Most of all, it is not due to the fact that it is not curable.

Rather, it is because Angular Cheilitis causes too much pain even with little movements. It also gives discomfort to the one suffering from it, both physically and socially. When you have this disease, it is like being imprisoned because you would usually find yourself being avoided by other people.

But don't worry because there are cures for this disease.

- First, you can provide a solution to one of the visible signs of Angular Cheilitis- chapped lips. Apply a paraffin-based lip balm or ointment on the affected area.

- Second, you should go to your physician in order to get answers as to what drugs and other sort of medications should be taken to put your mouth's appearance back to normal. However, there are common OTC anti-fungal medications which can be availed in pharmacies that are in topical form. 

These anti-fungal drugs are:

1. Ketoconazole - This antifungal is sold at drug stores as Nizoral, Mycelex, and Monista. This works its healing process on the affected area by altering the cell wall of the fungus that keeps on attacking the body of the affected person. By doing so, the fungus will eventually be damaged and will disappear.

2. Nystatin - Its common brand names are Mycolog, Mycostatin, and Nilstat. The drug is an antibiotic that works on attacking the different infections brought about by various subclasses of fungi. Typical prescription would allow the patient to take this orally three to five times daily. It can be applied more frequently because it is not as strong and not as damaging to the bacteria as the other drugs are. This can be availed in tablet or liquid form.

3. Triazole - This can be bought as Fluconazole and Itraconazole. Itraconazole should be taken for a long period of time at a regular pace, even for as long as three months, until the laboratory results would show a negative on the fungus. Fluconazole can be in tablet or liquid form and should be taken once a day for several weeks.

4. Amophotericin B - This has brand names such as Adria, Fungizone, and Apothecon. It is a strong drug that can easily wipe off fungi. However, this should be used cautiously because this may worsen the condition instead.

The Health Benefits Of Peppermint As An Essential Oil

Peppermint, also known as Mentha piperita, brandy mint, or lamb mint, is a popular

herb that is used in the world of confectionery and alternative medicine. The plant,

which is native to some parts in Europe and Asia, grows well in moist and shady

places, and produces tiny, purple flowers that bloom from July to September.

Peppermint as an herbal medicine is known for a variety of uses. Its active component,

menthol, is responsible for its calming and soothing properties. Because of this, it

can be used as an aid against symptoms of common cold and dry cough, as well as

pharyngitis. When rubbed on the temples and forehead, its oil can help treat

headaches. It can soothe the skin that is infected with poison ivy and hives. 

An anxious person can benefit from it by making a tea out of it as it can reduce mild

anxiety. It may also help treat or cure toothaches, fever, and muscular pain.

It is used to promote good digestion and to treat stomach upset, irritable bowel

syndrome, menstrual cramps, diarrhea, flatulence, and nausea. Its antibacterial

properties can inhibit the growth of herpes and other viruses. Lastly, peppermint may

help treat gallstones.

But aside from being a herbal plant, peppermint is also known as a flavoring in

certain products like toothpaste, chewing gum, ice cream and teas. Peppermint is also

used as an ingredient when making shampoos and soaps, as it leaves a cooling effect on

the skin and scalp.

Peppermint can be taken in tea, capsule, ointment, or cream form. Its leaves and

flowers contain menthol, its active component, and are dried and steeped to make a tea

out of it. Peppermint tea can be consumed to aid in digestion or to treat stomach

upset. If you do not have the time to grow peppermint yourself, don't worry;

peppermint tea is commercially available and can be bought in the market.

Like all other herbal plants, precautionary care must be exercised when taking or

using peppermint in any form due to the side effects that it might cause. To people

with GERD, you must be wary about using or taking peppermint as it can trigger your

condition by relaxing the sphincter. Ask your doctor for further advice. The same

thing goes to people with gallbladder and liver problems. Other side effects include

allergies, mouth swelling, hives, skin rashes, muscle tremors, and ulcerations.

To pregnant mothers, consult your doctor to know if taking peppermint will cause harm to

your unborn baby. When taking herbal supplements, it is very important to ask for a

healthcare professional's advice because they are not closely evaluated and monitored

by the FAD. Some other ingredients may have been used which may interact with the

other drugs you are taking, and may cause harm and little-known side effects.

Home Treatment For Ringworm

Treating ringworm is not a big problem that you must consider. Yes, you can treat it at home and you don't need the dermatologist to get your skin back to its vitality. It is a big thing that you can use products that are out in the market to bring the best of your treatment. These treatments can give you the best and essential vitality that you truly need for the best.

You may buy any anti fungal ointment in the market. The ointment must contain miconazole and clotrimazole. These two essential chemicals can greatly help to solve the problem of fungal infection. It is also important for you to use the important mechanisms in various skin vitamins to enliven the vitality of the skin.

Steps in Home Treating Ringworm Infection:

1. Wash the infected area with soap. You need to thoroughly clean the infected area with a hot water compress. Cleaning the damaged area will get the germ accumulated in the skin making it easier for you to apply the ointment.

2. Apply. As you apply the ointment, you start from the edge of the infection. It will isolate the infection and it is a big thing that you make use of the best ointment to put the infection at a stop.

3. Continue. Ringworm treatment does not end after the rashes are gone. It is important to continue the medication after two or four weeks to really kill the germs within the lesion. It is a big thing to have the ointment applied every now and then for quite a month.

Treating ringworm needs your optimum discipline. It is important to make a big effort on treating the infection while the damage is not yet too big. It is easier to cure the infection if the problem is not yet too big.

Natural Solution For Severe Eczema

People who have severe eczema or close friends suffering from this disease can encounter a substantial difficulty in attempting to live their normal lifestyle. There are assorted types of treatments for this infection which are advertised here and there, but only a small percentage of them has shown to be really effectual. Though it is suggested that all persons experiencing severe eczema should see a medical practitioner to recommend a form of remedy, irrespective of this you can find over the counter products which are accessible to alleviate the signs associated with this infection.

If you have doubts about attempting solutions apart from the ones suggested by a medical practitioner, you can as well speak to him or her prior to utilizing the available treatment options. I have talked about the solutions for eczema which are neglected by a lot of persons for the treatment of eczema. It is referred to as vitamin E ointment.

Tocopherol ointment has been utilized by medical practitioners for many years for the purpose of fixing a lot of conditions. Some of them are cicatrices of several forms and the rest of other skin infections. It can be the super ultimate product for persons suffering from severe eczema. This is due to the wonderful qualities which it has, like shielding and improvement of the outer and inner skin. Due to the fact that this product is capable of eradicating skin irritation, it makes having eczema an endurable experience. In addition, Vitamin E cream can aid to maintain your skin from needing to contend with other problems which can be caused by sunshine. I suggest you make use of an ointment with natural Vitamin E among its ingredients.

Just as the way other treatments functions, you need to exercise patient as you make use of Vitamin E cream. A lot of persons get good outcomes while the rest of others may need some few weeks with no sign of results. If you keep on following the right path, you will finally discover improvement in your skin soon. If what you really want is to get rid of your eczema and not only getting rid of its symptoms, then you should attempt a 100% natural approach to healing it.

Best Way to Get Rid of Stretch Marks in 14 Days - Top Stretch Mark Removal Creams

Stretch marks are mostly caused due to pregnancy, bodybuilding and weight fluctuation. It is also known as striae in dermatological term. Applying ointment on our damaged skin is the best way to get rid of stretch marks. Excessive stretching especially at the time of puberty and weight gain affects the elasticity of our skin. The main areas affected by these marks are stomach, legs, buttocks and breasts. Stretch Marks removal creams can repair the affected skin in our dermis easily. It nurtures and rejuvenates our skin from inside for providing a newer texture.

There are various creams and lotions in the market that claims to reduce these stretch marks but it is always advisable to check the ingredients before applying any ointment. Human skin is extremely sensitive and therefore one should preferably apply creams containing natural ingredients. One should also maintain a good lifestyle for eliminating these lines in 14 days. Eating high fibrous foods and drinking plenty of water is the main requisite for flaunting a flawless skin.

Top Stretch Marks Removal Creams

*Cosmetyn:This cream visibly reduces the appearance of marks. Cosmetyn performs healing by increasing the elasticity. It contains natural ingredients such as Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8,Rutin, Phaseolus Lutanus Extract, Emblica Phyllanthus Extract, Bearberry Extract,Licorice Extract, Hydrocotyl Extract and Emu Oil. This ointment promotes suppleness. It is capable of healing scars through its anti-psoriatic and anti-bacterial properties. Unlike other moisturizers, Cosmetyn goes deep into our skin for increasing the production of newer cells. It promises to eliminate all type of marks. This ointment not only diminishes stretch marks but also treats various problems such as hyper pigmentation, freckles, melasma, birthmarks and acne scars with ease.

*Captiva: This ointment is touted to be the most effective stretch marks removal cream. Captiva claims to increase skin firmness and moisture up to 110%. Its main ingredients are Shea butter, sweet almond oil, Palmitoyl Tetra Peptide-7, aloe vera, Phyllantus emblica fruit extract and licorice extract. Captiva is purely a natural ointment with effective properties. All these constituents have their own special qualities. Shea Butter is known for its healing and moisturizing features. Its biochemical and physiological effect on damaged skin is matchless. Almond oil helps in nourishment while Aloe Vera softens and soothes your damaged skin. Palmitoyl Tetra Peptide-7 encourages the production of collagen and hyaluronic acid in the dermis.

Over the Counter Eczema Treatment Items - Are These Effective to Reduce Inflamed Skin and Red Bumps

Eczema can be due to contact with a metal or substance that the body cannot tolerate. It also may be something other than contact dermatitis and may be an allergic reaction to building materials, nummular eczema or a different type of skin irritation.

When you go to the drug store there are many products and you can get some mild cortisone products over the counter. The OTC creams are generally used for skin swelling, redness and inflammation for arthritis as well as eczema. These are very mild and may be helpful if your bumps and patches are not moderate or severe in intensity. It can be a good place to start and if this isn't effective your doctor can prescribe a stronger hydrocortisone lotion or even an ointment. 

Sometimes oral steroids are used to bring down the skin reaction and these need instructions need to be followed very carefully. Remember that cortisone cream are supposed to be used for just three weeks and then the skin should rest. They can thin the skin and not be used for certain medical conditions.

In addition to using a hydrocortisone cream, dermatologists usually recommend skin moisturizing. It wasn't till

I saw the third dermatologist that I received this advice and it made a big difference in my skin's healing. The ones recommended will say dermatologist approved or state they are for sensitive skin. If you pick any typical moisturizer it may have a nut base in it or alcohol which your skin can react to. Use both the moisturizer as well as the cortisone cream twice a day and also oatmeal baths can be helpful for the skin. I found using natural oils worked as well as moisturizers that were over the counter and these can include virgin coconut oil and olive oil.Make sure you are getting good internal nutrition by taking some omega 3 and fish oil capsules to nurture the dermis.

Be careful to not dry out your skin during the day. Don't use calamine lotion for eczema as it's very drying. Be careful in the sun, use a humidifier and avoid clothing that scratch the skin. Stay in baths for a short period of time and keep the water temperature tepid rather than hot. Be sure to apply your oil or moisturizer right after taking the shower or bath and don't use a towel to scrub the skin.

The root of eczema needs to be found to ultimately eliminate the symptoms and recurrences and one's diet, stress levels and nutritional supplements can be important to analzye to reach a permanent solution.

Belly Button Ring Basics - How to Care for a New Navel Piercing

You took the plunge, bit your lip, and braced your self for the pain. Moments later you had a shiny new piece of jewelry making sparkling from your navel. You've pierced your belly button and now you're ready to get on with your life and show it off at the club or pool side. Unfortunately there is one one problem. It's red, it hurts, and it's kind of swollen. It's not quite ready for it's debut but don't worry, it's only a few days old. In order to make the most of your new piercing, it's important to take care of it. Just follow these simple steps and you'll look sexy in no time showing off your new belly bling.

New Navel Piercing Care:

Keep it clean:

It's important to keep any piercings clean and there no exception when it comes to belly buttons. Your belly button, though often covered by clothing, can still collect bacteria. Clean your belly button piercing twice daily to keep it bacteria free. Be sure to use an antibacterial soap to rid the area of any harmful germs that can cause infection.

While cleaning twice daily is a good rule of thumb, you may find that your life style requires a little more cleaning. If you take part in any of the following activities or activities similar to, be sure to clean your piercing when you are finished:

Spending time in a hot tub or pool

Working Out

Participating in sexual activities

Participating in labor intensive activities. Handsome

Working in a Kitchen

Use a Sea Salt Soak:

The healing process for a belly button ring can be extremely long (6 to 12 months), but you can help speed up the healing process by soaking the area in a mixture of sea salts and distilled water. You can buy the pre-made soaks that are offered at many piercing shops or you can make your own in a pinch using sea salt and distilled water. Use this soak 3 to 4 times daily for about 5 to 10 minutes. Keep this up until the piercing is healed.

(Note: Professional piercers suggest using a mixture of sea salt and water that is close to that of your body's. Get a gallon jug of water and add sea salt until you are able to taste it. Add little by little until the taste of salt is apparent. Remember to keep track of how much salt you are adding so you can prepare the mix again if needed.)

Try Not to Touch:

It's new and exciting and there is something inside you that draws you to touch your new navel piercing. Unfortunately, this is one urge that should go unsatisfied. The more you touch your piercing the more you will irritate it and the more likely you are to transfer harmful bacteria from your hands to your sensitive navel. If you do have to touch it, be sure to wash your hands thoroughly with an antibacterial soap.

Ask an Expert:

A little pain, discomfort, blood, and discharge is common with new piercings; however, if you're experiencing any or all of those things in excess don't hesitate to call or visit your piercer immediately. If you feel that something is not right it's better to be safe than sorry.

4 Things to Avoid

Never Use Rubbing Alcohol or Hydrogen Peroxide: When you look down and see a red or irritated piercing you may be tempted to run to the medicine cabinet for a solution. While rubbing alcohol and hydrogen peroxide may work in other situations, when used on new piercing they can actually cause more harm than good. Both substances are harsh and can severely dry out your skin, prolong the healing time, or increase your risk of scaring.

Never Use Medicinal Ointments to Speed Healing: A ointment like Neosporin is terrific for a cut or scrape, but when it comes to piercings it can be counterproductive. Your piercing needs oxygen to heal and these ointments create a protective barrier between your skin and the air. Without oxygen your healing will be slowed. Additionally, overtime, the petroleum based gel can prevent the sea salt soak from reaching your skin.

Avoid Tight Clothing Around New Piercing: A new piercing is sensitive and a new belly button piercing is in a happens to be in a very bad spot when it comes to healing. Even though you love your tight fitting jeans and skirts, try to give your belly button room to breath. Clothes that are tight will cause friction. To much friction can cause a world of problems the least being increased healing time and the worst being infection and/or rejection of the piercing.

Never Ignore a Problem: If you think there is a problem, address it immediately. Waiting will only have negative consequences including, full blown infection, scarring, and rejection or removal of the piercing.

All The Secrets Behind Eczema Bath Treatments

Eczema bath treatments are typically seen being used in childhood or infant cases of eczema because it is much easier than trying to rub down a restless, irritated child with some medicated ointment that they are going to wipe off the second it comes into contact with the skin. Therefore, dermatologists designed an eczema bath treatment that allows and promotes healing of the skin to prevent cracks and infections from growing on the area.

It is not known why eczema attacks some children and not other although there is a possible connection between allergies and asthmatics alike indicating a strong possibility that there is some interconnected trigger for all three. The eczema bath treatments don't help much in the way of allergens or prevention but they do help to keep skin moisturized while not having it too wet and more prone for infection to set in. Dermatologists who actually treat these cases in order to give the best possible treatment available specially formulate the eczema bath treatments.

It is for a relatively imperative reason that the eczema bath treatments for both adults and young alike is that it provides a soothing feeling and allows the sufferer a bit of comfort away from this itching, burning feeling that is ever present on their skin. It can also serve as use for a preventative measure to help keep the skin hydrated when you are out in the elements way more than showering and applying cream although you should still apply cream if you are using eczema bath treatments.

In closing it is important to point out that it isn't just medicated eczema bath treatments that can help and aid in the treatment of the skin condition. A daily bath for children especially while using only lukewarm water and a very mild unscented soap and hopefully you've selected some moisturizing soap for the child or yourself. As soon as the individual having the eczema bath treatments gets out of the bath he or she should be smothered down with a moisturizer to seal the moisture into the skin. The best type of moisturizer for post eczema bath treatments are a very greasy ointment like Vaseline although many creams work just as well without the greasy effect. Regular hand lotions have harsh ingredients at times for the person who suffers from eczema and can often accelerate the flare up as opposed to helping it so when you choose a moisturizer, make certain you read the ingredients and stay away from oils and scented lotions.

Kitchen Remedies - Cayenne

Your kitchen spice rack is full of remedies, but most people don't know how to use them. Cayenne (Capsicum frutescens) or better known as Red Pepper is an amazing healing herb. Cayenne comes from a Caribbean word "Kian". The fruit of the plant is the part used. Ironically most of the supply in the United States does not come from the Caribbean, it comes from India and Africa. Cayenne has many medical uses.

· Aids Digestion

· Chronic Pain

· Cluster headaches

· Reduces Cholesterol and Triglyceride levels

· Respiratory Problems

· Motion Sickness

· Weight Loss

Cayenne aids digestion by stimulating both the saliva and stomach secretions. Saliva begins the breakdown of carbohydrates and the stomach secretions digest your food. Both work better with a little help from cayenne. A lot of people believe that cayenne causes ulcers, but studies show that it doesn't. You may have a burning sensation in your stomach but this is just superficial and harmless. If you eat to much and have a burning mouth, the best cure is a glass of milk.

Cayenne has a chemical, capsaicin, which is the active ingredient in HEET, and over-the-counter creams for muscle pain Zostrix and Axsain. Capsaicin interferes with the action of Substance P, a nerve chemical that sends messages to the brain. As an anti-inflammatory to heal bruises and sore muscles use an ointment made of 1 part cayenne to 5 parts petroleum jelly and rub on affected area. You can also use ¼ to ½ teaspoon per cup of warm vegetable oil to rub into painful areas.

For cluster headaches, it is recommended that you rub the above oil mixture into your nose and around the nose daily. It has been found to greatly reduce the pain and frequency of headaches after as little as 5 days. Cayenne helps your heart by increasing blood circulation, by reducing Cholesterol and Triglyceride levels in your blood and reduces risk of blood clots which can trigger heart attacks. For respiratory problems, drink ¼ teaspoon of Cayenne dissolved in ¼ cup of warm water. It will help release mucus and clear up nasal passages. This is a good home remedy to help bronchitis, colds, coughs and hay fever.

Cayenne is a proven remedy for motion sickness. As soon as you feel the symptoms, take 1 teaspoon cayenne dissolved in 1 teaspoon of olive oil. As a weight loss aid, cayenne may help burn more calories and make you feel less hungry. 1 to 1 ½ teaspoons per meal is suggested. Cayenne stimulates the body's natural defense systems and has long been used as a tonic, using ¼ teaspoon 3 times daily.

Sensitivity to Cayenne varies from person to person, so start with a little and move up. Just putting Cayenne in your food as a seasoning provides therapeutic effects, but for some people, who really don't like the flavor but want the help with their cholesterol or the help with their digestion capsules may be the preferred method. You can get these at most health food stores. Another method of getting these benefits is to drink an infusion of ¼ to ½ teaspoon cayenne per cup of boiling water after each meal.

Some of the foods that Cayenne is really great in are soups, stir fry, as a flavoring on meats and a zesty addition to a cup of hot chocolate. Cayenne is very hard to wash off of your hands, so if you are using fresh cayenne please wear rubber gloves when handling or cutting. If you do get it on your hands, washing them in vinegar is the best way to clean them.

Caution: Do not give Cayenne to children under the age of 2. Pregnant or nursing mothers should also not use cayenne.

For more information on using kitchen herbs visit me at http://ezherbalhealing.com.

Nine Clinically Proven Cold Sore Remedies

Four years ago, I found a clinically proven natural home remedy for cold sores that changed my life.Before being introduced to this product, I suffered an average of 9 debilitating cold sore eruptions and 5 genital herpes outbreaks a year.

As you can imagine, my life was a living hell. However, once I started the treatment, my quality of life took a marvelous turn for the better.

To all intents and purposes, this little known Australian product, Dynamiclear, "cured" both my HSV I (cold sores) and HSV II (genital herpes) in a matter of weeks.

Unfortunately, there are a three downsides to this product:

When you first apply the solution to a cold sore or genital lesion, it stings like crazy.

Overusing the product is a definite no-no! No matter how severe, you only need a single application per outbreak. Please don't be tempted to treat a lesion more than once like I did. It will cause unpleasant skin irritation.

Although it works for most people, It doesn't work for everyone.

Other Clinically Proven Cold Sore Home Remedies

Lemon Balm Cream:

In a study of 116 people carried out by the University of Maryland Medical Center, the group that applied lemon balm cream to their sores experienced significant improvement after 2 days. The report goes on to say:

"Both the patients and their doctors reported that the lemon balm ointment was highly effective as a cold sore home remedy."

Olive Leaf Extract:

Here's a quotation from a report published by the Health/Science Newsletter:

"Research or clinical experience to date suggest that Olive Leaf Extract should be considered as a healing participant in the treatment of conditions caused by, or associated with, a virus, retrovirus, bacterium, or protozoan.

Among such conditions may be influenza, the common cold, meningitis, Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), encephalitis, herpes I and II, human herpes virus 6 and 7, shingles, HIV/ARC/AIDS, chronic fatigue, hepatitis B, pneumonia, tuberculosis, gonorrhea, malaria, dengue, bacteremia, severe diarrhea, blood poisoning, and dental, ear, urinary tract and surgical infections."

Lysine:

Lysine is a well-researched, effective supplement towards a cold sore home remedy. It is a natural amino acid that restricts the herpes virus at cellular level.

Once a person has contracted herpes or cold sores the virus will remain in the body in a latent (inactive) state in the central nervous system.

When the virus reactivates (wakes up), it travels up the nerve paths to the surface of the skin and causes a cold sore outbreak.

Lysine helps to prevent the herpes and cold sore virus from becoming active. It does this by naturally lowering the levels of its "food" source, Arginine, an amino acid that is required by the virus to replicate and become active.

"Tissue culture studies show that when taken in high enough doses, the amino acid Lysine acts to repress the metabolism of Arginine, thereby reducing virus growth and activity."

Andrographis:(Andrographis paniculata)

This herb has been used in eastern cultures for thousands of years.

Modern research finds that it:

Inhibits herpes virus activity in vitro·

Improves the level of T-helper cells (cells that participate in cell-mediated immunity and are essential for controlling viruses).

Increases white cell phagocytosis, a process in which cells "eat up" bacteria and other foreign invaders.

Supports and enhances the immune system.

Is even more effective as a cold sore home remedy supplement when combined with immune stimulators, such as the herb Echinacea, zinc and vitamin C.

Echinacea Ointment

In studies carried out at the Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada, Echinacea was fount to have a significant antiviral effect on cold sores.

Reishi Mushroom and Astragalus Root

A blend of these two ingredients has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine.

Modern research shows that they act as an effective immune system enhancer.

"Further evidence shows that Reishi powder or supplements taken in a dosage of 600mg twice a day could be a practical cold sore home remedy, as it may inhibit the spread if the herpes simplex virus."

However, if you suffer from a cardiovascular disease and take aspirin, warfarin or similar medication, consult your health care provider before using Reishi, as it can delay blood clotting.

Resveratrol

This compound found in the skin of red grapes has proven antiviral properties.

Studies carried out by the Northern Ohio University show that applying resveratrol cream directly to a cold sore several times a day is effective in suppressing cold sore development.

In order for this remedy to work, however, the ointment should be applied within 1 to 6 hours of the first outbreak

What Are Some Common Hemorrhoid Causes? - Taking a Look at What Causes Hemorrhoids

Are you one of the 4 out of 5 Americans who suffer from the painful affliction of hemorrhoids? If you don't know what hemorrhoids are or what causes them, hemorrhoids (which can also be referred to as piles) are veins located in the rectum that have become swollen. Sometimes they can be very painful.

You can have two versions of hemorrhoids. Like previously mentioned, the internal veins can swell and form what are known as internal hemorrhoids. Since they are inside the body, you can't feel or see them unless they are severe. The other kind of hemorrhoids, external, can also enlarge. These protrude outside of the anus and thus are seen and felt quite often.

Doesn't sound good, right? What causes this to happen? Well, the number one culprit of hemorrhoid causes seems to be constipation. If you constantly strain while having a bowel movement, you're putting strain on your intestinal walls as well, which leads to the veins in those walls swelling and becoming hemorrhoids.

For women, pregnancy is common cause of hemorrhoids too. Constipation usually occurs during a pregnancy, so this situation, in addition to the increased pressure of the weight of the baby on the body, can easily bring about a hemorrhoid affliction. Some soon-to-be mothers discover that hemorrhoid pain is worse than the morning sickness infamously associated with pregnancy.

Some other hemorrhoid causes include:

- Sitting for too long without getting up to stand/walk periodically

- Standing up for too long without sitting down periodically

- Reading while going to the bathroom, which causes you to sit longer than you should

- Lack of fiber and water, which causes stool to be hard and difficult to pass

If you're obese, you also have a higher risk of suffering from hemorrhoids. You could also have a history of hemorrhoids in your family that increases your risk.

Eyelid Surgery - Common Beauty Dilemmas Post Surgery

Blepharoplasty is the surgical tightening of the eyelids. As we age, the skin around our eyes gets stretched out and saggy due to the natural evolution of aging skin. During the eye surgery, a plastic surgeon will remove excess fat and skin in either/or both the upper and lower lids. Not only is this a cosmetic issue, but a functional one as well.

Excessive droopiness in the skin surrounding the eyes will often hamper a person's vision. Before Blepharoplasty is performed, a vision screening examination will need to be done in order to evaluate the extent of restricted vision. Here are some common beauty and functional dilemmas that often arise post-surgery:

- Eyes don't close all the way due to the tightened eyelids. This is common in the early weeks post-surgery. Within three weeks, this issue should resolve itself due to the receding of swelling and bruising in the area. During the daytime, it is a good idea to use an artificial tears solution which is available at your local drug store. At night, a lubricating ointment, also over-the-counter, may help in easing drying eyes.

- Bruising around the eye may be hidden with a cosmetic concealer three days post surgery. Other makeup may be applied to the eye area ten days post-surgery.

- Contact lens wearers will be able to wear their contact lens after one week. It will be necessary to revert back to traditional eye glasses for the first week of healing.

- The patient needs to be prepared for looking their worst two to three days after the procedure. This is perfectly normal. Over the course of two weeks, the bruising and swelling will almost be gone, but it will take months for it to be fully eradicated.

- Scars will be noticeable in the early weeks. They will appear elevated and red. Each week that goes by will find them smoother and fading.

- Full healing will be achieved within six to nine months.

- In the early days following Blepharoplasty, vision may be slightly impaired making reading difficult. This is due to the swelling and readjustment that the eye area is going through. It will clear up soon.

The best thing you can do for your healing eyes and body is to rest. Nap often, take warm baths, drink plenty of water and eat light, healthy meals. Give yourself all the TLC you can muster. Soon you'll be feeling and looking great with your rested appearing eyes.

Ten Suggestions For Maintaining Skin Integrity For the Adult in Diapers

One of the most troubling aspects of adult incontinence is maintaining good skin integrity, and healing those irritating rashes that occasionally develop on delicate skin from exposure to wetness. We all know the usual treatments for these skin conditions: frequent cleansing, thorough drying, zinc oxide ointment, hydrocortisone cream, etc. Here are ten suggestions you may not have thought of and are not usually mentioned in skin care instructions.

1. Forget the shower. A daily soak in the bathtub will be better to remove all of the urine and whatever else may be causing the irritation. Blot dry. If the tub is too difficult, use a sitz bath.

2. Expose to air. Keep the diaper off whenever possible. Use an underpad on the bed and open up the brief or remove it altogether when lying down.

3. Use a hair dryer to dry after washing to get the skin really dry, especially in those creases. Set the dryer on warm (not hot), and keep it moving so there are no burns. Don't do this with baby--only adults or older children.

4. Increase fluid intake, especially water, to decrease urine concentration.

5. Take vitamin and mineral supplements. Skin is one of the first things to break down, and healing is delayed when nutrition level is low. The minimum daily requirements are the "minimum" for health. We need more than the minimum for good health and healing. Take extra vitamin C, E, A, B vitamins, and zinc. Vitamin D is important if you don't get outdoors in the sun much. Take fish oil because the mega-3 fatty acids also benefit skin integrity. Take Co-Q10 too, because it helps build new elastin and other skin molecules that are needed for repair and regeneration.

6. Eat enough calories. This is important. Our bodies need adequate calories from protein and wholesome foods for the energy and nourishment it takes to resist damage and to repair and rebuild. If there are skin problems, this is not a time to go on a diet. From my personal observation, it is those people who are picky eaters, or have poor appetites and eat very little who develop skin problems.

7. Try a different brand of brief. There may be something in the brief now being used that is causing a reaction. Look for a product with super-absorbent polymer which will gel the moisture and hold it away from the skin. Buy a "breathable" product and, very importantly, be sure it is the right size--not too small or tight. Medline makes a "Restore Brief" that has skin repair cream already in it.

8. Use an anti-fungal powder at the first sign of irritation. It helps absorb moisture, reduces friction, and staves off a fungal or yeast infection. Don't allow it to cake up in creases though, which may cause problems of its own. I sprinkle it on and then use a clean, dry washcloth to lightly wipe away all of the excess.

9. Alternate soap and water cleansing with using premoistened wipes. Soap and water removes the skin's natural moisture barrier and makes it more susceptible to breakdown. With a cleansing wipe, cleanup is quicker and easier. Use wipes that contain no alcohol and that restore the skin's normal pH value. Alternating soap and water cleansing with premoistened wipes decreases the negative effects and enhances the positive effects of each.

10. I recommend the use of Remedy skin care products. The Remedy products contain no harmful ingredients and they do more than just moisturize and protect; they contain ingredients that nourish the skin and provide what the cells need for health and healing. Try the Remedy Cleansing Lotion for no-rinse cleaning that protects the skin from moisture loss and leaves a light barrier. After washing use Remedy Nutrashield or Dimethicone Skin Barrier to re-moisturize and protect from wetness.

Whether you are a caregiver for someone with sensitive skin, or if you are experiencing skin troubles yourself, take note of these 10 suggestions and give some or all of them a try. I can almost guarantee there will be improvement and, oh the joy, when healing happens.

Acne Cure - 5 Herbs Helpful in Acne Cure

The acne industry is an insatiable one. It creates so called "new acne products" almost every day with no intention other than to make scorching piles of money playing with people's emotions and trust. People still go on searching for acne cures endlessly.
Each and every month people spend spends a small fortune paying their 'acne bills'; the cost of trying to clear their acne filled skin is high. The products people usually try are general cleansers and other topicals products. People in desperation even try fasting on apples for three days and this also does not pay them any worth.
Well there are some herbs that are extremely helpful in relieving people from there acne and skin problems. These herbs purify the blood stream of toxins by enhancing liver functioning that is a good cure for acne.

Some of the major herbs for curing acne are:
o Burdock - Burdock is plants of the genus Arctium having dark green leaves that can grow up to 18 inches in height. They are usually large, coarse and ovate, with the lower ones having shape of heart. They are hazy underneath. The leafstalks are generally hollow. These plants normally flower in summers i.e. from July through October.
o Yellow Dock - Yellow Dock or Rumex crispus is used widely in the treatment of chronic skin complaints, especially psoriasis associated with constipation; acne and obstructive jaundice. The anthraquinones have a cathartic action on the bowel, but can act in quite a mild way, maybe tempered by the tannin content. A compress can be used to help soothe itchy skin. The ointment is important for itching, sores, swellings and scruffy eruptions. It is a wonderful acne cure.
o Dandelion Root - the leaves of the plant are very nutrient-rich, and so they make good food supplements for women who are pregnant or elderly women. Dandelion can also be used as a diuretic and can reduce serum cholesterol in some people. The root can be an appetite stimulant and is able to rectify digestive problems. It is very effective in treating skin related problems and acne. It is a good acne cure.
o Red Clover - It is an herbaceous perennial plant, very variable in size, growing to 0.2 to 0.8 m in height. The leaves are alternate, trifoliate (with three leaflets), each leaflet 15 to 30 mm long and 8 to 15 mm broad, green with a characteristic pale semi-circular in the outer half of the leaf; the petiole is 1 to 4 cm long, with 2 basal stipules. The flowers are dark pink with a paler base, 12 to 15 mm long, produced in a dense inflorescence 2 to 3 cm diameter. This herb is considered to be one of the best herb that is very helpful in treating skin related problems especially it is a wonderful cure for acne.

How Are You Caring For Your Baby

Loving parents attempt to do their very best for their baby and children in every area of their young lives. As parents, you are their protectors and guardians. Parents have the innate desire to gain as much wisdom as they can and apply it for the greatest good of their babies' and children's care. Come to know that your child's baby skin care and natural hair care is a topic of importance. Your decisions in buying natural skin care products and natural hair care products can affect your child's health. Your baby needs not suffer from skin irritations nor lose his or her beautiful natural glow he or she is born with. 

Baby Skin Care Research

An current report in Clinical Pediatrics reveals that more than seventy-five percent of newborns suffer rashes within the first few months of birth. Researchers suspect that contributing factors include the very products that promise to soften, clean, and moisturize children's skin. They note in their research, "Newborn skin is relatively more permeable to topically applied agents than adult skin. Therefore, the risk of systemic toxicity is much greater in newborns. "If parents stop to read labels of supermarket and drug store baby skin care products, they will find that:

Many contain ingredients likely to be contaminated with formaldehyde, 1,4-dioxane, and possibly even nitrosamines, all of which are cancer-causing, highly irritating or both.
Baby talc-based powders contain tiny particles that irritate the skin and may contain perfumes, a leading cause of allergy and irritation. Parents would be wise to avoid baby powders containing talc. Although baby powders are most frequently applied to diaper rash, there can be better ways. Allowing fresh air to get to your baby's bottom whenever you can reduces the likelihood of diaper rash. Also, most pediatricians specializing in natural skin care warn parents to avoid petroleum jelly, which traps moisture against the skin and is also a common allergen. If your baby has developed a diaper rash, Baby Cakes diaper rash cream & Baby Cakes diaper rash ointment formulas take care of baby's skin irritations gently and quickly. Baby Cream, Baby Ointment, Baby Lotion and Baby Massage Oil can relieve irritation. However a parent would be wise to use baby skin care products & natural hair care products free of artificial colors, synthetic fragrances and petrochemicals, which are themselves irritants.

Healthy Baby Skin Care

Look for baby skin care products that are pH balanced with healing herbs such as Soy Calendula Oil which has anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties and stimulates cellular regeneration of healthy skin. Other baby friendly healing herbs to look for in baby bath, baby lotion and baby massage oil include:

Borage: one of the richest sources of gamma linolenic acid, and it also contains important vitamins and minerals. It is typically used in high-end cosmetic formulations to nourish and hydrate the skin. Use Borage oil in facial blends for maturing skin or in blends for damaged skin where regeneration of new skin cells is needed.

Avocado Oil: Easily absorbed by the skin and scalp. A good source of vitamins A, D and E, amino acids and sterols. Herbalists traditionally have used avocado oil in natural hair care and scalp preparations. It is very soothing and calming for skin and scalp.

Vitamin E: Vitamin E is a powerful anti-oxidant that helps retard cellular aging associated with free-radical damage. Protects the skin against UV-induced inflammation and maintains skin hydration. Vitamin E regulates abnormal proliferation of the superficial skin layers. (Vitamin E is derived from soy.)

Green Tea: is a potent extract used primarily for fighting free radicals. Green tea extract contains potent antioxidants which are intimately involved in the prevention of cellular damage.

Now available to parents are Baby Cakes Body Lotion and Baby Cakes Baby Bath & Massage Oil which is free of cancer-causing chemicals and irritants and creates a soothing layer of protection for baby's tender skin. A gentle massage with Baby Cake's Body Lotion or Massage Oil can be a loving experience for you both!

When using baby shampoo, a mild baby shampoo is best. Parents can recognize a good natural hair care baby shampoo by what it does not contain: synthetic fragrances, artificial colors, highly allergenic and irritating preservatives including quaternium 15, imidazolidinyl urea, and parabens. Baby Cakes 2-in-1 Baby Shampoo & Baby Cakes Therapeutic Baby Shampoo are excellent products enriched with organic aloe juice, organic green tea distillate water, organic botanical extracts and essential skin care vitamins A, C & E. This product is much safer than other supermarket or drug store products.

So what is the most sensible approach when it comes to baby skin care?

Overall, in the beginning months of life, let Mother Nature do her job without your newborn baby having to cope with chemicals. Although plain water on newborn skin is usually good bet, occasionally a small amount of baby bath and baby shampoo may be required. If so, use Skin Care Baby's Baby Cakes natural skin care products & natural hair care, specializing in All Natural, Organic skin care, which are made with safe and healthy Natural Botanicals, Herbal Extracts and Essential Oils for your baby's delicate skin. They avoid toxic preservatives, foaming agents and other potentially hazardous ingredients. These products may be a little more expensive than the drug or supermarket brands, however they are completely safe, truly natural and nontoxic.Also, pediatricians recommend avoiding antibacterial soaps.

Baby Skin Care Tip

 Parents, your basic baby skin care common sense message is: use small amounts of all natural skin care products for at least the first couple of months of your baby's life. It would be best to consider this baby skin care principle when you use any other types of products in your baby's environment as well. By doing this, your baby will have a chance for its own immune system to develop and come to be strong and healthy. I don't believe you will go wrong with this very simple baby skin care message.