Cold Sores

It never fails. Every time you have a big meeting coming up or an important presentation to give, you develop an unsightly cold sore on your lip. You wake up with a small cluster of tiny, harmless-looking, white blisters, which quickly explode into a painful sore the size of Rhode Island.
True cold sores, the ones that occur on the lips, are caused by the herpes simplex virus.
Herpes viruses presumably lie dormant in certain nerve cells pf the body lifelong, until something like stress, strain, a cold, or excessive exposure to the sun causes them to manifest. In case of herpes simplex virus I, it happens to be on the lip.
Although many use the terms “cold sore” interchangeably, they are different.

6 WAYS TO FOIL COLD SORES

COVER IT WITH A PROTECTIVE PETROLEUM-BASED PRODUCT.
This will protect it from infection and help it to heal a little quicker.

REACH FOR ASPIRIN, ECETAMINOPHEN, OR IBUPROFEN.
These sores can be quite painful because they are in an area that tents to be easily and continually irritated. An over-the-counter painkiller can greatly reduce this discomfort.

AVOID SALTY OR ACIDIC FOODS.
Things like potato chips or citrus fruits can further irritate cold sores and add to the pain.

APPLY AN OVER –THE-COUNTER ANESTHETIC.
Putting a local anesthetic ointment containing benzocaine on the cold sore can help numb the pain temporarily.

PROTECT YOUR LIPS FROM THE SUN.
Applying sunscreen to your lips may help prevent sun-induced recurrences of cold sores. Look for a sunscreen, designed especially for the lips, that has an SPF of 15 or higher. Some colored lipsticks now also contain sunscreen.

KEEP IT TO YOURSELF.
One important thing to keep in mind with cold sores is that they are extremely contagious. While you have a cold sore, avoid kissing and sharing cups, towels, or other such items. And wash your hands frequently.

Bites

Bites can range from itchy to painful to life threatening. And you needn’t live out in the widerness to run the risk of getting one. In fact, one of the most dangerous kinds of bites can be inflicted in your very own home. Many bites can be treated at home, although others, like a human bite, require an immediate visit to the doctor or emergency room. The trick is distinguishing the dangerous from the benign.
The following is a guide to treating the most common types of bites, as well as a few tips on how to avoid getting bitten in the first place. Of course, if you have had a run with a creature that you suspect is dangerous, whether or not it is discussed here, don’t attempt self-treatment.

ICE AN ITCH.
Itchy mosquito bites may benefit from ice-cold compress. Ice decrease the inflammation and stops the pain and itching. icing the bite for 20 minutes at a time every few hours. The same goes for nonpoisonous spider bites, which can also leave an itchy welt.

TRY AN OLD FAIL-SAFE
When you had a mosquito bite as a child, your mother probably used calamine lotion- a thin, chalky, pink liquid-to stop the itch. Sold over the counter ( and quite economical, too, compared with alternatives such as hydrocortisone).

GIVE AN ANTIHISTAMINE A TRY.
Over the counter antihistamines can also help an itchy bite, since the itch is really a mild allergic reaction. Antihistamines should not be used by sensitive individual, pregnant women, people with allergies to ingredients in the products, or those who are taking conflicting medications. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are in doubts.

RECOGNIZE THE SIGN OF A SEVERE REACTION.
The bite from a venomous spider can cause a severe allergic reaction. It is important, therefore, to recognize the signs of an allergic reaction before it is too late. Symptoms of anaphylaxis, or severe allergic reaction, include difficulty breathing, hives all over the body, and loss of consciousness. Anyone experiencing these warning signals should be rushed to the nearest emergency room.

DON’T PANIC IF YOU’VE BEEN BITTEN BY A TICK.
Lyme disease, a tick-borne illness that can cause chills, fever, headache, and other complication, has received lots of play in the media of late. But not all ticks carrying tick will transmit it to you if you happen to be bitten. Generally, a tick must remain on the skin for 24 to 48 hours in order to transmit the organism that cause Lyme disease.

REMOVE TICKS WITH CARE.
To remove a tick from your skin, graps the insects mouthparts with tweezers as close as possible to your skin and slowly pull straight upward. Do not attempt to pull the ticks body or head, as it may break off, leaving the mouthparts underneath your skin.

STOP THE BLEEDING.
If an animal bite has caused severe bleeding, apply pressure ti the area with the palm of your hands. If the wound is large, tie a scarf, towel, or T-shirt tightly around the site to create pressure over a larger area.

DON’T TREAT A PUNCTURE LIKE A SCRATCH.
A bite that leaves a scratch but doesn’t really break the skin may simply be washed with soap and water, then covered with an antibacterial cream or ointment. Observe the animal carefully. With wild animals, if the animal is particularly placid- for example, if you can walk up to a squirrel and feed it-there’s something wrong with that animal its sick. Calling a doctor or veterinarian to find out if there have been any reported outbreaks of rabies in wild or domestic animals in your area.

GET A TETANUS BOOSTER.
If you’ve been bitten by a wild or domestic animal and the bite has broken the skin, its probably wise to contact your doctor to see if you need a tetatus booster shot ( whether or not you need one depends, in part, on the type of wound and the timing of your last tetanus shot.)

DON’T GET BITTEN IN THE FIRST PLACE.
Perharps the most sensible way to treat a bite is in advance – before you get bitten, stay away from wild animals, even if they let you approach, and don’t pester snakes, spiders, bees, or anything else that looks threatening.

KNOW YOUR LOCAL FAUNA.
Its best to keep abreast of the insects and animals in your area, so that you know what to watch out for. For example, you may live in an area where there has been an outbreak of rabies among domestic animals or a large number of lyme-carying ticks. You should know if rattlesnakes, poisonous spiders, or scorpions are likely to take up residence around your neighborhood. If you live in an area, such as the southwest, that is home to poisonous snakes and scorpion, learn how to recognize them by sight and avoid them like the plague.

Boils

Yesterday you noticed a slight redness on your arm, but thought you had simply bumped it against something. Today, the red spot has turned into a painful, red, swollen lump that looks and feels awful. Chances are, what you’re looking at is a boil. Most boils occur when a hair follicle is infected with staphylococcus, a bacteria that is present in many ares of the body and is often carried on the skin.
Boils can occur on any part of the body that has hair follicles, which would exclude the lips, palms, and soles of the feet. Boils are more common in men than in women and tend to occur most often on the neck, waist, buttocks, and thighs. Most boils are caused by some sort of trauma to the hair follicle, which allows staph bacteria to set up shop.
Unfortunately, there is not too much you can do to treat a boil once it appears. The treatment for a boil is drainage, so if you can get it to drain on its own, you probably won’t need antibiotics. Most boils simply need to run their course.


8 WAYS TO FOIL BOILS


HEAT IT UP
Apply warm compresses to the boils a few times a day. This home remedy is designed to help the boil come to a head and open up or be absorbed internally. The way you do this to run a washcloth under warm( not hot) water and put it on the area for five minutes, three to four times a day. The heat increases the blood supply in the area, which better enables the body to deal with the toxins and clean out the infection. A warm bath or a heating pad will do the trick as well.

DON’T BURST THE BUBBLE
If the boil comes to a head, resist the urge to break it open yourself, especially if it is located on your nose or cheek. If it’s coming to a head, you don’t have to poke it with anything. You just keep soaking it in warmth, and it will spontaneously drain. Picking at the boil and trying to force the infection out only makes it worse.

GIVE IT A GENTLE SQUEEZE
When the boil does finally rupture, squeeze it gently to get the remaining pus out. Don’t force it- just sort of help it along by milking it a little bit. Once the boil rupture, it usually dries up and goes away in a couple of days.

COVER IT UP
Put a bandage over the boil once it ruptures. This will keep the draining fluid from getting all over your clothes and will also protect the opening from becoming reinfected.

SKIP THE SOLUTIONS
Avoid over the counter solutions that claim to draw out the fluid. These preparations only tend to further irritate the skin. Drawing ointment are meant to irritate the boil, causing it to form pus at a faster rate than it normally would. The pus accumulation then increase the pressure inside the boil and causes it to burst and eventually drain on its own. But the increase pressure created by these ointments also forces the pus and bacteria down deeper into the skin and possibly into the bloodstream.

USE AN ANTIBACTERAIL SOAP OR SOLUTION
If you’re especially prone to boils, wash your skin with one of these solutions regularly. Betadine solution and deodorant soaps have antibacterial in them and work rather well. These soaps and solutions are available without a prescription.

CHOOSE MOISETURIZER WITH CARE
Avoild oil-based moisturizers, which have a tendency to clog the hair follicles and leave them prone to infection.

LOOSEN YOUR COLLAR
Tight-fitting clothing can rub against and irritate hair follicles, increasing the chance that a boil will develop. Opt for looser-fitting garments whenever you’ve had a boil before.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome(CFS) has become one of medicine’s most recent mysteries. First dubbed the Yuppie flu in the 1980’s by the media because it seemed to strike the young and the ambitious, especially woman, the condition continues to perplex and frustrate patients, physicians, and researchers.
CFS sufferers are plagued with a debilitating fatigue that can persist indefinitely. Their fluilike symptoms-fatigue(lack of energy), malaise(feeling bad),muscles aches, sore throat, low-grade fever, and swollen lymph nodes-often continue long after what they though was merely a bout with the flue, mononucleosis, or some other infectious illness. Depression, a common companion to many chronic conditions, can accompany the other symptoms of CFS.

20 COPING STRATEGIES

ESTABLISH A PARTNERSHIP WITH YOUR HEALTH-CARE TEAM.
Interview your doctor and see if its good match. Ask when he’ll take phone calls, when he returns them. Trust your intuiton. Learn about your illness, too, and don’t be afraid to ask question.

DO WHAT TOU CAN FOR YOUR BODY.
Practice the basics of healthy living” Eat a nutritious diet, get enough rest, and participate in a mild exercise programs, even if its just a five-minute walk.

GRIEVE FOR WHAT YOU’VE LOST.
You have to accept the fact you have a chronic illness. Learning to live with chronic illness that means giving up who you used to be and accepting who you are now.

LET YOURSELF FEEL YOR FEELING.
You have to go through the feeling of loss, of grief, anger, sadness when you learn you have a chronic illness.

DON’T BLAME YOURSELF.
Its not your fault you’re sick. Were programmed in this country to believe we can overcome anything if we work hard enough. You can’t let yourself feel guilty because you have this illness.

FIND SUPPORT.
It really helps to talk to other patients. A CFS patient and president of the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Association of Minnesola in Minneapolis. You don’t have to explain a lot of things, and you can’t go through this feeling totally alone.
You might also want to consider seeking professional counseling, since depression often accompanies any chronic condition.

SPEND YOUR ENERGY WISELY.
Several patients talk of using their precious stores of energy like coins froma piggy bank. You carefully ration every ounce of energy.

SET REASONABLE GOALS.
If you’re having a bad day, maybe your goal shouldn’t be to get groceries, but to take a shower, get dressed, make a sandwich, and do the dishes.

BE ENERGY EFFICIENT.
I sit down on a stool in the kitchen, I don’t stand. When i take laundry down to the basement. I take a book or the newspaper along and I say down there on a couch, so I don’t have to go up and down the stairs several times. Get a handicapped parking stickers; have your groceries delivered; hired someone to clean the house.

SCHEDULE REST PERIODS.
One woman I know takes what she calls’power naps’ lunches so she can get through the day at work. It’s critical that you schedule rest before and after activities.

SET PRIORITIES.
Make a list of what you must do, would like to do, and what doesn’t matter. When all your living must be done in a few hours a day, and with only a small amount of energy, you begin to realize what is truly important.

LEARN TO ADAPT.
Maybe you’re too sick to go to a movie, but you can ask a friend to bring over some Chinese food and watch a movie on the VCR. People who really love you don’t care if you cook them a gourmet meal or send out for fried chicken.

KEEP WORK AND HOME SCHEDULES ON THE SAME CALENDAR.
You don’t want to have a big meeting with your boss and a birthday party for your three-year-old scheduled on the same day.

REALIZE YOU HAVE LIMITS.
Remember that everyone-even healthy people-cant do everything. Try to be realistic about what you expect from yourself.

HAVE FUN.
Keep your social outlet. Maybe you cant entertain your friends the way you’d like but that doesn’t mean you don’t have something to share with them. If you have three hours of energy-work two of them, but spend one having coffee with a friend or taking a short walk. Keep the balance in your life

DON’T IGNORE YOUR SEXUALITY.
You may have to schedule sex when you feel good. Night is not the best time-you probably feel better at lunch or in the morning before you get out of bed.

KEEP A JOURNAL.
You don’t have to write in it everyday but it will help you see the patterns. You’ll realize how awful you felt on the darkest days, but that you moved past that and felt good again.

REMEMBER YOU STILL HAVE CHOICES.
Exercise your choices. Those feeling of control help fight any feeling of depression.

KEEP YOUR SENSE OF HUMOR.
The movies I watch, the books I read, are more upbeat these days. I’m dealing with enough difficulty and pain on a day to day basis.

LIVE FOR TODAY.
CFS patients are living with the unknown, and living with the unknown is frightening because it reminds us were out of control. So maximize the known. If you feel good, then enjoy today.

Chapped Lips

If puckering is painful and pursing is too much to bear, you’re probably suffering from chapped lips. Harsh winter weather, dry indoor heat, a habit of constantly licking your lips-all of these factors can help dry out the skin of your lips by causing the moisture in the skin to evaporate. The result; Rough, cracked, sensitive lips that leave you little to smile about.
Protect your lips from chapping is not only important for appearance and comfort, but for health. Cold sores, bacterial infection, and other problems are more likely to strike lips that are already damaged by chapping.


7 TIPS FOR SMOOTHER LIPS.

DON’T LICK YOUR LIPS.
The repeated exposure to water actually robs moisture from the lips, causing them to become dry.

USE A LIP BALM.
Numerous products are available over the counter. Pick one that you like so you’ll use it frequently. Most lip balm products are waxy or greasy and work by sealing in moisture with a protective barrier.

TRY PETROLATUM.
Plain old petrolatum is good, too.

WEAR LIPSTICK.
If you look at old men and old women, you’ll see a difference in their lips, especially the lower. Be careful of cosmetics made outside of the United States, however, since the purity of such products may vary.

SCREEN OUT THE SUN.
The sun’s ultraviolet rays can damage and dry the sensitive skin on your lips. Indeed, the lips are a common site for the skin cancer. Your lips don’t contain melanin (the pigment or coloring, that can help protect skin from the sun) and they sunburn easier.


CHECK OUT YOUR TOOTHPASTE.
An allergy-to your toothpaste or mouthwash-could be to blame for the rough, red skin on your lips. Try switching brands of toothpaste and going without the mouthwash for a few days to see if the problem clears. Rinse well after brushing.

WATCH WHAT PASSES BETWEEN THEM.
When your lips are chapped, they’re more sensitive, and certain foods can irritate them. Holding off on pepper, mustard, barbecue sauce, orange juice, and alcoholic beverages to give your lips a break as they heal.

Chafing

Does your skin-or your clothing-rub you the wrong way? If so,you’re probably suffering from a condition called chafing. While ehafing is rarely a serious problem, nothing can take the spring out of your step like sore, irritated, chafed skin.
Chafing is a condition in which the skin’s normal balancing act is disturbed. Normally, the body constantly sheds the skin cells, a few at a time and replaces them with a new skin. During chafing, persistent friction against the skin rubs off more of the skin’s outer layer than the skin is able to replenish.
Target zones for chafing includes the upper, inner thighs; under the arms; beneath the breasts in women; and surprisingly, men’s nipples.

6 WAYS TO SNUB THE RUB


KEEP YOUR CLOTHES CLEAN.
This is especially important for the outfits you job or exercise in. Dirt and sweat can accumulate in fabric and act as an irritant, a mild cleanser, and wash clothes frequently.

GO EASY ON THE BLEACH.
Bleach can irritate chafed skin. I’ve seen this particularly in people who do martial arts. They will often wash their uniforms in bleach and may not wash the bleach out thoroughly enough. Avoid bleaching your clothes, or at least make sure the bleach is thoroughly rinsed out.

RINSE YOUR SUIT.
The chlorine used in swimming pools can also irritate chafed skin, so after a swim in a chlorinated pool, be sure to rinse off your suit and your skin.

SPRINKLE WITH POWDER.
Powder, applied to chafed areas during the day or before a workout, can act as a buffer and cut down on friction. Using powder may prevent a mild case of chafing from progressing into a more serious one. If you’re chafed in the groin area and you’ve had a fungal infection such as jock itch in the past, an over-the-counter antifungal powder may be in order.

DAB ON SOME CREAM.
Applying 0.5 percent or 1 percent hydrocortisone cream, you can apply the cream during the day or, if you find that too messy, you can put it on only at night. Using soap and water to wash off the cream, as that can further irritate chafed skin.

GIVE YOUR UNDERARMS A BREAK.
Hold off on deodorants or antiperspirants-or at least use them sparingly-if your underarms are chafed. Until the condition clears, don’t shave or trim the hair in your armpits. These practices will only further aggravate the skin.

Chapped Hands

Suffering from dry skin is bad enough. But sometimes dry skin gets so bad it becomes chapped skin-red, rough, scaly, and even cracked and bleeding. The hands are common victims for such distress, taking the abuse we dish out each day as we wash them over and over, subject them to harsh chemical and cleaners, and expose them to the elements.
Wherever you’re a postal carrier, a cannery worker, a bartender, or a new parent changing diapers countless times a day, your hands are probably getting left high and dry.
Unfortunately, the constant wetting and drying that out skin undergoes during the course of an average day can remove the protective oils that help seal in moisture. It can also damage the skin by drying it out.


PROTECTING AND REPAIRING DRY CHAPPED HANDS.


WEAR GLOVES OR MITTENS OUTSIDE.
Your mother probably used to tell this each time you made a move to the door in winter. Well, she was right again. Keep your hands covered to protect them from cold, windy,dry weather.

DRESS YOUR HANDS FOR WORK.
Wear vinyl gloves as much as practical. When you’re washing dishes, scrubbing the tub or otherwise exposing your hands to chemical and cleansers.

PROTECT AGAINTS SUNLIGHT.
The sun’s ultraviolet rays damage the skin and only worsen dryness and chapping. So be sure to wear a sunscreen with a sun protection factor(SPF) of at least 15 on all exposed skin when you’re going outdoors in daylight.

SMEAR ON THE PETROLATUM.
Petrolatum, or petroleum jelly, is the most effective for treating chapped skin, agree the experts.One way to get results without getting petrolatum all over everything. You might
Also consider doing this before you sit down to read the newspaper or watch television.

USE MOISTURIZER.
If you don’t like the greasy feel of petrolatum, use a product you do like.Among the products recommended by dermatologists. Eucerin, Nivea, Lubriderm, Moisturel, and Aquaflor.

DON’T WORRY ABOUT LANOLIN.
As for lanolin, an ingredient that some people say is highly allergenic.

LEAVE THE MAGIC INGREDIENTS ON THE SHELF.
In other words” you don’t need something with vitamin A, E, or C or mink oil”

GIVE YOUR POCKETBOOK-AND YOUR HANDS-A BREAK.
“The higher the price, the less likely its useful”.

Canker Sores

It may only be the size of a pencil eraser, but a canker sore can be hard to ignore. You know its there-and it hurts like a dickens, especially whenever you eat or drink something.
Fortunately, a canker sore is usually a fairly short-live misery, and there are a few things you can do to find some temporary relief.
First, however, you need to be able to tell the difference between a canker sore and what’s called a cold sore, or fever blister, which is caused by the herpes virus. A cold sore often begins as several tiny blisters that eventually form one larger sore. They appear most often on the lips and face.
In contrast, canker sores usually travel alone. And unlike a sore caused by the herpes virus, a canker sore is not contagious. A canker sore has a yellow or white-gray center with a well-defined red border. It generally measures three to five millimeters in diameter (approximately the size of a pencil eraser) and is usually located on the inside of the lip or cheek or, less commonly, on the tongue.

9 SOOTHING STRATEGIES


GET OUT THE STYPTIC PENCIL.
Many a barber has used a styptic pencil to stem bleeding from minor nicks and cuts. Used on a canker sore, it will numb the nerve endings, temporarily reducing the pain.

MAKE YOUR OWN REMEDY.
It may sound like a strange combination, but several dentists swear by this homemade remedy. Mix together equal amounts of Milk of Magnesia or Kaopectate and Benylin or Benadryl. Milk of Magnesia and Kaopectate both contain ingredients that coat wet tissue, such as those in the mouth.

GO OVER THE COUNTER.
Use over the counter products like Orabase with Benzocaine. Its like a bandage. It covers up the surface. If you use something that keeps the sore coated, you’ll help prevent a secondary infection.

TAKE TWO ASPIRIN.
You can take aspirin, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen to help relieve the pain, especially before meals if the canker sore interferes with eating.

STICK TO COOL FOODS.
Stay away from foods that are hot-in terms of temperature and spiciness. They’ll burn and sitting tender canker sores.

BE GENTLE.
Wield that toothbrush extra carefully to avoid irritating a canker sore. You may want to avoid rough, scratchy food such as chips for the time being as well.

STOP BAD HABIT.
Alcohol and smoking can irritate a canker sore. A little abstinence may provide a lot of relief.

CHECK OUT YOUR DIET.
One old wives tale blames canker sores on tomatoes. Experts admit some sort of allergic reaction to food may blame, but other point out that food allergies can cause lesions that resemble canker sores.

LEAVE TO HANDLE STRESS.
That’s the best advice for preventing canker sores. Try to find some method of relieving or coping with stress. Example that you might try include engaging in a hobby, an exercise program, yoga, or meditation.

belching

In certain cultures, a belch after dinner is traditionally considered a compliment to the cook. In the Western world, if an adult belches after dinner- or at any time, for that matter-it is considered a breach of manners.
Babies burp, and it is certainly a satisfying sound to the mother or father who have been patting or rubbing the baby’s back. Children belch, too, because they think it’s a funny game, and sometimes the competition get noisily intense. Over the years, however, such child’s play can turn into a habit of frequently and unconsciously swallowing air- a habit that can result in belching.
If you suffer from aerophagia- the medical name for repetitive belching- you have probably endured the embarrassment of an unexpected outburst at precisely the most inelegant moment. But your habit can easily be broken if you just become aware of when and how you swallowed air and stop doing it.
HERE’S HOW:

STIFLE IT.” Chronic belchers may force themselves to belch because it provides temporary relief. A belching person can be seen forcing air into the mouth and esophagus. So if you’re a chronic belcher, you need to make conscious effort to squelch that belch.
DON’T SMOKE:
Here is yet another reason to give up smoking if you remain in the ever-dwindling population that still engages in the habit. “By
Inhaling on cigarettes, cigars, or pipes, you are swallowing excessive amounts of air- much more than the belch can let out”.
And if you are counting on chewing gum or sucking on hard candy to help you kick that habit , think again; these activities stimulate air swallowing, too.
MIND YOUR MANNERS:
Mom right again when she told you not to talk with your mouth full. “This habit allows air into the mouth, which is then swallowed
With the food.
EAT SLOWLY:
People who gulp down food and beverages are, for one thing, swallowing excessive amounts of air. They’re also crowding the
stomach with too much to digest, which causes a gaseous build-up. “Once you take a mouthful, put down your fork and chew your food well before taking another bite.”
RELAX:
Anxiety and stress can cause you to swallow more often, which increases the amount of air taken in. “You’ll have to make a conscious effort to minimize air swallowing even though you may feel that your mouth is dry, because you’ll only complicate your stress with stomach gas.”
DON’T CATCH COLD:
One sure thing about a cold is that it brings along postnasal drip, which will probably make you swallow much more frequently. so try toblow your nose to clear your nasal passages. Better yet, you should try to protect yourself from exposure to cold viruses.
AVOID BUBBLY BEVERAGES:
Drinking carbonated beverages, including beer, creates air in the stomach. “Stay away from these drinks,”
GO STRAWLESS:
Drinking through a straw will only increase the amount of air you swallow.

BLISTERS

You just couldn’t resist again. Those looked great with your new outfit, even if they didn’t feel so great on your feet. “There’ll stretch out,” you told yourself, and then patted yourself on the back for getting such a good deal. Unfortunately, you got more than you bargained for- namely, painful blisters to go with your new shoes.
Blisters are tender spots that fill up with fluid released by tiny blood vessels in an area where delicate skin tissue have been burned, pinched, or just plain irritated. Virtually everyone has experienced friction blisters, the kind caused by now, read on to find out how to take care of it.

TREATING YOUR BLISTER
A blister is your body’s way of telling you that the skin and tissues are being injured. So while you take steps to relieve the discomfort, you also need to protect the injured area.

18 WAYS TO TREAT-AND BEAT-THEM

MAKE A TENT
Instead of simply placing an adhesive bandage right on top of the blister, “tent” the bandage by bringing in its sides so the paddling in the middle of the bandage raise up a bit. This will not only protect the blister but allow air to circulate, which will aid in healing.

USE A DOUBLE-DUTY BANDAGE
Another type of bandage, available in pharmacies, contains a gel and antiseptic to cushion and “clean” the blister.

LET IT BREATHE
Some physicians believe that a blister should not be covered at all for maximum aeration. He even suggested slipping your shoe off while you sit at your desk at work in order to give your blister some air.

SMEAR ON AN OITMENT
Whether you decided to cover your blister or not, you should apply an antibacterial/antibiotic ointment to it. Doctors generally recommended Bacitracin or Polysporin, which may be less likely to cause an allergic reaction or sensitivity than other over the counter ointments.

PAD IT
When a blister is in a particularly annoying spot, like the bottom of the foot, padding might provide more of the cushion than just a bandage would. She suggests using the circular pads made of foam adhesive found in the foot-care aisle of drug-and beauty-aid stores. Pharmacies also carry sheets of padding that you can cut to size for more exact fit. Cut the padding in the shape of a donut, and place it on the skin surrounding the blister so that the blister fits in the hole in the opening of the donut. Then gently cover the blisters with an antibacterial ointment and bandage.

PUT IT UP
Elevating the blistered area can help relieve the pressure.

BE PATIENT
Expect it to take about a week to ten days for the blisters fluid to be reabsorbed by the body.

DRAIN IT
While some doctors believe that a blister should never be popped because of the risk of infection, most agree that a blister causing extreme pressure- such as one on a finger or toe or under a nail-is a candidate for draining.

KEEP THE ROOF ON IT
Once you have popped the blister and drained the fluid, do not remove the deflated top skin. This skin, called the blister’s roof, protects the blister from infection and forms a bridge for new cells to migrate across on their journey to heal the site.

SOAK FIRST
To drain a blister on a tough-skinned area, such as the sole of the foot. first soaking the blister in Burrow’s solution, available from pharmacies in package or tablet (follow the direction on the package). Soaking the blisters for 15 minutes, three to four times a day, A day or two of this soften the blister and make draining easier.

WATCH FOR SIGNS OF INFFECTION
Redness, red streaks, or pus in an intact or a “popped” blister should be treated by a doctor.


PREVENTING BLISTERS

BUY SHOES IN THE AFTERNOON
“Over the course of the day, your feet may swell by as much as half a shoe size”. When trying on the shoes, wear the same type of socks that you plan to use with the shoes.

LOOK FOR LEATHER
Unlike nonporous vinyl and plastic materials, leather has microscopic pores that allow air to circulate, keeping the foot drier. In the same way, so do the clusters of perforated holes primarily found on many styles of sports footwear. A dry foot is less likely to develop blisters.

NEVER WEAR WET SHOES
The wetness can cause more “dragging” between the foot and shoe and can result in blisters. If you jog twice a day, for instance, you may want to buy a second pair of running shoes for your second run each day.

PROTECT “HOT SPOTS”
If you have a chronic ”hot spot” or place where blisters tend to develop, apply petroleum jelly to it, then slip on your sock. Foam or felt pads, used alone, can also absorb the friction and protect a hot spot. For best result, make sure the padding covers more area than you think a blister would take up, since the neighboring area can become irritated, too.

WEAR THE RIGHT SOCKS
Specially made sport socks with extra padding in hot spots can help prevent blisters. Natural fibers such as cotton and wool tent to keep the feet dry by absorbing moisture.

TRY A SPRINKLE
Foot powders may aid in keeping the foot dry and preventing painful blisters from forming.

BRUISES

When something goes bump in the night, and it’s you, you may end up with the most common type of injury known to man. Bruises, those purplish blue testimonies to our physical foibles, occur when blood seeps from damaged blood vessels into the surrounding tissue. Known medically as contusions, bruises are usually caused by what doctors call direct trauma. Whether from hitting a corner of the coffee table or being kicked in the shin, the result is a painful reminder of our not so best moments.
Bruises generally heal in about 10 to 14 days. Along the way, their coloring changes and fades from a dark purple to a yellowish blue. The changing colors indicate that “scavenger” white blood cells have moved into the area to break down ruptured red blood cells ( called corpuscles) into iron by products. These by- products can then be whisked away by the blood. When a greenish maroon color appears, healing is almost complete. While your body is taking care of healing the injury, there are some things you can do to minimize discoloration, maximize pain relief, and prevent bruises from “hitting” you in the future.


14 TIPS FOR COPING WITH THE COLOR PURPLE


COOL IT DOWN
To stop the bleeding from the damaged blood vessels, used a cold compress. “The sooner you apply ice, the better. The cold also help prevent swelling. Wrap the ice in a damp cloth and apply it for about 10 to 15 minutes. If your fingers or toes are bruised, plunged them into ice-cold water for quick results. Never place ice directly on the skin, however, or keep a compress on for prolonged periods of time, because an ice burn can result.

TAKE A LOAD OFF
No matter where the injury occurred, it’s important to rest the effected area.

GIVE IT A LIFT
Elevation is helpful for bruises to the arms or legs, because less blood is pumped into the injured site when gravity lends a hand. Try supporting your leg up on a few pillows for 30 minutes each hour for the first few hours after injury.

SWICH TO HEAT
About 24 hours after the injury, once the bleeding has stopped and the healing process has begun, use heat to help reduce the muscle spasms that can accompany bruising. “ The muscles contract to ‘splint’ an injury, especially near a joint. Apply lukewarm compresses for about half an hour to an hour, three to four times a day, to relax the muscles surrounding the bruise.
While either moist or dry heat can be used – whichever is most comfortable for you – many physicians say that for reasons unknown, moist heat seems to be more effective in treating bruises. “But no matter which heating method you use, the heat should never be too high. If you use a heating pad, for example, it should be set on the lowest temperature.

KEEP YOUR ASPIRIN IN THE CABINET
You may be tempted to reach for aspirin to dull the pain of the injury, but don’t do it. “ Both aspirin and acetaminophen contain anticoagulants, commonly known as blood thinning’ agents, which can aggravate the bruises,” Instead, reach for ibuprofen, the other major nonprescription painkiller, which does not contain anticoagulant factors.

PUT YOURT MOISTURIZER IN THE FRIDGE
If you decide to treat the bruise with dry heat and the area becomes dry, use an emollient, preferably a hypoallergenic one, to help smooth and soothe the affected area. Gently pat – do not rub – it on, a few times a day. “ By keeping the lotion in the refrigerator, it will feel pleasantly cool on your hot, tender skin when you use it.”

BE A TEETOTALER
Alcoholic beverages, whether wine coolers, beer, or hard liquor, can dilate (open up) blood vessels, which in turn can aggravate the bruising, alcohol consumption is also a major contributor to accidents in the home.

WEAR LOOSE CLOTHING
Tight, restrictive clothes will only increase the bruise’s tenderness. For bruises on the legs, for example, try going without panty hose or socks for a day if you can.

WATCH THE WAY YOU DECORATE
Furniture that is more rounded or that has sifter edges – such as Queen Anne-style coffee tables – may be less hazardous to your legs and hips than squared-off styles, especially in small rooms where space is tight.

CONSIDER PUTTING DOWN CARPERTING
You might be less likely to slip on carpeting than you would on linoleum or tile, and if you do happen to fall, the carpet may help you to prevent more serious injury by acting as a cushion.

TACK DOWN AREA RUGS
Those small throw rugs, often found in entry halls, bathrooms, and kitchens, frequently slide around or bunch up, leaving you open to an unexpected trip and a potentially bruising fall. To remedy the problem, use adhesive tape or especially made tacking to adhere them to the floor.

LIGHT THE WAY TO SAFETY
Night lights or lights set on timers are a relatively low-cost way to illuminate your path for late-night trips to the kitchen or bathroom. You might also try keeping a small flashlight on your nightstand so you can take it along when navigating dark hallways or stairways. Motion sensor fixtures, which turn on when movement is detected nearby, are great for outdoor use because they will instantly light up your driveway or sidewalk as you approach.

IMPROVE YOUR FOOTING IN THE TUB
Put a rubber mat in your bathtub or shower stall to help prevent slipping. You might even consider installing a handrail to decrease your risk of slipping while getting in or out of the tub.

PUT EVERYTHING IN ITS PLACE
Clutter can be hazardous to your health. Just think about the times you found a missing item by literally tripping over it

BREAST DISCOMFORT

For many women, breasts are a source of sensual pleasure. For breast-feeding mothers, they are a part of the bonding between mother and baby and a way of nurturing a new life. But at certain times in a woman’s life, breasts can be uncomfortable or downright painful. They may even become the focus of worry and anxiety.
Breast discomfort is a normal part of being a woman. It is almost always not a sign of breast cancer. Breasts are mammary glands that are responsive to natural hormonal changes, especially fluctuations in estrogen, that occur at menstruation, menopause, and pregnancy. Hormonal changes can cause breast to become hot, swollen tender, and painful to the touch.
All of the hormonal changes that occurs just before menstruation and during pregnancy prepare the woman’s breast-feeding. With the onset of menstruation, estrogen levels fall and the breast return to normal. With pregnancy, the hormonal changes continue, and the breasts begin producing milk for the baby. Lactating breast present their own special problems and challenges. Sometimes, a mothers milk comes in too early or too heavily and causes a painful condition called engorgement.
Some women also suffer from a noncancerous breast condition such as fibrocystic breast that can cause the breast to feel lumply, painful and tender.

6 SOOTHING STRATEGIES


WEAR A SUPPORTIVE BRA
Breast often swell with fluid during period of hormonal fluctuation. Woman wear a supportive bra, especially if their breast are large. You may have to wear it 24 hours a day when the breast are tender. Try one of those soft athletic bras that provide comfort and good support.

TRY CUTTING BACK ON CAFFEINE
Scientific evidence is mixed about whether or not eliminating caffeine helps lumpy, fibrocystic breasts. One study, reported by the National Institute of Health, which included more than 3000 women, found no relationship between caffeine consumption and fibrocystic disease. On the other hand, some women have reported good results from cutting back or eliminating caffeinated coffee, teas, colas and chocolate. Try reducing your consumption of caffeine to see if your breast discomfort decrease.

CUT SALT
Many women are bothered by fluid retention, particularly near time of their menstrual period. Avoilding salt around this time can help minimize fluid retention.

APPLY HEAT/COLD PACKS
Some women find relief from painful breast by alternating a warm heating pad and ice packs. Try using the heating pad for 30 minutes, then the ice packs for 10 minutes, then the heating pad for 30 minutes and so on.

TRY A NONPRESCRIPTION PAIN RELIEVER
Aspirin, ibuprofen, or acetaminophen can ease the pain of premenstrual breast.

CHECK OUT YOUR COSMETICS
Some herbal cosmetics and remedies, such as those made with ginseng, can have steroidal effects similar to estrogen. If you suspect that a product that you use may have such an effect, try avoiding the product temporarily to see if your condition improves.