FitSugar

DrSugar Answers: Why Do Mosquitoes Love Me?

DrSugar — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 09:00:17 PDT

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

Dear DrSugar,
Mosquitoes love me. Aside from using repellent featuring DEET (the natural sprays don’t work for me at all), is there anything else I can do to make myself less attractive to hungry pests? I heard drinking white vinegar helps. Also, once bitten, what is the best way to calm down the itchy factor of the bites? I end up bruising myself from scratching so hard!
- Covered With Bites

I must admit, mosquitoes and bugs love me too! In fact, my husband says I must be made of "sweet meat" because bugs love to sink their teeth into me! I think this is a great question to discuss while it's still Summer, so

read more. Whether or not my husband's "sweet meat" theory is correct, there does seem to be some truth to the fact that certain people are more prone to getting bug bites than others. There is no medical or scientific research that I could find that supports this, but I’m guessing it may have to do with certain people's body chemistry. Either way, there are things that can be done to prevent insect bites. To prevent mosquito bites, Dr. Greene recommends wearing light, neutral-colored clothing that covers most of the body, as bright, floral colors attract mosquitoes; avoiding fragrant soaps, shampoos, and lotions; avoiding "peak biting times," which are from dusk until dawn and worse in hot, humid weather; and staying away from still water (either indoors or outdoors). WebMD also has good tips on preventing any type of insect bite or sting: apply insect repellent prior to entering woods or other areas where you may come into contact with insects, apply repellents safely, wear light-colored clothing that covers the body, avoid fragrant lotions and products, and avoid swatting at insects. There are all types of insect repellent out there; some are natural and not made with chemicals and others have chemicals (the most common one out there is DEET). From what I read, drinking white vinegar was not mentioned as a way to repel insects, but there are tons of homemade spray-repellent recipes that use white vinegar. In terms of nonchemical, natural repellents, Dr. Greene recommends oil of lemon eucalyptus. DEET is the active ingredient in many insect repellents. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) conducted a safety review on DEET in 1998 and, based on extensive toxicity testing, believes that the normal use of DEET does not present a health concern to the general population. However, consumers can reduce their risks when using DEET by reading and following product label directions. To read the directions on all products containing DEET, refer to the EPA website! Well, you've done all you can do and you still end up with a bug bite; what’s the best way to treat it? According to WebMD, most bites will heal on their own without a visit to the doctor. Emedicine health recommends cleaning the area with soap and water to remove any contaminated particles left behind by the insect. You should also refrain from scratching because this can cause the skin to break down and an infection to form. In the first six hours after the bite, a cool wet cloth or ice pack can help reduce symptoms as well. Itching can be treated with over-the-counter antihistamine (such as Benadryl) in pill or cream form. Hydrocortisone 1 percent cream or calamine lotion may help relieve itching as well, but Benadryl and hydrocortisone creams should not be given to children until speaking with the pediatrician! Have a question for DrSugar? You can send it to me via private message here, and I will forward it to the good doctor.

DrSugar's posts are for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. Click here for more details.

That Little Itch Could Be . . .

FitSugar — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 02:00:00 PST

The relationship between itches and scratching just got a little more complicated. A new study on scratching (yes, scientists study actions as seemingly banal as scratching) revealed that the act of scratching actually reduces activity in the brain region associated with negative emotions and unpleasant memories. This could be why scratching that itch feels so good.

The sensation of an itch is rather physiologically complicated, as is the scratch that relieves it. An itch involves not just the skin but the spinal cord and brain, too. While scratching an itch is a reflex response (the action removes irritants), there is a lot of neurological activity happening to help you to hit the right spot. When you do hit the right spot, it feels great. The researchers were actually interested in why scratching inhibits or alleviates the itching sensation. It looks like they are one step closer to figuring out why the itch got scratched.

My question to you is, do you feel a little itchy after reading this post?

Source

Low-Cal (to No-Cal) Ways to Satisfy Your Chocolate Cravings

FitSugar — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 00:03:41 PST

It's the time of year when chocolate is everywhere. They say you are what you ~~wear~~ eat, so I must be bittersweet. While I believe a little dark chocolate here and there is good for the soul and your health (here are some surprising health benefits of the chocolate), some chocolate cravings run deep. Here are seven ways to scratch your chocolate itch without piling on the calories and literally wearing your chocolate.

If You're Craving Girl Scout Cookies, Try These Instead

FitSugar — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 19:13:50 PST

It's Girl Scout Cookie time! Noshing on these fund-raising treats seems like an American pastime, but it can be challenging to keep a snack session of these seasonal sweets in check. If you can enjoy your cookies in a reasonable manner, then good for you! But if you're looking for a way to scratch that sugary itch without killing your healthy eating agenda, here are some healthier alternatives.

Do-Si-Dos
Two-cookie serving: 120 calories, five grams of fat, seven grams of sugar

Quick Fix: The Larabar Peanut Butter Cookie is a perfect substitute since it's so filling - I usually only eat half of a bar at a time. One bar contains 220 calories, seven grams of protein, and four grams of fiber. Made out of dried dates, one bar equals one half serving of fruit. There are 18 grams of sugar in this bar, but the sugar content is not added; it naturally occurs in the dates. The other two ingredients in this bar are peanuts and salt.

DIY Fix: Make your own tasty peanut butter treat! Blend a little peanut butter, apple sauce, and raisins for a sweet, satisfying, and nutritious homemade spread. Two tablespoons of this peanut butter raisin spread offers almost five grams of protein and two grams of fiber.

Don't see your fave cookie? Keep on reading!

How to Have Better Hair in 2012

Annie Tomlin — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 10:30:54 PST

Most of us get stuck in hairstyle ruts, but there's no time like the present to revamp your look. 2012 can be the year that your hair goes from good to great - provided you follow a little expert advice. Here, top stylists share the top ways to have better hair.

Soften your strands
"If you want your hair to look its best, you need to treat it with a little love," says Matrix Artistic Director Ammon Carver. "Ask your stylist about getting regular treatments to keep your hair looking healthy and happy." He uses Biolage's Ultra Control Deep Smoothing Masque in the salons, then sends clients home with Total Results Silk Wonder oil to add moisture. "Just a small amount," he says, "and your hair will be silky soft."

Websites That Offer Free (or Dirt Cheap) Yoga Classes

Jenny Sugar — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 11:03:37 PST

Yoga may be blissful, but it isn't cheap! Depending on where you live, classes can run you an average of $15 to $20 a pop. Dropping $50 or more for yoga classes each week isn't an option for everyone, but we can all benefit from a regular practice. The internet is bursting with free full-length classes or shortened yoga routines. If you're willing to pay a little, you'll be able to view a greater variety of videos. Here are some sites to check out.

Yoga Today: This site offers one free class each week, and if you're itching for more, download other classes for $3.99 each. If you're really into it, pay $89.95 for a yearly membership, which includes unlimited classes. Store them on your computer and follow along anywhere you happen to be.
Yoga Journal: For beginners and advanced yogis, these videos, ranging in length from five to 35 minutes, are the high quality you'd expect from Yoga Journal. Some of my faves include hip opening sequence Bird by Bird and Heart Wide Open full of chest openers.
My Yoga Online: These videos may not be free, but they're dirt cheap. Pay $9.95 per month or $69.95 for a year, for unlimited access to the entire library. The site also offers popular yoga DVDs such as Body by Bethany and Transform Yourself With Jivamukti. Another plus, you can sample a clip before you buy.

Keep reading for more websites that offer inexpensive yoga classes.

Save on Eating Out in 2012 With These 12 Realistic Tips!

Emily Co — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 03:05:07 PST

One of the hardest thing to budget in the past year was eating habits, according to SavvySugar readers. Of course, there is always the simple solution of just eating at home more often, but you can still cut your food bill here and there when you're eating out. We've given you plenty of tips in the past on how to save when eating out so we're rehashing some of the best ones as well as throwing in some our new frugal ideas! Here they are:

Use coupons. Go to Restaurant.com and enter in a coupon code for restaurant.com that'll get you a $25 voucher for only $2. You can find the coupon code by searching the keyword "restaurant.com" on the coupon site RetailMeNot. Buy a local Entertainment book worth $15 that will give you lots of buy one get one free coupons for restaurants.

Don't eat out when you're dining solo. Try to save your meal excursions for when you're with friends and family. This means that if you're planning on grabbing a quick bite by yourself, it's better to prepare something at home to eat instead. A big part of the joy of eating out is ambiance and company, so save your money and skip grabbing quick meals when you're alone.

Ration meals with friends. Even if you're saving all your meals out for when you have company, don't be too liberal when you're scheduling them. Try to rotate among different people if you're planning on having one-on-one dinners and space it out. Remember you can always catch up with people over drinks or during a fun activity so don't feel bad about skipping dinner.

Opt for lunch: Oftentimes, the lunch menu is a lot cheaper than dinner. When meeting up with people, try to opt for lunch as your preferred meal. Be sure to also pick their lunch specials.

Read on for more tips.

5 Ways to Beat Dry Eyes

Prevention — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 04:03:25 PST

We are excited to share one of our fave stories from Prevention here on FitSugar!

Stay bright-eyed with these simple strategies to stop eye itching and redness
By The Editors of Prevention

Are You Seeing Red? If you find yourself frequently dealing with the itching and burning of dry eyes, you’re certainly not alone. But allergies, pollution, and an overheated office are not the only causes of red, burning eyes: your age may be the real culprit. After age 40, women see a significant reduction in tear production along with eye-drying hormonal changes, the two major reasons why most women over 40 experience dry eyes. And if you wear contacts, expect the itch and irritation to start even sooner. With a few simple lifestyle tweaks and a little help from artificial tears, you can get quick relief from aging’s annoying little side effect.

1. Use Tears Liberally
Use artificial tears as often as you like; doctors say that most people underuse artificial tears. "You can use them as often as needed. From once or twice a day to every 20 minutes," says Dr. Monica. These over-the-counter drops will cleanse your eyes and restore the right kind of tears.

2. Moisten your eyes before blow-drying your hair
To keep from drying your eyes along with your tresses, use artificial tears before and after you blow-dry, says Dr. Monica. For extra measure, moisten your eyes halfway through too.

9 Tips to Healthier, Younger Hair

Learn more ways to beat dry eyes after the break.

Group Therapy: Wanting a Love Connection This Holiday Season

Tres Community — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 03:05:16 PST

This question is from a Group Therapy post in our TrèsSugar Community. Add your advice in the comments!

Holiday season . . . doesn't it make you want to fall or be in love?! Or at least start a connection. Specifically with this guy who lives in the same building I do, whose parking spot in the garage is adjacent to mine, and with whom I cross paths once in a while either in the lobby or the garage. We'd always say "Hi, how are you?" but nothing substantial beyond that. I only started to notice him more recently and I have to admit I have inevitably grown to like this guy. Now, I could just be misreading signals and whatnot but something tells me that it's possible that he likes me too. He just couldn't find the chance to strike up a convo with me.

You see, for financial and cultural reasons, I live with my mom (well, vice versa because I pay the rent, lol!). And on some of the occasion that bumped into this guy I was with her hence, probably a little awkward to exchange a few more lines than hi-hello and perhaps names/numbers. And on the few occasions that I'm alone when I see him, I'm either in a hurry to get to my apartment and grab some grub and my stuff before heading out again for my evening class or just too tired from work to even utter a full sentence to him. But I'm really itching to at least know his name and let him know mine, and maybe, just maybe, eventually hang out.

Anyway, with the holiday season in the air, this might be the perfect opportunity to be bold and make the move (I'm not the type to do so). I was thinking of leaving a friendly holiday card on his windshield. Something that goes along the lines of, "Hi Volvo neighbor! We seem to always be rushing to get to our destinations so for this holiday season, I want to take some time to give you my warm wishes. Happy Holidays! From your Scion neighbor."

Now, the only reason I used our cars are for points of reference. Like I said, our cars are adjacent to each other in the garage and that's the only thing I know about him and vice versa. And obviously, I can sign my name on the card but I was thinking that wouldn't be fair - he'd already know my name and what if it turns out he actually wasn't interested in me and so won't even make an effort to acknowledge my card. That would be so embarrassing! The last thing I want to do is make a fool of myself in his eyes. Plus, keeping it partly anonymous adds to the mystery. The more I think about it though, the more I'm beginning to see it as an absurd idea and one that could just make me appear needy or, like I mentioned, foolish. What's your opinion?

Thanks in advance and HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Have a dilemma of your own? Post it anonymously to Group Therapy for advice, and check out what else is happening in the TrèsSugar Community.

Get a Closer Look at the HP Folio 13

Kristy Korcz — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 12:23:54 PST

HP announced the Folio 13 earlier today, a slim and trim ultrabook that can move seamlessly from the home to office thanks to a lightweight package and security features. The $900 price tag makes the Folio 13 a well-placed laptop for holiday purchases when it drops on Dec. 7, so if you're itching to get a closer look at the Folio 13, check out these images in the gallery!