Recreational Water Illness - How to Swim Safely

Swimming is a great way to escape from those hot summer days, but before going for a dive, be sure to know the facts! Every time you swim, you put yourself at serious risk for RWI, better known as recreational water illness.

Each year, 10,000 RWI cases of diarrhea and 6.2 million cases of swimmer’s ear occur and those rates are nearly double what they were 10 years ago. For people who need the exercise of swimming, this terrifying fact can keep them away from the only exercise they will do!

In addition to rising rates of RWI, with the rising rates of childhood obesity, a fear of physical activity is the last thing that anyone needs! Luckily, for cases of RWI there are solutions. The biggest solution is chlorinating the water, but completely drying ears and wearing a swimmer’s cap are good suggestions as well.

Many frequent swimmers suggest the “Take and Tug” method for cleaning out ears. Grab the ear by either the side or the lobe and give it a good tug. If done correctly, this will act as a little cork and let any standing water trickle out. Use your towel to dry it further.

But now you are probably wondering what illnesses do you need protection from exactly? Well, let’s go through a couple of the biggest risks.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Leads to: Swimmer’s Ear and Skin Rashes

Cryptosporidium, Giardia lamblia, Shigella, and E. coli
Leads to: Diarrhea

Cercarial dermatitis (Swimmer’s Itch)
Symptoms: tingling, burning, or itching of the skin, small reddish pimples, and/or small blisters that appear within minutes to days after swimming in contaminated water
Leads to: Blisters and Rashes

Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Leads to: Skin Rashes

Now all of these illnesses are typically found in lakes, oceans, poorly maintained swimming pools or hot tubs. Not all swimming locations are unsafe, so don’t be afraid. It is just important to be informed. A swimming pool is meant for fun, so get out there and enjoy yourself. Just remember these swimming tips and dive safely!

Acne Prone Skin Improved By a Proper Diet

So I see you’re back… still searching for the answers to your acne problems. You’ve tried medicines and they didn’t work or maybe you haven’t but you would like to solve your problem the old fashioned way. Well, either way you look at it, the point is still the same that food can actually aid you with your struggle against acne.

How food is cooked can contribute to acne outbreaks along with stress, as it was discussed in “Acne Prone Skin Improved by a Proper Diet – Part 1”. When cooking your foods be sure not to heat, cook, or even defrost foods in the microwave. By microwaving foods, you are actually subjecting yourself to added toxins in your food from the microwave. Because acne is a way the body rids itself of extra toxins in your body, the more you microwave, the more toxins you collect, the more acne appears. If given the choice, choose the oven or the cook top stove to heat food instead of the microwave.

Along with the way certain foods are cooked, a poor diet in general can also add to the development of acne. Some of the major signs of a poor diet are shown by the consumption of more sugar than necessary, sodium, chocolate, fried foods, processed foods, caffeine, dairy products, seafood, carbonated beverages, or other iodine-rich foods.

Of course these foods are all very addicting so in moderation you can still enjoy them without the negative effects of ferocious acne. When consumed in massive quantities, this is when problems begin to occur so be sure to watch out for those large portions. After a bad day, if you feel the need for a chocolate bar do not deprive yourself. As long as these small splurges are paired with a healthy diet, there is absolutely nothing wrong with an occasional treat so go ahead and indulge!

A final tip for a healthy body and acne free skin is all about the amount of water you consume daily. Of course, water is extremely necessary to everybody, no matter your age or fitness, because water helps the body to rid itself of pesky toxins. With eight, 8-oz glasses of water each day, your skin will be hydrated and healthier.

These tips aren’t hard but if you choose to ignore the suggestions, your skin could remain cracked and acne covered for many years to come. Not a pretty thought! There are many foods that improve acne prone skin and because of that hope is not lost for a healthier and more beautiful you.

Clear Up Acne With Proper Diet

Because your skin is the largest organ, it makes sense that the foods you consume are reflected by your individual skin condition. Because of this, if you have healthy eating habits- it will result in healthier looking skin.

As everyone is aware, during the teenage years of a person’s life, acne and breakouts can be a big problem which is usually be blamed all on hormones. In reality, it is because of the liver and its control over hormones and toxic waste which in turn cleans up our bodies and reduces acne.

The bad news is that acne can be annoying and many teens can be self-conscience of their problem. The good news is that certain foods can help aid the liver in hormone control and to lessen the acne problem. Another good thing to help reduce acne is through the consumption of vitamin A, also known as beta-carotenes. Some good sources of vitamin A are apricots, yams, cantaloupe, carrots, spinach, kale and parsley.

Another vitamin which aids in acne control is vitamin B. Some foods rich in vitamin B include eggs, fish, milk and whole grains. Another positive about consuming vitamin B is that certain varieties can actually lower stress. These varieties are Vitamins B-1, B-6 and B-12. Of course, stress is linked to acne so by increasing the intake of vitamin B you are actually reducing stress and acne which is good for everyone.

Certain foods, known as “mucus – acid forming foods” like processed foods (junk
foods), fast food restaurant items, confectioneries, and all soft drinks, can also have a negative effect on your diet and your skin.

A better choice when raiding the pantry are wholesome and natural foods. Some of these healthier choices include fresh fruits and vegetables, leafy vegetables, fresh juices, nuts and root vegetables.

As famous Greek physician, Hippocrates, once said, “Let your foods be your medicine and your medicine your food as nature is the healer of all diseases!” Although times have changed, Hippocrates’s philosophy still holds true today. Back in his day, it was believed that the human body should represent itself as a whole, and not separate parts. As he believed, all a body needed for healing was good food, fresh air, and a clean environment. Sounds pretty simple, doesn’t it? Today, should Hippocrates come walking through that kitchen door, he would be shocked to see some of the greasy and fatty foods resting on our plates and lining our stomachs.

Healthier choices in daily foods result in healthier skin. There are so many more tips to discuss that if you have done these tips yet you still feel like your skin is rough and not as lovely as could be then continue reading into “Acne Prone Skin Improved By A Proper Diet – Part 2”.

Acne Skin Cleansing Type

The common form of acne, the one that most of us have had to deal with at some point in our lives is called acne vulgaris. It usually manifests itself in the form of blackheads, whiteheads, and pimples. Whether it’s the occasional pimple or the seemingly ever-visible outbreak, acne tends to appear as one of these forms. There are other ways in which acne can appear and sometimes it can have severe or devastating effects on its sufferers.

Here are some types of acne blemishes and lesions.

Comedones: are sebaceous glands that are blocked with dead cells, hairs and oil (sebum). A blackhead is an open comedo and a whitehead is a closed one.

Blackheads: are called blackheads because of the color of the lesion. It’s commonly thought that the color is caused by dirt, but it’s the skin’s pigment’s reaction to the air. Excess dirt (and sometimes makeup) are usually the reason blackheads form. Aside from excess oil, dead cells, and makeup, blackheads can be caused by too much scrubbing and not cleaning the skin properly. A blackhead should never be picked or squeezed because infection can result.

Whiteheads: are formed by sebaceous glands that are completely blocked. Because they are, there’s no opportunity for skin’s pigment (melanin) to react with the air. There’s usually a whitish or yellowish appearance on the raised bump of a whitehead. Whiteheads normally come and go more quickly than blackheads.

Papules: are small, solid, red and often inflamed bumps. Unlike pustules, they contain no pus. Groups of small papules may barely be visible, but will feel like sandpaper if rubbed.

Pustules: are somewhat like a combination of whiteheads and papules. They’re inflamed and red, but also have heads with pus in them. The pustule is what is commonly known as a zit. Popping or picking zits can lead to scarring.

Nodules: are usually an indication of severe forms of acne. These are inflamed, frequently painful, often larger, and extend deeper into the skin, than less severe forms of acne lesions. They can result in tissue damage and extensive scarring if not properly handled and treated. For this form of acne, a dermatologist should be consulted.

Cysts: are very large, pus-filled lesions that extend into the deeper skin levels. They are also often very painful and can lead to scarring. These types of lesions should never be squeezed because of the possibility of infection and scarring. Like Nodules, they may not respond to many of the available treatments. A dermatologist should be consulted for the best chance of successfully treating these forms of acne.

Most everyone between the ages of 12 and 20 has experienced some form of acne at some time or another. The vast majority is able to treat their outbreaks (if they need treatment at all) with medicines available at the local pharmacy. But for those with chronic acne or those who have some of the more severe forms, a qualified doctor is the only solution.

It’s important to not give into the temptation to break or pick acne lesions. This can lead to anything from an infection to future (sometimes extensive) scarring. With good hygiene and a little patience, most acne problems can be solved. There are plenty of available medications that can handle the majority of acne outbreaks.

Best Acne Treatment to Quickly Clear Skin

Acne can be distressing and can cause long term scarring, but what exactly are you supposed to do if you have acne?

What is the best acne treatment to get rid of the pimples and blemishes and help to get that baby-smooth and clear skin?

Well, the good news is that there are many options available today that can help do just that and unfortunately that can also be the bad news.

Because there are so many acne treatments on the market today which claim to be the best acne treatment available it can be tough to wade through the marketing ploys and decide which one is actually the best.

It is important to find out what works best for you and that may take some trial and error, but do the work it takes and you’ll be happier in the end.  Remember that some acne treatments do contain harsh chemicals that can be very irritating to the skin.

The most simple and absolutely free best acne treatment is to make changes in daily habits.  For example, learn to really keep your skin clean and your hands away from your face.

For goodness sakes, don’t pick at the pimples or blemishes!

This only helps to further spread bacteria.  Washing your face twice a day with a quality product is a great place to start.  pHisoderm 4-way Daily Acne Cleanser is a popular choice since it consists of a cleaner, toner and acne fighter all in one product.

Another choice for best acne treatment is to clean up your diet.  Increasing your intake of water each day, cutting down on high fat foods, carbonated beverages, and even artificial sweeteners can also help in your journey to find the best acne treatment.

Some dermatologist may even recommend over the counter supplements to help treat acne.  Supplements such as Vitamin B-complex, Brewer’s Yeast, Acidophilus, and Vitamins C and E are often recommended.  Of course, some dermatologist may also recommend prescription medication, such as Retin-A or Accutane for acne treatment.

The prevention of acne is the very best acne treatment of all and product lines such as ProActiv not only help to banish blemishes but it also works to prevent future breakouts.  The marketing for this product can be seen throughout various media sources, from print ads to infomercials, but the good news it that this product really does seem to work.  Even though it doesn’t require a prescription from your physician, ProActiv does contain prescription-strength benzoyl peroxide, a proven acne fighter.

So just what is the best acne treatment available today?  There is no one right answer but rather a combination of simple things that can be done in order to gain control on this bothersome problem.

Start with the basic treatments and continue to try different acne treatments until you find just the right one that works best for you.