FitSugar

Blisters Hurt, Treatment Shouldn't

FitSugar — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 09:30:00 PDT

Yesterday, while running on the treadmill, I did not notice that my sock had a rather unfortunate fold in it which left me an even more unfortunate blister on my heel. So I went on the search for what I should do to help heal it rapidly.

Here are some good suggestions I came across on caring for a blister, from the University of Michigan Health System:

Steps should be taken to avoid further irritating the problem area.
Large blisters can be carefully drained with a sterilized needle, then covered with antibiotic ointment and a bandage.
For extra protection, purchase a moleskin at a drugstore. Cut a hole that's larger than the blister in the moleskin, creating a moleskin "donut." Then apply the moleskin so that the hole is over the blister.
See your doctor about any blisters that don't heal in a reasonable amount of time, or look like they may be infected.

Source

Claro's Acne Treatment Device Zaps Pimples in a Flash (Literally)

Jaime Richards — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 06:45:48 PDT

There are several pimple-zapping devices on the market (such as Zeno and Thermaclear), but what differentiates Claro ($195) from many is that it uses a combination of three treatments to speed up healing time. Blue light attacks P. acnes bacteria, aka the germs that cause acne, red light works to help reduce redness and soreness, and infrared energy supplies heat to enhance the treatment. Full disclosure: the folks at Claro sent me the device for review.

Claro is only meant for inflammatory acne of the mild to moderate variety, making it perfect for occasional breakouts - especially the time-of-the-month kind. It's not designed to - bam! - get rid of pimples in an instant, but after my initial use, I did see results the next day. Pimples were less red, less noticeable, and healed much faster. So to see more pros (and even some cons), just keep reading.

Threading, Sugaring, and Waxing: Health Risks of Hair Removal

Jenny Sugar — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 02:01:00 PDT

Women go through all kinds of hoops when it comes to beauty, especially in the quest for smooth hairless skin. From waxing to sugaring, threading, and beyond, check out the health risks involved when it comes to common hair removal techniques.

Shaving - Probably the most common way to remove hair since it's fast, cheap, and easy to do yourself. With shaving, there is a risk for nicks, ingrown hairs, and the dreaded razor burn. If you forget to change out the blades, dull or rusty metal may cause irritation or infection. Shaving can also cause folliculitis, an infection in the hair follicle usually caused by the bacteria Staphylococcus (staph) or a fungus.

Waxing - A layer of wax is applied to your skin, and a strip of fabric is placed on top. Once the wax is dry, it adheres to the hairs; pulling the strips off of the skin pulls the hairs from the root. Depending on the location of your body, waxing can be extremely painful; it hurts to have your hair pulled from the root, and the wax also adheres to your skin, taking skin cells with it as it's removed. Waxing can cause irritation and inflammation, especially if you have a reaction to the chemicals in the wax, and, if the wax used is too hot, there's also a risk of burning the skin. If your skin is not held taut when pulling the wax strips off, bruising may occur. Some people also suffer from postwax breakouts or scarring if they have sensitive skin. Once the hairs begin to grow back, you may find painful raised bumps (ingrown hairs), especially under your arms or your bikini area since the hairs tend to be coarse and curly. Waxing should be avoided if you are using Retin-A, Accutane, or antibiotics. These medications make the skin thin, which means more than hair will come off during a waxing service. If you are using Renova or alphy hydroxy, check with your aesthetician before scheduling an appointment.

Read on to hear about sugaring, depilatories, threading, and more.

DrSugar: Testing For STDs?

DrSugar — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 09:00:48 PDT

DrSugar is in the house! And she's answering your health-related questions.

DrSugar,
I have no specific reason to believe that I have an STD, nor do I have any symptoms. I've been in a monogamous relationship for almost four years. I've been to the gynecologist for exams (including pap) on an annual basis since I was 18 (eight years), and have had my blood tested by my general practitioner as part of routine physical exams twice in the past few years, with nothing to report. I'm wondering whether or not STDs would show on a blood test or during a gynecological exam or if it's possible that I could have one and not know. Thanks.
- Concerned About Testing

I think this is a fantastic issue to discuss as sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) continue to be a cause for concern in sexually active individuals, whether in monogamous relationships or not. First, I'd like to applaud you for seeing your gynecologist and primary care physician on a yearly basis to get pelvic exams/pap smears and routine blood tests. I cannot stress enough the importance of having at least a primary care physician and seeing him or her on a routine basis for yearly physicals and screening.

To learn more about screenings for STDs, keep on reading.