Health Tips » heat

What are different home remedies for heat rash – a summer problem? Part 2

ashish — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 18:32:28 +0000

Heat Rashes
- Heat rashes arise as a result of trapping of sweat under the skin layers.
- These occur most commonly during summer seasons.
- Babies and toddlers are found to be most commonly affected by the problem of heat rash.
- Heat rash can be noticed in adults often after working hard in the sun or outside.
- Heat rash can be noticed over the parts of body covered by clothes.
- Keeping away from hot and wearing loose dresses is one of the best ways to prevent heat rash.

Home Remedies for Heat Rash

11. Avoid Creams and Lotions
- Avoid the use of heavy creams and ointments.
- Ointments and creams will tend to block the pores.
- This will make the rash even more flared up.

12. Cucumber
- Peel and slice a cucumber.
- Gently rub it on your heat rash for treatment.
- The cucumber is naturally cooling and will give you instant relief.

13. Rose Water and Sandalwood Powder
Using a mixture of rose water with sandalwood powder creates a cooling as well as healing effect on any heat rash.

14. Yellow Dock Root
- Take a handful of minced yellow dock root and boil for ten full minutes.
- Strain the yellow dock.
- Then take the cooled liquid and apply to the heat rash throughout the day.

15. Jewelweed
- Jewelweed or Touch-me-not plant is usually found in low lying areas near water.
- If you take a few leaves and crush it in your hand and gently place it on the heat rash and you will have immediate relief.

16. Lavender or Peppermint Oil
- A home remedy for heat rash that is very natural and soothing is this oil.
- Lavender and peppermint oil has a cooling effect on skin.
- This will help to reduce the painful prickly heat rash irritation.
- Apply it directly to the skin.
- Take a nice bath and infuse the bath water with these oils.

17. Oatmeal Pack
- Take oatmeal and soak it in cool water to soften it.
- This can take a couple hours.
- After the oatmeal has soaked long enough, take the cool oats and apply them on the heat rash area.
- Leave there for an hour or so.
- This natural remedy works wonders and also helps to soften your skin.

18. Powdered Calendula, Chamomile and Corn Starch
- Take a couple tablespoons of calendula powder, chamomile powder and cornstarch.
- Mix these together for a very natural remedy for heat rash.
- This remedy is even safe on babies.

19. Stay Indoors
- Staying indoors and out of the sunlight is the best natural home remedy for heat rash.
- Keeping cool and dressed in light airy clothing will help a lot.

20. Mild Soap
- Use mild soaps and take cool shower to help heal the rash.
- Use a light aloe Vera gel to ease the irritation.

21. Cumin Seed and Coconut Oil Paste
- Take cumin seeds and grind them into a powder.
- Then mix the powder with coconut oil, just enough oil to create a thick paste.
- Take the paste and apply it to your heat rash about an hour or so before you take shower.

22. Margossa Leaf
- Take some margossa leaves and boil them for about ten minutes.
- After they are boiled, place them in your bath to make a nice healing herbal bath.
- Soak it in your bath tub for twenty minutes.
- Then air dry your body and rest in a cool room.

What are different home remedies for heat rash – a summer problem? Part 1

ashish — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 08:29:12 +0000

Home Remedies for Heat Rash

1. Aloe Vera
- Aloe vera is proved to be an excellent herbal cure in the case of heat rash.
- Applying freshly extracted aloe gel over the rashes can be beneficial.
- This cures the rash at a faster rate.
- Aloe vera gel can relieve us from the itching and paining caused due to the heat rash.
- Using an aloe lotion is also effective in curing the problem of heat rash.
- Spreading a little of cornstarch or baby powder can be helpful in removing all the moisture from our body triggered by the heat rash.
- A practice of using talcum powder after having a bath can be beneficial.
- This prevents problems of rashes.

2. Ice cubes
- Ice cubes can be used in treating the problem of heat rashes.
- Hold a few ice cubes tied inside a cloth bag against the affected skin parts.
- Apply cold packs for a few minutes is beneficial.
- This can be useful in curing the problem of heat rash.
- Avoid using ointments or skin care creams over the affected areas of skin.
- The creams can lead to further clogging of hair follicles.

3. Baking soda
- Baking soda is an important home remedy in the case of heat rash.
- Having a bath using baking soda can be valuable.
- This might reduce the rashes at a faster rate.
- One or two teaspoons of baking soda can be dissolved in water before taking a bath.
- Baking soda is proved in reducing the itching as well as redness of the rashes.

4. Using antibacterial soaps and lotions
- This can be useful in curing the problem very effectively.
- Rinsing the involved areas of skin using an antiseptic soap helps in reducing the itchiness and redness of heat rash.
- Applying chamomile tea over the affected skin parts can also help in curing the problem of heat rash.

5. Loose fitting clothes
- Loose clothes can be used in summer season to prevent the problem of heat rash.
- Dry yourselves using a cotton towel after having a bath.
- This is to prevent the problem of same very efficiently.

6. Antihistamine creams
- These creams can also be utilized in the treatment for the heat rash.
- Applying a little of antihistamine cream is proved in reducing the itching as well as redness.

7. Corn Starch
- To soothe the rash area add corn starch over the affected area.
- This reduces the moisture that agitates the rash.
- It is also known to soothe the pain.

8. Calamine Lotion
- Calamine Lotion is an excellent home remedy for heat rash.
- It works well and is gentle on the skin.

9. Air Conditioning
- Find an air conditioned area where you can cool down and rest.

10. Air Dry
- Take a cool or luke warm shower.
- Then allow your skin to air dry versus using a towel.
- After drying off you might put a light aloe gel on the heat rash.

What are different home remedies and treatments for sun burn?

ashish — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 04:21:56 +0000

Overview of Sunburn
- Sunburn is due to excessive exposure to the sun’s ultra-violet (UV) rays.
- The sun’s ultra-violet rays are responsible for sunburn.
- There are two types of ultra-violet rays, ultra-violet A (UVA) and ultra-violet B (UVB).
- UVB rays attack the skin’s outer layers.
- UVA are rays that attack the underlying layers.
- Sunburns, like any other burn, are classifies as first degree, second degree and third degree.

First degree Sunburn
- The symptoms of a first degree burn include pain, heat, redness and tender to the touch in the skin affected.
- These symptoms can appear from 1 to 24 hours after exposure to the sun.

Second degree Sunburn
- This includes extreme reddening, swelling, pain and even blisters can appear.
- The burn goes deeper into the skin’s layers damaging small blood vessels and elastic fibers in the skin.
- Later, there is wrinkling of the skin.
- The burn may be accompanied by chills, fever, nausea, and/or delirium.

Natural Home Treatment for Sunburn
Take measures to prevent yourself from getting sunburned:
- Avoid being outdoors between 10:00 am and 3:00 pm, when the UV rays are more intense.
- Wear a hat, sunglasses that protect your eyes from UV rays, and clothing made of light colored, light weight, tightly woven material.
- Use a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher.
- Apply sunscreen to all exposed areas 30′ before going outside
- If you are swimming or perspiring, this is recommended.
- Make sure you buy a sunscreen that contains protection against both UVA and UVB rays.
- Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.
- Eat lots of lean and high quality protein foods.
- Include raw fruits to supply the vitamins and minerals needed.
- Drink plenty of fluids to keep your body hydrated, and to replace the lost.
- To relief a sunburn pain apply over the affected area cool water compresses
- Fill a bathtub with cold water and dissolve one pound of baking soda or oatmeal in it.
- Soak in the bath for 30′ approximately, until relieved
- Wash the affected area with an antibacterial soap to prevent secondary infection.
- Do not burst any blister.
- They form a natural protection to help the skin sunburned to heal faster.
- Do not apply any creams, butter, petroleum jelly or any other greasy substance to sunburn.
- They only cause more damage by trapping the heat and can make a burn deeper.
- The sunburn will heal faster if left exposed to the air.

Immediate self-care is aimed at stopping the UV radiation.
- Get out of the sun
- Cover exposed skin
- Get out of the tanning bed
- Use SPF (sun protection factor) of 30 or higher and apply frequently when outdoors.
- For mild sunburn, cool compresses with equal parts of milk and water may suffice.
- Cold compresses with Burow’s solution may also be used, and can be bought at a drugstore. Dissolve 1 packet in 1 pint of water. Soak gauze or a soft clean cloth in it.
- Gently wring out the cloth and apply to the sunburned area for 15-20 minutes.
- Change or refresh the cloth and solution every 2-3 hours.
- Aloe Vera gel or aloe-based lotions may soothe irritated skin.
- Cool (not ice cold) baths may help.
- Avoid bath salts, oils, and perfumes because these may produce sensitivity reactions.
- Avoid scrubbing the skin or shaving the skin.
- Use soft towels to gently dry the body.
- Don’t rub.
- Use a light, fragrance-free skin moisturizer.
- Stay out of the sun while you are sunburned.
- Stay hydrated to avoid dehydration.

Hot Water Therapy Exercise : Knee Walk and Knee Circles

ashish — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 08:01:49 +0000

The Knee Walk hot water therapy exercise is meant to treat lower back. The assumption is that you are lying in hot water tub. The knee walk exercise is good for abdominal muscles, and doing it without hands will increase the workout for stomach.
- Position a towel or cushion beneath you, your head and shoulders as well.
- Recline against the back of the tub, or the edge of the hot tub.
- Settle down until you are nearly lying on your back, but do not drown.
- Knees should be up, your feet suspended, loose and comfortably dangling.
- Place your left hand on left kneecap and right hand on right kneecap.
- Walk your knees back and forth – a total of three to five inches back and forth is plenty.
- Do for 30 to 60 seconds.
- You can walk your knees without keeping your hands on knee caps once you are comfortable with this exercise.

The Knee Circles hot water therapy exercise is meant to treat lower back. The assumption is that you are lying in hot water tub.
- Position a towel or cushion beneath you, your head and shoulders as well.
- Recline against the back of the tub, or the edge of the hot tub.
- Settle down until you are nearly lying on your back, but do not drown.
- Knees should be up, your feet suspended, loose and comfortably dangling.
- Place your left hand on left kneecap and right hand on right kneecap. Keep your knees tightly together.
- Move your knees in a circular motion. Move at a comfortable speed. try to keep your entire lower back on the tub bottom at all times.
- Do not make big circles at first. Do this for a few seconds at first and work up to 30 to 60 sec.
- Once you are comfortable doing this exercise, do it without keeping your hands on knee caps.

Hot Water Therapy Exercises: Shoulder Lifts and Shoulder Circles

ashish — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 13:45:42 +0000

Shoulder lifts are meant for the areas like neck, trapezius and upper back. In all these exercises, the assumption is a hot shower is beating down on your body. For doing this exercise, stand normally and the gap between your feet should be about 18 inches. Posture during standing: imagine you are hanging from a string where the string extends from the top of your head to a hook above your head. This ensures that you are standing straight and tall. Further, your shoulders are held loose and your arms are resting comfortably at your sides.
- Move your shoulders up (imagine the effort is to touch your shoulders to your ears) and, but your shoulders should not be moving to the front or the back. However, your head and neck should remain extended.
- Keep in this position for 6 seconds while breathing comfortably.
- Relax, get your shoulders slowly move to the normal position (you can use your finger tip to slowly move down your legs and drag your shoulders down along with them).
- Do this exercise for five more times.
- Standard precaution : you need to maintain a good posture.

Shoulder Circles

This exercise is also meant for neck, trapezius and upper back. Shoulder circles are very similar to shoulder lifts, the difference being you will mix circles with your shoulders instead of simply lifting them up.
- As in previous exercise, stand comfortably, and move your shoulders forward to the maximum extent possible, but your shoulders should not lift up.
- When your shoulders have gone the maximum possible forward without lifting, start raising your shoulders. Your arms and neck should not tighten.
- Without causing any turtling of the neck or tightening of any muscles other than in the shoulders, bring your shoulders as far back possible.
- Now complete the circle by bringing your shoulder down. After this, bring them to their normal relax position.
- The attempt should be to do this entire motion in one smooth motion rather than three or four separate motions even if it takes up to 30 seconds, it is fine for the first few attempts.
- Your breathing should remain normal.
- Now, do the shoulder circle in opposite direction.
- Once you are used to this exercise, it should not take more than 6 to 7 seconds per circle.

Exercise techniques : why exercise is important?

ashish — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 14:38:17 +0000

Rhythmic exercise can help your back and neck in two ways. It will loosen joints and muscles, and it will increase the range of motion that is possible. Certain exercises can do this by contracting and relaxing the muscle fibers that have gotten used to being permanently shortened.
Exercise helps flush muscle tissues that suffers from a permanent state of semi-contraction and decreased blood circulation. On full contraction of muscles, toxic materials are pushed out of the blood. Soon after, when the blood moves back in due to the relaxation of muscles, the blood carries along fresh nutrients and more oxygen.
It is similar to cleaning a dirty cloth. You would put it in clean water, squeeze it elsewhere, then again put it in the water and squeeze it elsewhere. Through this method the dirt in the cloth gets removed.
Many of these exercises can be done outside the shower and without water but it is important to understand that these exercises get far more affected when done inside a shower, especially with hot water since hot water has an advantage by increasing blood circulation and causing localized relaxation wherever the water comes into contact with the body.
An improvement technique:these exercises would be far from effective if some amount of massage (even if only for a minute or so) is applied on the affected muscle groups. Another important precaution is more about safety: a bath can be a slippery area and injuries due to falling or impact can be troublesome. It is necessary to have some object to act as an cushion, large bath towel placed at the bottom of the bath is ideal for this purpose (if it gets wet you can always dry it later).

How to stay cool in hot summers ?

ashish — Thu, 06 May 2010 09:54:35 +0000

Experts say, the temperatures recorded last weekend have been the highest in five years. Staying healthy during summer requires more than just eating the right foods. It is important to take care of your health to protect yourself against the heat. Also, make time to rest, relax and take a nap whenever possible. So enjoy a fun-filled and healthy summer with these natural health tips.
Fitness: A hot workout
• Avoid dark colours while working out as they absorb heat. Wear apparel that’s breathable. Give track pants a miss, wear shorts instead. Stop tying your sweat shirts around your hip, you are just trapping heat.
• While gymming, your feet sweat, so avoid wearing synthetic socks.
• Have a glass of water before you start as it takes time for fluids to get absorbed into the system.
• 21-220 celcius is the best temperature at which you should exercise.
• Best time to get your body moving is before 8 am or just after sunset.
• If you are working out outdoors, try and pace the intensity.
• Avoid steam and sauna as your normal body temperature is 370 degree C and a sauna will work adversely.
Health
• Headaches and migraines get precipitated by heat. Avoid walking in the sun or wear a hat.
• Those who do not sweat a lot are prone to heat-related exhaustion — manifested in fatigue, light-hotheadedness, etc. At an extreme level, it leads to a heat stroke or you may be paralyzed or unconscious.
• Skin allergies like psoriasis too get aggravated because of dehydration.
• Do not let your body dehydrate.
• Excess sun causes nose bleeds because of excess pressure of heat on the nostrils. Boils and sun burn are also common. The best way to counter them is drink plenty of fluids and avoid alcohol and smoking. Have instant energy boosters such as honey, electrolytes or glucose.
• Maintain immunity with fruits such as papaya and pineapple.
Diet: Eat cool
• Take electrol twice a day. Mix it with coconut water, khus sharbat or lemonade. This will replenish minerals lost due to excessive sweating.
• Have more succulent veggies that rehydrate — bottle gourd, turai, pumpkin, lotus stem and the like.
• Avoid oily and fried stuff.
• Adopt different cooking techniques — steaming, grilling, baking and roasting.
• Avoid coffee as cocoa activates sweat glands further leading to dehydration.
• Have poha, porridge, fruits or idli for breakfast instead of dosas and parathas. Khichdi with multi-grain dal, chaach and green chutney is a good option for lunch and dinner.
Clothing
• The obvious choice of fabric for summer has to be natural ones such as cotton, linen and its derivatives such as mul, voile, or bamboo fabric.
• Wear loose-fitting clothing, preferably of a light color. Cotton clothing will keep you cooler than many synthetics.

Beauty: Keep it fresh
• Kokum sharbat is the best way to beat prickly heat from the inside.
• To remove a tan, powder masoor daal and soak it in milk for an hour or half. Massage it over your body and let dry. Rub it off in circular motions. This bleaches and exfoliates your skin.
• Put papaya pieces through a mixer and massage the pulp into your hair, section wise. Rinse after two hours to get shiny, smooth hair.

Skin Cancer : causes and symptoms.

ashish — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 17:45:07 +0000

Skin cancer is the most common form of human cancer. It is estimated that over 1 million new cases occur annually. The annual rates of all forms of skin cancer are increasing each year, representing a growing public concern.
Skin cancer is a malignant growth on the skin which can have many causes. This sudden transformation in the cells causing uncontrollable formulation of cells leads to a mass called a tumour. Tumour of skin is often referred to as lesions. These tumours are cancerous in the cases when they are malignant causing invasion of neighboring tissues due to the excessive growth. The tumours may also travel to remote organs through the bloodstream.
The three most common skin cancers are :
- Basal cell cancer
- Squamous cell cancer
- melanoma, each of which is named after the type of skin cell from which it arises.

Symptoms of skin cancer :
- These include changes in the skin that do not heal, ulcering in the skin, discolored skin, and changes in existing moles, such as jagged edges to the mole and enlargement of the mole.
- In the case of the basal cell carcinoma generally a raised, smooth, pearly bump on the skin of the head, neck or shoulders is visible sometimes crusting and bleeding in the center of the tumor also develops.
- In the case of Squamous cell carcinoma a thick patch develops red in color. Ulcers and bleeding can also develop.
- The melanomas have brown or black colored lesions. The signs of malignant melanoma include a change in size, shape, color or elevation in the pre-existing mole.

Causes of Skin cancer :
- Smoking tobacco and related products can double the risk of skin cancer.
- Overexposure to UV-radiation.
- Chronic non-healing wounds, especially burns.
- Genetic predisposition.
- Human papilloma virus (HPV) is often associated with squamous cell carcinoma of the genitals, anus, mouth, pharynx, and fingers.
- Skin cancer is one of the potential dangers of ultraviolet germicidal irradiation.
- Deficiencies in certain vitamins and minerals.

HEAT RASH…

ashish — Sat, 24 May 2008 15:59:00 +0000

HEAT RASH – Avoid that prickly heat

A Heat rash is a red or pink rash usually found on body areas covered with clothes. It develops when the sweat ducts become blocked and swell and often leads to discomfort and itching. Heat rash is most common in hot and humid climates.

Why is it caused?

The rash is caused by excessive perspiration, which damages cells on the surface of the skin. The damaged cells form a barrier that traps sweat beneath the skin. This moisture then builds up, causing red, itchy bumps. When these pimple-like bumps burst and the sweat is released, it causes a stinging, prickly feeling.

Treating Heat Rash

1. Keep the affected skin cool and dry.
2. Take a cool shower but do not use towel
3. Use talcum for instant relief.
4. Wear light weight and loose fitting clothes.
5. Avoid oil based ointments, lotions as it keeps skin warm and moist.
6. If you cannot make your way to a cool place and continue to sweat, do not use anti-perspirant deodorant, lotions or powder on the rash. They only trap more sweat.
7. Use a calamine solution.