FitSugar

Be a Glowing Bride From the Inside Out

Leta Shy — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 01:30:43 PDT

From the perfect dress to the too-pretty-to-eat wedding cake, it's all about the details when it comes to the perfect wedding day. And that includes putting your best face forward for your big trip down the aisle. Since good skin often comes down to what you're putting in your body, here are five ways to get a glowing complexion from the inside out.

How to Heal Cracked Heels

FitSugar — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 13:09:56 PDT

Wearing flip-flops and walking barefoot may be one of your favorite things about Summer weather, but unfortunately it can damage the skin on your feet. The constant exposure to air dries out your delicate skin, creating calluses. The pressure of pounding your feet on the ground when you walk or run exasperates the issue and causes heel fissures, or cracks in the skin. If you continue to walk or run, the cracks can split open and become deeper, which can lead to bleeding and infection. Aside from not looking the prettiest, they are also really painful.

Here's what you can do to heal your cracked heels and prevent fissures in the first place.

The Unwanted Side Effects of Exercise: Chafing, Bacne, and Blisters

Jenny Sugar — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 04:05:02 PDT

Experts are always raving about the benefits of exercise, and rightfully so, since the list is a long one. But no one ever discusses the drawbacks to your skin you have to put up with when working out regularly. I'm talking about chafing, pimples on your back, chest, and face, and blisters on your feet. Of course the benefits of exercise exceed these unwanted skin issues, but it doesn't make them any less annoying. Here are ways to prevent them:

Chafing:
- Moisture and friction are a deadly combo for us exercisers. If you wear loose clothing made of cotton, the fabric will stay wet and the constant rubbing is sure to irritate your skin and cause chafing in your sensitive areas. To avoid this issue, invest in some fitted exercise clothes that are made of wicking material such as merino wool or a polyester blend.
- Look for bras, tops, and shorts that are seamless and have no tags.

Keep on reading to learn how to prevent bacne and blisters.

Moms Share the Best Way to Deal With Eczema

Heather Maddan — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 11:00:00 PST

It's an itchy situation, but moms have to deal with it! Approximately one in five babies are diagnosed with eczema before their first birthday. And, the red skin patches become more inflamed when tots rub them so we asked our Facebook fans how they cope with their children's irritations. Here's what the moms said:

"Aquaphor works great." - Nicole B.
"Alba un-petroleum jelly or California Baby Calendula cream." - Luz S.
"1% hydrocortisone cream." - Audrey O.
"Elomet cream." - Fari T.
"Aquaphor healing ointment is wonderful!" - Rachel W.
"Triderma intensive hydrating cream is great!" - Shannon C.

Do You Eat Turkey Skin?

Katie Sweeney — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 08:30:20 PST

It may not be the healthiest part of the turkey, but crispy, salty turkey skin is absolutely delicious. Since I only eat turkey once a year on Thanksgiving, I always splurge and eat the skin, too. How about you?

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.

How to Make an At-Home Facial Mask With Kate Somerville

BellaTV — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 09:00:00 PDT

Kate Somerville has helped Hollywood celebrities like Jessica Alba, Kate Hudson, and Demi Moore get glowing skin, and even if you can’t rush into her clinic, you can still get the same treatment at home. Watch our video as Kate shows you how to make a hydrating mask using yogurt, flax seeds and honey.

BellaSugar Tries Out the CND Shellac Manicure

BellaTV — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 09:00:00 PDT

Annie heads to the salon to show us the newest manicure to hit the market that promises to deliver chip-free nails for two weeks. The trick to the CND Shellac Manicure is in the polish, which is actually a hybrid nail color that applies like polish, but doesn’t need any drying time, and stays on for 14 days! Will this manicure hold up to the grueling life of a BellaSugar editor? Watch our video to find out!

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

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.

Henna Tattoos: All in Good Fun or a Health Risk?

FitSugar — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 11:00:34 PDT

A couple weeks ago, I went to my local farmers market and celebrated my growing baby bump by getting a henna tattoo. I've had henna done many times before on my hands and feet, so having my pregnant belly done was something I'd always wanted to do. You have to keep the area exposed for a few hours so the henna paste can dry, so while walking around the market, I got many smiles and sweet comments. But one person said to me, "Oh how beautiful, but isn't that bad for your baby?" I felt like being snippy and saying, "Yes, of course it's bad for my baby. I like to do harmful things to my unborn child." But instead of being snarky, I explained that henna tattoos are completely safe for your skin, your body, and a growing baby.

Also known as Mehndi, these tattoos are not actually permanent and only last between one and two weeks, depending on your skin, the quality of the henna, and how often you wash the area. The tattoo is applied in the form of a paste that looks like chocolate frosting. It's made by grinding up dried leaves from the henna plant and is mixed with water, lemon, and essential oils. After the paste dries, it's peeled or picked off after about 24 hours, and you're left with an orangey-brown tattoo that stains the first few layers of your skin.

This henna is completely safe, but there is a type of henna that is bad for your skin. To hear about it,

There is a trend among some henna artists to apply something called black henna, which will stain your skin black instead of brown. This type of henna is dangerous because it contains paraphenylenediamine (PPD), a hair dye. When applied to your skin, it may look like a real tattoo, but allergic reactions to PPD can cause blisters, open sores, and scarring.

It's easy to tell traditional natural henna apart from black henna. Traditional henna paste will look dark green, khaki, or greenish brown, not black, so if a henna artist is applying a slick black paste, do not get a tattoo from her. You can also ask the artist how long you're supposed to leave the paste on. If they say less than one hour, they're using PPD. Traditional henna doesn't stain your skin that quickly. Also ask the artist what color the stain will be once the paste comes off. Henna will leave an orange stain that will darken to red brown or dark brown, but it's never black. If you're just not sure, it's best to skip out on the henna tattoo or apply it yourself with a home henna kit.