Wednesday, February 27, 2013

How to Use Domeboro Soak to Clear up a Rash

Anyone who gets exposed to irritants can end up with assorted itchy skin problems or athlete's foot. If you suffer from minor skin irritation and itchiness, a time-tested solution might help heal your skin. Domeboro soak, also commonly called Domeboro Astringent Solution or aluminum acetate astringent, has helped to heal itchy skin problems since it came on the market over 50 years ago.
Some of the skin problems you can treat by using this healing astringent include:
When to Use Domeboro

You have a choice between two ways to use this astringent as a healing agent for mild but persistent rashes. When itchy, red patches form on your skin and even when the rash sticks around, you can apply Domeboro Astringent Solution as a dressing or compress to eliminate the redness or use it as a soak for the affected area.

How to Make a Domeboro Soak

On skin surfaces you can submerge, such as feet or hands, a soak works really well. Choose a basin large enough to submerge the affected area, and pour in two packets of the solution for each quart of water needed to fill the basin. This works with either warm or cold water, but dissolves best and fastest in warm. Submerge the rash in the solution and leave it there for a minimum of 15 minutes and as long as half an hour.

How to Make a Domeboro Compress

When you cannot submerge the affected area, try a Domeboro compress instead of a soak. Mix one packet of Domeboro with 16 ounces of water. Saturate a gauze pad with the solution and gently press it on the irritated area. Leave the compress in place for a minimum of 15 minutes and up to 30 minutes.

Domeboro Precautions

Toss out all leftover solution, do not try to reuse it. Do not use this product on open wounds unless directed by your doctor. Try to keep it out of your eyes and do not swallow the solution. If it gets in your eyes, flush them with cold water. If swallowed, contact your doctor, poison control center, or hospital immediately. Also, if your skin problem comes with extreme dryness or eczema-like symptoms, Domeboro might aggravate the dryness.

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Relieve Clenching Teeth by Relieving Stress

The time you spend sleeping is supposed to be your body's chance to restore itself so you can wake up refreshed and ready for the new day. If you have a problem with clenching teeth, however, you may find yourself feeling far from refreshed in the morning. Clenching your teeth can result in a headache that feels tight, a sore jaw, and even painful or damaged teeth. While the clenching and grinding of teeth can occur during the day, it's most likely to happen while you're sleeping. There is, however, some good news for nighttime sufferers of this condition, called bruxism. Stress relieving measures can help reduce the amount of tooth grinding some children and adults experience.

Dental Night Guard Prevents Clenching of Teeth

Similar to other types of sleep disturbances, such as sleep walking, nighttime tooth clenching is commonly believed to be caused by stress, nervousness, and anxiety. Misaligned teeth, however, are another common source of this problem. A dental night guard - a soft plastic barrier worn during sleep - provides an effective solution to relieve some clenching of misaligned teeth. Dental night guards are ideally fitted during a visit with your dentist, but are also available over the counter. If you choose a generic model, be aware that it might not fit as comfortably as one made by your dentist. While wearing a dental night guard during sleep stops the teeth from grinding together, it is also important to address the cause of the stress.

Stress Relief to Help Unclench Teeth

It might sound strange to think of controlling nighttime bruxism during your waking hours, but getting rid of daytime stress increases the chance of getting a restful night's sleep, that is one with no clenching teeth. Start by avoiding strenuous activity and caffeine in the hours before bedtime. Choose peaceful activities to enjoy while getting ready for bed, such as listening to soft music, taking a warm bath, and sipping herbal tea or cocoa. (Just don't forget to brush and floss after consuming these drinks.) Add stress relieving activities during early daytime hours, as well, such as journaling, aerobic activity, yoga, or gentle stretching after a walk.

Friday, February 22, 2013

What are Stability Running Shoes and What Benefits Do They Offer?

Running is an excellent weight-bearing (read osteoporosis-fighter) and can also serve as a great way to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight during menopause, but you need to do it safely. Finding the right motion control/stability running shoe for your foot type increases your comfort level during a run and reduces the chance of injury.

If you are looking for motion control and stability running shoes, you need to know what features make a good stability and motion control running shoe. Each runner has a unique gait, foot type, or manner of running, and the right stability shoe is as a unique as each runner’s gait. Wearing the right shoe for your gait can help to improve your performance and reduce the risk of injury.

Running shoes with a mid-sole plate for controlling overpronation are commonly referred to as motion control running shoes. Stability shoes fall into the broader category of motion control running shoes. Almost all shoes offer some degree of stability, ranging from very little for underpronators to maximum for overpronators. The amount of stability the running shoes provide refers to how much support the shoes provide.

Determine Foot Pronation

According to the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine (AAPSM), flat-footed, severe overpronators, and heavy runners will benefit from maximum stability. Most runners, those with medium or normal arches as determined by the wet test, need moderate or mild stability, while high-arched underpronators and light, efficient runners can use neutral stability running shoes.

To determine your foot type using the wet test, wet your foot and then step on a piece of paper. The shape made by the base of a normal foot will resemble a fried chicken drumstick. The shape of a flat, or overpronating foot will resemble a long oval. The base of a high-arched or underpronating foot will make two tear-drop shaped marks.

While many companies are producing high quality running shoes, the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine recommends some stability shoes as being among the best for minimizing overpronation yet providing a level of flexibility and cushioning.

While trying on different models of stability and motion control running shoes is the only way to find out which shoe actually feels best on your feet, this partial list of running shoes for each level of stability will give you a place to start your search. A more detailed list is available on the AAPSM website.

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Emu Oil for Silky Hair and a Healthy Scalp

Silky hair and a healthy scalp are so easy to get with just a bit of all-natural emu oil. This type of oil is known for its antibacterial and antimicrobial qualities. Throw the oil's hypermoisturizing ability into the mix and you have a ready-made prescription for soft hair and an acne-free scalp.

Painful Scalp Acne

Pimples can form on the scalp just like they form on the face and on the rest of the body. Even worse than simply getting facial pimples, the pimples growing inside the hairline often seem unusually painful. Start the healing with an emu-based shampoo and conditioner, such as Silky's Garden Emu Oil Shampoo and Conditioner.

Wash hair normally, but really work the shampoo's antibacterial oil into your scalp to get the best healing effect. To do this, add about one minute to the time spent lathering the shampoo and use your fingertips to massage the oil into your scalp's pores. This is so easy and enjoyable, with the relaxing benefit of a mini massage. When it is time to add the conditioner, allow it soak into hair follicles for an extra minute or two to really soften and moisturize hair.

In addition to the shampoo and conditioner version of this wonder oil, pure oil extracts are available. These pure oil extracts are also highly desirable as part of a healthy beauty routine. If you prefer a pure extract, you can simply add a few drops of the oil to your favorite shampoo or conditioner and work it into your hair's roots.

Other Advantages

Emu-based oil is known for other great hair care benefits beyond moisturizing and having antibacterial properties. Some dedicated users claim the oil also halts hair loss and stimulates new hair regrowth while reducing the amount of gray hair, clearing up dandruff, and getting rid of itchy scalp problems.

You can enjoy the soft, healthy hair while waiting for the scalp healing to begin. While the oil's moisturizing quality shows up with the first use, expect it to take about a week before scalp heath begins to improve. Things like scalp acne, dandruff, and hair loss do not happen overnight, and restoration takes some time, too.