My nephew had mild bouts with eczema as an infant. Since he was so young, there weren’t any additional irritations from him scratching and he didn’t seem to be uncomfortable due to the rash. My sister used an over-the-counter cream to treat the spots of eczema. Thankfully, the condition seems to be in remission as he comes upon his 5th birthday.

What is Eczema?

Eczema is a condition that affects the skin and causes inflammation and an itchy red rash. The affected area can also be surrounded with small fluid-filled sacs that look like blisters and may ooze.

There are several different types and causes of eczema. I will be focusing on infantile eczema, sometimes called atopic dermatitis—the most common cause of eczema. Infantile eczema occurs in infancy, but affects children at any age. Conditions that occur when someone is sensitive to things in their environment like pollen, mold, pet dander or certain foods, are called “atopic.” Dermatitis describes the condition of the skin when it is inflamed, or red and sore. Eczema is often referred to the “itch that rashes” because sometimes a spot will be itchy, and scratching will cause a rash to develop. Resisting or avoiding scratching will aid in the healing of the rash, and help to avoid making it worse.

Causes of Eczema

Eczema is thought to be connected to genetic factors. Many children who get eczema also have family members with hay fever, asthma, or other allergies.
Allergies can trigger eczema, although it’s not an allergy in itself, as well as environmental and emotional factors; stress can bring on eczema. Children with eczema may also develop hay fever or asthma later on in life.

One out of every 10 children will develop eczema, almost always by the age of five. The good news is that kids dealing with eczema today will likely have outgrown it by the time they are teenagers.

Symptoms of Eczema

Every child experiences a unique culmination of symptoms that range in severity, so diagnosing eczema can be tricky. It’s possible to confuse eczema with other types of dermatological conditions like seborrheic dermatitis (commonly known as cradle cap), psoriasis (another genetic disease that causes the skin to become scaly and inflamed), and contact dermatitis which is caused by direct contact with an irritating substance such as metal, medicine or soap.

In determining a diagnosis, a doctor will examine the look and location of the rash; take a family history of allergies, hay fever and asthma, and possibly test to see if the child has developed any allergies.

List of symptoms:
• Itching with or without a rash
• A rash that looks red and/or scaly possibly with small blisters
• An oozing rash
• Thickening of the skin from rubbing or scratching

Home Remedies

• Plenty of water to help keep the skin hydrated and free of toxins and impurities
• For a great skin wash, boil the following ingredients together for 35 minutes. Let cool and use it to wash the affected area:
1tsp. comfrey root
1tsp. white oak bark
1tsp. slippery elm bark
2 cups of water
• Make sure to include plenty of food rich in B complex vitamins in your diet to assist in the healing and prevention of eczema.
• Vitamin E used topically will soothe and relieve the itching.

Things to avoid that will help your child feel more comfortable:
• Avoid hot baths, hot water tends to dry out the skin and exacerbate the problem
• Use mild soap or non-soap products to bathe your child
• Pat dry with a towel after bathing and avoid excessive scrubbing or toweling
• Help your child to avoid over-heating
• Avoid scratching

-Anne

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Anytime a headache comes on suddenly, I fear that it’s meningitis. I don’t know exactly when, why, or how I developed a paranoid dread of contracting this illness, but I did. Now that I know that I’m past the age where it’s likely that I’ll catch it, I can rest assured that it’s probably just another tension headache causing sharp pains in the back of my head along with my stiff neck.

What is Meningitis?

Meningitis is an inflammation of the lining around the brain and spinal cord. Septicemia is blood poisoning created by the same germs; meningitis and septicemia can occur together or separately. Viral meningitis is not generally life threatening but can still be a very serious condition that occurs mainly in children. Septicemia does not normally occur in cases of viral meningitis.

Most people survive meningitis, but may suffer after effects such as headaches, hearing problems, fatigue, sight problems, poor concentration and co-ordination problems.

Causes of Meningitis

Meningitis can be often associated with virus or bacteria, the same ones that cause other common illnesses. Bacteria and viruses that infect the skin, urinary tract or gastrointestinal system can spread by the bloodstream to the meninges through the fluid that circulates in and around the spinal cord called the cerebrospinal fluid. It can be spread easily among people living in close quarters, so teens, college students, and boarding students are highly susceptible although kids of any age can catch it.

In some cases of bacterial meningitis, the bacterial infection can spread to the meninges from a severe ear infection, sinus infection (sinusitis), or a severe head trauma.

There are many types of bacteria that can cause meningitis. In infants, Group B streptococcus, Escherichia coli, and Listeria monocytogenes are among them. Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) and Neisseria meningitidis (meningococcus) are more often the causes in older children.

Many different viruses can also cause meningitis: enteroviruses (coxsackievirus, poliovirus, and hepatitis A) and the herpesvirus.

Symptoms of Meningitis

The beginning symptoms of meningitis tend to be like those of a cold or flu; fever, body aches, sneezing or runny nose. The following symptoms may come on suddenly:
• fever
• lethargy (decreased consciousness or listlessness)
• irritability
• headache
• photophobia (eye sensitivity to light)
• stiff neck
• skin rashes
• seizures
Other symptoms of meningitis in infants can include:
• jaundice (a yellowish tint to the skin)
• stiffness of the body and neck (neck rigidity)
• fever or lower-than-normal temperature
• poor feeding
• weak suckle
• high-pitched cry
• bulging fontanels (the soft spot at the top/front of the baby’s skull)

Home Remedies

Meningitis can be life threatening. The remedies can be used as an aid in recovery, but should not replace medical attention. If meningitis is suspected, please consult with you physician or pediatrician.
• Olive Leaf Extract—has a powerful anti-bacterial effect, and the ability to interfere with critical amino acid production essential for viruses
• Colloidal Silver—a natural antibiotic
• Chlorella—plant with the highest known amount of chlorophyll which carries oxygen around the bloodstream, so it cleans and purifies the blood stream as well as builds the red cell blood count
As always, drink plenty of liquids and get plenty of rest.

-Anne

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I’ve always had what I termed a “noise aversion” since as long as I can remember. Loud, sudden noises make me cringe, hunch down and want to get away from the source of the clamor as soon as conceivably possible.

I recall 4th of July parades. During this time of patriotism, all I could think about was the impending clatter to come—roaring sirens and blaring marching bands. I had secretly hoped we’d leave before these parts of the parade marched toward us, or maybe they would just wander off the parade path. I could only dream.

Whenever loud noises occur, I feel shaky, my heart starts to beat rapidly and it’s hard to breathe. Don’t even get me started on noisemakers during New Year’s Eve. I want to hide them all before drunken yahoos wield them about wildly. The noise is so unnerving I can feel the vein in my head throbbing.

I realized later on in life that this was more than just an aversion, but rather ligyrophonia (synonym = phonophobia). Ligyrophobia is the fear of sudden and unexpected loud noises. Anyone can become startled by an unexpected noise, but those with ligyrophobia actively fear the occurrence of loud noises. While my personal fear of loud noises isn’t that bad compared to others, it is still frustrating to deal with.

Symptoms of Ligyrophobia

• Breathlessness
• Nausea
• Excessive sweating
• Dry mouth
• Feeling sick
• Shaking
• Heart palpitations
• Becoming mad or losing control
• An anxiety attack

Treatment for Ligyrophobia

Hypnotherapy can be used to help you overcome your fear by communicating with your subconscious mind. It’s safe, effective and works quickly.

Energy psychology is emotional acupuncture without the needles. It can help you change your behavior and your thought patterns. Energy therapy puts you in control and helps you to release your phobia.

I find that slow breathing helps to me to cope with sudden, jarring sounds.

–Nolan

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When you visit the doctor, do you find your blood pressure always higher than normal? You may have hypertension, more commonly known as just plain ol’ high blood pressure.

How is hypertension diagnosed?

If a doctor suspects you to have hypertension, he will order your blood pressure to be monitored once a week for a few weeks. After, if he finds your elevated blood pressure to be chronic, you will most likely find yourself with the diagnosis of hypertension.

That is after you have a few more tests… which will most likely include peeing in a cup and lots of blood work. Why? Because there are two kinds of hypertension: primary and secondary.

Over 90% of all adults with chronic high blood pressure will be diagnosed with primary hypertension. This means there is no clear cause as to why you constantly experience high blood pressure.

Secondary hypertension is when high blood pressure is a result of another illness, like renal disease. Secondary hypertension is diagnosed frequently in adolescents and very rarely in adults.

What you can do to lower your blood pressure

Treating hypertension is important. If left out of check, high blood pressure can lead to heart attack, stroke or kidney failure… and even death later on. You need to take care of yourself and don’t fret. It’s pretty easy to do!

Start exercising regularly. Regularly means at least 15 minutes 3 times a week, and more is always better. Aerobic exercises in particular are great for your heart and good for lowering your blood pressure. Aerobic exercises include anything from jogging, cycling to doing 100 jumping jacks. Anything that gets your heart going is considered aerobic (or cardio) exercise.

Reducing your salt intake is easier said than done because even pre-packaged, so-called health foods are often jam-packed with sodium. Be label conscious and see just how much sodium is in the little things you eat every day. It adds up!

It may sadden you, but you’ve got to kick the habit. No more smoking. No more alcohol. Not only will you be lowering your blood pressure, but you’ll also work in preventing other disease and illness.

Eat a banana! Potassium is a key nutrient in lowering blood pressure, so next time you’re going out take one with you. They were made portable for a reason.

Enjoy a meal with some garlic. Garlic has been shown not only to help with overall heart health, but to lower blood pressure as well. If you don’t enjoy the taste of garlic or worry about garlic breath, you can take a garlic supplement instead.

Studies have also shown that Omega-3 fatty acids play an important part in heart health and in lowering blood pressure. Even the American Heart Association says so! You can find heart-healthy Omega-3s in the form of fish, seeds, nuts and supplements.

–Magdalena

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Over the past few years, I’ve noticed purple-ish circles around my eyes. I don’t totally mind though. I’ve got that gothic pasty face look going on with the dark eyes. It works for me. Although there are times, especially when I’m having my picture taken for my New York Times best seller (ok, that didn’t happen yet, but it could) that I’d like to look….well, you know, less deathly.

What causes dark eye circles?

Lack of sleep is the most common cause of dark eye circles. As I know first-hand from years of insomnia, it’s difficult to get more sleep to remedy this issue. However, you can reduce stressors and develop a sleep schedule to help get more zzzzs.

Other contributing factors include aging, heredity, allergies, fatigue, stress, staring at the computer for too long and sun exposure can create a dark pigment around the eyes. Some studies show that smoking, drinking alcohol and caffeinated beverages can make dark eye circles worse.

Tips and Treatment

I’ve never really used makeup to solve the problem because I always felt weird putting makeup close to my eyes. So I’ve tried other methods to decrease the darkness.

I like to use a cool compress or a few cucumbers to reduce any puffiness. Note: do not apply ice or cold water directly to the skin. It’s best to use cool water.

Tea bags are also effective for reducing dark circles because the tannin found in tea helps eliminate puffiness.

Grate up some potatoes to help lighten your under eye circles. Catecholase is an enzyme found in potatoes that works as a human skin lightener. Put the raw mash into some cheesecloth and place over eye area for 20 minutes. Note: don’t let the potatoe juice come in contact with your eye.

If you must use a concealer, try a yellow-ish one but make sure it’s not too light our you’ll have the reverse raccoon effect.

-Nolan

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