The Sunscreen Song

Type that into www.youtube.com and listen to the song. It gives you some basic advice on life, none of which is bad. It is highly entertaining, and it makes you a little happier afterwards. I hope you enjoy it.

Warts

What causes them?

Warts are skin growths that are caused by the human papilloma virus. There are over 60 types of HPV and our bodies can usually fight them off within a few years, but we can be re-infected.

How do I get rid of them?

I read quite a bit on this. I found a few home remedies that are cheap and effective.

Vinegar. I read many testimonials, and most of them mentioned apple cider vinegar, but any vinegar will do. Take a cotton ball, soak it in the vinegar, wring it out afterwards and apply to wart. Take a band-aid, duct tape, or brown tape (whichever one works best for you) and tape it in place. You should sleep with this on over night. I have heard that it is very painful, so take an aspirin. How long this takes varies from person to person, but it will eventually change colors and recede from the skin.

Applying clear nail polish has the same effect. You must be sure that as long as the wart is there, there is nail polish on it.

Strengthen your immune system. HPV will go away faster if you have a stronger immune system. Take your multivitamins everyday like you are supposed to be doing anyways.

If these don't work, you really should see a doctor, because in rare cases (just based off the research I did) they can turn cancerous.

My Lips are soo Chapped

So I went on the Internet so I could find the best possible solutions to my current ailment. Here are the two sites I really liked. They were really simple and gave decent answers that I could believe.

http://www.ehow.com/video_3074_treat-chapped-lips.html

http://allwomenstalk.com/5-quick-steps-to-soothe-chapped-lips-%e2%80%a6/2/

So You Have Stretch Marks

Firstly, if you have stretch marks, you are not alone. In fact the majority of people have stretch marks (including men). Why do you have stretch marks if you've never been pregnant? Or what can you do to remove your stretch marks now that you have given birth?

What are they?

Stretch marks are the tearing of the deeper layers of your skin after a rapid stretching (during adolescence, after gaining weight, and during pregnancy). They are in fact scars.

Will they go away on their own?

If you are worried about stretch marks from adolescence, chances are that they will fade away. Other than that, it really varies. It depends on how deep they are, how dark they are, and how motivate you are to rid yourself of them. Most stretch marks will lose their reddish purplish color in as short as a few months to as long as a few years. However, they will become glossy and appear silver or white in color.

What can I do to remove them?

Some doctors will say there really is nothing you can do about it. Others will say otherwise, however, the results may vary. Some topical creams claim that they work on older stretch marks. This may or may not be true. But if you do use topical creams, it is best to use them upon first finding your stretch marks. Some doctors may prescribe you Retin-A (it is to rejuvenate skin), but some people find that it is irritating to their skin. You can see a dermatologist for laser therapy, microdermabrasion, and chemical peels, which are said to be effective, but I couldn't tell you the cost. Lastly, you can purchase some Mederma. This is a cream that CAN remove scars. At least it can remove newer scars. I know, I've used it on some really bad scarring. I wouldn't say that it is expensive, but it isn't exactly cheap. Either way, I know for a fact that this works. You need to be disciplined though, because it should be applied about 3-4 times a day.

What can I do to just cover them?

That's simple enough. Just wear clothing that will cover you where it is needed. Or you can use some sunless tanner. I hear that this is a great way to hide stretch marks.

Whatever you do, I wish you the best of luck.

Losing Your Voice

When I was in the sixth grade, I went to camp with all the other little sixth graders. I had been looking forward to this for awhile, and it would have been a really great experience had I not lost my voice. The whole time I was there, my voice was no louder than a very low whisper. I figured that it was the altitude (it was at Big Bear), because when I returned home, my voice was back.

Thinking upon it now, I know I had Laryngitis. This is when your voice box and all the stuff around it get irritated and swell. When you have Laryngitis, you voice can become deep, hoarse and scratchy, barely louder than a whisper, or you may lose your voice completely. In adults, it is very rare for it to be serious. However, it can pose a huge problem for small children.

I have a site listed here on the causes, symptoms, and solutions to your voice loss that I would try to summarize, but I would probably plagiarize trying (and that's bad).

http://home.earthlink.net/~anitaastrologer/voice.htm

I found the site to be very helpful

The Worst Habits, And The Best Values

I wanted to write about the worst and best thing that you can do as an employee. I found these 2 great articles, but as I was reading them, I thought that the advice given by these articles can be applied to most things in life. So this is more of a self improvement entry. They are just some general tips that you mom would have nagged you about, but they really do account for how other people view you.

The Worst

http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/worklife/06/03/cb.10.worst.work.habits/index.html

And the Best

http://internships.about.com/od/internshipsuccess/a/workvalues.htm

Black Tongue

It's not some terrible contagious disease. I swear. I had no idea that the tongue can turn black, and I was very surprised when I heard this. I looked it up, and I have found that it really is not something to be frightened over. The most common cause that I found was Pepto Bismol. Here is their website to explain it to you.

http://www.pepto-bismol.com/pepto-bismol-faq.php

Here is another site for those of you who do not take Pepto Bismol.

http://yourtotalhealth.ivillage.com/causes-black-tongue.html

Mmmm... Cold Sores

We all get them from time to time, don't deny it. So what can you do about it now that you have it? Wikihow has the answer.

http://www.wikihow.com/Treat-a-Cold-Sore-or-Fever-Blisters

Radishes

I absolutely love radishes. They are always so fresh and crisp. And now I have found even more reasons to love them. They help heal urinary disorders, skin disorders, cancer, and so much more. Read the site I have listed below and you will have more reason to love them too.

http://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/vegetable/health-benefits-of-radish.html

And here are some recipes.

http://www.epicurious.com/tools/searchresults?search2=radish

Or you can just snack on them. They are great in so many ways. Just try it out for yourself.

Spotting

This one is specifically for girls. Is it normal to be spotting between periods? If not, why would you be spotting between periods? The link below will provide you with the necessary information.

http://womenshealth.about.com/cs/breastcance1/a/bleedingbetween.htm

You Know You Should

Like many of you out there, I constantly forget to floss my teeth. I know that most of you do not think it is a big deal, but it is. Read up about flossing on the sites listed below.

http://www.saveyoursmile.com/healtharticles/flossing.html

http://dentistry.about.com/od/dentalfactsfaqs/f/flossing.htm#

Dry, Itchy, and Flaky

Most people who have dry skin do not go about taking care of it in the appropriate way. You need to figure out the cause of your dry skin and work on eliminating the cause (rather than working around it).

Your skin has a layer of lipids and fats that keep the moisture in your skin resulting in smooth and soft skin. There is a variety of environmental and external factors out there that are robbing you of your skins natural oils.

Lets list off some of these causes.

Hot showers. Hot showers and baths WILL wash away all your skins oils further drying your skin. You do not necessarily need to use cold water, lukewarm water will do just fine. To further reduce the washing away of all the good stuff on your skin. On top of that, unless you are rolling around in the dirt, you do not need to heavily soap up. The only parts that need to be regularly washed are your arms, face, hands, feet, and your privates. Everything else can be rinsed and be just fine.

The soap you buy should not be harsh on your skin. Something along the lines of a gentle face cleanser (it doesn't always need to be used on your face) would be just fine for most of your hygienic needs.

Moisturizers. If you feel like you have dry skin, you have probably tried countless moisturizers. First of all, when you use them, you have to apply them while your skin is still damp. That means almost immediately after you shower. That is when they work best. Do not vigorously rub yourself dry. Pat yourself dry. Then apply the moisturizer. Let it soak for a few minutes and then pat the rest of it off with your towel.

Dry air. This is aggravated by air conditioning in the summer, and heating in the winter. The simplest solution is the use of a humidifier.

You may have dry skin due to some medication you may be taking. It may also be the side of effect of something much more serious. If you feel like this is the case, you should not hesitate to speak with your doctor.

Finally, why should it matter whether or not you do or do not have dry skin. The truth is, dry cracked skin exposes you to bacteria, and lead to an infection or something much worse. Your skin is precious, and it deserves your attention.

Here is my source.

http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/features/whats-causing-your-dry-skin-problem?page=4

Dry Eyes

The other day, I had dry eye. It went away relatively quickly, but I am sure that there are those of you out there who suffer from chronic dry eye. So I found to sites to explain why you may have dry eyes, and what you can do about it (I couldn't really find any home remedies for this).

http://www.medicinenet.com/dry_eyes/index.htm

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/dry-eyes/DS00463/DSECTION=causes

Diabetes

I happen to have diabetes on both my mothers side of the family, and my fathers side. As you can imagine, this is very concerning to me, and I would like to know how high the chances are that I will develop Diabetes later in life. As you probably know, Diabetes is not uncommon here in the states. So many of you probably share my concern.

Here are the risk factors for Diabetes.

http://diabetes.about.com/od/symptomsdiagnosis/tp/riskfactors.htm

And here are the signs and symptoms for those of you that are worried that you may already have it.

http://chinese-school.netfirms.com/diabetes-symptoms.html

I only wish the best for all those at risk of Diabetes, and those who already suffer from it.

How Often Should You Wash Your Hair?

This is a common question. The answer varies from person to person. I have 3 sites listed below that will give you more than enough information on your hair's hygiene needs. Whatever your answer, whether it be everyday or once a week, be sure to shower daily. That is a necessity.

http://beauty.about.com/b/2008/03/25/how-much-should-you-wash-your-hair.htm

http://ezinearticles.com/?How-Often-Should-You-Wash-Your-Hair?&id=2584066

http://health.howstuffworks.com/skin-care/scalp-care/tips/how-often-wash-hair2.htm

Your Extra Baggage

I am not talking about your weight, I am talking about the bags under your eyes. This tends to be an eyesore and gives you all sorts of unwanted attention. The problem could be very simple with a very simple solution, or it could be hereditary. This would call for much more drastic measures to eliminate them. These sites will give you the low down on your bags.

http://www.wisegeek.com/how-can-i-get-rid-of-dark-circles-under-my-eyes.htm

http://women.webmd.com/features/banish-the-bags-under-your-eyes?page=4

Everything Wonderful About Potatos

I love potatoes. I like them mashed, baked, and fried. But most people do not think fondly of potatoes. Potatoes have more to offer than just carbohydrates and calories. The sites below are full of all the facts that you don't know about.

http://home.howstuffworks.com/potatoes3.htm

http://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/vegetable/health-benefits-of-potato.html

And here are some healthy ways to prepare them.

http://notecook.com/side-dishes/top-nine-ways-to-cook-potatoes/

http://hubpages.com/hub/healthy-baked-potato-recipes

The Good, The Bad, And Caffeine

I live in a houseful of avid coffee drinkers. They need their morning jolt all day long. I personally don't drink any caffeine. However, I was wondering, exactly how safe is caffeine? I am sure that it can be both helpful and damaging to our bodies. This is what I found.

These two site will list all the terrible stuff on caffeine.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/caffeine/NU00600

http://www.essortment.com/lifestyle/caffeinestimula_sbez.htm

And this site highlights the benefits of caffeine.

http://www.fitwise.com/benefits_caffeine.asp

If You Break Your Nose...

When I was little, I broke my nose. My mother rushed me to the hospital where they told her to go home because there was nothing they could do about it. This bugged me and I thought, well surely there is something they can do about it. I know its a little late now, but I searched the web, and have only found one useful site (all the others asked if it was possible to break a nose).

http://www.healthsquare.com/mc/fgmc0724.htm

That about the most information I can find on the topic.

My Stomach Hurts

Yes, I have a stomach ache today. So, I did what I do best... I surfed the net for some remedies. Of the many remedies many users have submitted, these are the ones I read the most.

Put something warm on your stomach. Something as simple as a sock filled with rice (after its being microwaved) works just fine. Just lay down and leave it on your stomach.

Ginger. This one is fairly common. This is a common ingredient in many remedies I read, so I would assume that ginger actually works. either just drink some sort of ginger juice or extract, or eat some ginger after thoroughly chewing on it.

Most any carbonated drink. I would think that something like carbonated water or ginger ale would be preferable. Drink a fair amount, and start burping it up.

Lime sherbet and Sprite. I read this one a few times. Just mix the two for the kids (who are sure to love this).

Peppermint. Peppermint tea, or just sucking on a peppermint may help.

Drink lots of water. It'll help you digest your food, which may be the problem.

And my own little bit of advice. My mom always boiled some oregano, then strained it afterwards, and told me to drink the oregano water when I could handle the heat of it. It worked every single time.

You can read up on some more remedies at the sites listed below.

http://www.myhomeremedies.com/topic.cgi?topicid=193

http://www.iloveindia.com/home-remedies/stomach-ache.html

http://www.ehow.com/about_5081583_home-remedy-stomach-ache.html

http://www.mothernature.com/Library/Bookshelf/Books/48/193.cfm

When should your toddler tackle the potty?

I know I don't normally write about children, but I have a baby sister, and I am getting a little tired of changing diapers. And wouldn't my life be much easier if I did not have to change diapers? So I was wondering when she could toss the diapers?

This site will give you a basic understanding of when the time is right.

http://ezinearticles.com/?When-Should-I-Start-Potty-Training?&id=440574

And this one goes into more detail (I like this one).

http://www.pottytrainingconcepts.com/A-Potty-Training-Age-Readiness.html