Remedies for Dry and Peeling Skin

Dry, cracked, peeling, bleeding skin can be extremely painful. Every time you put your dry skin into water it can be an excruciating experience. Clothing chafes, cold air stings, sweat burns; it is just a miserable experience to have raw and peeling skin. In addition to this, cracked and peeling skin is very difficult to cure.
The number one cause of dry and peeling skin is sun damage. Other causes can include environmental factors such as extreme weather, harsh working conditions, and cold air. Your dry skin may even be caused by a medical condition such as hypothyroidism, diabetes, Hodgkin's disease, and numerous types of skin conditions including eczema and psoriasis.
For the purpose of this article, we will assume that any underlying health conditions are being treated as part of the healing process. If you have not sought medical condition for a particularly troublesome dry skin issue, do so. Your skin condition could be caused by an underlying disease or disorder that needs medical treatment.
Remedies for Sunburned Dry Skin
The number one cause of aging and dry skin is the sun. Despite this grim fact, millions of people fail to protect their skin and suffer sunburn year after year. Sunburn not only causes dry and peeling skin, it also causes wrinkles, sun spots, and skin discolorations. This is why it is so important to protect your skin from the sun each an every time you go outdoors. If you forgot and are now fighting sunburn, here are some remedies for your plight:
* Cold compresses - At the first sign of discomfort, begin applying cold compresses to your burnt and dry skin. Apply cold therapy for 15 minute intervals taking 15 minute breaks in between.

* Vinegar - vinegar is a good home remedy for sunburns. Many people who use it claim that it takes the sting out of the burn.
* Cool shower - Be sure to take plenty of cool showers. Use an exfoliating sponge to remove dead skin cells. This will help prevent the appearance of peeling.
* Aloe Vera - Aloe Vera is great for healing sunburns. Apply Aloe Vera to clean dry skin frequently until all evidence of the burn is gone.
Remedies for Dry Skin Conditions
Many cases of dry cracked skin are caused by skin disorders such as eczema and psoriasis. In severe cases, these skin disorders require prescription medications, but there are some things that you can do to soothe your irritated skin:
* Avoid excess sweat - Excess sweat can irritate these skin disorders and make dry skin more prevalent. Strive to stay cool on hot days. If you are active, take plenty of showers to remove sweat from your skin.
* Wear light clothing - Wearing cool clothing made with light materials can help reduce eczema flare ups and the dry skin associated with them. You should also avoid wearing scratchy materials such as wool. The more you scratch your skin, the more irritated and cracked it will get.
Intense Treatments for Dry Skin
In especially tough cases of peeling and cracked skin, it may be necessary for you to apply several intense treatments to the affected area throughout the day. These treatments include emollients and salves that are specifically formulated to sooth and heal cracked and peeling skin. Here are a few more ideas to sooth your dry skin:
* Paraffin wax - Heated paraffin wax can do wonders for cracked dry skin on your hands and feet. The heat associated with the treatment is also ideal for people who suffer from arthritis and joint pain.
* Silicone creams - If your dry skin is caused from frequent hand washing or harsh work conditions, a cream that contains silicone might be your best bet. The silicone is water resistant and forms a barrier between your skin and the elements.
The key to curing cracked, dry skin is consistency. Be sure to use all treatments regularly and do all you can do to avoid conditions that will make your skin worse. Never tug and pull on loose skin as this can cause more irritation and damage to deeper skin tissues. Instead, allow your skin to peel naturally or use an exfoliating sponge.
Never apply scented lotions to the affected areas as these can cause burning and stinging. You should also keep all cracked skin clean to avoid infection. If you suspect that an infection has set in or your condition gets worse, see a doctor immediately. You may need a prescription to heal your dry peeling skin.

By Della Franklin 

10 Home Remedies for Chemothery Side Effects

This is my second "go round" with cancer and chemoptherapy, this time I'm much more educated in helping myself deal with side effects and would like to pass my remedies on to others.

Chemotherapy affects the stomach in a very devastating manner from the top to the bottom and though the prescribed Katrill was a life saver, it doesn't do it "all". Here are a few home remedies your oncologist will not tell you about...he's busy with the chemical aspect of treating the disease and not much into home remedies....I am!

1. Ginger

Ginger has long been known as an anti-nausea agent....I used fresh ginger, sliced it up thinly and put it in the freezer. I would put a few slices from the freezer into a cup of hot water and sip it as tea. I was surprised to read that they have a clinical trial going on using ginger in capsule form to treat nausea in chemo patients...worked for me!

2. Aloe

Aloe is another soothing agent to the stomach and intestinal tract and aloe water is tasteless and can be found in any supermarket in the produce department. It's inexpensive and helpful...I personally know a man that cured himself of bleeding ulcers with aloe juice, his doctor was amazed.

3. White food

Now for eating....I read many years ago that eating "white food" was a good idea as most white food doesn't have a strong smell or strong taste....I can't say that it worked for me but it could work for you. I'm a believer in organic food and foods made from scratch....we have enough chemicals racing around our body, we don't need more. You might want to check out the "Budwig Diet" on the internet.

4. Baldness

Your oncologist will tell you if you will lose your hair....for me it was somewhat of a blessing, not having to shave my legs, no blow drying etc. Cut your hair very short and once it starts falling out, shave it! The American Cancer Society will give you wigs free of cost....I prefer my baldness as I live in Florida and I also have a nicely shaped head. My eyebrow are very sparse and rather than pencil them in, I use eye shadow that I apply with a brush....it's more natural looking.

5. Attitude

Should you experience depression...fight it, talk to yourself, convince yourself that depression will not help you and imagine yourself healthy again....and smile as you talk to yourself...I don't know why, but it works.

6. Acupuncture

I went to an acupuncturist during my first experience with cancer....it helped so much with the horrendous headaches and the nausea. I don't know why I didn't do it through this battle.

7. Water

Drinking water is of the utmost importance and I'm sure your doctor will tell you that, but he doesn't tell you to drink mineralized water which will put your body in an alkaline state

8. Exercise

DO NOT let yourself become a couch potato....even if you must force yourself to walk around the block, it will be helpful. Somedays you must force yourself to put one foot in front of the other....but do it. Exercise helps your body, but it also helps your mind. You will feel good about yourself and proud.

9. Grooming

Keeping yourself well-groomed can be an effort on some days, but it's a must! I found on the days I HAD to go out and groom myself with make-up etc....something magical happened and I'd feel better....the effort was great but well worth it......I try and do that everyday now. I mean beyond taking a shower and brushing my teeth.

10. Power of Prayer

I think one of the most important remedies is prayer....it has such power and has gotten me through some really rough times. I don't know how it works, IT WORKS.

Oops! Forgot something.....dealing with constipation. I hate the thickness of prune juice and read on the internet to combat that... put dried prunes in a cup, pour boiling water over them... drink the liquid while warm and then eat the prunes. One woman told me her nurse told her to add a bit of butter to it... I chose to pass on that one but the woman found it quite effective. Flaxseed is also quite effective and you can add them to your cereal or mix them in a salad or just eat a teaspoonful... of course, taking laxatives work but they are not a good idea unless it's an emergency as your body will come dependent of them.

Good luck to all you "warriors" and I hope that I've helped you in your battle... it's a tough battle but it can be won... keep positive... it's the attitude that will get you through this... fight on and beat it!

By Donna Parra  

Is Aloe Vera A Preventative and Recovery For Breast Cancer: Aloe Vera And Cancer

Breast Cancer is a very common problem these days. Is it exacerbated by our lifestyles or by environment or just down to the law of averages, or is it known about more, due to our knowledge?

Primarily thought of as a women's complaint it can however affect both men and woman. Men have breast tissue the same as women do so they are prone to it as well.

What is the cause of this terrifying illness. No one knows for sure. We all apparently have the cancer gene in our bodies but something triggers it and causes it to grow. Most cancers if caught early enough can be dealt with these days, as medical knowledge and research have helped to give more understanding of what can be done. Removal of the cancer and then blasting it with radiation thankfully seems in most cases to be able to successfully remove it or at least hold back the spread.

Obviously some forms of cancer can be fatal but as research and knowledge improve hopefully these will become treatable in the future.

Breast cancer is thought to sometimes be hereditary and in some cases women who have had breast cancer previously in their families have resorted to having their breasts removed in order to avoid the disease. I think these ladies are extremely brave both in their thinking and actually going through the operations.

It is thought that aluminium salts contained mostly in spray on anti perspirants can be linked as a cause of breast cancer so wouldn't it be obvious to refrain from using these particular forms of toiletry. There are alternatives. I know of a particular deodorant which is free from aluminium salts and actually does the job extremely well. It doesn't prevent sweating, which is also good, but it does prevent us from producing the smell.

To help prevent cancer the best thing we can do is to be as healthy as possible. Eating green leafy vegetables, particularly broccoli is helpful. Eat only fresh foods which do not have preservatives. We need to eliminate free radicals and toxins and boost our immune systems.

One way of doing this is to take a look at the benefits of Aloe Vera and cancer. It may help as a preventative and aid in the recovery of breast cancer.

Aloe Vera can be taken as a drink every day which will help to relieve our body of toxins and also provide the nutrients and amino acids that our bodies require. It is also recommended after treatment for cancer to help our bodies fight the radiation we have endured to rid us of the cancer.By Alison Wainwright

Aloe Vera Stretch Marks Gel - Home Remedies For Treating Stretch Marks in Just 2-3 Weeks Exposed!

Stretch marks occur due to puberty, pregnancy, sudden gain & loss of weight, etc. The dermatologists explain that stretch marks (also known as striae) form when the top layer of the skin is expanded beyond its elasticity. Enhancing the elasticity of the skin surely works towards curing & preventing these marks. One of the home remedies that can help in this regard is aloe vera.

Home Remedies For Treating Stretch Marks In Just 2-3 Weeks Exposed!

Aloe Vera and Stretch Marks

This is a plant that has thick leaves. The leaves are full of colorless pulp. This pulp helps in the following ways:

· It moisturizes the skin.

· It adds to its elasticity.

· It compensates the lost collagen.

· It repairs the damaged skin tissues.

· It fades away the white lines or the marks and gradually removes them.

· It fights against the skin allergies.

· It heals all the wounds.

· It is an excellent choice to get rid of the wound & burn marks that are formed in around 5 years or so.

How to apply aloe vera to get rid of stretch marks?

This is quite an effective element to combat the given issue. It can be purchased in any form - gel, butter or the extracts. But a rather interesting technique is to combine it with some other remedial materials. Given here are some home remedies that would help you get rid of the stretch marks within 2 to 3 weeks.

Remedy 1:

Ingredients: Half a cup of olive oil, One fourth cup of aloe vera gel, Liquid extracted from 6 Vitamin E capsules, Liquid extracted from 4 Vitamin A capsules.

Method: Mix them well and store in a refrigerator.

Direction of Use: Apply it once in a day on the affected area.

Remedy 2:

Ingredients: Pure aloe vera gel, Cocoa butter, Tea tree oil

Method: In the morning wash the affected area. Then massage the aloe vera gel on it. Towards afternoon, apply cocoa butter lotion on it. You may also like to do it several times in a day. Before going to the bed in the night, apply some tea tree oil.

Along with the home remedies, you must also apply the natural stretch mark creams. Captiva is considered to be an effective ointment for reducing these marks. This cream contain ingredients such as shea butter, licorice extract, aloe vera, Palmitolyl Tetrapeptide-7 and Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract. These ingredients have tremendous healing and moisturizing properties.

By Martha Winslett