Don’t Feel the Burn! Natural Prevention Secrets and Treatments for Sunburns
Summer is in full swing, and that means it’s time for pool parties, barbecues, vacations, bike rides, and endless days at the lake or baseball field. It can feel great to soak up some sunshine after a long winter, but it can also lead to sunburns and aging skin. Sadly, many common sunscreens can be loaded with added chemicals.
compounds preserve beauty products but are potentially linked to cancer and other ailments. Do your research on every ingredient before choosing a natural sunscreen for your family! There are key ingredients you need to look for when choosing the right sunscreen, and as a bonus, they are naturally occurring! Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide reflect and scatter the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. Without these ingredients, you will only lessen your exposure to some of the sun’s rays, but not the two most dangerous — UVA and UVB. Treatment for the Burn First, run a bath with cool, tepid water. Allow your skin to cool in the bath and use ice packs for quick relief. Stay hydrated by drinking water, which will help your skin absorb and hold in moisture. Regularly apply natural lotions or lubricants to further help your skin lock in moisture. Coconut oil, aloe vera, and honey can also relieve pain, swelling, and burning. (Do not use honey on babies who are 12 months or younger.)
However, you can avoid sunburns and chemicals by naturally preventing and treating sunburns. Here’s how!
Natural Prevention Sunscreen is often the first tool people grab, but it doesn’t have to be. Instead, try limiting the direct exposure you have to the sun. Wear hats that cover your head, face, and ears and loose clothing that covers your shoulders and legs. Avoid going outside during the hottest part of the day when the sun is at its most intense and try to sit in the shade. The Right Sunscreen Store-bought sunscreen can be beneficial, but it’s often filled with added chemicals and ingredients. Conversely, many homemade salves are not effective.
Always call your doctor if a sunburn gets worse or if you have a bad reaction to a natural remedy.
Opt for naturally made sunscreens and read the ingredients to ensure it doesn’t contain unnecessary additives like parabens. These chemical
GAIN CONTROL OVER ‘MASK MOUTH’ A Covered Problem
While many communities are slowly returning to a sense of normalcy, face masks remain a part of everyday life. Masks help reduce the spread of disease, and many people who work customer or patient-facing jobs often wear face masks for hours at a time. Long-term face mask usage can result in what is known as “mask mouth.” Mask mouth has two primary causes: dehydration and disrupted breathing. When you wear a mask, you are less likely to drink water (or any other beverage), so your mouth will produce less saliva as a result. On top of that, a face mask can also impact the way you breathe. Some studies, including a study by PN Medical in 2020, found that people alter their breathing behavior when wearing a mask — they are more likely to breathe through their mouth rather than their nose. Breathing through your mouth (with or without a mask) leads to the symptoms of mask mouth, which include dry mouth and bad breath. If you have followed our newsletter in recent months, you may recall past mentions of mask mouth and these symptoms — symptoms which should not be ignored.
you are more susceptible to tooth decay and infection. It can have a snowball effect into something far more serious. Bad breath can be a sign of bacterial buildup within the mouth. Dry mouth and bad breath can often be interrelated.
What can you do to reduce or eliminate mask mouth? Thankfully, it’s an easy fix!
• Always brush, floss, and rinse at least twice a day. If you wear a mask for extended periods of time, take a break to remove the mask and brush your teeth. • Hydrate. Make it a point to drink extra water when wearing a mask. Keep alcohol, coffee, and tea consumption to a minimum as well. • Rotate your mask . If you use a disposable mask, discard it after use and replace it with a new one. If you use a reusable mask, keep several on hand and use a different one every day, washing them regularly. If you develop symptoms and they persist, don’t hesitate to make an appointment. The symptoms of mask mouth are reversible, and additional treatment may be needed.
Dry mouth can lead to further complications. With less saliva in the mouth, you will have bad breath, bacteria can run rampant, and
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