Frequently Asked Questions

1. QUESTION:
   what are some good homemade acne remedies?
   something quick and easy, please =) thanks!

   • ANSWER:
     These are some easy and cheap recipes for you. Hope this helps!

     pread It On Thick To help fight pimples, use a paste of onion and honey. Cook one sliced onion in a half cup honey until it is tender. Mash with a fork to form into a paste and allow the mixture to cool. Apply to the problem rea, leaving it on for an hour before rinsing away with warm water. Use this treatment every night before going to bed until your complexion is clear and sparkling. An application of egg whites helps distribute the skin s natural oils more evenly, eliminating both dry and oily patches.

     Swab the egg white on your face with a cotton ball, allow to stand for five minutes and remove. Studies have shown that certain amino acids in the egg white s protein may have some anti-inflammatory properties. In most cases, small blemishes and pimples can be eliminated or reduced in size in a matter of days.

     Oatmeal has long been used to control the spread of acn , as well as to speed up the healing process. Prepare the oatmeal as directed (without the milk, brown sugar, and raisins, of course!) and apply to the face. Let it stand for ten to fifteen minutes before washing off. The abrasive action of the oats cleanses deeply and increases the peripheral circulation in the affected rea, which speeds up healing.

     Acne and eczema as well as psoriasis have responded well to a paste made from the grain amaranth and placed on the affected area. Internally, it is taken as a tea. Take two teaspoons of the fresh seeds and cover them with boiling water, simmer on low heat for five to six minutes, remove from the heat and add two to three amaranth leaves and allow to steep for thirty to forty minutes. Two cups per day should provide relief from a number of skin problems.

     Super Strawberry Facial If you have a chronic problem skin, try Grandma s Super Strawberry Facial. It takes a little while to prepare, so you have to plan ahead. About four hours before you ll want to go to bed, combine a cup of mashed strawberries in two cups of white eider vinegar. By the time you re ready to go to bed, it should be ready. Make sure you strain out all the solids and keep the liquid. Apply liberally to your face. Don t worry, it dries quickly. In the morning, rinse your face with warm water. It s as good an astringent as anything you can buy. Your face will feel clean and tight. It shouldn t be long before you can kiss those pimples good-bye.

     Make An Astringent At Home Blackheads respond well to lemon juice, a substance with wonder-ful astringent properties. Rub lemon juice over the blemished skin before going to bed and rinse with cool water in the morning. After a couple of days, you should see definite results.

     Vinegar is a mild acid and cleans the affected area, reducing bacterial levels. Apply apple eider vinegar with a cot-ton swab and allow to stand for ten minutes before removing with a mild soap.

     You ll find cucumber toners in most expensive lines of skin care products. Cucumber extract soothes skin and helps dry out acne. Juice a cucumber and apply it to your blemishes with a cotton ball. After fifteen minutes, rinse your face.

2. QUESTION:
   My roommate stockpiles aloe vera…why?
   My roommate has a large amount of aloe vera gel in our room. I know he isn’t using it as lotion because he has lotion, so what could he be using the aloe vera for? Also, he smokes alot, if that helps.

   • ANSWER:
     Your roommate could use the aloe vera for any of the following reasons:

     1. Pamper yourself to a soothing body rub. Slice aloe leaves lengthwise and use the inner sides as a biodegradable body scrub in the shower.
     2. Treat burns from minor mishaps in the kitchen from grease splatters or hot utensils.
     3. For more major kitchen mishaps like a scald, mix some aloe gel and vitamin E oil into a little jar for a homemade burn healer.
     4. Banish black and blue bruises by swapping on the good goo.
     5. Soothe and heal sunburns the feel-good way. Aloe contains cooling properties similar to menthol.
     6. Take the sting or itch out of insect bites.
     7. Reduce tissue damage from frostbite.
     8. Alleviate mysterious rashes.
     9. Make feet baby soft with an exfoliating foot mask by mixing together a half cup of oatmeal, a half cup of corn meal, four tbsp. of aloe vera gel and a half cup of unscented body lotion.
     10. Help heal herpes outbreaks.
     11. Fight Athlete’s Foot.
     12. Swab over blisters for quick relief.
     13. Use as an antidote to allergic skin reactions.
     14. Replace creams and lotions as a general moisturizer for dry skin. Aloe is fast absorbing!
     15. Prevent pesky pimples and treat acne.
     16. Soothe Psoriasis.
     17. Prevent scarring and stretch marks.
     18. Help rid of Rosacea.
     19. Shrink warts.
     20. Reverse signs of aging skin and wrinkles. Cleopatra did!
     21. Help eliminate Eczema.
     22. Brighten skin. Aloe can decrease pigmentation and dark spots.
     23. Make skin new again with an exfoliating, organic sugar scrub by mixing together two tbsp. of aloe vera, 2 tbsp. of organic brown sugar and 1 tsp. of organic lemon juice.
     24. For rougher patches mix together an organic salt skin scrub using two cups of sea salt, one cup of aloe vera, one cup of organic coconut oil and two tbsp. of local, organic honey.
     25. Speed up hair growth by massaging aloe into the scalp, letting it sit for 30 minutes, and rinsing.
     26. Reduce hair dandruff by mixing aloe vera juice with coconut milk and wheat germ oil. Massage into scalp and rinse.
     27. Replace aloe with conditioner for silkier, smoother hair.
     28. Remove eye makeup.
     29. Treat minor vaginal irritations.
     29. Treat minor vaginal irritations.
     30. Drink aloe vera juice to relieve gastrointestinal disorders like indigestion.
     31. Sip it to aid in elimination. Many times, it’s recommended for its laxative effects.
     32. Take a swig to reduce symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome including bloating and discomfort.
     33. Take aloe orally to relieve heartburn, arthritis and rheumatism pain.
     34. Boil leaves in a pan of water and breathe in the vapor to alleviate asthma.
     35. Drink to lower blood sugar levels especially for diabetics.
     36. Strengthen gums and promote strong, healthy teeth by taking orally or use toothpaste with aloe vera ingredients.
     37. Drink to help ease congestion, stomach ulcers, colitis, hemorrhoids, urinary tract infections and prostate problems.
     38. Take orally to reduce cholesterol and triglycerides for a healthy heart.
     39. Sip to minimize inflammation and infection of the eye and ear.
     40. Toast to its general detoxifier and health boosting qualities!

     There is preliminary evidence that A. vera extracts may be useful in the treatment of diabetes and elevated blood lipids in humans.[7] These positive effects are thought to be due to the presence of compounds such as mannans, anthraquinones and lectins.[7][48][49]Internal intake of aloe vera has been linked in preliminary research with improved blood glucose levels in diabetics,[64][65] although it has been suggested by the NTP that aloe may lower blood glucose levels.[46] It has also been linked with lower blood lipids in hyperlipidaemic patients,[66] but also with acute hepatitis (liver disease).[45] In other diseases, preliminary studies have suggested oral aloe vera gel may reduce symptoms and inflammation in patients with ulcerative colitis.[67] Abdominal cramps and diarrhea have been reported with oral use of aloe vera. Diarrhea, caused by the laxative effect of oral aloe vera, can decrease the absorption of many drugs.[46] Compounds extracted from aloe vera have been used as an immunostimulant that aids in fighting cancers in cats and dogs;[48] however, this treatment has not been scientifically tested in humans.

3. QUESTION:
   PLEASSE HELP..skin care/ possibly eating something i’m allergic to..(i would appreciate it if you read it all)?
   so lately i’ve notice that i scratch a lot. as in my skin is always itching somewhere and its getting ridiculous and annoying . i’ve noticed this because i started working in a restaurant this summer as a server and you can’t really be touching your self etc idk it just doesn’t isnt right and people dont like that..its not like i’m dirty i have lots of showers i even recently bought Eucerine itch relief and it still hasn’t helped.. my legs itch alot,the back of my ears and also the weird thing is my ear gets dirty real quick and when it does it itches like crazy even after i clean it, it still itches..also i’m semi athletic i likee to stay in shape but lately i’m literally scared to run cuz when i run about 5 laps my legs constantly burn and itch to the point where i wanna rip my pants off and just scratch the hell out of my legs.. my friend said its cuz i dont run as often so i tried to be consistant with it but EVERY time this happens.. and its sooooo embarrassing!!! i pour ice cold water all over my legs like at every lap, worst time was when i had to do it in the winter… please help (im scared i’ve been eating something i’m allergic to and aren’t even aware of it)
   i don’t have any bumps or ANYTHING that looks like eczema so i’m pretty sure its not eczema.. i actually have REALLY nice skin like no acne/pimples at all..

   • ANSWER:
     This doesnt really sound like allergies.
     You could have eczema or psoriasis.
     But you need to go get checked out. Skin
     conditions are trickly, as they can look
     quite similar, but be very different for
     treatment

4. QUESTION:
   small bumps on my hands that itch and are painful…advice? excema?
   it resembles poisen oak but the blisters dont get big. i got about 100 of these bumps on each hand and its spreading up my arm. there very painful and are clear fluid filled. they stop itching when i pop them. they dont seem to spread from the ooze tho.i looked up some stuff that said it might be a form of Dyshidrotic Eczema. i dont know what to do and its starting to really bother me, i have psoriasis also but dont think its related. ugh my whole body is starting to itch

   • ANSWER:
     Hi Lisa.

     TREATMENT OF ECZEMA (Self-Care at Home)

     Removing whatever is causing the allergic reaction is the easiest and most effective treatment. This may be as simple as changing your laundry detergent or as difficult as moving to a new climate or changing jobs.

     Prevent dry skin by taking warm (not hot) showers rather than baths. Use a mild soap or body cleanser. Dry yourself very carefully and apply moisturizing skin lotions all over your body. Avoid lotions with fragrances or other irritating substances.

     Avoid wearing tight-fitting, rough, or scratchy clothing.

     Avoid scratching the rash. If you can’t stop yourself from scratching, cover the area with a dressing. Wear gloves at night to minimize skin damage from scratching.

     Anything that causes sweating can irritate the rash. Avoid strenuous exercise during a flare.

     If the allergy-causing agent cannot be removed or identified, the next step is to lessen the allergic inflammatory response.

     Apply an nonprescription steroid cream (hydrocortisone) along with anti-itching lotion (menthol/camphor, such as calamine). The cream must be applied as often as possible without skipping days until the rash is gone.
     Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) in pill form may be taken for the itching. Caution – this medication may make you too drowsy to drive a car or operate machinery safely.
     Clean the area with a hypoallergenic soap every day. Apply lubricating cream or lotion after washing.

     Avoid physical and mental stress. Eating right, light activity, and adequate sleep will help you stay healthy, which can help prevent flares.

     Do not expect a quick response. Eczema is easier to control than cure.

     TREATMENT OF ECZEMA (Medical Treatment)

     Once your health care provider is sure you have eczema, the mainstays of therapy are anti-inflammatory medication and relief from the itching.

     Prescription-strength steroid cream and antihistamine medication are the usual treatments.

     Diet restrictions and chemical skin-drying agents may also be offered, but their success is controversial.

     For severe cases not responding to high-potency steroid cream, alternate treatments may be tried. These include coal tar, PUVA (psoralen + ultraviolet A light), and chemotherapy agents.

     Take Care. Regards.