12 Effective Home Remedies for Sunburn

Sunburn occurs when the skin gets parched or burnt under the impact of Ultra Violet radiation or UV radiation given out by the sun. It takes place due to excessive exposure to sun light. Over-exposure to sun makes the body's protective pigment melanin, incapable of protecting the skin, leading to much skin damage. Exposure to tanning lamps or welding arcs can also cause such burns. As sunburn occurs, the living tissues of the skin get damaged and the skin gets blackened or tanned. The signs of sunburn show up within thirty minutes of heavy exposure to sun. People, who work in yard, go for fishing or are out in beaches have greater possibility of getting sun burnt.

We all have experienced the symptoms of sunburn at some time or the other. Sunburn can cause much discomfort, but rarely is it fatal. When sunburn acquires fatal dimensions, it is known as sun poisoning. However sunburns can have long term serious effects like skin cancer. Sunburn also leads to premature aging of skin. People staying near the equator, those who are fair skinned and light haired; those with prior skin injury, those with a sensitive skin and those under certain specific antibiotics like doxycycline may get sun burnt easily. It is necessary for one to use sunscreen cream or lotions, umbrella or broad brimmed hats, sunglasses for eyes and wear light colored clothing in order to avoid sunburns.


Symptoms of Sunburn

1. Skin irritation 
2. Redness of skin 
3. Warm and tender to touch 
4. Painful rashes 
5. Blisters 
6. Skin peeling 
7. Dehydration 
8. Fever 
9. Chills 
10. Nausea 
11. Vomiting 
12. Flu-like symptoms.

Home Remedies for Sunburn

1. Aloe Vera or vinegar may be applied on sunburns to get relief from pain and inflammation.
2. Mustard oil may be rubbed on the burnt areas and may be left to dry up. This will take away the heat from the sun burnt areas.
3. Rubbing burnt regions with freshly cut cucumber slices can have a soothing effect on skin.
4. One may add baking powder to bath water. This treatment will soothe the skin effectively.
5. Washing the sun burnt areas with apple cider vinegar can help a lot.
6. Application of lavender oil or peppermint oil on the burnt skin would yield good results.
7. Application of sandalwood paste on the burnt areas would relieve burning sensation.
8. One may mix one part of tomato juice with six parts of butter milk, and apply the mixture on burnt areas. It is to be washed away after 30 minutes. This remedy would heal the burns.
9. Ice compress is an easy home remedy for sunburns.
10. Epsom salt compress can also relieve symptoms of sunburn.
11. Placing grated potato slices on the burns can give relief. The starch in potatoes would restore the skin tissues damaged due to sunburns.
12. Herbal bath using chamomile or lavender essential oil in bath water can give relief from pain and itching caused due to sunburn.

Read about Home Remedies for Sunburn. Also know effective Irregular Menstruation Treatment.

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Eczema - Causes, Types, and Alternative Treatments

Eczema is also known as dermatitis, or an inflammation of the skin. It is characterized by itching, blisters, red bumps, swelling, oozing, scaling, and crusting. Though eczema is not life threatening, it can be uncomfortable and impact the eczema sufferer and those around the eczema sufferer.

Eczema & Allergies

Eczema occurs more often in people with families histories of hay fever, allergies, asthma.  In other cases, eczema may be situational. To avoid further irritation of the skin, wear natural fabrics, nonirritating fibers, avoid irritating substances, excess chemicals, and scented fabric softeners. Look for hypoallergenic, organic, natural fabric detergents and softeners, soaps, shampoos, lotions, and anything else in contact with the skin.

The causes of eczema are hard to determine because it is multifaceted, meaning that it is the visible symptom of deeper problems such as food allergies, leaky gut syndrome, or other conditions.  Determining food allergies and removing allergens from the diet are extremely important, as well as changing the diet to prevent flare-ups. Trying alternative treatments and therapies are one way to remain proactive without subjecting the body continually to steroid (hydrocortisone) creams to relieve the itching and antihistamine drugs.

Symptoms of Eczema

• itching
• blisters
• red bumps
• swelling
• oozing
• scaling
• crusting

Types of Eczema

1. Contact eczema or dermatitis - occurs only where the irritant comes into contact with the skin. irritants such as chemicals, perfumes, exposure to light, etc.

2. Atopic dermatitis or eczema - commonly in families with allergies, hay fever, B12 problems, asthma, and other allergy respiratory problems.

Infants - 2-18 months - red spots on face, scalp, and extremities; weeping, crusty. 
Children, adults - localized, chronic. may subside in children aged 3 - 4, recur in adolescence or adulthood.

3. Seborrheic dermatitis or eczema - face, scalp, chest.

4. Nummular dermatitis or eczema - chronic, coin-shaped red spots, crusting, scaling. Occurs after aged 35, associated with emotional stress, and winter dry skin.

5. Chronic eczema - hands or feet, very severe.

6. Generalized eczema - widespread over all the skin.

7. Statis eczema - on the lower legs due to poor blood circulation, skin turns brownish.

8. Localized scratch dermatitis or eczema - darker patches surrounded by whitish areas on the arms, legs, ankles, or genitals. Scratching makes it worse. Frequent for women aged 20-50 years old.


Complications for Eczema

• Leaky Gut Syndrome
• Allergies, Food Allergies
• Vitamin B deficiencies
• Adrenal fatigue
• Hay fever, Allergies
• Food allergies
• Rosacea
• Seborrheic dermatitis

Alternative Treatments for Eczema

Diet for Eczema

Making a conscious effort to change the diet will help to alleviate eczema symptoms. It is recommended to remove food allergies, drink lots of water, avoid the triggers (usually acidic food), and change the diet to 90 - 100% alkaline foods.

Alkalizing the body will help relieve eczema. Certain foods are acid-forming to the body (see list below) and when they are digested, they produce acid which acts like a toxin to the body. The acid circulates throughout the body causing damage to every cell wherever it goes through 60,000 miles of arteries, veins, and capillaries. To protect itself, your body stores the acid into the fat cells, but it cannot store everything. Then calcium and other acid neutralizing nutrients are taken from the body to neutralize the excess acid. This may cause osteoporosis.

If there is still more acid, the body cannot stop it from causing damage to the vital organs or from being leeched through to the skin. This may cause skin problems like itching, dryness, rashes, and eczema. Hence, an alkaline diet is important to health as well as to prevent eczema symptoms.

To monitor pH levels of the body, purchase pH paper from the drug store and test urine, which should be 6.6 - 7.0 pH (7.0 is neutral, not acidic nor alkaline). 
Keep a food diary of when and what you ate, followed by how you felt afterwards. Also include any items that touch your skin, such as clothing with fabric softener, lotions, creams, soaps, water even. This will help to identify triggers and prevent flare-ups.

Determine Food Allergies

1. Even without knowing all your food allergies, avoiding all wheat and dairy products such as milk, cheese, etc. will be helpful, since most people have allergies to these.
2. Eat green leafy vegetable and fresh fruit, these foods are alkaline and prevent eczema symptoms. Some alkaline foods: Asparagus, Onions, Vegetable Juices, Parsley, Raw Spinach, Broccoli, Garlic, Lemons, Watermelon, Limes, Dates, Figs, Melons, Grapes, Papaya, Kiwi, Berries, Apples, Pears, Raisins, Olive Oil, Lemon Water, etc.
3. Avoid acid-forming foods that will increase symptoms. Avoid acid forming foods: processed food, junk food, refined carbohydrates like white bread, white rice, white sugar, etc, soda, alcohol, coffee, tea, dairy, pizza, candy, cookies, eggs, peanuts, gelatin, meat, fish, chocolate.
4. Raw food is best, followed by steamed, boiled. Avoid microwaved, fried, broiled, and baked foods.
5. Avoid excessive amounts of citrus and sour items, as it may aggravate itching.
6. Drink lots of water throughout the day to flush out toxins from the body that will aggravate symptoms.
7. Include essential fatty acids into the diet such as flax, flax seed oil, extra virgin olive and coconut oil.
8. For infants, delaying solid foods may be helpful for symptoms, if there is a family history of allergies, hay fever, asthma, food allergies.

Nutritional Therapy 

Taking a multivitamin that shows good absorption into the body will be helpful for relieving symptoms. Take vitamins with meals. In addition, the following may be helpful.

• Zinc
• Vitamin E - reduces susceptibility to itching and dryness, is a powerful antioxidant giving protection to skin damage.
• Vitamin A - overdosing can cause skin itching for pregnant women and those with liver problems. Malformations may occur for unborn children.
• Vitamin B complex; B6, especially B12. These vitamins help produce new skin cells and tissue and supports the nervous system, which is important for immunity and proper functioning health. Lowered vitamin B levels results in itchy and flaky skin, and may cause psoriasis.
• Vitamin C - is a powerful antioxidant giving protection to skin damage.
• Vitamin D - low levels may trigger itchiness, weight loss, tiredness
• Magnesium
• Essential fatty acids - occasionally with GLA

Chiropractic Care for Eczema

Along with changes in Diet, Nutritional Therapy, and other therapies, chiropractic care may help relieve eczema symptoms and improve overall health. Most importantly, it balances the adrenals, which may be overworked for eczema sufferers.

Cortisol is a natural antihistamine produced by the adrenal glands which is an anti-inflammatory (anti-itching, swelling). For eczema sufferers, the adrenal glands may be overworked, leading to cortisol depletion, and eventually other health problems such as the break down of the cardiovascular, digestive, immune, musculoskeletal systems which will lead to osteoporosis and arthritis. Eczema is not just an itchy skin rash, but can lead to further health problems.

Here are some ways that Chiropractic care can benefit Eczema sufferers:

• Balances Hormone levels, Adrenals
• Increased Immunity
• Improves Allergies
• Improves Gastrointestinal problems

Additional Therapies for Eczema

These following therapies may be helpful for self-care and home care under professional supervision.

• Bodywork:

            Acupressure 
            Shiatsu 
            Reflexology

• Yoga
• Aromatherapy: chamomile, bergamot, eucalyptus, geranium, juniper, lavender, melissa, neroli
• Hydrotherapy:

            Heating or cooling compress, depending on what improves symptoms. 
            Drink lots of filtered and if available, alkaline water throughout the day. 
            Get a water filter for the shower. 
            Shower with cool or warm water, never hot, as this may aggravate eczema.

• Fasting, Juice therapy: black currant, red grapes, carrot, beet, spinach, cucumber, parsley, green juice, wheatgrass

            Waking    Drink 0.5 -1.0 L filtered room temperature water 
            9:00 am   200ml Berry juice - pure blueberry or cranberry (no sugar) 
          11:00 am   200ml Herbal tea: dandelion leaf, chamomile, steep together 20 minutes.\ 
            1:00 pm   200ml Carrot juice, fresh squeezed 
            3:00pm    200ml Carrot juice, fresh squeezed\ 
            5:00pm    200ml Vegetable stock, 200ml Green juice (ie. wheatgrass or nettle) 
            7:00pm    200ml Berry juice- pure blueberry or cranberry (no sugar)

• Homeopathy:

             dulcamara 
             Rhus tox. 
             sulfur 
             arsen alb. 
             graphites 
             petroleum & psorinum must be taken alone, not with other therapies

• Ayuveda: herbal mixture with kutki 200mg, manjista 300mg, tumeric 200 mg, neem 200mg. One teaspoon 2 times per day after lunch and dinner. Neem - apply externally to skin. No salt, sugar, or yogurt.
• Biofeedback with guided imagery, relaxation
• Reflexology: diaphragm, liver, kidneys, intestines, adrenals, all glands, thyroid
• Topical: evening primrose oil to cracks, sores, especially folds of the elbows, behind the knees, helpful for healing.

Aloe Vera - fresh plant on eczema for healing 
Neem - topical application to eczema 
Colloidal oatmeal, virgin coconut oil, shea butter lotion, virgin olive oil 
Zinc Oxide also relieves severe itching, but does not cure eczema.

Mix equal parts lemon juice + olive or almond oil and apply on the skin and ingest.

Turmeric poultice may relieve symptoms but will stain the skin yellow.


Eczema Treatment Oils

1. Dry Eczema Treatment Oil Blend 

-Melt 10g shea butter 
-Add 30ml Thistle Oil, 10ml Borage Oil, 10ml Chickweed Macerated Oil, 10ml Jojoba Oil, 8ml Rosehip oil, 20 ml/g Vitamin E undiluted, 2ml Vitamin A palmitate 
-Add 15 drops of any of the following essential oil: lavender, sandalwood, roman or moraccan chamomile, geranium, orange, bergamot.

2. Wet Eczema Oil Treatment Blend 

-20ml Borage Oil, 20ml Rosehip, 20ml Jooba, 10ml Thistle, 10ml Chickweed Macerated, 18ml/g Vitamin E undiluted, 2ml Vitamin A palmitate 
-Add 15 drops of any of the following essential oil: lavender, sandalwood, roman or moraccan chamomile, geranium, orange, bergamot.

Herbs

1. Cleavers, nettle, yellowdock, red clover
2. Combine #1 with relaxing herbs like chamomile, linden flowers, skullcap
3. Infuse equal parts of cleavers, nettle, chamomile and drink as infusion 3 times per day
4. Stronger combination: equal parts tinctures of figwort, burdock, cleavers; take 1 teaspoon 3 times per day
5. Itch Relief: lukewarm or cold bathe with chickweed infusion, kelp & bentonite clay, colloidal oatmeal bathes
6. External application- goldenseal
7. Calendula salve for cracked, dry, painful skin
8. Turmeric Tea - itch relief, powerful anti-inflammatory, Camomile tea will calm itching skin and may be used externally by placing leaves over the eczema.

These therapies should be conducted by a qualified health professional:

• Acupuncture
• Environmental Medicine
• Hypnotherapy
• Magnetic Field Therapy
• UV Therapy, laser light therapy
• Naturopathic Medicine
• Orthomolecular Medicine
• Osteopathy
• Detoxification - unless a person is weakened or deficient
• Oxygen Therapy - Hydrogen peroxide therapy IV
• Ionic detox foot bath

Article written by Lisa Chau, M.Sc., writer for http://www.Chiropractor.com. Contact her at http://www.LisaChau.com.

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Try These Simple Steps To Control Your Acne

If one has struggled with their acne for a long period of time then they know how frustrating it can be to get rid of a blemish only to have another one spring up somewhere else on their body. By learning about the causes of acne and the tips in this article one can help themselves.

Did you know that acne can be caused by allergies? Allergies are a natural reaction that your immune system uses to fight off something that is trying to work it's way to inside your body. The problem is, your body can sometimes end up fighting things it just doesn't need to, because it was incorrectly programmed to do so. An allergy specialist can help by testing to find what allergies you do have. It could be something simple, such as dairy, or it could be more complex such as the paraffin wax in your hairspray. If your allergies are bad enough, an allergist can even give you shots that help to reprogram you body so that it no longer fights the things it doesn't need to fight.

Curing acne is easily accomplished by using a topical benzoyl peroxide solution found at your local drugstore. Benzoyl peroxide essentially uses a mild bleach-like chemical to reduce redness and in addition reduces the oil clogging your pores. It is completely safe, though it may dry out your skin, in which case you should ration the amount of benzoyl peroxide you use on a daily basis.

Egg whites can be a great cheap replacement for acne treatment. You can use raw egg white as a mask to cleanse your entire face, or use just a dab to reduce swelling and redness on a single blemish. Be sure to use a regular cleanser first, to remove oils and dirt.

To prevent redness caused by acne, you shouldn't use a facial mask more than once a week. While masks are very good for your skin, you don't want to overdo it. They can actually cause more harm than good if used too much. They will dry out your skin and your body will produce more oils, causing breakouts.

If you suffer from acne and the medications from your dermatologist don't seem to be enough, then consider that the causes could actually be mental. Acne is sometimes repressed childhood traumas that are surfacing from within the body through the skin. The stresses could even be recent. Ask yourself if there is something unresolved in your mind or causing you unhappiness.

If you suffer from unsightly blackheads and large pores, switch from bar soaps to a more gentle, water-soluble liquid cleanser. Many of the fillers used in bar soaps cause skin cells to flake off prematurely; the skin cells then accumulate and clog the pores. Choose a cleanser that does not leave a greasy residue on the skin, as this may make the problem worse.

One's long and arduous struggle against acne can now come to an end once they have learned from the tips they have just read. They can now go on and apply this knowledge to fight the acne that they already may have and prevent any future acne from developing on them.

Miraculous Aloe Vera

Aloe, aloe everywhere, for your skin and for your hair, take a little for your tummy or rub some on your gums if they feel funny.

While the Aloe Vera plant has been aiding humankind for centuries already, it has not been until recently that it has experienced a revival of sorts within the modern medical community. Many proponents of this green succulent of the lily family claim that Aloe Vera is a miracle plant with hundred if not thousands of health related uses. 

Skeptics claim that it is all hype and that many of Aloe Vera’s “cures” are just placebo effects. Lets us take a little look at a few of the many “miraculous” properties of Aloe Vera plant to find out what the real deal is with this spiky green plant. 

First of all, the inner gel of the Aloe Vera contains mucilaginous polysaccharides, which are important building blocks that the human body needs. When applied to the skin these MSP’s aid in skin cell rejuvenation and when taken orally, these long chain sugars help settle the stomach as well as aid in everything from indigestion to irritable bowel syndrome. 

The gel also contains many important vitamins and minerals, such as Vitamin E and calcium that are essential to the body if you choose to ingest it. Also, as if that is not enough, the gel also contains anti-fungal and anti-viral properties that can aid in keeping cuts from getting infected when used as a balm.  And, if you are still not sold on the stuff, Aloe Vera Gel also contains certain enzymes that can aid in digestion.

Many Aloe Gel proponents suggest ingesting a filleted section of the Aloe’s lance like leaf at least once a day to help improve your digestive functions as well as benefit from the cornucopia of nutrients that is contained within. Skeptics of the plant do not deny that the Aloe gel contains beneficial elements, but still point to various studies that can neither confirm nor deny Aloe’s ability to cure digestive problems.

While the watery inner gel in the most sought after part of the Aloe Vera plant with stores selling it to the public by the gallon, it was the sap found on the inner lining of the leaves that was first used for Medicinal purposes by the ancient Sumerians and Egyptians. The yellow latex resin works as a powerful cleansing agent that helps get the bowels moving. 

Ancient people suffering from constipation would take this stuff and find themselves cleaned out and ready to go in no time. While this yellowish resin is a powerful laxative, most medical professional do not suggest it’s wide spread use due to the painful abdominal cramping that can sometimes be associated with it.

While many supporters of the Aloe lifestyle swear by the plant and its many medicinal uses, the professional medical community still remains a bit skeptical on whether the plant can supercede modern medical practices. However, since the Aloe Vera plant’s gel is non-toxic and does contain many beneficial vitamins, minerals and enzymes,  they cannot really argue against the practice of taking it. Since Aloe Vera has been cultivated and used by people for many, many years, one has to think that there is something to the little green plant that makes it worth keeping around. 

Yulia Berry is an independent health researcher and author of the best selling e-book on aloe vera, "Aloe - Your Miracle Doctor." She distributes a weekly newsletter regarding home remedies and has written another popular e-book "Pharmacy In Vegetables" and dozens of natural health articles published on hundreds of websites worldwide. 

For information on Aloe - Your Miracle Doctor, visit here.

Are Natural Skin Care Products the Answer to All Problems?

When it comes to skin care products, you will find that a lot of people are very particular about using only natural skin care products. They treat all the synthetic products as harmful to the skin.

So, are natural skin care products the answer to all of our problems? What if a natural skin care product is not available for the treatment of a particular skin disorder? Are the synthetic skin care products so harmful that they should be banned?

Different people have different answers to these questions. However, the reality is that due to presence of synthetic preservatives, it’s really tough to find a natural skin care product that is 100% natural. There are natural skin care products that have natural preservatives, but their cost might be detrimental. Moreover, such natural skin products have a shorter shelf life and hence are not preferred by the manufacturers of natural skin care products.

Some people carry a wrong notion that since natural skin care products are natural, they cannot cause any harm to the skin. The suitability of a skin care product is not based on whether it is synthetic or natural. An unsuitable natural skin care product can harm you in almost the same way as a synthetic one. So, use natural skin care products, but be open to synthetic ones too (you might need them when a natural solution is not available)

Your selection of a natural skin care product should be based on 3 factors:

* The skin type (dry, oily, normal, sensitive) of the person who will use that natural skin care product
* The climatic conditions in which it will be used e.g. hot and humid condition would warranty the use of oil-free natural skin care products.
* The process for application/use of the natural skin care product. A good natural skin care product (in fact any product) can seem useless if not used in the proper way.

You can also make natural skin care products by yourself, by using the recipes that are readily available on the internet and in the books at book stores.

Use of organic fruits and vegetables is also popular as a natural skin care procedure. Some essential oils, herbal oils, are useful too and are known for their moisturising and antiseptic properties

However, using a natural skin care product does not mean that you can exercise carelessness with other aspects of skin care. Natural skin care products should be used like supplements to the following ‘essential’ recommendations: healthy eating habits (avoiding oily food), regular exercise, drinking a lot of water (8 glasses everyday), and cleanliness. This will then form a perfect and completely natural skin care routine that will help maintain a healthy beautiful skin for longer time.