Natural Home Remedies & Tips for Dry Skin

Dry skin is a universal problem regardless of the climatic zone in which you live in this world. We would have seen a myriad of dry skin care advertisements on tv and tried a multitude of cosmetic creams but the problem seems to be eternal. Dry skin may be due to several reasons including low humidity conditions, vitamin deficiencies, pollution, inappropriate cosmetics, high pH soaps and other genetic disorders. The chief reason for dry skin is the skin's inability to retain water. The skin's sebaceous glands secrete oil that retains moisture on the skin and any interference with this natural function can cause dry skin.

Dry Skin Herbal Home Care:

1. Olive oil has a unique ability to mollify dry skin and acts as a natural skin moisturizer. Olive oil is rich in antioxidants that nourish your skin. Olive oil mixed with vinegar and water is a very effective home treatment for dry skin.


2. Aloe vera gel can be applied as a hydrating mask for your dry skin. Aloe gel is perfect for dry wrinkled skin and heals several skin conditions.


3. Honey is a proven panacea for skin related disorders. Painting honey over parched and cracked skin gives a soothing experience and assists in rapid recovery.


4. Fruits like papaya, pumpkin, apple, tomato, cucumber, banana, almond, etc can be used as a moisturizing and nourishing mask on your dry skin.


5. A mixture of rose water, milk/curd and honey serves as an effective face pack as well as cures dry skin.


6. Neem oil, almond oil, lavender oil, coconut oil and avocado oil are all good for lubricating dry skin and restoring moisture in the skin.


7. Avoid washing your skin with hot water and exposing it to the hot sun.

Knowing Nosebleed

Nosebleed is common among children who are involved in frequent nose picking and people suffering from chronic rhinitis and allergies who tend to blow their nose often. Nosebleed is also reported in cold climatic regions and arid areas where breathing dry air can damage the mucous lining of the nose and make it susceptible to bleeding. Nosebleed can also occur because of injuries or infections. Other reasons include hypertension, clotting disorders, drug abuse, alcohol consumption, etc. Whenever you sustain a nosebleed, don't panic. Just sit in a relaxed position and pinch your nose for about 5-10 minutes and breathe through your mouth. Wait till the bleeding stops without speaking to anyone, sneezing or coughing. Avoid blowing your nose and apply ice pack on your nose and adjoining areas on your face. If the bleeding persists or if nose bleeding is recurrent, consult a doctor immediately.

E.coli and bloody diarrhea

Escherichia coli is a common bacterium that thrives in the intestine of humans and animals. A notorious strain of E.coli called O157:H7 is responsible for bloody stools and diarrhoea. There are several ways by which you can catch this infection. The bacterium spreads through food and water easily. Consuming contaminated meat and milk, drinking water from a tainted source, physical contact with infected individuals, etc are responsible for E.coli infection. Bloody diarrhea accompanied by stomach ache, nausea and cramps are the usual symptoms. The symptoms usually persist for 2-5 days and then diminish without the need for any medications. Loss of blood from body can lead to dehydration and so drinking water often is the only way to endure the condition. Bloody or tarry stools might also be due to injuries or disorders in the GI tract which is more serious then E.coli infection.

Vitiligo Remedy

Vitiligo is a condition in which distributed white patches appear on the skin due to the destruction of melanocytes which are responsible for pigmentation and skin color. The late Michael Jackson is a famous personality who suffered from this disease. The causes for the disorder are unknown yet most of the cases are attributed to genetic factors and autoimmune conditions. The depigmentation of skin may be localized or spread over the body.

Treatment

• Vitiligo is treated using phototherapy with the help of ultraviolet rays to induce repigmentation. Corticosteroids are also used to treat depigmentation that has moderate success rate.


• In Indian traditional medicine system called Unani, melon extract is suggested as a cure for vitiligo. A cream made from peel of the melon skin, bay rum and lemon when applied over the affected areas ensures regeneration of melanocytes.


• Black pepper contains piperine that stimulates the production of melanocytes and it can be used to control depigmentation.


• Herbs like Lemna minor, Psoralea corylifolia and Ammi visnaga are useful herbs that can be used individually to reduce depigmentation.


• Turmeric, basil leaves and ginger juice are also known to act against vitiligo.

Understanding Stroke

Stroke is a cerebro vascular disease when a blocked blood vessel to the brain can deprive blood supply to an area of the brain. This shall lead to the instant damage or death of brain cells. Treating a stroke is a race against time to restore blood flow to the affected area so that the brain cells neighboring those that are dead can recover.

Types of Stroke

Ischemic Stroke is a common stroke condition of reduced blood flow to the brain which may be due to cerebral thrombosis, embolism or systemic hypoperfusion.

Hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a brain blood vessel ruptures resulting in accumulation of blood within the skull.

Transient ischaemic attack (TIA) or mini-stroke is short term temporary loss of brain function due to a fleeting blood vessel disruption.

Causes of Stroke

Ailing arteries that tend to get narrowed due to the deposition of cholesterol and other debris on the artery walls builds up pressure within resulting in blocked blood supply or rupture of artery and blood clots.

Sometimes a weakened spot on the artery wall progressively stretches and breaks leading to hemorrhagic stroke.

A blood clot due to irregular heart beat can ultimately make its way to the brain.

Risk Factors

Hypertension, diabetes, cardiac abnormalities, obesity, diseased arteries, elevated blood lipids, unhealthy diet, etc.

Treatment & Prevention

Stroke is usually treated with anti-platelet, anti-coagulant and clot-dissolving drugs. Surgery and rehabilitation will reduce the risk of stroke.

Prompt eating habits with low salt and low fat diet is the primary preventive measure to fend off stroke and several lifestyle diseases.

Curbing your smoking habit and controlling hypertension and diabetes with proper medication will keep stroke at bay.

Regular physical activity and exercises enhances cardiac health, reduces blood cholesterol levels and lets you control your weight.

Stress can spoil the internal harmony and so we must learn to let go our needless worries.

Limiting alcohol consumption and avoiding illicit drugs will help to prevent stroke in the long run.

Mobile phone microbes

Cell phones are a part of our life and they are our virtual companions all around the clock. But many of us are oblivious to the fact that our mobile phones are potential sources of several infections. Research has revealed that cell phones are store houses of harmful microbes which are capable of causing serious illness. A fatal strain of staphylococcus bacteria MRSA nick named as "superbug" is touted to be causing grave infections in human beings. MRSA is also resistant to most modern-day antibiotics and it can cause pneumonia in the worst case. Mobile phones follow us everywhere and they stay close to our body most of the time. They host a plethora of microbes like micrococcus, fungi, aspergillus etc. We often keep our mobile phones in our pockets and wallets after handling them with sweaty palms and this serves as a conducive environment for pathogens to flourish. Study has shown that nearly 82.5% of the phones house microbes that can cause skin and throat infections. The incidence of microbes in mobile phones is higher among healthcare personnel including doctors, nurses and lab technicians. Scientists have called for more research on mobile phone microbes among normal people like taxi drivers, restaurant workers, vendors etc. We need to realize the importance of personal hygiene and the need to wash our hands whenever we are in edible mode. Mobile phones emit harmful radiation and now that they are also hosting bacteria it is always safe to keep some distance from cell phones.

Decoding and fixing flu

Human war against viruses has attained an important milestone with the discovery of lab made human antibodies that can turn off several types of influenza. Scientists claim victory after testing it in mice and promise that a vaccine will soon be available for flu. The modus operandi of the antibodies is to bind with the virus and prevent the pathogen from entering in to a cell. The antibody method will be the best practice to treat and prevent seasonal as well as pandemic occurrence of influenza. Previous techniques used against flu were not effective against seasonal viruses and every time an update was needed just like anti-virus software for computers do. Humans will be tested with this technology in a couple of years. The antibodies are peculiar in nature and a single type of antibody can annihilate different strains of virus. They are called as monoclonal antibodies and could be developed in a laboratory using older techniques. The artificial antibodies might be the perfect shield for the lethal H5N1 bird flu and many other deadly viral flu diseases. Now its time for software engineers to develop a permanent solution for dealing with computer viruses.