Tag: Rashes

Poison Ivy and Children

Summer camps and family hiking sessions can sometimes result in children getting itchy rashes. To be blamed are plants such as poison ivy, poison sumac and poison oak. All of them produce the same substance or oil, called urushiol, which cause rashes. Urushiol is colorless and even odorless and is present within the leaves. Poison ivy can even grow in the backyards and parks. So any kind of outdoor activity should be monitored and the lawn should be de-weeded periodically. Bushes should be checked, as they grow as a regular plant and the child would not be able to distinguish the poisonous plant from the regular one.

Precaution is better than cure. Children should be educated and made to understand the description and ill-effects of poison ivy. They come in wide range and some change the appearance depending on seasonal variations. Urushiol is released from the leaves only when the leaves are damaged like when they are torn, get bumped or are brushed. The moment the leave is damaged, urushiol is released and the skin is affected immediately. Also, what many people do not know that to get a rash by poison ivy is not only by coming directly in contact with the plant. Human and animal carriers of urushiol can affect people coming in contact with them. The leaves of the plant can be flown by the air, which can cause damage when those leaves are handled or burned with the rest of the leaves and twigs.

Once the children are made familiar with the plants, they should be asked to steer clear on the sight of the plant or leaves. Parents should avoid places where there are possibilities of growth of such plants. When going on camps, etc., children should not be dressed in short sleeves and short length pants, so that the body does not brush off such plants. In spite of taking all these precautions, if the child comes in contact with such plants and contact with urushiol is suspected, the area should be washed with water and disinfectant. It is best to take shower and clean the whole body and the clothes should be removed immediately and washed. Pets should also be bathed after their outdoor adventures.

Basically, the urushiol causes an allergic reaction which irritates the skin and that is the reason why it is known as an allergen. This allergen wont harm all, but eighty percent of the victims get skin irritations. It not only creates itchy rashes, but can also swell the skin. The time period for the symptoms to surface is few hours to five days. The rash usually takes one to two week to heal completely. First the skin swells and rash develops. Blisters can also form as a result of regular rubbing of the skin to get rid of the itch. The blisters will form a crust after some days and will flake off.

If the rashes are accompanied with fever, a pediatrician should be contacted for appointment. And if the case isnt that serious, the doctor recommends home remedies. The child would be asked to be given showers with cold water and calamine lotion would have to be applied. If the redness and itching is intense, fluid medicine along with pills are administered to the kid. Antihistamine is very popular in such cases. Steroids are prescribed by the doctor.

PPPPP

Word Count 565

What Baby Acne is All About

Although teenagers are often the ones attacked by a bad case of acne, adults can have it too and surprisingly so do babies.

More common than you think

Baby acne is actually a common condition in newborns and it is a really normal occurrence. The condition is characterized by red bumps on the skin that may initially appear as rashes. Often, baby acne starts off about three to four weeks after birth and may last until he or she reaches about four to six months old. Still, there are some babies that develop baby acne at birth.

There is no clear cause of baby acne but some experts suggests the role of the hormones that mothers pass on to their child during the last stages of pregnancy. These hormones babies get from the womb and sometimes from the breastmilk play a role in the development of the acne condition. As your baby grows, these hormones slowly disappear from the system. When this happens, the problem acne also disappears.

And because baby acne is basically caused by the chemical make up of the body, there is really nothing you can do to prevent it from happening. The only thing perhaps that parents have a power on is to make sure that your baby will remain comfortable despite the problem and that it will not become worse because of irritation.

Although baby acne is actually not a cause for alarm as it is quite normal for some babies to develop them, it is still important that parents become aware of the condition so as not to exacerbate the case and increase the irritation. Symptoms of baby acne include red bumps that are commonly found on the cheeks. The bumps may also appear on the chin and on the forehead.

Aggravating matters

Baby acne frequently gets irritated when the baby becomes hit or fussy. The stress brought about by these conditions will often irritate the case. Saliva, spits and even milk may also exacerbate the problem, making it appear worse than before.

There is really no treatment available for baby acne. As mentioned before, the condition will disappear on its own once the hormones disappear from the system. Most doctors would recommend gentle washing of the face with a really mild cleanser to remove the oils. Vigorous washing is a no no as this can irritate the skin all the more. Remember that baby acne is not caused by germs or dirt but rather hormones so no amount of washing can make the condition go away. In addition, too much washing may also remove the natural oils of the skin, resulting in the increased activity of the oil glands. Like all other things, too much is also not good.

Another reminder for parents is to lessen or avoid altogether the use of oils and lotions on the skin as this can add up to the grease that are already acting up on the acne. Never ever put any skin ointments and other facial products as this can aggravate the matter. Using topical medicines on the problem areas may only make it worse especially if your babys skin is ultra sensitive. Before you do anything about it or apply anything, make sure that you have consulted your pediatrician or a dermatologist about it.

Your Best Home Remedy For Swimmers Ear

Swimmers ear is an inflammation of the outer ear that is sometimes referred to by its scientific name otitis externa, or is simply called an earache. The name swimmers ear comes from the fact that since this infection is caused by excess moisture, some swimmers are prone to it.

While swimmers may be the most common sufferers of this infection, anyone can come down with it if the conditions are right. It is often recurrent, so it can be extremely inconvenient and potentially expensive to have to visit the doctor every time it occurs.

As such, many people are interested in a home remedy for swimmers ear. There are many different home remedies available, so the question becomes: which one works the best? The answer may depend on the severity of the inflammation and simply what works best for you.

However, before trying any home remedies its a good idea to visit a doctor at least once. This is because sometimes what may look like swimmers ear is actually a more serious ear infection that needs serious treatment.

If youve been diagnosed with swimmers ear before then its usually safe to try a home remedy for earaches when they recur. One option is to simply purchase over the counter ear drops from a pharmacy. They are a simple and inexpensive way to help minimize the pain of swimmers ear and cure it.

One example of such a home remedy for earaches is Burrows Solution, which is commonly used to treat rashes and bug bites. Burrows Solution is available without a prescription, making it an easy to obtain fix.

It may also be possible to treat swimmers ear with things that you already have around the house. For example, putting a little bit of rubbing alcohol into the affected ear can help to clear out any building infection. Simply tilt your head to the side with the inflamed ear pointed upward. Pull your ear to stretch out the ear canal, and squeeze just a drop of rubbing alcohol into the canal. Shake your head a bit to make sure the alcohol flows all through it, then tilt your head to the other side to drain it out.

Some similar approaches include using some other common household supplies. For example, white vinegar, or a mixture of alcohol and white vinegar can help to kill off any bacteria that are building up in the ear canal. Use the same method outline above for rubbing alcohol.

The best home remedy for swimmers ear is simply prevention. Even if you swim regularly doesnt mean youre doomed to get it. There are a lot of simple ways to help prevent the problem before it starts. For example, you might try wearing earplugs or a swimming cap, when you go swimming. This helps to keep the water from getting into your ear canal where it can promote the growth of fungus or bacteria. If you dont like earplugs, you can even use a blow dryer to manually dry out your ears after swimming.

Remember if the problem persist consult your local physician.

How Do I Choose an Essential Oil?

Depending on your needs, you should carefully choose which essential oil is best for you. Essential oils can be used in aromatherapy or even as a diluted topical cream for different skin breakouts. Most mood enhancing essential oils are used in aromatherapy for mental fatigue, stress, and anxiety. If physical uses are the focus of your needs, then using essential oils that help with rashes or acne problems would be more beneficial. It is important to use the proper essential oil or you may find yourself frustrated from inactivity.

Before choosing an essential oil that is perfect for you, doing research and reading articles related to several essential oils will help you decide. Some essential oils are better as mood enhancers. If you suffer from depression or low self esteem, certain essential oils will properly help lift your spirits and increase your mood so that you can be more active during the day. You can also ask a professional or qualified consultant to help you choose. A professional can help you choose which essential oil will quickly help your condition with the best efficiency.

After you choose an essential oil it is important to test it prior to using it. Essential oils should never be applied without testing a small area of the skin. The oils should also never be used without first diluting the extract. Essential oils are potent, so using them on the skin without diluting can cause a rash or burn. Conversely, dilute a small drop in a few milliliters of vegetable oil. Spread the essential oil cream on a small area of your skin and observe for twenty four hours. If your skin becomes irritated or red, then you may be allergic to that specific oil. Use this method even before burning essential oils for aromatherapy.

After checking for allergies, it is time to use the essential oils. There are several different methods that you can use. Below is a list of ways to inhale or apply the essential oils for the different therapeutic effects. It is important to use them the way they are intended for the best benefits.

Diffuser

A diffuser will allow you to inhale the essential oils. Put a few drops of essential oils into the diffuser with water. Some essential oils can be used just with the heat, so make sure to read the directions. A diffuser will evaporate the essential oils into the air, and most come with a timer so that they can be used while sleeping.

Dry Evaporation

Dry evaporation is a more simple way to inhale the essential oils. You can place a few drops on a cotton swap or tissue and allow it to evaporate into the air. If you need a quick, strong scent inhale the fragrance directly from the cotton swap. For a less potent effect, allow the essential oils to evaporate on the tissue or cotton swap and leave it in the general vicinity of where you will remain for about an hour.

Steam

Steam is a simple way to inhale the essential oil aroma. Place a few drops into a steaming bowl of water. The oils will quickly vaporize into the air. Place a towel over your head and place your head close to the steam and inhale. The fresh fragrance of the essential oils will penetrate your senses and help you feel refreshed.

PPPPP

Word Count 569