FitSugar

How to Deal With the Peel

FitSugar — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 07:30:00 -0700

Many of our favorite fruits and veggies have nutrient rich skins. Unfortunately, some conventional veggies are usually coated with wax.

The wax is used to increase the shelf life of the produce by preventing moisture loss, plus it protects them from bruising during the shipping process. The government does regulate the waxes used on food, but some of them may contain ingredients you don't necessarily want to put in your body like petroleum based solvent and wood rosins.

Organic produce is never waxed, so you can eat the skins of your organic fruits and veggies to your heart's content – after you wash them, of course! Here is a list of the most commonly waxed conventional produce:

Apples
Bell peppers
Eggplant
Cucumbers
Potatoes
Lemons (if you use the zest)
Potatoes

Fit's Tip: If you are curious about the produce wax, you should ask your grocer what kind of wax is used.

Source

Get Rid of Unwanted Hair: Sugaring

FitSugar — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 15:45:00 -0700

Unwanted hair - it's a fact of life. Many women choose to shave or wax, but there might just be a sweeter way. Have you ever heard of sugaring?

Also known as Persian Waxing, it's a method of hair removal that has been around for thousands of years. Similar to waxing, it's supposed to be less painful because it only sticks to the hair, unlike wax which also sticks to your skin.

It's made out of all natural ingredients including sugar (honey or molasses is sometimes used instead), lemon juice, and water. You can play around with different recipes and do it yourself, but I recommend having a professional do it for you.

First, the area is dusted with powder, then warm sugar solution is applied and spread around with a tongue depressor. A porous piece of cloth is then pressed onto your skin. Just like waxing, the strip is then quickly pulled off in the opposite direction the hair grows.

Fit's Tips: If you want to stir up a batch of your own, make sure you have a candy thermometer. You can buy pre-made sugar solutions such as Moom and Nad's and have a regular hair removal party!

Beware Bikini Waxing

FitSugar — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 10:00:00 -0700

Along with toning body parts hidden from the sun all Winter, beach season often means waxing. Unfortunately, the bikini wax presents a whole new set of Summer dangers.

Bluntly put, we have hair in our nether regions to protect the sensitive skin and mucous membranes found in the genital area. When you wax your bikini line or go all the way with a Brazilian, you strip away a layer of the body's protection - and little bits of skin are torn off as well. This allows bacteria to slip through the barrier and cause an infection under your skin. The waxing process also creates inflammation, which can exacerbate the potential infection by trapping bacteria. Some physicians caution those with compromised immune systems or diabetes, chronic kidney, or liver disease to skip waxing completely.

If you do opt for a bikini wax, make sure the facility is licensed and ask around and get recommendations from friends. It also helps to keep the inflammation down with one percent hydrocortisone cream, and you can aim to prevent infection with a topical antibiotic cream as well.

Have you ever had an infection from getting waxed?

Getty

Label Able: Carnauba Wax

FitSugar — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 03:00:00 -0700

A couple weeks ago, I reviewed Annie's Bunny Fruit Snacks. As much as I liked them, I was a little weirded out by one item on the list of ingredients - carnauba wax.

As unappetizing as it sounds, I know in my heart that a company like Annie's would never put anything unhealthy in their foods, right? If you're curious to know what this ingredient truly is, then read more.

Carnauba wax comes from the leaves of the carnauba palm, a plant that grows in northeastern Brazil. In hot, dry weather, the palm secretes wax to protect its leaves from damage. To collect the wax, the leaves are dried and then beaten to dislodge the yellowish to brown waxy coating, which usually flakes off. The wax is refined and bleached before it's used.

I didn't know this, but carnauba wax is often called the "queen of waxes." It's a hard substance, so it's used to make durable coatings for floors and cars. It's also used in polishes, varnishes, and beauty products like mascara, deodorant, and lipstick. In foods, it's used as a coating or anti-caking agent, and can be found in frosting, candies (such as Altoids and Tic Tacs), gum, gravies, and sauces. Although I'm not too psyched that the same substance used to add a glossy finish to my shoes is also in something I eat, at least I now know that carnauba wax is plant-derived.

Carbamide peroxide (Into the ear)

admin — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 20:08:55 -0700

Overview

Introduction
Brand Name(s)
When This Medicine Should Not Be Used
How to Use This Medicine
How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine
Drugs and Foods to Avoid
Warnings While Using This Medicine
Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

Introduction

Carbamide Peroxide (KAR-ba-mide per-OX-ide)

Used to soften, loosen, and remove excess wax from your ears.

Brand Name(s)

Debrox, Ear Wax Drops, Auro Ear Drops, Rite Aid Earwax Removal Kit, Otix Ear Wax Removal Aid, Ear Drops, Audiologist's Choice, E-R-O, Medicine Shoppe Ear Wax Removal System, Auraphene-B, E-R-O Ear Drops, Oxy-Otic, Mack's Wax Away, Mollifene

There may be other brand names for this medicine.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used

You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to carbamide peroxide. You should not use this medicine if you have a punctured eardrum, or discharge from your ear. You should not use this medicine if you have had an ear surgery, or if you have pain, irritation, or rash in your ear.

How to Use This Medicine

Liquid, Drop

Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
If you are using this medicine without a prescription, follow the instructions on the medicine label.
Remove your hearing aid while using this medicine.
Use this medicine only in your ear.
Wash your hands with soap and water before and after using this medicine.
You may warm the drops by holding the unopened bottle in your hands for a few minutes.
Remove the cap. Do not let the tip of the dropper touch anything, including your ear.
Lie down or tilt your head to the side. For a child, gently pull the child's earlobe down and back to straighten the child's ear canal. For an adult, gently pull the earlobe up and back to straighten the ear canal.
Drop the prescribed number of drops into the ear. Keep the ear tilted up for a few minutes or put a cotton ball into your ear.
You may hear a bubbling noise in your ear after placing the drop in it. This is normal and is not something to worry about.
Do not rinse the dropper.
After using this medicine 4 days, gently flush your ear with warm water, using a soft bulb syringe to remove the wax.

If a dose is missed:

This medicine needs to be given on a fixed schedule. If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, call your doctor or pharmacist for instructions.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine

Keep the bottle closed when you are not using it. Store it at room temperature, away from light and heat. Do not freeze.
Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

You should not use other ear medicines while using this medicine, unless your doctor tells you to.

Warnings While Using This Medicine

Avoid getting this medicine in your eyes. If the medicine does get in your eyes, flush them with water and call your doctor right away.
This medicine should not be given to children under 12 years of age without a doctor's approval.
If your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse, call your doctor.
Do not use this medicine for longer than 4 days.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing.

Review Date: 8/4/2008

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

A.D.A.M. Copyright

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997-2009 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

adam.com

Source Doc: 45_5250

Ingrown Hairs - Not a Fan

FitSugar — Tue, 13 Feb 2007 02:00:00 -0800

When you remove unwanted hair from your body by waxing or shaving, you run the risk of ingrown hairs. I've had women tell me to never wax my bikini line ever, because those hairs are thick and curly, so they tend to get trapped inside the hair follicle and grow in crooked more often than say your leg hair.

I'm not going to let a little ingrown hair keep me from waxing. Oh no. Here's a tip I picked up from a waitress when I was out to dinner one night (really). She said she was way into waxing (don't ask me how we got started talking about that), and she waxed everything, including her armpits (ouch).

Her advice: To prevent those irritating little red bumps you get from ingrown hairs, you must exfoliate the area daily.

Now I'm not saying use something harsh like a sugar scrub on your sensitive parts - I much prefer using loofah gloves. They are gentle enough to use every day.

And exfoliating consistently to remove dead skin cells really helps prevent those suckers. So you can wax and shave all you want and get silky smooth skin without those annoying red bumps.

The Skinny On: Ear Candles

FitSugar — Mon, 27 Nov 2006 09:57:47 -0800

You might have seen them at your local health food proclaiming to remove ear wax, improve hearing, relieve sinus pressure, and cure swimmer's ear. You probably wondered, “Do ear candles really work?”

I’m here to tell you from experience, they DO NOT. I tried the ear candle hoping it would help my sinus headaches. Did it work? Nope. Not one bit. When I cut the cone open, I did find some little waxy balls and yellow dust. It wasn't from my ear, but from the ear candle itself.

Ear wax is way too sticky to be dislodged by a little bit of suction. The amount of pressure needed to vacuum wax from your ear would be so intense; it would rupture your eardrum.

Not only do ear candles NOT work, they can actually cause injuries. Hot wax can drip into your ear causing major damage to your eardrums. OUCH. Plus, many people try using ear candles alone and have started fires.

Fit's tip: Don't fall for the at home ear candle. If your ears feel clogged with wax, call your doctor.

Here's a Tip: Ditch the Q-Tips

FitSugar — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 03:00:00 -0800

The package of Q-tips plainly reads, "Do not insert swab into ear canal. Entering the ear canal could cause injury." Yet despite warnings written directly on the package as well as from doctors, a lot of people are still using cotton swabs - yup, I'm talking about you. In the future you may want to be careful or ditch them altogether, since Q-tips can severely damage your ear canal if pushed in too far. What's more? Along with potentially rupturing the membrane, the swab is likely to push wax deeper into the ear canal rather than removing it - even if a little shows up on the cotton.

Need more evidence? Daniel St-Pierre, 43. Coroner Jacques Ramsay found the man died of complications linked to an ear infection probably caused by the use of cotton swabs that pierced the eardrum. Even more? A boy who had been partially deaf for nine years was suddenly cured - when a cotton wool bud from a Q-tip popped out of his ear. Crazy, right? Point is, don't put a Q-tip in your ear, you'll be doing way more harm than good.

If you still feel like you need to clean out those ears, there are some tips for that so read more.

According to WebMD, most people don't need to do any ear maintenance at all. Earwax slowly moves toward the opening of the ear canal and is sloughed off during daily routines and showers. If you want, you can take a washcloth and, using your finger, gently wash the opening of your ear.

If you're someone, like my best friend, who produces unusually large amounts of earwax and your ear canal keeps getting clogged, you may need to see your doctor occasionally to have it removed. Some people swear by ear candling, but the debate is still up on whether or not it even works.

Source

Wax blockage

admin — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 17:53:29 -0700

Illustrations

Wax blockage in the ear

Ear anatomy

Medical findings based on ear anatomy

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

Definition

Wax blockage is obstruction of the ear canal with cerumen (wax).

Alternative Names

Ear impaction; Cerumen impaction; Ear blockage; Ear wax

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

The ear canal is lined with hair follicles and glands that produce a waxy oil called cerumen. This protects the ear by trapping dust, microorganisms, and other foreign particles, preventing them from entering and damaging the ear. The wax usually makes its way to the opening of the ear where it falls out or is removed by washing.

In some people, the glands produce more wax than can be easily excreted from the ear. This extra wax may harden within the ear canal and block the ear. More commonly, the ear canal may be blocked by wax when attempts to clean the ear push wax deeper into the ear canal and cause a blockage.

Wax blockage is one of the most common causes of hearing loss.

Symptoms

Partial hearing loss, may be progressive
Noises in the ear (tinnitus)
Earache
Fullness in the ear or a sensation that the ear is plugged

Signs and tests

During a physical examination, the health care provider will look into the ear for signs of wax blockage.

Treatment

Most cases of ear wax blockage can be treated at home. Mineral oil, baby oil, glycerin, or commercial drops can be used to soften wax in the ear. Detergent drops such as hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide may aid in the removal of wax.

Another method of removing wax is called irrigation. Body-temperature water should be used (cooler or warmer water may cause a response consisting of brief but severe dizziness or vertigo). With the head upright, straighten the ear canal by holding the external ear and gently pulling upward. Use a syringe to gently direct a small stream of water against the ear canal wall next to the wax plug. Tip the head to allow the water to drain. Irrigation may need to be repeated several times.

Never irrigate the ear if the eardrum is not known to be intact, because irrigation with a ruptured eardrum may cause ear infection or acoustic trauma. Do not irrigate the ear with a jet irrigator designed for cleaning teeth (such as a WaterPik) because the force of the irrigation may damage the eardrum.

After the wax is removed, the ear should be dried thoroughly. A few drops of alcohol in the ear or a hair dryer set on low may be used to help dry the ear.

If attempts to remove the wax plug are unsuccessful, consult a health care provider, who may remove the wax by repeating the irrigation attempts, suctioning the ear canal, or removing wax with a small device (curette). Occasionally, the wax must be removed with the help of a microscope.

Expectations (prognosis)

Wax blockage of the ear usually responds well to removal attempts, but may happen again in the future. Hearing loss is usually temporary, and hearing usually returns completely after removal of the blockage.

Complications

Perforated eardrum
Middle ear infection (otitis media)
External ear infection (otitis externa)
Permanent hearing loss from acoustic trauma

Calling your health care provider

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if the ears are blocked with wax and attempts to remove the wax are unsuccessful.

Also call if earwax blockage has been present and new symptoms develop, especially drainage from the ear, persistent or severe ear pain, fever, or persistent hearing loss.

Prevention

Individuals who suffer from frequent blockages may benefit from weekly irrigations. Never attempt to clean the ear by placing any object into the ear canal, such as a Q-tip. It is better to clean the outer ear canal by using a cloth or paper tissue wrapped around your finger.

Review Date: 10/20/2006

Reviewed By: Alden J. Pearl, M.D., Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Otolaryngology, State University of New York Health Science Center at Brooklyn, Brooklyn, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M. Copyright

adam.com

Source Doc: 1_000979

Take Care of Your Bikini Line

FitSugar — Thu, 10 May 2007 03:30:00 -0700

Everyone has a certain way that they deal with their bikini line. Whether you shave or wax, there's something we all have to deal with - IRRITATION!

Nobody talks much about how to take care of your bikini line once the hair is removed, but we all get itchy or painful red bumps. When the hair grows back, since it's curly and course, it can get stuck underneath the first few layers of your skin, causing ingrown hairs.

Here's how to prevent them:

Gently exfoliate daily - Get yourself a pair of loofah gloves, lather up with some moisturizing soap, and gently scrub your bikini line. They've got a rough texture to get rid of dead skin cells, but they're gentle enough to use every day. My fave are from The Body Shop ($7.00) because they have a little loop on each glove so you can hang them in the shower.
Wear loose-fitting undies - If the elastic on your underwear is making indentations on your skin, than it's way too tight. All that rubbing will irritate your sensitive skin, and cause more ingrown hairs.

Fit's Tips: Sometimes you may need to help get rid of an ingrown hair if it becomes too painful. Sterilize a pair of tweezers with some rubbing alcohol, and pluck the hair out. Wipe the area with some alcohol afterwards.

Do you all have any tips to share on this one? Let me know in the comments below.

Source