FitSugar

Cell Phone Rashes Give Reason to Drop a Call

Michele Foley — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 03:00:24 PST

If using a cell phone leaves you with a rash along your jaw, cheek, or ear, chances are that you're probably allergic to nickel. While nickel allergies are nothing new, doctors are just beginning to see a trend that they're calling "cell phone rash." And thanks to unlimited data plans and less use of landlines, both the rash and cell phone usage are on the rise.

Symptoms of "cell phone rash" include red, bumpy, irritated areas of the skin where it has come in contact with the nickel parts of a cell phone. And because nickel allergies are higher in women, it's a good idea for all of us to be aware of the rash in case symptoms start to develop.

Try an OTC corticosteroid, protective case on your phone, and use a hands-free set. And if you can, keep cell phone calls to a minimum and check with your doctor if the rash persists.

Having a Green Thumb Could Give You a Red Rash

FitSugar — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 04:30:05 PDT

Planting your own vegetable garden is fun and rewarding, not to mention a money-saver when it comes to all the veggies it produces. If you're new to gardening, then you may want to know a surprising fact. For some people, touching the leaves, stems, or veggies of certain plants can result in a red, dotty, itchy rash known as contact dermatitis. It can happen with zucchini, cucumber, pumpkins, or other plants that have prickly hairs on their vines. The rash can appear where the contact occurred on your skin, or it can show up on other areas of your body. To see what the rash looks like, just

If this rash appears after gardening, the best thing to do is wash your skin with cold water and a mild soap.

Let your skin air-dry, and the rash should go away after an hour or so. If it doesn't, or it's really bothering you, apply an over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream to reduce inflammation and relieve the itching and burning. If the rash still doesn't go away, it's best to see your doctor. To prevent this bizarre rash next time, wear gloves when handling your plants.

Have you ever gotten a rash after gardening?

View 2 Photos ›

Home Remedy For Poison Ivy

FitSugar — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 09:00:30 PDT

Try as you might to avoid its shiny and oily leaves, the blistery rash caused by contact with poison ivy, oak, or sumac can linger. One of the most common rashes for outdoorsy adults and children can be treated with a common ingredient found in your kitchen cabinet. Baking soda baths and pastes are home remedies endorsed by the American Academy of Dermatology to reduce the itch factor created by these plants.

After rinsing, not scrubbing, your skin with hot water to rinse off the oil do the following to relieve the itch. Draw a bath and add 1/2 cup of fresh baking soda (not the box that has been deodorizing your fridge) and soak for a 30 minutes. Once out of the bath, using a three to one ratio of baking soda to water, make a paste to apply to the affected area. Let the paste dry on your skin - it is believed that the baking soda pulls the caustic urushiol away from the skin, decreasing the itchiness.

If you experience a severe reaction after contact with one of these rash-producing plants, seek medical treatment. Prescription medication might be needed to reduce the swelling and itch.

Unwanted Side Effect of Exercise: Chafing

FitSugar — Thu, 20 May 2010 09:00:28 PDT

Aside from blisters, the dreaded shin splints, and pulled muscles, there's another demon trying to stop us from getting in a good workout - chafing. When you're sweating and your skin is either rubbing against loose fabric or other skin, you're left with a stinging, burning sensation. The area usually looks red and raw, and can get so irritated that it bleeds. You may have noticed male marathoner's bleeding nipples, and although we can praise our sports bras for preventing such cruel pain, we're not immune to chafing in other areas. For us, chafing often occurs around the bra line, the inner thighs, and under our arms, but really, it can occur anywhere.

Chafing can end your workout in a flash, so here are some ways to prevent it.

Stay dry. Moisture from sweat is a no-no, so wear moisture-wicking clothes on all areas of your body. Cotton t-shirts and shorts will stay wet, so opt for the ones made of soft merino wool or a synthetic material that's designed to draw moisture away from your skin and dry quickly.
Avoid loose clothing in sensitive areas. The constant moving and rubbing of the material may not seem like much as first, but after a few miles, it's sure to irritate your skin till it's raw. Opting for a snug fit will do wonders for your skin; just make sure clothing isn't too tight, as that can aggravate your skin as well.
Go seamless. You may have to pay extra money for clothes that have smooth seams, but it's so worth your comfort. Also look for clothes that don't have any tags.
Try a product like BodyGlide or Vaseline to keep your skin lubricated. This is especially useful on longer runs or workouts. Or you may prefer a product like talcum powder that keeps your skin dry.

What's your strategy for avoiding chafing?

Cure It at Home: Poison Ivy

FitSugar — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 03:00:00 PDT

So you went hiking last weekend and you accidentally tromped through a patch of poison ivy. You've got a nasty, blistery rash all over your feet and you want it to go away pronto. I've only tried a few of these home remedies, so I can't vouch for all of them, but anything's worth one try when you're itching like crazy.

Jewelweed, a common weed found in damp areas, is often used to help treat the rash. Mash the weed and apply to your itchy skin.
For 20 minutes, take a bath in salt water, or swim in a chlorinated pool to dry out the rash.
Bathe in tomato juice.
To relieve the itch, cut a mango in half and smear the juice over the rashy area for 10 minutes.
Spray the rash with a deodorant containing aluminum.
Apply tea tree oil to the affected area to help dry it out and clear up the rash faster.

Fit's Tip: Of course, if you have a really aggressive case, I'd talk to your doctor about what over-the-counter or prescription meds he would recommend.

If you have any other home remedies for poison ivy, please share them in the comment section below.

Source

You Asked: I Think I Have Lyme Disease

FitSugar — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 03:30:00 PDT

You're asking and I'm answering.

Dear Fit,
Last weekend after a night of camping, I was washing my hair and realized there was something stuck to my scalp. My husband took a look and found a small black tick embedded in my skin. He removed the whole thing, and aside from being completely freaked out, now I'm worried that I have Lyme disease. How do I know?
-Totally Ticked Off by a Tick

I'm sure many other readers can feel your pain in discovering a creepy crawly bug on your head, and I can understand your concern about Lyme disease, but don't panic yet. Just

First, it's important to know what kind of tick you found on you. Lyme disease is caused by a bacterium (called Borrelia burgdorferi in case you were wondering), which is transmitted by a bite from infected black-legged ticks. In the northeastern and north-central US, the blacklegged tick (or deer tick) transmits Lyme disease. In the Pacific coastal US, the disease is spread by the western black-legged tick. When a tick feeds on an infected animal, the little bugger takes the bacterium into its body. It sounds gross, but the bacterium lives in the gut of the tick, and the next time it goes to feed, the tick can transmit the bacterium to its new host.

If you have Lyme disease, early symptoms include fever, headache, muscle soreness, fatigue, and a characteristic reddish skin rash called erythema migrans will appear three to 30 days after you've been bitten. The rash is often circular and resembles a bull's eye pattern. If left untreated, the infection can spread to your joints, heart, and nervous system, causing pain and loss of muscle tone on one or both sides of the face (called facial or "Bell's" palsy).

If you are having early symptoms, or you just want to be sure, a lab test will determine if you have Lyme disease, and a few weeks of antibiotics will successfully treat the infection.

Source

Know Your Enemy: Poison Ivy!

FitSugar — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 02:30:00 PDT

'Tis the season for Hiking and trail running. There's a lot of beauty in these woods, but you got to be careful and avoid the poison ivy that lurks at the edges of the forest. Yes, it pays to know your enemy.

First off, it is the uroshiol oil on the plant that is the culprit and creates the horrible itchy, blistery skin reactions associated with poison ivy. While some people don't have a reaction to the oil, others may be hospitalized because their reaction is so severe. You should also know that even if you've been exposed to poison ivy and had no reaction, you are not necessarily immune to it. People can develop reactions at any time of their lives, so it is best to avoid poison ivy at all costs.

You will experience symptoms wherever the oil makes contact with your skin. First you will get a red, itchy spot on your skin, that develops into blisters. Once you wash your skin with soap and cold water, the rash won't spread. If you pop the blisters, the rash won't spread either, but the wounds could become infected so it is best not to pop them.

Many plants can look like poison ivy, so pay close attention whenever you're walking in moist areas. The rule "Leaves of 3, Let it be," doesn't always work. It can grow in groups of 3 leaves, with a larger middle leaf, but it can also grow up to 9 leaves in a group.

Want to know what to look out for, then

Poison ivy needs light to grow, so often you'll find it lurking on the edge of woods, roads, parking lots, and fields. In the deep woods, poison ivy can't get enough light, so watch out for moist places that get enough sunlight.
Poison ivy generally grows in a cluster of low weed-like plants, but it can also be a vine that climbs up trees.
The edges of the leaves have tiny "teeth."
The leaves aren't always green - they are reddish in the spring, green in the summer, and yellow or orange in the fall.
The berries are typically white.

Fit's Tips: To avoid getting poison ivy, wear long pants and shoes that cover your entire foot if you are going to be trekking in the woods. If you know you've been exposed to poison ivy, rinse the area immediately with COLD water - hot water will open your pores and let the oil in, which could make your reaction worse.

Here are some more pictures of poison ivy:

poison ivy in the spring

poison ivy in the summer

poison ivy in the fall

climbing poison ivy

Fit's Tips: Poison ivy grows everywhere in the U.S. except in the far west, deserts, and high altitudes.

a poison ivy bush

Source

Avoid Sun Poisoning

FitSugar — Mon, 28 May 2007 02:30:00 PDT

When you're out in the sun, which is bound to happen with all this gorgeous warm weather we're having, you've got to be careful not to get sun poisoning, or Photodermatitis, as it is scientifically called. Sun poisoning is a condition that develops when your skin over reacts to UV rays from the sun.

What causes it? Sometimes certain medications like antibiotics, certain skin products such as soap, sunscreens containing PABA, or certain fragrances may cause photosensitivity (increased sensitivity to UV rays). You should also be aware that just plain ol' overexposure to the sun is one of the main causes, so avoid staying out in the sun all day.

Symptoms of sun poisoning are fever, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, dizziness, chills, headache, swelling, a burning sensation, a red itchy rash, small blisters, or peeling of the skin. When you're out in the sun for a long time, keep an eye out for these symptoms.

To avoid a skin reaction, stay out of the sun during the brightest sun hours, from noon to 3pm. Remember that just because it's cloudy, doesn't mean you are protected - so always wear sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 when you are outdoors. Apply it to cool, dry skin 20-30 minutes before you go outside, and reapply it every 2 hours.

If you can stand being hot, you could also wear lightweight long sleeves, pants, and a hat to protect your skin from harmful UV rays. Definitely avoid any chemicals that may trigger your reaction.

Fit's Tips: If you think you may have sun poisoning, definitely consult your doctor. If you know you have it, a cool shower or bath can help relieve symptoms. When you get out, lube yourself up with some aloe (I like to keep mine in the fridge for more of a cooling effect). Taking an anti-inflammatory such as aspirin may also reduce swelling, and help with nausea or headache.

Source

Don't Get Ticked Off! Easy Ways to Prevent Lyme Disease

Jenny Sugar — Tue, 29 May 2012 00:41:18 PDT

If you're the outdoorsy type - and I don't mean sipping cocktails on your patio - chances are you've come in contact with a tick or two. Blacklegged ticks, also called deer ticks, are the ones to watch out for since they carry the Borrelia burgdorferi bacterium, which causes Lyme disease. Seventy to 80 percent of people will develop a rash that looks like a bull's-eye within three to 30 days of being bitten, and other symptoms include severe headaches, dizziness, heart palpitations, neck stiffness due to meningitis, joint pain and swelling, and shooting pains. Antibiotics can cure most cases, but some patients will later develop neurological complications, such as Bell's palsy (loss of muscle tone on one or both sides of the face) when not treated in time.

Any way you slice it, Lyme disease is not something you want to bring home from a hike or trail run. The best thing you can do is take some simple precautions to prevent those bugs from infecting you, and here's how.

Stick to the trail: Ticks hang out in moist, humid grassy areas, so you can decrease your exposure by hiking, running, or biking on the clear, dirt trail. Avoid tromping through high grass, piles of leaves, and bushes.
Sock it to me: Wearing pants is probably not an option when working out in the Summer heat, but you can keep your lower legs protected by wearing socks that cover your shins. It's not exactly the most attractive, but it definitely beats joint pain, dizziness, and a skin rash.
Go for the chemicals: I'm always a fan of using all-natural products, but when it comes to protecting yourself against ticks, when used properly, DEET is your best bet. Spray small amounts on your clothes, and choose products with low concentrations of DEET for your skin. As soon as you get home, strip down and hit the showers.
Know your enemy: While in the shower, it's a good time to do a tick check. Look for a small dark brown bug with eight legs, and check everywhere including your armpits, inside your belly button, and in your hair. If you discover an embedded tick, look to this video demonstrating a pain-free way to remove the tick without the use of tweezers. If it's removed within 24 hours, your chance of contracting Lyme disease is pretty small.

Save Our Skin: Adorable Rash Guards For Sunseeking Tots

Rebecca M Gruber — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 10:32:32 PDT

Summer seems like the perfect season for stripping down to the bare minimum, but for lil ones headed out in the sun, it's time to cover up. Rash guards do a whole lot more than simply keeping sand from rubbing against wet skin. Today's garments provide UPF protection as well, helping lil ones keep the sun's harmful rays at bay. Check out my picks for beach and pool wear that won't have tots ripping the shirts off.

Clockwise from top left: Patagonia Baby Long-Sleeve Sun-Lite Top ($29), Lands End, Short Sleeve Graphic Orange Rash Guard Shirt ($20), Cabana Life Hamptons Swim Set ($45), UVSkinz Casey Swim Shirt ($25), REI Long-Sleeve Rashguard ($25), Janie and Jack Watercolor Dot Rash Guard Set ($22), Cabana Life Rash Guard 3-Piece Set ($50).