Ringworm doesn't really care who it affects - you, your dogs, or your cats. And since it spreads easily, if you've got kids in school, you may find yourself treating it.
It's not really a worm. It's a fungal infection of the skin that usually shows up in humans as raised red patches with defined edges... looking like a worm curled under the skin. It doesn't always look like a ring when it affects your pets, but it does make their hair break off over the affected area.
Ringworm can be transferred back and forth between pets and humans - pets and pets - or humans and humans. The fungal spores can live for a long time in the environment, so it's important to do a good anti-fungal cleaning if your home has had it.
But - I promised some home remedies, not a lecture on house cleaning, so here they are. Use most several times a day.
1. Aloe Vera
2. Tea tree oil
3. Honey and olive oil in melted beeswax
4. Apple cider vinegar
5. Listerine mouthwash
6. The oregano herb - mix with olive oil
7. Epsom salt solution - soak once a day
8. Nail polish - if you use it on pets, make sure it's dry before you turn them loose
9. Chewing tobacco - any wet tobacco. Use as a poultice and wrap it.
10. Diluted lime sulfur - one part to 16 to 32 parts water. Will stain!
11. Grapefruit seed extract
12. Raw papaya
13. Fresh garlic
14. Bleach - one part bleach to 6 parts water
15. Bag balm
16. Pure virgin coconut oil - also good for diaper rash!
Remember that everyone - pets and people alike - has a different system. Watch for allergic reactions and discontinue if they appear. Remember that allergies can take many forms - including headaches and muscle aches.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Arthritis pain relieved - by dogs?
It's not too often that the same information posted on my doggie blog would belong here, on my natural health blog ... but it happened today.
An article in the Ladies Home Journal prompted it. They have some kind of good dog story every month, but this time they told about the Xolo dog- and its amazing ability to help relieve pain for arthritis sufferers.
But rather than repeat myself - I invite you to visit my doggie blog for the rest of the Xolo story.
An article in the Ladies Home Journal prompted it. They have some kind of good dog story every month, but this time they told about the Xolo dog- and its amazing ability to help relieve pain for arthritis sufferers.
But rather than repeat myself - I invite you to visit my doggie blog for the rest of the Xolo story.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Be nutty - stay healthy!
While many have proven that laughter is the best medicine - and will not only help you stay healthy but can even effect cures - I'm not talking about that kind of nutty this time.
I'm talking about the real nuts - the kind that grow on trees.
USDA researchers say that just 1 1/2 ounces of nuts a day can reduce your risk of heart disease and diabetes. They also taste good, but surveys show that 66% of us don't eat any nuts at all.
Here are some of the most powerful:
Almonds: For delivering heart-healthy polyphenols, one ounce is equal to a cup of green tea plus 1/2 cup of broccoli combined , AND they've been shown to help lower LDL cholesterol.
Hazlenuts: Have high levels of vitamin E, folate, and B vitamins. They are also rich in arginine - an amino acid that can relax blood vessels and lower blood pressure.
Pistachios: A recent Pennsylvania State University study shows that a daily serving or two may decrease LDL levels by up to 12%
Pecans: Just one ounce contains 10% of your daily fiber requirement, and pecans have the highest overall concentration of disease-fighting antioxidants of all nuts.
So next time you're reaching for a snack - instead of grabbing a sugar-filled candy bar from that rack, choose a bag of nuts. You'll find almonds and pistachios in most candy aisles, and you'll find the others in the baking aisle or the produce department.
I'm talking about the real nuts - the kind that grow on trees.
USDA researchers say that just 1 1/2 ounces of nuts a day can reduce your risk of heart disease and diabetes. They also taste good, but surveys show that 66% of us don't eat any nuts at all.
Here are some of the most powerful:
Almonds: For delivering heart-healthy polyphenols, one ounce is equal to a cup of green tea plus 1/2 cup of broccoli combined , AND they've been shown to help lower LDL cholesterol.
Hazlenuts: Have high levels of vitamin E, folate, and B vitamins. They are also rich in arginine - an amino acid that can relax blood vessels and lower blood pressure.
Pistachios: A recent Pennsylvania State University study shows that a daily serving or two may decrease LDL levels by up to 12%
Pecans: Just one ounce contains 10% of your daily fiber requirement, and pecans have the highest overall concentration of disease-fighting antioxidants of all nuts.
So next time you're reaching for a snack - instead of grabbing a sugar-filled candy bar from that rack, choose a bag of nuts. You'll find almonds and pistachios in most candy aisles, and you'll find the others in the baking aisle or the produce department.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Women - avoid stroke by drinking coffee, stopping smoking
This may be tough news for those of us who like to have a cup of coffee and a cigarette, but new studies published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, show that women who drank four or more cups of coffee a day had a 20% reduced risk of stroke compared to women who had less than one cup per month. Drinking two to three cups per day reduced risk by 19%. Drinking a cup five to seven times a week reduced risk by 12%.
The study went on to say that for women who smoked, the risk was only reduced by 3%. High blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol also neutralized the coffee effect.
This benefit doesn't come from caffiene, but from some other substance which serves as a specific antioxidant - lowering inflammation and improving blood vessel function.
The study, taken over a period of 24 years, cautions that the results only apply to people who are healthy at the start - coffee isn't a cure once you're suffering from illness.
And of course, those who suffer from insomnia, anxiety, hypertension, or heart problems should still avoid coffee.
The study went on to say that for women who smoked, the risk was only reduced by 3%. High blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol also neutralized the coffee effect.
This benefit doesn't come from caffiene, but from some other substance which serves as a specific antioxidant - lowering inflammation and improving blood vessel function.
The study, taken over a period of 24 years, cautions that the results only apply to people who are healthy at the start - coffee isn't a cure once you're suffering from illness.
And of course, those who suffer from insomnia, anxiety, hypertension, or heart problems should still avoid coffee.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Turn on the Humidifier BEFORE you catch the flu!
Moms all over the country turn on the humidifier when the kids are sick with colds and flu, but new research indicates that using it before anyone gets sick may a preventative.
And if someone in the house does have the flu... get that moist air going for the rest of the family!
Scientists have long known that flu spreads better in dry air - and dry air is exactly what winter brings us.
It turns out that relative humidity is a different thing than absolute humidity, so while hot summer air may seem drier, it can hold more water than cold winter air. 30% relative humidity in summer can equal 60% relative humidity in winter - meaning each holds an equal volume of water. Who knew?
Grandma used to keep a kettle of water on the stove in winter to keep the air in the house moist - perhaps because it made the temperature in the house feel more comfortable and helped alleviate that "winter dry skin" syndrome. But perhaps she instinctively knew something we've since forgotten - flu bugs thrive in dry air.
So if you have a wood stove, put the tea kettle on it and remember to fill it regularly. Otherwise, turn on the humidifier.
Do be careful not to overdo it - mold can be an even more serious problem than the flu.
And if someone in the house does have the flu... get that moist air going for the rest of the family!
Scientists have long known that flu spreads better in dry air - and dry air is exactly what winter brings us.
It turns out that relative humidity is a different thing than absolute humidity, so while hot summer air may seem drier, it can hold more water than cold winter air. 30% relative humidity in summer can equal 60% relative humidity in winter - meaning each holds an equal volume of water. Who knew?
Grandma used to keep a kettle of water on the stove in winter to keep the air in the house moist - perhaps because it made the temperature in the house feel more comfortable and helped alleviate that "winter dry skin" syndrome. But perhaps she instinctively knew something we've since forgotten - flu bugs thrive in dry air.
So if you have a wood stove, put the tea kettle on it and remember to fill it regularly. Otherwise, turn on the humidifier.
Do be careful not to overdo it - mold can be an even more serious problem than the flu.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
What kills nearly 98,000 Americans each year?
Medial mistakes. Just simple "Oh, sorry, I goofed" kinds of things.
In addition to that, thousands more suffer from "preventable complications" of medical treatment - most often in hospitals. This, of course, means further treatment along with the human suffering. And that means more money.
According to today's Parade Magazine, the cost is so high that in October Medicare stopped paying hospitals to treat patients for some problems caused by mistakes made during their hospital stay. That's fine for Medicare, but do private insurers also refuse to pay? And if they do, do the hospitals demand payment from the patients?
Everyone I know who has been the victim of a hospital's mistake got the bill for treatment.
The good news is that since hospitals make so much money from Medicare, they are now exploring ways to cut down on mistakes. We knew it was about the money, but that statement certainly makes it clear!
The Parade article went into detail about how to protect yourself if you have to go to the hospital - you can read the full article here.
In addition to hospital-acquired infections, surgery on the wrong body parts, instruments left inside bodies, etc., one of the most serious threats is from medication. Inside the hospital you may be given the wrong medication or the wrong dosage, but be careful at home too.
I used to think it sounded crazy when the TV ads said to be sure and tell your doctor what medications you're taking - but since doctors don't read charts and you may have more than one doctor, it isn't so crazy. DO be sure you tell your doctor, and then ask about possible interactions and side effects.
Then, before you actually take any new medication, do your own research. Get on line and learn all you can before you risk your life!
The bottom line: keep working on staying healthy so you don't need hospitals or prescription drugs.
In addition to that, thousands more suffer from "preventable complications" of medical treatment - most often in hospitals. This, of course, means further treatment along with the human suffering. And that means more money.
According to today's Parade Magazine, the cost is so high that in October Medicare stopped paying hospitals to treat patients for some problems caused by mistakes made during their hospital stay. That's fine for Medicare, but do private insurers also refuse to pay? And if they do, do the hospitals demand payment from the patients?
Everyone I know who has been the victim of a hospital's mistake got the bill for treatment.
The good news is that since hospitals make so much money from Medicare, they are now exploring ways to cut down on mistakes. We knew it was about the money, but that statement certainly makes it clear!
The Parade article went into detail about how to protect yourself if you have to go to the hospital - you can read the full article here.
In addition to hospital-acquired infections, surgery on the wrong body parts, instruments left inside bodies, etc., one of the most serious threats is from medication. Inside the hospital you may be given the wrong medication or the wrong dosage, but be careful at home too.
I used to think it sounded crazy when the TV ads said to be sure and tell your doctor what medications you're taking - but since doctors don't read charts and you may have more than one doctor, it isn't so crazy. DO be sure you tell your doctor, and then ask about possible interactions and side effects.
Then, before you actually take any new medication, do your own research. Get on line and learn all you can before you risk your life!
The bottom line: keep working on staying healthy so you don't need hospitals or prescription drugs.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Health Freedom Gets a Boost
Good news from change.org!
When Change.org asked us what mattered, and presented a list of issues for us to choose from, Health freedom came in at #2 as most important for our government to address.
The top ten issues were presented to the transition team working with the President and change.org representatives were assured that the list would be taken seriously.
I didn't count how many choices there were, but my guess is hundreds - they covered every category of our lives from health to marriage to legal issues to the war.
To follow progress and even become actively involved in pushing this issue, visit http://www.change.org/ideas/view/health_freedom
Just because people in Washington recognize that we Americans want to maintain control of our own health decisions doesn't mean they'll stay behind us - unless we keep making our voices heard. You know that there are those on the other side of the issue that would prefer us not to have health freedom.
Oh - if you wonder what issue took the #1 spot: it was legalization of marijuana. To chime in on that issue, visit this blog.
When Change.org asked us what mattered, and presented a list of issues for us to choose from, Health freedom came in at #2 as most important for our government to address.
The top ten issues were presented to the transition team working with the President and change.org representatives were assured that the list would be taken seriously.
I didn't count how many choices there were, but my guess is hundreds - they covered every category of our lives from health to marriage to legal issues to the war.
To follow progress and even become actively involved in pushing this issue, visit http://www.change.org/ideas/view/health_freedom
Just because people in Washington recognize that we Americans want to maintain control of our own health decisions doesn't mean they'll stay behind us - unless we keep making our voices heard. You know that there are those on the other side of the issue that would prefer us not to have health freedom.
Oh - if you wonder what issue took the #1 spot: it was legalization of marijuana. To chime in on that issue, visit this blog.
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