Posted on October 25, 2011
Filed Under eczema | Comments Off
If you are one of the millions that suffer from eczema, you have probably been to doctors for months or possibly years in search of the cure or, at the very least, some real relief. In many cases, you may have been recommended to use a certain eczema cream. On the other hand, perhaps, you haven’t been to see a doctor because you are all too familiar with eczema. In most cases, eczema starts when we are children. While it may go away with the use of eczema cream or some other therapy, it will usually resurface later in life. Many children develop infant eczema and it will go away with eczema cream or ointments, but it usually comes back in the form of some flare up throughout life. Unfortunately, eczema seldom goes permanently.
In the case of eczema, many people will just believe they have a skin rash or an allergic reaction, which usually has some bearing on eczema. When we have any kind of skin irritation or rash, our first instinct is to put on some sort of lotions, creams or ointment. If you suspect you have eczema, you’ll probably put on some kind of eczema cream. There are many different brands of eczema cream on the market. Depending on the severity of your eczema, your doctor may prescribe a stronger eczema cream than what is available over the counter.
One of the main results from eczema is dry skin. When we are born, our skin as a natural protective oil coating which keeps our skin healthy and moist. Through repeated bouts with harsh irritants and contact with things that make our skin dry, our skin is stripped of the natural oils it needs. With the use of a good eczema cream, some of these oils can be returned to our skin, thus helping with the painful discomfort of eczema. You’ll be totally baffled as you begin browsing through the main types of eczema cream you’ll find in the stores.
Products that contain Vitamin E are often recommended for dry skin. Not only is Vitamin E excellent for putting moisture in our body, but it is also great for preventing infection, reducing redness and dry skin, reducing scarring and relieving itching and discomfort. Your pharmacist may be able to recommend a good eczema cream that is Vitamin E rich. Your doctor may also be able to give you names of some excellent brands of eczema cream. If you are trying to find your own effective eczema cream, try to look for creams that have specific ingredients. Some of these include bees wax, pasteurized cream and essential oils. These are usually the main ingredients. The best thing for you to do may be to experiment with different recommended creams until you find one that works best for you.
Posted on October 25, 2011
Filed Under Insect bites | Comments Off
Strangely enough fire ants are a member of the wasp and bee family. Their scientific name is hymenoptera. They are vicious and will attack anyone or anything they feel is a threat to their colony. .
South American Bullet ants have the most painful of all ant bites and insects in general. These ant bites are not considered life threatening.
Jack Jumper ant bites of Australia have the potential to kill their prey, humans included.
There are two types of fire ants, which are harmful packing a burning fire -like sting
Red Imported Red Fire Ants (Solenopsis invicta) is the most aggressive of the two varieties. These ants have a venom pouch containing piperidine alkaloids. The sting from these ant bites are painful, and produce white fluid filled bumps on the skin.
Southern Fire Ants (Solenopsis xyloni) The sting from these ant bites this are not as painful but still causes the same itchiness and blisters.
Ants are used in many parts of the world to control other insect populations. But the carpenter ant, pharaoh ant, and argentine ants, are under government order to be controlled or completely eradicated as the case may be.
Some home remedies for controlling ants and ant bites
The first thing is to ant proof your home, seal up all cracks and crevices and areas where they can get into your home.
You will also want to keep your lawns and shrubbery moved or trimmed.
Ants dislike mint and will stay away from it, therefore plant mint all around the outside of your home.
Treat your window and doorsteps with citronella, peppermint, cinnamon, citrus, or lavender solutions of one teaspoon to one quart of water.
Diatomaceous earth (DE) is a non toxic powder that can be spread on window ledges etc to keep out the nasty pests. This product destroys the exoskeleton. Nevertheless, still wear a mask when using this product so to prevent respiratory problems.
You can pour boiling water on the ant hill but this method is risky, the ants will come after you in droves and attack viciously, still you may not get the queen and the colony will persist. This means the risk of ant bites could persist.
Posted on October 25, 2011
Filed Under Allergic Reactions | Comments Off
Allergies are triggered by different allergens; and one such allergen is the food that you eat. Some people experience allergic reactions to food because of a substance found in the food. Generally, there is more than one allergen in food. Allergic reactions to food are usually mild; but there are some people who may suffer from severe reactions like anaphylaxis. Any part of the body can be affected by symptoms of allergic reactions to food which includes the skin, heart, gastrointestinal and respiratory systems.
In some people, the symptoms occur within minutes of consuming the triggering food while in others, it may take several hours for the symptoms to materialize. The symptoms that are associated to allergic reactions to food include swelling of the lips, tongue, face and throat, diarrhea, difficulty in breathing, rashes which are usually itchy, abdominal cramps, vomiting and tingling sensations in the mouth.
Sometimes, these allergic reactions to food may become severe and lead to anaphylaxis where there is a rapid drop in blood pressure and loss of consciousness. Anaphylaxis or anaphylactic shock can be fatal if not treated immediately with an injection of epinephrine or adrenaline. Sometimes, this anaphylactic shock may be mild at first. So be careful and don’t underestimate the dangers of this allergic reaction. Those suffering from asthma are most likely to suffer from a severe anaphylactic shock to the lungs.
The most common foodstuffs that bring about anaphylaxis are eggs, fish, milk and peanuts. Sometimes even shellfish, nuts and sesame seeds also cause allergic reactions to food. It is not possible to compare food intolerance and food allergy as both are different entities. A small amount of food is sufficient to trigger a food allergy while larger amounts of food are required to exhibit food intolerance.
Some foods, especially fruits and vegetables may cause reactions like itching and rashes when the food touches the lips and mouth. This is referred to as oral allergy syndrome and is a form of food allergy. Those who are sensitive to pollen and plants in the daisy family are most prone for this syndrome because of the proteins found in these pollens. However by cooking, it is possible to destroy the allergens causing these reactions.
Some people tend to suffer from allergic cross reactions where an allergy to one thing may lead to reactions with other things. This is because different foods contain the same allergens. It is even possible for one to suffer from allergic cross reactions when avoiding foods they are allergic to and can occur between fruits or vegetables and latex.
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