Miami Herald |
Taking too many antibiotics to treat eczema may worsen your condition
Miami Herald Numerous studies have found that people with eczema nearly always have a much higher concentration of S. aureus bacteria living on their skin than those without this common condition. In fact, the more severe the eczema, the greater the amount of S. |
Tag Archives: Taking
Tips for taking advantage of Labor Day 2016
Dermatologists, once considered generally immune to burnout, are seeing a sharp increase in occupational fatigue so we’re offering some ideas for this Labor Day Weekend to help regain that strong work-life balance.
Modern medicine – Dermatology Times
2017 New Year Resolutions… taking control!
This year I’m going to get my focus back and find my caring side. For too long I’ve been in denial, that I already cut out so many things so why shouldn’t I indulge in freefrom processed foods as a treat and enjoy alcohol when I feel like it. I don’t need to watch my weight and I already cut out dairy, wheat, soya, nuts and celery and tomato for health reasons so why limit myself further?
Well I’ve come to a kind of light bulb moment. I have to do this. For myself. For my sanity. Because I KNOW that the above things irritate my skin. I haven’t wanted to face the undeniable truth that my skin will always be dry, parched, thickened, itchy and damaged if I continue to ignore all the signs. But there you have it. I’m going to do this. I may not succeed 100% first time, I may have setbacks and slip-ups, but I have a plan and I am going to stick to it.
- Cut out ALL processed foods for one month
So my first new year resolution is to see if, just for a month, I can completely cut out processed foods. I don’t know why these foods irritate my skin but the do. Especially gluten fee bread. I can’t work out whether it’s stabilisers, emulsifiers, preservatives or additives but something has a very bad effect on my skin.
I’ve blogged about this a lot, and there are a few cheat products that are processed but that I let sneak through the net e.g. rice cakes, oat cakes, plant milks, humous etc. Products that are made from a few very simple ingredients are allowed.
And it’s day one of this regime and I already feel so much calmer. My skin is only slightly itching. If I can do it for a day, I can do it for a week. If I can do it for a week I can do it for a month. And if it helps it will soon become habit.
- Cut down on alcohol consumption
I know that alcohol makes my skin dehydrated. Most alcohol also makes my face flush, a side effect of using Protopic on my skin. But I enjoy a drink. My only vice, but I know that often I drink too much, especially red wine. I enjoy drinking it. I have so few vices so I’ve been telling myself, ‘You can’t be good all the time and avoid EVERYTHING bad can you?’ But I would enjoy having clear skin, sleeping well, itching less and not having such dry skin far more than drinking wine.
It’s my birthday this month so I’m being realistic. I am not setting myself a target I cannot keep, setting myself up to fail miserably at the first hurdle. I will enjoy a drink on my birthday and I probably will have some at weekends, But I AM going to drink less.
And whilst it may seen horribly unfair, if you want better skin you need to start learning what’s important, because little slip ups on a regular basis will prevent you from EVER getting the skin you dream of.
I just need to be strong, because all too often I intend to drink soft drinks but find myself almost pushed, persuaded and lured back to the booze by what I call the ‘beer bullies’. If I ask for a soft drink, just give me one please. I mean it. It shouldn’t matter what someone drinks so please, respect my wishes and help me with this please everyone
- Get my skin out and proud
I have also decided that if my skin is bad I’m not going to be ashamed of it any more. It’s my skin, it’s where I live, it’s what holds my fragile body together. I don’t have another one. Just this one. So if you don’t like my skin, please look the other way and don’t comment. I am also going to be kinder to my skin, be prepared and moisturise more. I am going to experiment with natural skincare products to see if I can find things that soothe and heal my skin better than the industrial Epaderm I rely on. I’m going to be kinder to my skin.
- Practise Mindfulness
This is something I’ve been thinking about for a while and I have looked into it, in a very blase kind of way so far. But if stress and depression can affect my skin in a very negative way, can the opposite thinking have a positive effect? I’m hoping it will because we all know how powerful the mind is. For instance, can I choose not to scratch? Can I use the power of positive thinking to reinforce my mind to ignore the itch impulse? Can learning mindfulness bring me an inner peace that will help me to cope with stress and avoid getting uptight, worrying so much and over thinking?
- Exercise more and get to a healthier place
I have booked myself onto a yoga course in my lunch breaks for 12 weeks at a local gym near where I work, but this is just the beginning of my plan. I want to try to do yoga twice a week, start running at least twice a week and keep up my regular walking with my good friend at work. Having a healthy body is so important for healthy skin. It’s almost as if the sweating helps to purge the body of impurities and irritants. I do get a lot of pain when I sweat if my eczema is bad but I just have to work through this, get into the shower quick and it will get easier. I am hoping this will also help my asthma, which has also been awful lately; a combination of dust, warm houses, central heating and the wrong foods have all contributed, as well as a lingering throat infection that went to my chest. I think that is finally almost gone (famoust last words).
I’ve also just done my first pre-work 5k run on my first day back in the office. Start as you mean to go on… hopefully this will be a weekly run so I’ll be so fit you won’t see me for dust. Except I’m also allergic to dust
I am also planning an blog overhaul to watch out for the new look What allergy.com very soon. I have already got my blogging mojo back so look out for more regular blogging. I have so missed this… it’s been too long but I’m back on this now.
I also have a few books planned for you so watch out for these too once the new blog is in place.
What are your New Year Resolutions?
Taking Quality Newborn Photographs
Newborns are one of the things that fascinate human adults. They are so pure and tiny and adorable.
While photographs of newborns are one of the most cherished memory items, they also take special talent to take. They do not have control over their own bodies yet and they do not understand what it going on.
They are going to respond to things as their body is stimulated by hunger, cold, or other things by crying. You cannot tell them what to do so you have to work with what they give you, but at the same time they will give you real smiles and genuine looks because they do not know how to fake them yet.
One of the first things you should do when planning a baby photography shoot is to know beforehand what kinds of pictures you want to take. The best newborn photo stages are when you place the baby on or in various things.
Baskets, bowls, plates, blankets, flower beds, and so forth. Babies look adorable when they are cuddled in things. If you do not have these kinds of things, they are very cheap at many stores and they will definitely be worth the picture.
If you are willing to ask around, a friend or family member will probably have something you could borrow. Props are critical to adorable newborn photos.
Another thing you can do to prepare to take photos of your newborn is to purchase a variety of fabrics and blankets before he or she is born. Be sure to choose silk, fake fur, bumpy textures, velvet, stark black, lacy white, a fun print, and cuddly baby blanket.
These textures will be very useful as various backdrops and for draping over things to your newborn photos. Try a variety of things and do not be afraid to simply take a lot of photos.
Click when you feel like it as well as when everything is perfect. Some of the best photos you get back will be candid rather than perfectly set up.
What matters is that you like the picture, not that it is professionally done. Remember to take photos with a variety of things.
For example, you may try a special blanket, a big bow, a vase of flowers, baseball glove, cowboy heat, wedding rings, the wedding dress, and so forth. The more things you try, the more adorable pictures you will have.
The third thing you should do is turn off the flash. The flash simply disturbs the baby and it will not add very much quality to the photo.
Newborn photos are intended to be soft and somewhat dim instead of bright with stark colors. The best thing to do is to find a room in your home where it is well lit with soft or subtle light.
Consider various rooms at different times during the day as the lighting is bound to change. Lighting is important, but you have the right kind of lighting in your home.
The fourth thing you should consider doing is dressing your baby up. Costumes can be very cute and they can add an extra element to the picture.
The fifth thing you should consider doing is turning some of the pictures black and white. Black and white pictures are timeless and will preserve your baby as a newborn forever.
All too often the skin of newborns is a blotchy red for several weeks after birth. The black and white photographs can help hide this fact.
You may want to take several photos both in color and in black and white so you can see which one turned out the best later. Black and white photos can be some of the most impressive photos.
The sixth thing you should do is make sure you take the photos that you want. If you want a picture of the baby’s hand, be sure to take that shot.
If you want one of the baby with his or her older brother, be sure to get that. There should be several pictures that you have to have, even if they do not turn out the best.
When you are finally ready to print off your photos, be sure to go to a quality printer. Do not print these precious photos off your home computer or at various retail stores where you normally shop.
Try to find an actual photo house that knows how to print off photography and will do a great job. You will never regret putting the time and effort in to get beautiful pictures of your precious newborn.
Ronald Pedactor has worked in the photography industry for 12 years and has written hundreds of articles relating to it as he aspires to be a Utah Wedding Photographer.
Contact Info:
Ronald Pedactor
RonaldPedactor09@gmail.com
http://www.spottedphotography.com
Taking Action To Treat Eczema
Eczema, like other rashy skin conditions, can be something that requires a good deal of patience. It itches plus it’s painful and often bleeds or cracks. There are many reasons why these flare-ups occur. Allergies are usually the culprit, but genetics, chemical and environmental factors also play a part. It doesn’t matter way age or gender you are, all can be susceptible to this type of skin condition. It is the hardest on young children as they don’t understand why they are hurting or itching and want to relief the offensive feeling by scratching at the skin.
The best thing to do is to try and take measures to head off a flare-up by bathing properly, eliminating products with artificial ingredients, eating properly and moisturizing. Make sure you are using natural moisturizers to keep your skin from becoming too dry. Use this moisturizer when you leave the bath and keep on using it frequently throughout the day. You may also be prescribed a cortisone medication by your physician.
Wear cotton pants and shirts to avoid scratchy materials. Be careful about nylons and materials that trap sweat. Wearing pants can help you to avoid scratching your skin. This prevents the likelihood of open wounds, skin infections, or scars because your nails have scoured your flesh. This side issue is common with severe skin dermatitis.
You should stop using unnatural products and try to avoid additives. Cosmetics, fragrances, and scented laundry soap are some of the causes for outbreaks. You need to research your specific triggers, because a trigger for one person may be different for another. Instead use natural beauty products in your daily regime reduce the amount of itchiness you encounter.
Taking vitamins have been a great remedy in reducing rash for a long time. This is also true with the consumption of fruits and vegetables. Other natural dietary remedies are to drink plenty of water daily. These simple measures purify your body, which makes it healthier overall and reduces the amount of outbreaks you have.
However, sometimes even with all the preventive measures you use, you can still get have a dermatitis episode. If this occurs, you need to take care of it immediately. The longer you go without treatment, the worse it will become. Start off with the natural treatments like oatmeal baths, or herbal mixtures. Follow your doctor’s recommendations as he may recommend over the counter medications like low-dose cortisone cream or antihistamines. Utilize ways to keep the mind calm and not allow stress to take over your attitude.
Learn more about Skin Rashes and Childhood Rashes
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