Tag Archives: healthy skin

Ease Winter Eczema Flare Ups With Internal and External Changes

Winter means cold, dry air, forced heat in your homes, lots of layers, and wool coats and sweaters. For me (and probably for some of you) it also includes a nosebleed or two at the beginning of the season and lots of long, hot showers. All of this drying, constricting, and irritating isn’t very good for your skin and can lead to dryness, itching, and even what is known as winter eczema. Eczema is an inflammatory skin condition that manifests with itchy skin and a rash and is believed to be triggered by both internal and external factors.

External factors that trigger eczema include the dry air, cosmetics, rough fabrics close to the skin, and even hot showers. Suggestions to manage external factors include using gentle skin cleansers, moisturize daily, cutting back on hot showers or baths, and keeping soft, breathable materials like cotton closer to skin. Dr. Shirley Madhere of Holistic Plastic Surgery also suggests “occasional colloidal oatmeal baths, castor oil massages, and moisturizing the body with shea butter.” Ahmet Altiner, M.D., F.A.A.D. of UWS Dermatology & Skin Care explains that “exercise promotes sweating and water loss. Although it is unlikely to cause eczema, in people who are prone to it, dehydration can exacerbate an atopic dermatitis flare.”

Externally, Michelle L. Butler CHHC, AADP, RYT suggests using “unprocessed (no bleaching, refining or deodorizing) organic virgin coconut oil… on the dry, cracked, peeling skin of eczema sufferers. Make sure to massage the oil deeply into the area. The medium chain fatty acids in coconut oil are easily and quickly absorbed into the skin, and will provide instant relief.”

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Posted on December 17, 2023 by Brooke Randolph

4 Reasons to Lose Weight

Whether you have just a few pounds to lose or you are fighting a the battle against obesity, we all know the basic reasons being a healthy weight. We’re not going to talk about how if you lose weight, you will be thin and probably live longer. Those are both great reasons, but let’s take a look at some of the lesser known benefits of losing weight.

1. A Better State of Mind

While improving your self-esteem is certainly an amazing aspect of losing weight, it goes beyond that. If you find yourself in a bit of a slump or may even depressed, you could go to your family doctor and they may prescribe you an antidepressant. Or, if you exercise on a regular basis, the endorphins released may just do the trick naturally. If you are feeling depressed, this is not an endorsement of avoiding your doctor, so always contact a health professional if you feel it’s serious enough… you just may find the solution without a prescription. (more…)

Posted on November 17, 2023 by Jason

How this Heat Wave Affects Our Bodies

summer-heat

To say this summer has been “hot” is a huge understatement. From record-setting temps to weeks upon weeks of weather that’s too hot to be out in let alone work out in, it has truly been the dog days of summer. While we’ve shared lots of ways for you to stay cool in the summer heat, do you really know the reasons why heat is so hard on the human body and how it affects darn near every part of us? Read on for a primer on how this heat wave is affecting our bodies!

Heat and Your Skin

When it’s hot out, your body’s skin works to keep you cool. The skin’s first job when hot is circulating blood to the skin, which increases your skin temperature and allows your body to give off some heat. Next is sweating. Sweating helps you cool off, but when the humidity levels are high and your sweat can’t evaporate, it doesn’t do a whole lot of good and can result in heat rash. Additionally, the extra heat can prompt us to wear less clothing, thereby increasing our risk of sunburn.

What to Do About It: Wear loose-fitting clothing, apply sunscreen to all exposed areas and if you’re in a humid climate, try to be near a fan to help your body evaporate that sweat!

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Posted on August 9, 2023 by Jennipher

Be a Happy and Healthy Bride on Your Wedding Day

by Kelsey Murray

Spring and summer are possibly the most popular times for a wedding. Unfortunately for many brides, along with the wedding comes a boat load of stress to look “perfect” on their big day. Sadly, this quest for perfection can be very hard on a bride’s health. Crash dieting is often the first thing that comes to mind when someone mentions a bride’s preparation for her wedding.

Aside from drastic weight loss, there are many other things that brides often do in preparation that can be unhealthy or harmful to her health. Here are some tips for avoiding some common practices that brides-to-be might not realize are putting their health in danger.

Choose your makeup carefully. Some makeup contains ingredients that can cause allergic reactions. Some symptoms might include skin redness, dryness, and itchiness. Look for makeup that is fragrance-free or made for sensitive skin and do not change makeup brands right before a big event because you do not know how your skin might react to it. If you are having your makeup done professionally, ask the makeup artist which makeup he or she uses and make sure that it will not cause you to have a reaction.

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Posted on June 15, 2023 by Health Buzz

What Your Nails and Skin Say About Your Diet

Whether you’re male or female, healthy nails and hands are typically seen as signs of physical beauty. According to Dr. Ariel Ostad, a Manhattan Board Certified Dermatologist, changes in skin and nails can signify health problems, some of which can be helped or prevented by eating a healthy diet.

“Skin and nail changes should be given the same level of attention and scrutiny as other physical symptoms men and women experience within their body,” said Ostad. “All too often, we only see a doctor for symptoms we can feel such as stomach or back pain. Visible changes to nails and skin can be indicative of conditions such as skin cancer or other systemic issues.”

While a perfectly manicured hand is one where the nails are strong and smooth, with no discoloration or jagged cuticle, most people have less-than-perfect hands. While regular visits to the dermatologist, proper moisturizing and protecting your skin from UV rays are all good practice, what you eat can also help prevent the issues that cause skin damage – and help improve damage that has already been done.

Look at your skin and nails for cues that it’s time to change up your diet. If you suspect there is an underlying issue, be sure to see your doctor or health care professional.

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Posted on June 15, 2023 by Maris

Four Ways to Stay Cool During Record-Breaking Heat

With this week’s record breaking heat, which has been blamed for five deaths in Tennessee, Maryland and Wisconsin, some experts predict an unusually hot summer for the United States.

According to MSNBC.com,  a new study from Stanford University predicts that global climate change will lead permanently to unusually hot summers by the middle of the century. So, as the summers heat up, what can you do to stay cool and keep hydrated?

Lather Up: With excessive heat often comes excessive sunshine and no matter how much time you plan to spend outside, sun safety is critical for preventing skin cancer. Use sunscreen with an SPF30 or higher daily for protection and if you’re planning on spending the day outdoors, up the ante to an SPF45 or higher.

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Posted on June 10, 2023 by Maris

Help Control Rosacea Symptoms with a Healthy Diet

We know that a healthy diet can help prevent a number of diseases and conditions, including Type II diabetes and some heart diseases. While we might discuss our diet and lifestyle choices with our general physicians, we sometimes forget to ask our dermatologist how what we eat is affecting our skin.

Approximately 14 million people in the United States have rosacea, a skin disorder that causes inflammation of the cheeks, nose, chin, forehead, or eyelids. For some people, it may appear as redness – think severe blushing – or swelling, sometimes accompanied by acne flare-ups.

While you can’t necessarily prevent or control the symptoms of rosacea with diet alone, there are certain foods that may be associated with rosacea flare-ups.  According to Chicago Dermatologist and Skin Care Authority, Amy Forman Taub, MD, the Medical Director of Advanced Dermatology and Assistant Clinical Professor, Northwestern University Medical School, Department of Dermatology, some foods and beverages may cause dilatation of the blood vessels in the face, or may be associated with inflammation.

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Posted on May 12, 2023 by Maris

Sun Safety is Key to Meeting Vitamin D Recommendations

Vitamin D, a fat-soluble vitamin known as “the sunshine vitamin,” helps the body absorb calcium and prevents a number of diseases, particularly those relating to bone health. While the amount of vitamin D recommended in your diet will vary from person to person, it is widely regarded as an important part of nutrition and wellness.

While vitamin D is naturally present in only a select few foods, most people know that our bodies can absorb vitamin through exposure to sunshine.  As we head into the summer months, most skin health experts caution sunbathers everywhere against relying on the sun alone for their daily dose of vitamin D, as excessive amounts of sun can cause potentially fatal types of skin cancer.

Dr. Brooke Jackson, a board certified dermatologist and founder of the Skin Wellness Center of Chicago tells her patients to practice smart sun habits all year round, but especially as the weather heats up.

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Posted on April 10, 2024 by Maris

Improve Your Skin with a Healthy Diet

We all know that what we eat impacts our body weight but what some of us might not know is that what we eat also impacts the quality of our skin. While some skin conditions are determined by genetics, others can be controlled with your diet. For skin that is soft, fresh and unblemished, look to your diet to help feel great from the inside out.

So, what should you eat to keep your skin looking vibrant and young?

“In general foods rich in antioxidants and vitamins will help keep skin healthy, ” said Dr. Tess Mauricio, a cosmetic dermatologist, author and physician educator. “Staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water and decaffeinated, non-alcoholic beverages will help keep your skin cells healthy.”

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Posted on March 16, 2024 by Maris

Spring Break Skin Care Tips for Sun Protection

Out of all the things preoccupying your mind as you prepare for Spring Break, I doubt that skin cancer and premature aging receive the priority that they need. It’s easy to ignore the dangers of poor skincare during life’s care free, unadulterated moments but I assure you that the consequences could be dire. Preventing skin disorders and diseases is easier than you think, it just takes a little bit of careful planning.

UV rays cause the most damage during midday. Avoid the sun between the hours of 10:00 and 4:00. If you can’t resist the beach (and really, who can?) then make sure you take appropriate measures to protect your skin.

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Posted on March 8, 2024 by Theresa

Proactiv and Healthy Living

Proactive ProductsWhile it might seem foolish to say that a simple topical medication could encourage weight loss, a healthy lifestyle, enhance natural beauty, and restore personal self-confidence, the current society we live in—fixated on external appearances and superficial “give always” concerning personal character—demands a level of individual presentation that is well-above what is easily and naturally attained. Thus, as technology increases the speed of our society and, with it, our everyday interactions, it is all the more important that we make use of the technological advancements available in order to have a fair chance at competition.

It is in this manner that Proactiv, a line of topical creams used to prevent clogged pores that result in acne, is suggested as an agent in promoting health, weight loss, beauty, and confidence.

On the personal level, acne is an easy enough problem to accept and deal with. But on the social level, acne can devastate one’s self-confidence. Because of the shallowness of many people’s outlook on life, individuals with acne may be singled out as dirty, ugly, or even stupid. It is an unfortunate fact, but there are many foolish people in the world who judge people entirely by their appearance. Because of this, the individual suffering from acne may feel he or she is inferior to others. Feelings of inferiority can result in depression, overeating, and a general neglect of appearance, which will only make matters worse.

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Posted on February 12, 2024 by Health Buzz