Dark Lips : Causes, Prevention and Home Remedies

Lips are one of the most sensitive parts of our body. They easily become a major target of dryness and sunburn that leaves ugly patches on its surface. Dark lips can be very unattractive and very difficult to deal with. Lips that are pink and full are considered as beautiful lips. No one would like to have dark and dry lips.

Having excessive tea and coffee can lead to dark lips. Similarly, if you are a smoker, then you are definitely spoiling your health and beauty. Not only does smoking have various ill effects to health, but it is also a prime cause behind dark lips and it also deforms the face of the smoker, making it prematurely look old and aged.

Suck and lick your lips can also cause the darkening of lips. Chapping and drying of lips can make the lips dark in color. Use of cheap lip sticks and other such cosmetics can cause darkening of the lips.

You may, however, try the following home remedies to reduce the darkening of lips and prevent further damage. These remedies shall surely help getting back the soft, rosy supple lips and dodge darkness on lips forever.

. Use natural beach like lime juice or apple cider vinegar. Use a clean cotton ball to dip it in the lime juice or apple cider vinegar and then apply it on the lips.

. Make a mixture of glycerin and honey and apply it on the lips. It can help restore the natural softness and would also help in improving the color of the lips.

. Banana is said to be effective in restoring the natural color of the lips. Make a paste of banana and apply it on the lips.

. Gently exfoliate the lips with a soft brush or else use a lip scrub to do so. This will help remove the dead cells on the outermost layer and reveal the natural color of the lips, making them look vibrant and natural.

. Crush 4-5 petals of red rose firmly. To this add one teaspoon glycerin. Mix both well. Apply it on the lips and let it stay for 15 minutes. Later wash lips with water.

. Soak small quantity of tamarind in very little water overnight. Next morning extract the pulp. Apply same on the lips with a cotton ball. Once it is dried clean with water. It shall take 10-15 minutes to dry. Tamarind is helpful in minimizing the lip darkness.

. Prepare the pomegranate juice without water and sugar. Dab it on the lips with cotton ball. Leave it for 20 minutes. In between re-apply the juice thrice. Once it is fully dried wash with water.

. Applying a thin coat of clarified butter on the lips at bedtime and leaving it on overnight is also helpful in restoring to the lips their original color.

. Another effective remedy for lightening dark lips is to massage almond oil into the lips every day. You could also substitute the oil with a paste of almonds soaked in a little milk cream overnight and ground well the next morning.

. Massaging your lips with some yoghurt every morning and evening is also known to be of help.

. After brushing you lips,rub an ice cube over them and follow up with some aloe vera gel.

. Supplement your diet with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables to hydrate your body and cut down on caffeine intake.

. Ensure that you use a lip balm or moisturizer that will protect you from the sun. Any lip balm or moisturizer that contains SPF 15 is ideal to help protect your lips from tanning.

. Avoid using cheaply manufactured lipsticks and other cosmetics as they harm your skin and sometimes cause irreversible damage.


~source:ayushveda.com~

Home Remedies For Underarm Odor : How To Get Rid of Underarm Odor

Underarm odor occurs as sweat produced by the apocrine glands mixes with bacteria on the skin. As the bacteria ingest the sweat, their byproduct gives off the associated smell of body odor. Bad underarm odor is embarrassing and can seriously affect the way that you feel about yourself. Deodorants and antiperspirants can be used, but sensitive skin and a general intolerance for these products may have you looking for a more natural solution.

Though there is no miracle cure to stop it immediately and permanently in its tracks, there are several things you can do with a conscious effort added into your daily routine. There are numerous home remedies an individual can do to lessen and get rid of underarm odor.

. Rubbing of baking soda before taking a bath can help. Baking soda can serve as an antiseptic, and it reduces the growth of bacteria.

. Slice a lemon and rub this to your armpit before taking a bath. This can help as well. The citrus content of the lemon provides an antioxidant and skin whitening effect.

. Eat a diet rich in green, leafy vegetables, and add parsley and alfalfa to your meals. These foods may help neutralize negative odors.

. Strawberries also have an antioxidant effect when rubbed on the armpit. It provides an antiseptic effect and at the same time it prevents the growth of bacteria.

. Take liquid Chlorophyll from the health food store or pharmacy. A teaspoon or less in a glass of water.

. Use a crystal rock made from the mineral salt potassium alum instead of a deodorant. It might not keep you dry as prescription antiperspirants will but it effectively clogs your sweat gland.

. Parsley alfalfa and other leafy greens should be included in the diet because they can actually help in neutralizing body odor owing to the deodorizing effect of the chlorophyll present in these leaves

. Dilute 8-10 drops of rosemary oil in an ounce of water you can use the resulting mixture as a wonderful natural deodorant.

. Mix 1½ teaspoons of dried sage or two tea bags in one cup of water steep for 10 minutes and drink in small doses throughout the day.

. Essential oils such as rose and mint can be added to bath water. They relax and revive the body and mind, and also help control unpleasant underarm odor.

. Mix a solution of 1 tsp. of 3-percent hydrogen peroxide with an 8-ounce glass of water. Combine and use the solution to wash the underarms several times daily

. Put some rose water in the bathing water or in the bath tub. This will work as a natural deodorant.

. Make a thick coarse mixture out of sugar, rice flour, honey and a little tomato juice. Use this paste to scrub your underarms as it will help to get rid of any sebum and dead skin remnants.

. Take 500 mg of wheat grass daily on an empty stomach with a glass of water. The chlorophyll in it will reduce the body odor.

. Tea tree is an antibacterial herb. Make a deodorant by mixing two drops of the essential oil and one ounce of water.

. In 30 mm of water put 10 drops of the essential oil and apply this on the underarms to reduce underarm odor. This is another effective natural remedy for body odor.

. Turnip juice reduces underarm odor for up to 10 hours. Grate a turnip; squeeze the grated pieces and rub the juice on the armpits.

. Blend tomato juice with fresh sage leaves and apply on the area for 10 minutes before bathing. This is also a very good underarm odor treatment.

. Rub a sliced potato under your armpit after it has been thoroughly washed and dried. Let the juice of the potato dry on the skin and after it is thoroughly dry apply your preferred deodorant.

. Scrubbing your body with chamomile oil while in the shower is another way to help control your excessive sweating.

. Wipe your underarms once a day with undiluted apple cider vinegar.

. After you take a bath, shake the bottle of milk of magnesia and wet a cotton ball, or use your fingers, and just put it on your under arms. It is better than a deodorant, and it works immediately.

. Get one big piece of ginger and mash it up. Put it in a handkerchief or anything so you can squeeze it to get the water from it. After shower, apply it under your armpit with cotton. You will get rid of body odor in two weeks.

. Add a cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle each time you wash your laundry to help eliminate any lingering odor that may be clinging to your clothing.

. Wipe your underarms with witch hazel or white vinegar after bathing, but before applying deodorant or antiperspirant.





~source:hyperhidrosisweb.com~

Oral Herpes : Causes,Treatments and Home Remedies

Herpes is a very common infection caused by two different but closely related viruses — herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). Both forms of herpes are easy to catch and have similar symptoms and signs. And both can occur on different parts of the body. When the infection is on or around the the mouth, it is called oral herpes.

"Cold sores" or "fever blisters" are oral herpes symptoms that usually show up on or near the lips. In cases of oral herpes where symptoms do develop they are painful and unsightly. Cold sore blisters tend to occur in the areas surrounding the mouth, such as on the lips, chin, cheeks, or even in the nostrils. Cold sores or fever blisters that develop in the mouth are most likely to occur on the gums or roof of the mouth.

It begins with symptoms that include a tingling sensation, dryness, burning, and/or itching at the site of the impending cold sore. Within one to two days, a group of tiny blisters form, then enlarge to create one large, open sort. Two or three days later, a scab forms on the sore and the wound begins to heal. Once healing is complete, the scab falls off, usually seven to ten days after the first symptoms were revealed.

Herpes is contracted primarily through direct skin contact with an infected individual. This contact is not necessarily with genital areas. In some cases the virus responsible for cold sores may also be passed on through indirect contact such as through sharing a lip balm or lip stick or from shared towels. Some triggers like pregnancy, lips or gum injury, dental treatment, cosmetic surgery, fatigue, stress, and hormonal changes may cause cold sore to reoccur.

There are many home remedies for oral herpes to use to shorten the time to 3 to 5 days when used correctly.

. Rub ice on the infected skin for few minutes, repeat this every hour. Application of ice on the cold sore helps to reduce the cold sore size and also prevents the viral movement.

. Apply a tea bag for few minutes on the blisters, repeat this every hour. One can also consider pressing a warm tea bag on the blisters for approximately 30 minutes.

. According to some, you could simply soak a cotton ball or swab in some cold milk and dab it or apply gently over the sore.

. L-Lysine fights that virus that causes cold sores. Take 500 mg twice a day.

. Take 100 mg of each major B vitamin twice a day. Vitamin B complex is very important for healing and immune system functions.

. Place a small amount of salt on the cold sore and hold it in place with your finger for a minute or two.

. Cut garlic in half and place one part on the cold sore. Take 2 garlic capsules a day.

. A cotton ball can be soaked for sometime in the plum juice and then used as a compress over the cold sores to relieve pain and inflammation.

. Small pieces of raw onion can be applied directly on the cold sores for treating and preventing cold sores from getting worse.

. Mix water with 2 ounces of hydrogen peroxide, one teaspoon of baking soda and five teaspoons of salt. This solution can be used to rinse the mouth for at least a minute, 4-5 times a day to effectively get rid of cold sores on the tongue.

. Try chewing on a licorice whip, but just you would need to be sure that it is actually made from real licorice. You could also simply buy some licorice powder and sprinkle it over the sores.

. Gently rub aloe vera gel or oil on the sores.

. Cut a small slice of lemon and place it either on your cold sore and leave it there as long as you can. Change it as often as possible with a fresh slice.

. Pour a few drops of apple cider vinegar on a cotton ball and apply it on your cold sore or blister. You can also mix it with lemon juice to increase its potential.

. Take Lysine supplements ; 1,000 mg taken three times a day may help to shorten the duration of cold sores.

. Prepare black coffee and let it cool, strain the water so you will only have the mud left in the cup. Use the coffee that was left in the cup to apply on the herpes so it will be healed faster.

. Try using propolis, a natural product created by bees, as an alternative health option for treating herpes sores of the mouth and lips.

. Place 2 to 3 sage leaves, with a small root piece of ginger in a cup of water and steep them in boiling water. Drink these tea 2 to 3 cups per day.

. Apply Vaseline (petroleum jelly) to the herpes sore, it forms a barrier around it and will help to prevent it from spreading.

. Soak a cotton bud in some Benzyl Alcohol and apply it to the cold sore twice a day.

. Apply the probiotic yogurt with a cotton bud, and then tops it off with a dab of nail polish remover to keep it dry.

. Take some baking powder and pat a cotton ball with it over the infected area. This would be beneficial in treating herpes.


Do not use cosmetic products in an attempt to hide cold sores. Burying the cold sores under a layer of makeup will simply aggravate the problem as most cosmetics do contain some chemicals, which would be too harsh for your already highly sensitized skin.
Avoid picking or pinching at a cold sore as this poses a high threat of bacterial infection. Also make sure that you never touch the cold sore and then touch your eyes or genitals, as this will simply spread the infection. Always make sure that you wash your hands thoroughly or use a hand sanitizer after touching a cold sore.



~sources:raysahelian.com/home-remedies-for-you.com~

Jock Itch : Symptoms, Prevention and Home Remedies

Jock itch, also called tinea cruris or ringworm of the groin, is an infection of the groin area caused by fungus. Jock itch occurs when a particular type of fungus grows and spreads in the groin area. Jock itch occurs mostly in adult men and adolescent boys. It can sometimes accompany athlete's foot and ringworm. The fungus that causes jock itch thrives in warm, moist areas.

Jock itch can be triggered by friction from clothes and prolonged wetness in the groin area, such as from sweating. It may be contagious. It can be passed from one person to the next by direct skin-to-skin contact or contact with unwashed clothing.


Symptoms

Symptoms of jock itch include the following:

.Itching in groin, thigh skin folds, or anus

.Red, raised, scaly patches that may blister and ooze -- The patches often have sharply-defined edges and are often redder around the outside with normal skin tone in the center

.Abnormally dark or light skin.


Prevention

.Keep the groin area clean and dry.

.Don't wear clothing that rubs and irritates the area. Avoid tight-fitting and rough-textured clothing.

.Wear loose-fitting underwear.

.Wash athletic supporters frequently.

.After bathing, apply antifungal or drying powders if you are susceptible to jock itch.


Home Remedies

Most of the time, jock itch is something that can be taken care of with home remedies. Do keep in mind that, most of the time, the jock itch home remedies can also be used to keep jock itch from coming about in the first place.

. The best home remedies for jock itch include bathing daily. Although this sounds simple, some people forget to do it.

. Keep moist and warm areas of the body clean and dry. Change your undergarments daily.

. Lather the affected area with dandruff shampoo leaving for 15 minutes then rinsing.

. Apply tea tree oil on the infected skin, it is a natural antifungal.

. Dust on some antifungal powder before donning any clothing.

. Include good quantity of garlic in your food. Garlic has antifungal qualities.

. Apply honey and garlic alternatively on the infected skin.

. Soak a washcloth in 2 tablespoons of bleach diluted in 16 ounces of hot water. Apply this to the affected area 3-4 times a day.

. Simply fill up the tub with hot water and add a large amount of salt. Soak yourself in the water for about 15-20 minutes, allowing the salt to dry out the blisters and soaking up excess moisture from the area. Repeat this twice daily for three days.

. Blend two cloves of garlic with one cup of olive oil. Dip some paper towels into this mixture and apply to the infected area.

. Apply freshly squeezed aloe gel from the aloe vera plant to the affected area to find relief from itching and burning, as well as to prevent further spreading of the rash.

. Apply a thin layer of tea tree oil, a germ- and fungus-fighting antiseptic, to affected area twice daily.

. Put 10 drops of tea tree oil into 2 tablespoons of Calendula cream and apply this mixture twice a day.

. Stir 2 teaspoons of fresh or dried thyme leaves into 1 cup of boiling water and steep for 20 minutes. Apply cooled thyme tea to affected area twice daily with a cotton ball.

. Stir 6 teaspoons of licorice powder into 1 cup of boiling water, steep for 20 minutes, cool and apply to affected area. Store remainder to use daily.

. Apply Listerine mouth wash to a jock itch with a cotton ball twice a day.

. Soak a teaspoon of sliced ginger root and a teaspoon of dried thyme in a cup of warm water. Keep it aside for a few minutes. When it cools down, apply on the infected area using a cotton ball.

. Simply add a few tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to a cup of water, and mix well. With the use of a clean washcloth dipped in the solution, gently dab the area with this vinegar mixture.

. Mix 2-3 drops of coconut oil with 4-5 drops if olive oil. Apply this over the affected area. It will work great combat fungal infection.



~source:primehealthchannel.com~

Dark Patches on Face : Causes and Home Remedies

Dark patches occur when your body experiences an increase in the production of melanin, the pigment that colors your skin. This darkening can occur on any part of your body, including your face, and in any size. Many causes are behind these blotches, leading people to try several treatment methods before a response is noted. Understanding the cause of your dark patches can help you and your physician reach a method of treatment sooner.

Causes of Dark Patches

.Excessive exposure to the sun is the leading cause of melasma or dark patches on the face.

.Hormonal activities in women patients can cause these dark patches to appear. This is especially true during pregnancy, when taking birth control pills, or those who undergo HRT or Hormone Replacement Therapy.

.Genetic Predisposition.

.Anti-seizure medications and other kinds of medications that expose patients to ultraviolet light.

.Race.

.Diseases in the thyroid glands like hypothyroidism.

.Allergic reactions to certain medications and facial cosmetics.

.Trauma. Injuries to the face can cause melasma suprarenale which in turn causes melasma.

.Stress can cause excessive production of the melanocyte –stimulating hormone which can cause outbreaks of melasma.


Home Remedies for Dark Patches on Face

There are several useful home remedies that can help you lighten and get rid of dark patches on the face.

. A mixture of lime and tomato juice in equal amounts can be rubbed on the affected. This mixture should be left on the face overnight and washed with lukewarm water.

. Raw potatoes that have been grated and made into a mask can help lighten the dark patches. This should be placed on the affected area for at least ten minutes in a daily basis.

. Take one tablespoon fuller's earth, add one teaspoon of lime juice and enough rosewater to make a smooth paste. Apply this paste all over the face, rubbing it in gently. Leave it to dry and then apply again on the dark patches or spots. Leave it on for a further 5-7 minutes then wash and rinse with cold water.

. Take a few mint leaves and crush them.Tie in a piece of muslim and extract its juice. Use this pure mint juice all over the face.

. Take 2-3 slices of a ripe papaya and extract the pulp. Add to it one teaspoon of turmeric powder and one tablespoon of fuller's earth. Mash together to form a paste. Apply generously on the patches and dark areas of the skin. Leave it to dry. Then rinse it off. Regular use, maybe thrice a week, helps to even out the patches.

. Take a cucumber and grate it after peeling. To this add juice of one lime. Mix well and put it into a blender to make a fine paste. Apply this paste all over the face and let it dry. Wash off.

. Take 2 tablespoons of vinegar and add one tablespoon of rosewater. Now add the juice of one cucumber. Stir well to form a lotion. Dab this lotion all over the face and let it dry. Repeat this procedure twice or thrice till the complete lotion has been used up.

. Take one tablespoon of fuller's earth and add to it half teaspoon camphor powder and one tablespoon lime juice. Blend well to form a smooth paste. Apply all over the face, rubbing it in gently. Leave it to dry. Rinse and wash off.

. Take 2-3 carrots and grate them after peeling. Boil the grated carrots in very little water till the water dries up. Cool and mash. Apply this pack all over the face. Leave it on for 10-15 minutes; gently rub it in before rinsing off.

. Take a ripe banana, peel and mash to a pulp. Apply al over the face and leave it on for 10 minutes. Wash off and see your skin come out sparkling clean and nourished.

. Take 2 tablespoons of coconut oil and add to it one teaspoon of camphor powder. Rub thoroughly into the burn mark or scar at least 10 minutes before your bath. Use regularly for quick results.

. Take a few dried orange peels and powder them. Add 2 tablespoons of curd to make a thick paste. Apply all over the face, leaving aside the eye area. Let it dry. then wash thoroughly with cold water.

. Mix sour milk or cream and honey and apply this paste on the face every day. Honey is a natural moisturizing agent while the lactic acid in sour milk lightens the complexion of the skin without irritating it.

. Massage your skin with aloe vera juice or gel every night before going to bed.

. You could also crush some horseradish root and mix this with a little vinegar and rub the dark spots with a piece of cotton wool soaked in this mixture. After the juices dry, wash your face with lukewarm water.

. Rubbing the skin gently with the peel of a watermelon also helps reduce dark patches.

. Mix together one tablespoon each of oatmeal, yoghurt and sour cream and add a few drops of lime juice to this mixture. Massage your face with this paste and leave it on for 10 minutes before washing it away with water.

. Slice a potato thinly and place the slices on your face for 15 minutes in order to bleach the spots naturally.



~source:ehow.com~

Mosquito Bites Itch : Home Remedies for Itchy Mosquito Bites : Natural Remedies to Stop Mosquito Bites Itching

Most people experience a skin reaction when bitten by a mosquito. For some, the persistent itchiness of a mosquito bite can be maddening. Scratching an insect bite can create an opening for infection. The cause of the itch is basically the saliva of the mosquito that is injected into your blood.
If you get large swellings like welts or swelling in your throat you must contact your pharmacist or doctor immediately as you may have developed an allergy to the bite. Otherwise you can use some of the following home remedies listed below, they work wonders not to mention giving you a relief from the itchiness.

. Put a piece of Scotch tape or similar onto the bite. Wash the area with rubbing alcohol or ammonia first. Leaving it there will make the itch almost entirely go away. After a few hours, remove it.

. Use the common plantain. Either roll leaves of common plantain between fingers to extract juice, or chew on common plantain leaves a little bit, then rub the juicy leaf over mosquito bite. The itch goes away in less than a minute.

. Rub aloe vera gel or broken leaf from an aloe vera plant on the bite area to relieve itching.

. Make a paste of baking soda (bicarbonate of soda) mixed with warm water. One tablespoon to one pint of water is a good ratio to use. Gently apply to the affected area. Leave on for a few minutes, then wash off with warm water.

. Cut lemon or lime into pieces and rub gently on the affected area, or just squirt a bit juice on it. Citric acid has some itch-relieving properties.

. Rub a basil leaf on mosquito bites to stops itching.

. Crush aspirin and mix with a smidge of water to make a paste. Dab right on mosquito bite and leave to dry.

. Try mouthwash. Simply dab over the affected area and leave to dry.

. Mix a few drops of household cleaning ammonia with baking soda to form a paste. Apply gently to the affected area and allow to dry. This should relieve the itching. Remove with warm water.

. Soak a cotton ball in apple cider vinegar. Place the soaked cotton ball over the mosquito bites. If you don't want to hold it, tape it in place. Leave there for a few minutes.

. Make a thick paste of cornflour and apple cider vinegar. Gently apply the paste to the affected area. Allow to dry. It will alleviate the itching by the time it has dried. Wash off using warm water.

. Try adding some distilled witch hazel to calamine lotion as an effective pain relief and itch soother for mosquito bites.

. If you're near the sea, take a dip in sea water. Or add salt to hot water to make salt water.

. Dip a wash cloth into hot water, but not so hot that it burns your skin. Press the wet part of the cloth against the bite. Hold it there until you feel the bite tingle. Repeat once or twice.

. Apply an ice pack or ice cubes to the bites.

. Dab some toothpaste over the bite area. This can work like a charm to relieve itching.

. Rub some underarm deodorant on the bite area.

. Rub a bar of dry or wet soap over the itchy area.

. Dabbing small amounts of lavender oil direct to the affected area can relieve the itching quickly.

. Use melaleuca or tea tree oil. This oil is known as a cure-all for many problems and it can also alleviate the itching from mosquito bites.

. Try Vicks Vaporub®. Keep applying Vicks® to the area, especially if it rubs off.

. Use nail polish (preferably clear). Be sure that the bite is not raw from scratching. This keeps it from itching and acts as a seal to protect it.

. Rub the inside of a banana skin (peel) onto the bite.

. Rub the sap of an onion over the bite.

. Make a small paste of breakfast oatmeal and apply to the bite area. Allow to dry, then wash off.

. Add a little meat tenderizer to the bite area. Mix a little bit in water first, then apply.

. Place your own saliva on the bites. Leave it to soak in; for some people this relieves the itching.

. Break a raw egg and put only the white over your itch. Make sure there is no open wound over your itch.

. Mix equal parts of dettol and baby oil together, and apply with a cotton swab. Will relieve itching for abour 2-3 hours.

. Make a cup of green tea, put the wet tea bag on your mosquito bites.



~source:everydayhealth.com~

Dry Peeling Lips : Causes, Treatments and Home Remedies

Peeling lips is a common feature in the season of spring/summer. While in other parts of the body has 16 layers of skin, lips have 3-4 layers and thus are prone to cuts, bruises and seasonal changes. During the spring/summer season, the wind tends to dry the lips by making it devoid of moisture. It is worse for people who have dry lips naturally. It not only makes your lips look bad but also if ignored makes them black.


Causes of Peeling Lips

Those who have the habit of pulling out the dry and dead skin end up having an even uglier look. It may also result in bleeding. Though it generally occurs because of lack of moisture during the winter season, it may also occur due to other reasons.

.Nutritional deficiency such as vitamin B deficiency
.Overexposure to the sun
.Dehydration
.Cold and dry weather
.Frequent licking of the lips. Saliva ‘œdigests’ the thin membrane in our lips causing it to dry and peel.
.Allergic reaction to cosmetics and makeup
.Infections


Treatments and Home Remedies

In a great number of cases, peeling lips can not be healed easily and the skin loss happens in a repetitive manner. Home remedies have worked better to heal peeling lips than the usual medicine. Here are some home remedies of peeling lips:

. Take half of a lemon and put some sugar into it. Rub it gently in a circular motion on your lips. Do it for 10 minutes and then wash it off with cold water.

. Take spoon of olive oil and mix it with cayenne pepper. Apply it on your lips and wash it off after some times.

. Water intake must be regular and sufficient because dehydration or the loss of moisture in the lips is the primary cause of peeling in the lips.

. Apply cocoa butter to your dry peeling lips several times a day.

. Never lick or bite your lips as they can contribute to dehydration, drying up, and cracking up of lips.

. Take a ripe papaya and mash it. Apply this on your dry lips and wash it off after 15 minutes.

. Apply a layer of honey on your lips while indoors to prevent peeling.

. A paste made with 1 teaspoon of gram flour, 1 teaspoon of milk cream and a pinch of turmeric powder is also beneficial in the treatment of chapped lips. Apply this mixture on your lips and allow it to dry completely. Once dry, gently rub it off.

. Rubbing the lips with a mixture of equal parts of glycerin and lemon juice is also beneficial in the treatment of dry peeling lips.

. Apply petroleum jelly thinly to your dry peeling lips several times a day. Exfoliate your lips by rubbing them gently with a soft-bristled toothbrush or a soft washcloth.

. Mix sugar and honey. Scrub well for 3 minutes, then rinse an apply moisterizing chapstick. For best results, repeat once a week.

. Make lip balm by using 2 tsp of coconut oil, lemon juice, 3 drops of lemon oil and 1 tsp of bee wax. You should warm these ingredients till they melt and mix together. Store this home-made lip balm in a small bottle and apply it regularly on your lips to keep them moisturized.

. Mix 5 ml of lime juice with glycerin of the same amount and with some water. Apply this mixture to the lips. It should stay for some time. You can keep the mixture for future use. You can use it for three days at a time.

. Take some petals of rose and drench them in raw like for say one or two hours. Once done, make a paste of that mixture and then apply it on your lips.

. Cucumber slice when rubbed on the dry lips also helps to cure dry peeling lips.

. Apply vitamin E to your dry peeling lips several times a day to cure dry peeling lips.




~source:mdecg.com~

Home Remedies For Blemishes : How To Get Rid Of Blemishes : Reduce Blemishes Naturally

Blemishes are marks or areas of discoloration on the skin. In some cases, acne such as whiteheads, blackheads, and pimples may also be referred to as blemishes. Some blemishes, such as port-wine stains, are discolorations a person is born with. Other blemishes, particularly acne, are caused by clogged pores. These are often caused by toiletries and cosmetics, particularly night creams, foundations, and moisturizers.

Some blemishes fade away with time, but others may not. Blemishes caused due to scratching, pinching or picking of acne are likely to increase over time. And some blemishes may remain on the skin forever. With time and regular usage of the following home remedies, it is possible that your blemishes may entirely go away:

. Soak 4 almonds overnight, peel the skin and grind it to a paste. Mix rose water with it and apply it on the face.

. Apply olive oil regularly on the face and massage lightly. The blemishes will fade off in course of time.

. Mix radish juice with a little gram flour and buttermilk and apply to the face. Wash it off after 20 minutes to clear scars left by pimples. Do it regularly.

. Dab honey on the spot and cover it with a bandage to get rid of blemish overnight.

. Drink carrot juice regularly with honey for a month to clear marks, scars and blemishes.

. Apply tomato pulp everyday on the face and washed off after half an hour to get rid of scars and blemishes.

. Raw potato juice applied daily cures skin blemishes.

. Mix dried orange peel powder with curd and use it as a face pack to clear blemishes naturally.

. Take 2 teaspoonfuls of gram flour and add a pinch of turmeric powder, a few drops of lemon juice and create a paste with a spoonful of curd. Apply this to your face and affected areas daily for best results.

. Make a paste made of finely ground almonds and yogurt. Apply this mixture evenly on blemishes to cleanse and exfoliate the skin to make it appear brighter and lighter.

. Mix 1 part of apple cider vinegar with 8 parts of water and rinse your face two times every day.

. Apply lemon juice directly on marks and spots to bleach them away naturally.

. Apply caster oil on the affected area to treat blemishes and acne.

. Warm some honey and apply it on the marks. Keep it on your skin for 10-15 minutes than wash the face with cold water.

. Take 7 parts of camphor extract and add to it 2 parts of extract of almonds, 1 part of sandalwood powder and dilute it with 30 parts of rose water. Using cotton balls, rub your face everyday with this natural home made solution.

. Peel few oranges and dry their skin in the sun. Once they have dried, grind them into a fine powder. Add 1 teaspoon of rose water and 1 teaspoon of lemon juice in this powder to make a paste. Apply this paste on the affected areas to improve skin texture and remove the blemishes.

. Add 1 part each of lemon juice, milk powder and honey together. To this mixture, add a few drops of almond oil and mix further. Now apply this paste on your blemishes and let it do rest of the job.

. Rub a lemon peel on the skin with a little sugar on it or without the sugar. After rubbing it leave it on the skin for at least 10 minutes.

. Make a mixture of tomato juice and lemon juice. Fill it in a bottle and keep it in the refrigerator. Apply this mixture on your face daily with a cotton ball. It lightens the skin tone and reduces the blemishes.

. Apply sandalwood paste on skin made with rose water. It even soothes the acne, pimples and boils from the skin.

. Apply paste of neem leaves or boiled neem leaves water on the skin to reduces the blemishes.

. Rub a papaya peel or banana peel on the skin and leave it for at least 15 minutes. It reduces the blemishes from the skin.

. Mix some vinegar with three mashed strawberries and apply this mixture on the affected area overnight. Regular application of this therapy will reduce the blemishes.

. Boil some carrots and then mash. Then apply these mashed carrots on the face for fifteen to twenty minutes and finally rinse it off with milk to cure blemishes to a great extent.

. Apply mashed green papaya on the affected area for fifteen minutes to remove blemishes at home. Combination of mashed papaya and milk also gives better results.

. Mix two tablespoons of vinegar, one tablespoon of rose water and some cucumber juice and apply the resultant solution on blemishes.

. Dab a toothpaste on the blemishes right before you head off to bed. Make sure that you use the paste kind and not the gel.

. Dab an egg white on the pimples and leave it on for about 20 minutes or even overnight. You can even use it as a facial and spread the egg white all over your face, like applying a facial mask.

. Add 1 cup of boiled water to a bowl filled with 1/2 cup of oatmeal. Spoon 1/4 cup of honey into the bowl. Mix the ingredients together and allow it to cool. Apply the oatmeal concoction in an even layer over a face as a mask for approximately 10 to 20 minutes. Rinse off the oatmeal concoction with lukewarm water.




~source:experts123.com~

Dry Skin On Face : Causes, Home Remedies

Dry skin on face is one of the common skin problems. Dry skin on face is common during winters but some may experience this throughout the year. When the skin is unable to retain moisture and the sebum level decreases, it becomes dry and looks patchy. It feels stretched, tight, uncomfortable and sometimes even itchy. Only when you apply some moisturizer, does it become soft. Extremely dry skin looks chapped and cracked. Mostly the skin on cheeks and area around the lips have this problem.

Dehydration is the basic and most common cause of dry skin on face. If you are not drinking enough water throughout the day or consuming excess caffeine or sugary products, then this may definitely lead to dry skin on face. Unhealthy eating habits and low intake of healthy foods is another cause of dry skin on face. Vitamin A and vitamin B deficiencies also contribute to this problem.

Dry skin requires particular care and attention as it is prone to a variety of problems. Regular moisturizing and application of other protective lotions and treatments is necessary on a regular basis. Most of us fail to realize that nature offers us some of the best natural remedies for dry skin. These natural remedies are not only cost effective, but also quite efficient and are very easily available.

. Massage the face with almond oil or olive oil every night before going to bed. The oils can also be used to massage the other parts of the body.

. The best cleaning method for dry skin is soaking the face in lukewarm water for 10 minutes. It is better to avoid warm water to clean the face especially in winters.

. Add 1 egg yolk, 1 teaspoon of orange juice,1 teaspoon of olive oil, few drops of rose water and some drops of lime juice. Apply this well prepared mixture on the face in the morning 15 minutes before taking bath.

. Mash a ripe banana and apply it on the face and neck. Leave it for sometime and then wash the face with lukewarm water.

. Massaging the skin with grape seed oil is the best and effective method for dry skin.

. Blend together 1 teaspoon green clay powder and 1 teaspoon raw honey and apply this well prepared mixture to your face, avoiding the eye area. Leave it on for fifteen to twenty minutes, then wash well with lukewarm water.

. After bathing applying Aloe Vera gel is also effective. This is good dry skin remedy.

. Mash half an avocado and mix it with a few drops of fresh lime juice and spread this paste over the cleansed skin. Stay it for fifteen to twenty minutes. Wash the skin alternately both with cold and warm water.

. Mix 2-5 tablespoons of raw peanuts with milk and make a fine paste. Add 1/4 teaspoon of honey to this paste. Apply this paste on face. Leave this paste to dry. Then wash with cold water.

. Make a mixture of cooked oatmeal and honey for moisturizing and cleaning the face. This is also one of the useful natural remedy for dry skin.

. Take the yolk of an egg and dab it on your face leave for 15 minutes.

. Mix milk cream with a pinch of turmeric powder and apply it on the face daily.

. Soak 4 or 5 almonds overnight, in the morning peel the skin and grind it nicely, mix it with raw milk and apply it on the face and wash it off after 15 minutes to prevent dryness of skin.

. 4 to 5 almonds should be soaked overnight, peel its skin in the morning and chew it .It nourishes your skin from within.

. Mix egg yolk, milk cream and rose water and apply it on the face. Wash it off after sometime in warm water followed by cold water.

. Boil a carrot in a little water. After it cools, grind it to a paste and apply to the face.

. Apply honey on the face and wash it off with warm water after 15 minutes.

. Mash papaya until creamy and use it as a mask once in a week to prevent dryness.

. Dip cotton in cold raw milk to which a few drops of olive oil or sunflower oil is added and cleanse the face with it. Wash with cold water.



~source:buzzle.com~

Hyperhidrosis : Causes, Prevention and Home Remedies

Hyperhidrosis or excessive sweating is a medical condition in which a person sweats excessively and unpredictably. People with hyperhidrosis may sweat even when the temperature is cool or when they are at rest. Sweating helps the body stay cool. In most cases, it is perfectly natural. People sweat more in warm temperatures, when they exercise, or in response to situations that make them nervous, angry, embarrassed, or afraid.

However, excessive sweating occurs without such triggers. Those with hyperhidrosis appear to have overactive sweat glands. The uncontrollable sweating can lead to significant discomfort, both physical and emotional.

When excessive sweating affects the hands, feet, and armpits, it's called primary or focal hyperhidrosis. If the sweating occurs as a result of another medical condition, it is called secondary hyperhidrosis. The sweating may be all over the body, or it may be in one area. Conditions that cause second hyperhidrosis include:

.Acromegaly
.Anxiety conditions
.Cancer
.Carcinoid syndrome
.Certain medications and substances of abuse
.Glucose control disorders
.Heart disease
.Hyperthyroidism
.Lung disease
.Menopause
.Parkinson’s disease
.Pheochromocytoma
.Spinal cord injury
.Stroke
.Tuberculosis or other infections

There are various home remedies that you can safely try out. Try out several remedies to find out which one works best for you. Unlike pharmaceutical drugs or cosmetic sprays, these treatments generally take longer to show results.

. Drink a cup of tomato juice every morning. This will help to keep cool your body and prevent excess perspiration.

. Boil a couple of teabags in a large bowl of water for seven minutes or so. Let it cool and then soak your hands and feet in it.

. Soak one teaspoon of dried sage in approximately 100ml of boiling water, and let it steep for about 15 minutes. Then, filter the solution and drink it twice or thrice a day.

. Wear loose fitting clothes. Always go in for light cotton clothing, as it encourages breathing through of air, thereby decreasing the sweat.

. A teaspoon of cider vinegar with honey in equal proportion is an effective remedy.

. Drink green tea at night also proves beneficial.

. Antiperspirant talcum powders are also effective in controlling excessive sweating. Wash and dry the area before dusting a generous amount of antiperspirant talc.

. Foods like caffeine and alcohol are known to cause heavy sweating and should be avoided as much as possible.

. Drinking lot of water is the most simple and effective remedy for sweating. It detoxifies your body.

. Avoid spicy food as it might lead to heavy sweating.

. Potato is a good remedy. Rub fresh potato slice on sweaty places. Let it dry.

. Add tea tree oil in water. Apply it on sweaty places.

. You can use white vinegar in place of deodorant.

. Use baking soda in areas where you are prone to sweat more.



~source:home-remedies-for-you.com~

Impetigo : Symptoms, Causes and Home Remedies

Impetigo is a highly contagious bacterial skin infection most common among pre-school children. People who play close contact sports such as rugby, American football and wrestling are also susceptible, regardless of age. It spreads when we scratch the infected area and then touch the other parts of our body. Impetigo is not as common in adults.

The following are signs and symptoms of impetigo:

.Red sores that quickly rupture, ooze for a few days and then form a yellowish-brown crust
.Itching
.Painless, fluid-filled blisters
.In the more serious form, painful fluid- or pus-filled sores that turn into deep ulcers


Two types of bacteria cause impetigo — Staphylococcus aureus (staph), which is most common, and Streptococcus pyogenes (strep). Both types of bacteria can live harmlessly on your skin until they enter through a cut or other wound and cause an infection.

The most important thing to remember when treating this infection is that cleanliness is very important. There are also some home remedies to treat impetigo.

. Apply tea tree oil on the affected part after taking a bath.

. Eat a lot of turnip, preferably raw to cure impetigo. One may dip a slice in vinegar or mayonnaise to improve the taste.

. Apply cornstarch on the affected area. This is a home remedy that one can easily use with beneficial results.

. Bathing in soapy water every 4 hours during the day is helpful.

. Tea tree oil in the bath once a day, and then made a rub out of calamine lotion with tea tree oil.

. Make a paste of Vaseline and cornstarch to apply to the diaper area. Vaseline helps to heal sore irritated skin and cornstarch helps to dry up the rash.

. Put 1/4 cup of rosemary leaves and 1/4 cup of thyme in 2 cups of water. Simmer for 15 minutes. Strain cool and use to clean the area several times daily.

. Crush garlic and spread over irritated areas.

. Rub aloe vera gel directly on the impetigo affected area, not less than four times a day.

. Try 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar mixed in 1 cup water for cleaning the lesions.



~source:ehow.com~

Body Rash : Causes, Prevention and Home Remedies

Body rash is nothing but the inflammation of the skin. It is caused due to various reasons - some kind of allergy to perfumes, soaps, detergents or the chemicals in the clothing are few reasons that cause body rashes. It can happen to people of any age group and gender. The body rash can be easily seen on the skin, as the skin of body rash appears different in color compared to the other body parts. The body rashes can happen at any part of the body. Itching of the skin, bumps on the skin and burning sensations are the symptoms of body rash.

Skin rash could occur as a result of a variety of reasons. Some of the common ones are:

• Allergy to dyes and chemicals in clothing.
• Chemicals present in elastic, latex and rubber products.
• As a reaction to cosmetics, perfumes, soaps and detergents.
• Heat rash
• Dermatitis
• Measles
• Dry skin
• Ichthyosis

It is best to consider home remedies for body rashes to help alleviate itching and infection due to frequent scratching. Following are some of the effective home remedies for body rash.

. Apply olive oil on the affected part of the skin. Olive oil helps to heal the rashes fast and also gives relief form the burning sensations.

. Applying vitamin E on the body rash is also very effective remedy for treating body rash.

. Apply Aloe Vera gel or pulp over the infected skin and keep it for about 10 to 15 minutes and then wash it off.

. Washing the area with chamomile tea is considered to be great healing material.

. Application of Cod liver oil is good for body rash cure.

. Apply baking powder with gentle pressure on the affected skin for getting fast relief from the itching.

. Pour a cupful of uncooked oatmeal into the bathwater in the bathtub and then soak the body into this solution. It will be sufficient to cure body rashes.

. Your diet should also be rich in vitamin C. For this include lots of fruits and green vegetables in your meals.

. If you know what is causing the body rash then better stop using it. If any perfume or soap is responsible for causing the body rash then you can easily change it.

. Grind few holy basil leaves with 1 tbsp of olive oil, 2 garlic cloves, a pinch of salt and same of pepper. Smear them on the affected area as the formula helps healing skin condition.

. If the itching is beyond control then rub the area with ice cube. This will give you relief from the itching.

. Avoid fermented food like yogurt, pickles and breads in any form such as pizzas. These all foods have tendency to produce some allergy which is not good diet for body rashes.

. Apply cornstarch on the affected skin for getting fast relief from the itching.

. Apply tea tree oil on the affected skin for getting immediate relief.

. Always use herbal product to wash or to apply on the affected area. Stop using material containing chemicals.

. Cucumber puree made from fresh cucumber peels can be applied directly to the affected area.

. Drink carrot juice for effective treatment of rashes.

. Drink water with a teaspoonful of apple cider vinegar. This is a very effective treatment of rashes.

Rashes, as previously mentioned, are seldom triggered by serious diseases, but if other symptoms persist, it is best to consult with a professional medical expert.



~source:herbal-home-remedies.com~

Abrasions : Causes, Prevention and Home Remedies

An abrasion is a superficial damage to the upper layer of the skin, the epidermis. It may cause slight bleeding. In general, abrasions do not leave a scar but deep abrasions could cause tissue scarring. Usually, abrasion injuries happen as a result of skin coming in contact (as in scraping) with a rough surface.

Abrasions could be caused due to innumerable reasons.

.Sports injury
.Fall from heights
.Accidents
.Traumas
.Bed sores
.Certain diseases that cause abrasions as their secondary symptoms


Kids are prone to abrasions because of all the activity, falling, and playing they do. It is good to have your own personal home remedy for abrasions and especially if you have children.

. Clean the wound properly with a good antiseptic soap and warm water . This way you will get protection from infection of microbes.

. Put a few drops of lavender oil on the affected area that helps in healing abrasions.

. The affected area can also be disinfected with the usage of thyme tea or with a cup of water that contains 3-5 drops of the essential oil.

. Iodine is a good liquid to have in the house as it reduces the swelling and is great in reducing the chance of infection.

. Aloe is soothing, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial. It helps in healing all kinds of wounds including abrasions. Use the pure gel for topical application.

. Use honey to sooth the feeling of the abrasion. Honey has some great properties and can soften the skin until the wound heals over.

. Crush marigold flowers and then applying them externally.

. Dilute 1 part vinegar with 3 parts water then pat it over the open abrasion. If you can warm the water this would be even better.

. The affected area can also be disinfected with the usage of thyme tea or with a cup of water that contains 3-5 drops of the essential oil.

. Dilute garlic oil in an equal amount of olive oil and apply it to the affected skin. Do not allow this remedy to stay on for any longer than 30 minuets or else it can cause more harm than damage.

. If tea tree oil is applied regularly on the affected area then the abrasion scars can be lessened.

. Clean the abrasion well with antibacterial soap, and coat with a thin layer of petroleum jelly.

. After washing with antibacterial soap, coat with cod liver oil. This will help in healing the wound fast.

. Onion juice is also effective over preventing the growth of microbes. Hence apply onion juice externally over the injured skin.



~source:homeremedyhaven.com~

Athlete's Foot : Causes, Prevention and Home Remedies

Athlete's foot is a very common skin infection of the bottom of the feet caused by fungus. The fungus that most commonly causes athlete's foot is called Trichophyton. This infection occurs mainly between the toe fingers. It is a contagious skin infection. This condition could occur to anyone, but people who wear their shoes or socks for long periods of time are usually more prone to it.
Athletes are more prone to athlete’s feet because they sweat a lot and the warm and moist conditions in the shoes is the perfect environment for the fungus to grow in.

Itching between the toe fingers is the most common symptom of athlete’s foot. Since the fungus begins to grow between the toes of the infected person, the skin between the toes can get scaly and rough. This causes itching and sometimes even burning of the skin. After sometimes moist and white lesions develop between the toe fingers. There may be pungent smell from the toe as the infection continues to grow. There may be redness and scales on the toe due to the growth of the fungus, the inflammation and the itching.

If you do not want to buy over-the-counter medication for your athletes foot, then do not worry. There are a few home remedies for athletes foot that may help you get rid of it.

. Wash the feet daily, or even twice, preferably with a mild soap paying with and extra attention to the area between the toes.

. Wear sandals or flip flops in the shower especially in public places.

. Soak the feet in Epsom salts and warm water.

. After washing or showering,dry the feet very carefully, especially the area between the toes.

. Dusting an antifungal powder on the feet and into the shoes is good idea. You should choose leather or canvas shoes but never plastic.

. Wear the shoes in rotation; meaning to say that one should not wear the same pair two days running and should not put on shoes those are damp.

. Spray the shoes with a disinfectant and put them out under the sunlight to help kill germs.

. Wear cotton socks, or special running socks which absorb sweat, with your trainers when doing sport.

. Apply tea tree oil directly to the affected area thrice a day. The general dose for tea tree oil is 4-10 drops.

. Apply some honey on your feet were it is infected and let it set on your feet for about 30 min. Take a warm shower to wash your feet off.

. Tea tree oil can also be used combining with Aloe vera gel. Mix about 4 oz of Aloe vera gel with ½ tsp of tea tree oil in a spray bottle and then spray it on the affected area two times a day. The affected area should then be allowed to dry totally before putting on socks and shoes.

. Apply a few drops of grapefruit seeds extract onto the palm and rub it onto the feet twice or thrice a day. Grapefruit seed extract can also be added to the water to wash socks.

. Dilute 1 part white household vinegar to 4 parts water. Soak or spray the affected area for 20 to 30 minutes twice day.

. Dilute 1/4 cup household Clorox bleach in one bathtub of water. Soak the affected area.

. Dilute a cup of apple cider vinegar with an equal amount of water. Use this diluted solution to wash the affected skin.

. Fill a basin with one quart of water and add two spoons of betadine in the basin. Soak your feet in the warm water and betadine solution to get rid of any microbes in your feet.

. Sprinkle some baking soda between your toe fingers and rinse your feet after fifteen minutes.

. For immediate relief from itching or burning, soak your feet in an antiseptic mouthwash like Listerine.

. Corn starch is effective in soaking moisture, so keep your toe fingers dry by sprinkling some corn starch on them.

. Apply some honey on your feet were it is infected and let it set on your feet for about 30 min. After this it would be good to take a warm shower to wash your feet off.

. Fill a large bowl with a quart of boiling water and add six tea bags. After the tea has cooled enough to be comfortably warm, soak your feet for a half hour or an hour.

. Make concentrated sea salt solution in warm condition. Put it in foot bath and soak your feet for 20 minutes till water is warm. Repeat this 3-4 times, allowing 1-2 days in between the treatment to allow foot to recuperate.



~source:homeremedyhaven.com~

Freckles : Causes, Prevention and Home Remedies

Freckles are flat, tanned circular spots that typically are the size of the head of a common nail. The spots are multiple and may develop randomly on the skin, especially after repeated exposure to sunlight. These are particularly common in people of fair complexion on upper-body skin areas like the cheeks, nose, arms, and upper shoulders. Freckles may vary somewhat in color -- they may be reddish, yellow, tan, light brown, brown, or black -- but they are basically slightly darker than the surrounding skin.

There are two basic types of freckles: simple freckles and sunburn freckles. Simple freckles are usually tan, round, and small -- about the size of a common construction nail head. Sunburn freckles are often darker, have irregular jagged borders, and may be larger than a pencil eraser. Sunburn freckles are more common on the upper back and shoulders where people frequently get their most severe sunburns.

Even though freckles are not harmful or dangerous to your health, they take away your full skin beauty. If you're looking for easy, natural home remedies to treat freckles at the comfort of your home,here are some of effective home remedies to remove freckles.

. Apply sour cream on your face. Do not rinse this mask off completely. Gently wipe off with a soft tissue and top it up with a moisturizer.

. Apply lemon juice with your fingers on the affected area. lemon juice bleaches the dark spots.

. Wash your face with sour milk. Lactic acid promotes gentle peeling of skin minus the irritation or dryness.

. Slice a red onion in half and rub on the spots twice daily. Continue until the spots fade.

. Regular use of fruit and vegetable masks such as those made with apricots, strawberries, cucumbers and red currant will help lighten freckles.

. Grind yellow mustard in milk and apply to the face during the night. Wash your face the next morning.

. Mix a spoon of honey with fresh lemon juice. Add a pinch of salt to it and apply it all over the affected area. Wash it off with warm water.

. Ground a handful of mint in a blender with one ripe banana. Apply the paste all over the affected area and wash it off when the pack begins to melt on your face.

. Soak a few almonds over night and grind the paste. Mix with fresh cream and apply to the affected area. Wash it off after an hour.

. Apply odorless castor oil or vitamin E at night before going to bed.

. Increase your Vitamin C intake. It makes your skin less sensitive to the sun.

. Use a good quality sunscreen that offers a high level of 'sun protection factor'. Use it whenever you have to go out in the sun.

. Taking 2-3 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar with a little water 2-3 times daily will also help cleanse your body from the inside out.

Laser treatment is the only known method to help you remove your freckles permanently. So if you have tried many different methods before and your freckles are stubborn and keep coming back, laser freckle removal may be just right for you.


~source:medicinenet.com~

Hives : Causes, Prevention and Home Remedies

Hives are raised, often itchy, red welts on the surface of the skin. They are usually an allergic reaction to food or medicine. Allergic reactions cause your body to release chemicals that can make your skin swell up in hives. People who have other allergies are more likely to get hives than other people. Other causes include infections and stress.

Hives are very common. Hives usually cause itching, but may also burn or sting. They can appear anywhere on the body, including the face, lips, tongue, throat, or ears. Hives vary in size (from a pencil eraser to a dinner plate), and may join together to form larger areas known as plaques. They can last for hours, or up to one day before fading.

If hives or angioedema occur with any of the following symptoms, contact your doctor right away:

.Dizziness
.Wheezing
.Difficulty breathing
.Tightness in the chest
.Swelling of the tongue, lips, or face

While the condition is of no serious medical concern, it can be significantly uncomfortable and unsightly. Because of the fact that it is so common all over the world, a number of home remedies have been used over decades to fight off the condition.

. Parsley is known to inhibit the secretion of histamine that causes hives. Eat it raw or juice it up.

. If you tend to get hives on a regular basis, green tea can help. Drink 1 cup twice per day.

. Another very calming and soothing hives treatment is to apply lavender essential oil directly on the hives.

. By applying the cool compression it may help to provide some relief from the pain and itch.

. By applying calamine lotion it can grant you relief from the itchy feeling.

. Applying aloe vera gel or vitamin E oil to the affected area at least twice a day can benefit you a lot.

. Avoid food like eggs, strawberries, berries, peanuts, nuts, chocolates, cheese, tomatoes, soy products, shellfish and many more. Find out the food that is allergic to you and avoid having it.

. Consume vitamin E, vitamin C, zinc or cayenne pepper capsules for speeding up the healing process.

. Get 1/2 a tub filled with warm water, add 1/2 cup cornstarch and 1/2 cup baking soda. Soaking yourself at least once a day can make a lot of difference.

. Make a paste by mixing 2 cups of oatmeal and 3 teaspoons of cornstarch to a little water and apply the resulting paste over the affected regions. Allow the paste to harden for about half an hour before you wash it off your body.

. Add some drops of sandalwood essential oil on cotton and then apply it on the infected areas every three hours. This oil helps in calming and cooling effects of hives.

. Add a few drops of grapefruit seed extract in a teaspoon of vegetable oil or olive oil. Apply this mixture over the affected area for lessening or eliminating hives.

. Swimming in chlorine water is also good for treating hives.

. Avoid wearing tight cloths as it can rub against the affected area and cause them to spread as well.

. Make a concoction of ginger with boiling water and add this to your bath. Soak yourself in this water for 30 minutes and you will feel better. You can also take ginger as supplements to get rid of hives.

. Apply diluted cider vinegar directly to hives to get rid of itching and restore the skin’s natural pH balance.

. Drink plenty of water and fluids to flush away the toxins from the body.

. There are a lot of cortisone creams available over the counter. Apply this cream directly on to the hives to get relief from itching and swelling of hives.

If these methods do not help, then you must be suffering from chronic hives and hence you will need to seek the advice of a doctor.



~source:webmd.com/hives-treatment.com~

Acanthosis Nigricans : Causes, Prevention and Home Remedies

Acanthosis nigricans is a type of skin disorder that makes the skin poorly defined besides leaving brown to black and velvety marks on it. The skin on the neck, under the arms, groin, and umbilicus are most vulnerable to this condition.

This condition may be the result of elevation of the insulin levels. The insulin receptors in the skin grow abnormally with their activation through the raised levels of insulin. This skin problem can be improved through reduction of circulating insulin with proper dieting or medication.

A person affected by acanthosis nigricans can be found to have dark, thick and velvety skin mostly on the neck, armpits and groin. Acanthosis nigricans can sometimes affect lips, palms and even the soles of the feet. The skin changes occur gradually. In some cases acanthosis nigricans takes several months and even years to change the condition of the skin.

Diabetics are frequently found to be affected by acanthosis nigricans. People of African descent are most commonly found to be affected by it. Though condition of acanthosis nigricans is mostly associated with obesity or endocrine (glandular) disorder, it can affect person at any age and healthy persons.

There's no specific treatment for acanthosis nigricans. However, treating any underlying conditions may cause the skin changes to fade, such as:

. The most efficient treatment is acquired through weight loss and exercise.

. Making dietary changes, such as cutting back on starches and sugars. Eating a healthy diet can help decrease circulating insulin and can cause improvement, and occasionally resolution, of the skin difficulty.

. Over-the-counter creams containing vitamin A derivatives, urea, salicylic acid, alpha hydroxy acids or lactic acid may help speed up skin lightening.

. Dietary supplementation with fish oil containing omega 3 fatty acids have been reported to be beneficial.

. Flax seed oil supplement should help. Take two in the early morning and two in the late afternoon.

. Prescription bleaching creams, such as hydroquinone, are generally more effective than over-the-counter products, but these may still take years to return your skin to its normal color.

. Both dermabrasion and laser therapy can reduce the thickness of areas affected by acanthosis nigricans and improve the appearance of dark underarms.

In case of doubt always be on the safer side and consult your dermatologist or physician.



~source:mayoclinic.com~

Skin Tags : Causes, Treatment and Home Remedies

Skin tags are a common skin abnormality that can happen to anyone. These are benign skin growths that are acquired during the course of one’s life. These appear as soft, loose skin that is simply hanging from the body. Since these are benign, they do not pose any threats or challenges to a person’s health. Some skin tags may also be a little uncomfortable because of their location.

Most small skin tags may rub off or fall out on their own. However, if these are larger, they may not be so easy to get rid of. Most tags would remain in place once they are formed. Though skin tags may occur anywhere on the body, there are some characteristic locations on which these can be found. The base of the neck, eyelids, folds of the skin, behind the knee and under the breasts are some of the common locations of skin tags.

It is important to keep in mind that skin tags usually do not have to be treated. Deciding to have no treatment is always a reasonable option if the growths are not bothersome. If the tags are bothersome, multiple home and medical options are available. Removing them,even at home is very possible by employing one or more simple home remedies.

. Tie off tag at narrow base with a piece of dental floss or string and allowing the tag to fall off over several days.

. Remove small tags with scissors, with or without anesthetic. The potential disadvantage of any kind of scissor or minor surgical procedure to remove tags is minor bleeding.

. Cut a slice of garlic and press it over the skin tag's area. Secure the slice of garlic to the skin with gauze or tape. The skin tag should simply fall off.

. Combine some baking soda to castor oil until the mixture has the consistency of a paste. Apply the paste to the skin tag at least three times each day for two or three weeks.

. Dampen a small cotton ball in water and place two drops of tea tree oil on the cotton ball. Rub the cotton ball on your skin tags three times a day, or until the skin tags have fallen off.

. Soak a cotton ball in apple cider vinegar and apply it directly to the skin tag. Place a band aid over the cotton ball and leave overnight.

. Apply oregano oil to the cotton swab and gently apply to the skin, taking care not to get oil on the healthy skin around the tag. Apply a bandage over the application. Repeat daily until the skin flakes off.

. Coat the skin tag with fingernail polish up to three times a day. Repeat the process until the skin tag is eliminated, usually within three to four days.



~source:ehow.com~

Scabies : Causes, Prevention and Home Remedies

Scabies is an itchy skin condition caused by the microscopic mites that live off in the body of their hosts only for about 24-36 hours. It is common all over the world, and it affects people of all races and social classes. Scabies spreads quickly in crowded conditions where there is frequent skin-to-skin contact with a person who carries the mite. Scabies can easily infect sex partners and other household members. Sharing clothes, towels, and bedding can also spread scabies. You cannot get scabies from a pet. Pets get a different mite infection called mange.

The following symptoms can affect parts all over the body or in specific areas including the armpits, wrists, elbows, penis, waist, the skin between the fingers and the nipples.

.Pimple-like irritations or a rash
.Intense itching, especially at night
.Sores caused by scratching


Although you cannot cure a case of scabies without prescription medication from a doctor, there are certain things you can do at home to keep from re-infesting yourself or your family.

. Wash all clothing, towels, and bed linens that you have used in the last three days. Use hot water.

. Try to avoid scratching. Keep any open sores clean.

. Garlic is a fantastic scabies treatment because of it's antibiotic properties and it's antiparasitic properties. Take 2 capsules, three times per day.

. Vitamin A helps to heal skin and also aids in the construction of new skin tissue. Take 25,000 IU daily for about 3 months.

. Put several whole walnuts in 2 cups of water and boil until half the water has evaporated. Apply the water directly on the skin.

. Apply evening primrose oil directly to the affected skin. Also, take 1000 mg internally, three times per day.

. Apply aloe vera gel directly to the affected area to relieve the irritation and itch of a scabies rash.

. Add 20 – 30 drops of tea tree oil to a tub of warm water and soak in it.

. Take four parts of neem leaves—ground with one part of a root of turmeric pod. This unfermented spread when applied daily on the patch for 4 - 5 days will combat the infection.

. Lavender oil can be used after you have taken a cool shower and dried off. Use a generous amount of the oil on the infected area. Allow the oil to absorb for ten minutes prior to putting on clothes.


~source:home-remedies-for-you.com~

Boils : Causes, Prevention and Home Remedies

A boil is a skin infection involving an entire hair follicle and nearby skin tissue. Boils are very common. They are generally caused by the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, but they may be caused by other bacteria or fungi found on the skin's surface. Damage to the hair follicle allows these bacteria to enter deeper into the tissues of the follicle and the tissue underneath.

Boils may occur anywhere on the body. They are most common on the face, neck, armpit, buttocks, and thighs. There can be one or many boils. A boil may begin as a tender, pinkish-red, swollen, firm area in the skin. Over time, it will feel like a water-filled balloon or cyst. Pain gets worse as it fills with pus and dead tissue, and improves as it drains.

The best possible boils treatment is to take up effective preventive measures to avoid being infected by it. There are some simple and safe home remedies for boils that can help relieve some of the pain and discomfort.

. A good home remedy for boils is applying the juice of onion or garlic on the boils, as it will help in evacuating the pus.

. To treat boils, a cupful of fresh bitter gourd juice can be mixed with 1 teaspoon of lime juice, sipped on slowly on an empty stomach everyday for a few days.

. Take 1 teaspoon of milk cream and add ½ teaspoon of vinegar and a bit of turmeric powder to it. Apply the solution on the blood filled boils. This is the efficient natural remedy for boils.

. Prepare a paste with sandalwood and apply this over the boils area. It will give relief from the irritation caused by boils.

. Grind the cumin in plain water to form a paste and then apply on the area affected by boils.This is one of best boils remedy.

. Grind some neem leaves to make a fine paste. Apply the paste on those parts of the body having boils.

. Steep parsley in boiled water till it becomes soft and juicy. When it is comfortably hot, wrap it in a clean muslin or linen cloth and apply it on the boils as a poultice.

. Take ginger powder and turmeric powder in equal proportion. Mix and make paste. Apply over boil.

. Parsley should be steeped into boiled water till it turns to be soft and juicy. When it is bearable hot, parsley should be wrapped with clean muslin or linen cloth and then applied over the boils made as a poultice.

. Apply warm moist compresses three to four times a day over tender areas. This helps to bring the boil to a head and promotes easy drainage.

. A hot Epsom salt bath greatly benefits in boil treatment and should be used twice or thrice a week until boils persist and once in a week thereafter.

. Take some honey and apply it generously to the boil. Use some gauze and tape to keep the honey from oozing all over the place.

. Bring 1/2 cup water to a boil in a pot, and add cornmeal to make a thick paste. Apply the cornmeal mush as a poultice to the boil, and cover with a cloth. Repeat every one to two hours until the boil comes to a head and drains.

. Nutmeg stimulates circulation in the body, which can help your body fight the bacterial infection in your boil. Stir 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg into 1 cup hot water and drink.



~source:ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth~