?Women’s Razor Burns

Posted on August 31, 2010
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Women often get irritations of the skin after shaving their legs and under their arms; nothing is more unattractive than razor burns. Razor burns develop because shaving takes off the outer cells of the epidermis; the skin reacts with blood flow racing to the injury to start the healing process. It is the dilated blood vessels just under the surface of the skin that causes the appearance of razor burns.
Women have options to prevent razor burns. One way to stop razor burns is to stop shaving, but most women don’t want to have unsightly hair showing on their legs and underarms. Hydrocortisone cream 1% used after shaving will prevent or reduce the appearance of razor burns. It is important not to use hydrocortisone cream on a daily basis without the consent of your physician. Hydrocortisone cream should not be used more than a couple of times a week. Your skin can become accustomed to any cortisone preparation and react with redness if you don’t apply it. It is kind of like becoming dependent on a drug. The skin will crave for it if used too much, and at the same time the skin will get thinner over time when using cortisone preparations too often.
A good skin moisturizing cream is good to use after you shave. This will soothe the irritation from razor burn and prevent redness most of the time. Shaving is best done after bathing when the hairs on the skin are saturated with moisture, and the skin is extra soft. Apply a good quality shaving gel to your legs and underarms and have. You don’t need to use a lot of pressure while shaving; a sharp blade will work well with a light touch. If you use a disposable razor, don’t use it over twice because it will get dull and cause pulling and create nicks.
Many women who use soap to shave with end up with razor burns. Stop using soap and use a foaming shaving gel or shaving cream. Shaving cream and gels create a surface for the razor to glide on the skin. Shaving with shaving cream or shaving gel will decrease the likelihood that you will get razor burns. Shave your hair in a downward motion in the way that it grows; shaving downward is less irritating to the hair follicles. Shaving in the opposite direction against the way the hair grows is more likely to cause skin irritation.
Another option to prevent irritation is to switch to a cream depilatory that dissolves hair. Cream depilatories dissolve hair quite quickly and the hair follicles are not irritated nearly as much. It is important to check the progress of the hair removal with a depilatory because it dissolves hair and it dissolves some of the top cells of the epidermis. You can get just as irritated with a cream depilatory if you are sensitive to it or leave it on too long. However many women prefer this method for removing unwanted hair without suffering from razor burns.

?How to Recognize and Deal with Different Types of Fractures

Posted on August 30, 2010
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Many people are unaware of what fractures are. Years ago, you would hear people say, “At least it’s not broken. It’s only a fracture.” What many didn’t realize until much later is that a fracture and a broken bone are the same thing.

The bones are what make up the frame of the human body. Without bones to hold up together, there would be no frame. They form the skeleton, which supports the soft parts of the body. They actually hold together the entire body. They have a center part called the marrow. The bone marrow contains cells that help produce the red blood cells that transfer oxygen throughout the body. The bones also have many other minerals that keep the body strong.

As strong as the bones are, they do have some bend to them, which we need for protection from bangs and bumps. If we fall hard or are hit by something hard, the bones take a beating, but are protected by the outer tissue surrounding them. However, if the force is too hard, the bones will break, which is how we get fractures. When the body suffers fractures, they are followed by pain, which can be quite severe.

There are different types of fractures. Some of these include:

• Transverse fractures are when the bone is broken at a right angle to the axis of the bone.
• Greenstick fractures are most common in children and occur when the bone becomes bent. Greenstick fractures are considered incomplete fractures.
• Oblique fractures are when the break slopes.
• Impacted fractures, also called buckle fractures, happen when the ends of the bone are rammed into each other. We often see these in arm fractures in children.
• Comminuted fracture is when the bone breaks into many pieces.
• Pathologic fractures are usually caused by a disease that makes the bones weak.
• Stress fractures are referred to as a hairline crack on the bone.

When a person suffers a fracture, it is important they seek medical attention as soon as possible. Many times a person has fractures in one part of the body or another but don’t realize it because they can still use the body part. Continuing to use a limb that has a fracture can cause further damage and a prolonged healing period. X-rays and a medical examination by a doctor will reveal if you have a fracture.

The type of treatment used for fractures is determined by the severity of the break, whether it’s a closed or open break and which bone is involved. For instance, a broken arm would be treated differently than a broken spine. In most cases, the fractures are treated with a cast. In more severe breaks or fractures, surgery is required when a pin or rod is inserted to hold the bone together.

?Treating Scrapes At Home

Posted on August 30, 2010
Filed Under Scrapes | Leave a Comment

Treating scrapes is something almost everyone will do at some point in their life. Typically, treating scrapes, which happen when a rough objects comes into contact with the skin causing the skin to literally be removed, is done at home. Occasionally, depending on the severity of the scrape, a licensed medical professional will be needed. Treatment should be done by a licensed medical professional if the bleeding cannot be stopped, other tissues such as blood vessels, ligaments or bones are damaged or there is a deep cut. Otherwise, follow these simple steps for treating scrapes at home.

A Simple Three Step Plan For Treating Scrapes At Home

The first step in treating scrapes is to clean the wound once the bleeding has stopped. To stop the bleeding, elevate the affected area, lay a clean, lint free cloth on the wound and apply pressure for fifteen minutes. If the bleeding does not stop, make sure it is slowing down, and then apply pressure again. If the bleeding is not slowing down, consider getting professional medical help.

Once the bleeding has stopped, step two for treating scrapes at home is to thoroughly wash the wound. Use a mild soap and warm water. If soap enters the wound it will sting. It is important that the outer edges of the wound are cleaned so that infection does not become an issue.

Step three for treating scrapes at home is to apply an antibiotic cream to the wound and wrap it so that air born dirt and other bacteria cannot enter the wound. It is important to keep an eye on the wound and the dressing, which should be changed daily. In the event the dressing becomes soiled or wet, change it immediately.

Follow-Up Plan For Treating Scrapes At Home

This simple three step plan used for treating scrapes at home should be used every time the dressing is changed until the wound begins to heal. Once the wound scabs over it is not necessary to redress the wound. It is important, however, to still watch for signs of infection which include swelling, redness, odor and seepage. If any of these signs are present, seek professional medical advice immediately.

Treating scrapes at home is a simple process that anyone can do provided they know what to do and have the proper supplies on hand. Get a first aid kit, keep it stocked and in a visible place in your home. Finally, know some basic first aid. Being prepared makes everyone feel more comfortable even when something simple like treating scrapes needs to be done.

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