Don’t Let The Bed Bugs Bite This Year

January 2, 2009

Bed bugs are nasty little critters. Think of it as a parasite sucking the blood out of you. Think Dracula for that matter because it sucks blood only on midnight when you are away in dreamland. This is because bed bugs do not like sun and they are patiently waiting on your bed for easy access to your warm body.

Bed bugs belongs to bug family Cimicidae, his cousins will include your pet fleas and bat bugs. Their size is about an apple seed. Bed bugs are commonly mistaken for fleas or small cockroaches. Beds are usually their most convenient habitat but they can be found in furniture, clothing, walls and dark crevices just like your ordinary bugs.

The most disturbing thing about this uninvited guest is their bite itself. While asleep, they will insert two needle point tubes into the skin. The first tube would be for drawing blood and the other contains their own saliva with anticoagulants and anesthetics to the bite area. This will ensure their success in drawing your blood without interference. However, that saliva is usually an allergen to the person they bit making this person break into a rash or sometimes to a more life threatening allergy. Happy New Year.

 

Spotting a Skin Abscess

November 10, 2008

A red, hot and painful swelling which is filled with puss is usually the first sign that you have a skin abscess. If your body’s immune system is strong the white blood cells sent straight on over should be able to cope and clear it up by themselves. This will mean the abscess will clear up without any discharge and instead you will be left with a hard painful lump for a while.

Abscesses on the skin surface can cause nearby glands to become swollen and sore. For example an abscess on the arm could cause swollen glands in the arm pit. Provided you treat the abscess early though you should be able to get away with just mild discomfort. If needs be the puss will need to be drained safely, allowing the infection to heal and the skin to repair itself. Draining can be done using a dry dressing covered with magnesium sulphate paste.

 

What Causes Acne?

November 4, 2008

So picture the scene. You’re just about to go to a long anticipated party. All your mates will be there and you’re hoping to see a certain someone who you might just have taken a liking to. Cue outbreak. It’s almost like they know. But why does it happen.

Although more common at the age of adolescence, acne is a problem faced by people of all ages. It’s also just as much a problem for girls as it it for boys - the difference being that girls tend to get them slightly earlier. A big reason for getting spots in your teens is due to the massive increase in hormone production, as well as effects of notoriously poor diets consumed by teenagers.

Acne within adults tends to signify internal toxicity which can be attributable to a number of factors, such as constipation, candida or food intolerances.

Although there are many facial washes and scrubs out there to help you deal with acne, usually the most effective acne remedies treat the problem from within - helping your liver to deal with toxins at source.

 

Allergies and Atopic Eczema

October 16, 2008

As we mentioned in our previous post there are several types of eczema - none of them particularly pleasant. Atopic eczema is the most common of these and usually occurs in people with a family history of allergies or asthma.

Often the trigger in these instances is an external irritant such as perfumes, washing powder, shampoos, dust mites or animal hairs. In other instances it might be a food intolerance.

The result of this is that outbreaks can be unpredictable and hard to avoid. That’s why treating eczema should start with battle hardening your body against these allergies in the first place. A great start to finding out how can be found in this allergy prevention guide.

Soothing The Eczema Itch

September 27, 2008

When it comes to dealing with eczema the jury is in and the verdict is unanimous - keep the skin well moisturised. That means keeping out of the water as much as possible, use of capable creams, and avoiding any aggravators.

There are several types of eczema but generally they carry similar symptoms - red, itchy and uncomfortable skin. The worst part of it all is you have to try all you can NOT to scratch as damaged skin generally becomes more prone to infection and scarring.

The best way to soothe the itch without even leaving the house is to soak a flannel in milk and apply it to the affected area several times each day. If you prefer to use a product try a soothing skin care product such as Itch Dr., a topical remedy containing Vitamin E, well known for its soothing and healing powers.