skin – Page 2 – Hello Doctor

How to take care of your beard

June 17th, 2019 by Content Editor

Not only is keeping you beard in good condition crucial to achieving its healthy appearance, it also affects the way it feels on your face.

Treat your stubble well

Wash it  

Washing your beard will keep it clean, smelling great, and prevent sweat and excess oil build-up. By removing dead skin cells, you’ll also be stimulating new facial hair growth.

The last thing you want is to put chemicals in the hairs that surround your mouth. Wash your beard with sulphate and chemical-free shampoo. This is especially important in the early stages of growth, as trapped food and skin cells can aggravate itchiness. An exfoliating scrub after washing is a great way to ensure that your skin is being rejuvenated.

Oil it 

Beard oil moisturises the skin underneath your beard, and prevents itchiness, flakes, as well as maintaining follicle health. You need to remember that your beard is only going to be as healthy as the skin underneath it.

Studies claim that products with eucalyptus and eucalyptus oil are essential for hair growth stimulation. These ingredients promote quicker facial hair growth and make your hair thicker. Moisturisers with eucalyptus can also help remove dry or flaky skin. The best beard oils use natural ingredients, as well as premium essential oils and extracts.

Brush it

It’s best to comb your beard from the top down to the bottom and from the sides to centre. Follow the pattern in which hair flows by starting with the wider spaced-teeth area of the comb first. Then switch to the smaller teeth to help detangle the hairs.

Trim it

Trimming is an important part of the beard-care process. This is to help it look well-kept and healthy. Trim your beard using scissors instead of trimmers. Trimmers easily create split ends, while scissors allow you to fine-tune your beard’s shape. Use only professional quality scissors to get the best results.

To have a beard that grows quickly and evenly, take care of ingrown hairs. If you notice an ingrown hair or a pimple, use topical medication to help get rid of it quickly.

Good to know 

Fill up and stay hydrated. Water is life and more so for your hair follicles. Drink sufficient water each day to give you a healthy, strong, full, and thick beard.

Reference:

What to do about that painful bump in your eyelid

May 13th, 2019 by Content Editor

Do you have a bump or swelling on your eyelid? Don’t worry, it’s probably just a chalazion (the plural is chalazia), a small bump that forms on the eyelid.

Chalazia
Look like cysts and form around an oil gland in your eyelid. This causes swollen, red eyelids.
This pesky bump is usually filled with pus and fatty substances that are meant to moisten your eyes but become trapped inside instead.

What causes it? 

There are glands all over your body. They make cells, tissues and your organs. Special glands called the meibomian glands in your upper and lower eyelids make oil that mixes with your tears to protect and moisten your eyes. When this liquid becomes too thick, or if the glands become clogged up because of inflammation, a chalazion can develop.

Common symptoms of a chalazion include:

Swollen eyelids.
Redness of the eyelid skin.
Watery eyes.
Blurry vision.
Soreness or discomfort.

How is it diagnosed? 

For a proper diagnosis, it’s best to talk to an eye doctor. To check if you have a chalazion or another eye condition, your doctor will go over your medical history and ask about any other health problems that could be causing a growth on your eyelid.

He will also check your eyelids, the skin texture around your eyes, your eyelashes and overall eye appearance.

Treatment 

Most chalazia drain on their own within a few weeks. If the bump doesn’t go down or starts to grows larger, it’s time to see your doctor again.

To help heal the chalazion:

Apply a warm compress to your eyelid for 10 to 15 minutes, four to six times a day for a few weeks. The warmth from the compress can help soften the hardened oil that’s blocking your tear ducts and allow it to drain and heal. You can make a compress by dipping a clean, soft cloth in warm water and then wring it out. You can also buy over-the-counter heat masks.
Gently massage the outer edges of your eyelids to help drain your eyes. Once your eyes are drained, keep the area clean.
Avoid touching your eyes to protect them from infection. Don’t squeeze or pop them either as this can cause more damage.
If you develop chalazia often, tell your doctor. He may suggest some preventative methods and prescribe medication. This could include cleaning your eyelids regularly, applying medicine to your eyelids or oral medication.
If the bump doesn’t drain and heal within a month, see your doctor immediately.
If a chalazia is very painful or causes discomfort, your doctor may do in-office surgery to remove the bump.

References:

Why are your lips dry?

May 13th, 2019 by Content Editor

We all have dry, chapped lips sometimes. But if you have them often and to the point where they are painful and bleeding, there may be a medical reason why. Finding out why your lips are dry and painful can help you choose the right treatment.

Dry, or chapped lips are most commonly caused by the weather, breathing through your mouth, certain medications and licking your lips excessively. As with most things… prevention is better than cure! Try to:

Avoid licking your lips 

Licking your lips doesn’t add moisture to them, it just dries them out more. This is because saliva evaporates quickly, leaving them drier than before.

Use unflavoured lip balms

If your balm smells and tastes delicious, you’re bound to lick your lips at some point. And licking your lips can lead to dry and cracked lips.

Always use sunscreen 

Protecting your lips from the sun is just as important as shielding your skin. If you’re going out, use a lip balm with sunscreen. It’ll help prevent your lips from sunburn and the dryness and peeling that comes with it.

Stay hydrated 

Particularly in cold weather, keep the air in your room moist with a humidifier. Drink plenty of water and moisturise your skin and lips often.

Cover your mouth 

If you’re going out in cold weather, cover your mouth with a scarf to prevent your lips from drying out.

Avoid allergens 

If you have sensitive lips, they may become irritated when they come into contact with some perfumes, fragrances, cosmetics (lipstick) and dyes. Avoid products that irritate your lips and talk to your doctor about possible lip allergens you may have.

Treat dry lips

Exfoliate gently 

Chapped lips can become rough and even peel.. To remove dry skin safely, apply a gentle exfoliator like a sugar scrub or a tiny bit of baking soda with your finger. Rub your lips gently with the scrub, rinse well and then moisturise.

Stay moisturised 

Moisture will keep your lips smooth and soft. Moisturise them with products that contain beeswax, coconut oil, cocoa butter and petroleum as these products all work to seal in moisture. Apply throughout the day and again before bed.

When to see a doctor 

In some cases, if common treatments aren’t helping your chapped lips heal, there may be an underlying condition, something like cheilitis, for example. Cheilitis is when chapped lips become infected with bacteria that enter through the dry cracks. This needs to be treated by a doctor.

If you wear orthodontic braces or dentures then you’re more at risk for developing it.

Common symptoms of cheilitis include:

Dark pink or red lips.
Lumpy lip texture.
Lip ulcers.
White plaque growths.

If you experience any of these, see a dermatologist immediately.

References:

What is albinism?

May 2nd, 2019 by The Hello Doctor Team

Thando Hopa is a South African model, lawyer, poet – and she has albinism. But she doesn’t let the condition define her. Instead, she lives a normal healthy life.

Her condition is caused by an absence of melanin in the body. Melanin is a pigment that gives hair, skin and eyes their colour. Without melanin, skin and hair are white and vision is impaired…

Discrimination against people with albinism

Africa has the world’s highest number of people with albinism – about one in every four thousand per country. While Thando has become successful and accepted, many people with albinism face stigma and social isolation; they’re often called “white monkeys”, and in Tanzania, “ghosts”.

They are constantly discriminated against, and even banished from their communities or killed at birth. There are also many myths about their bodies. Particularly in Africa, many people believe that having sex with a person living with albinism cures HIV and AIDS. In other parts of the continent, people believe that the body parts of people with albinism bring riches or sexual power.

Social discrimination

It’s easy to spot someone with albinism, however, the person still has the features of the race of his or her ethnicity. This means they live in two worlds; the race or ethnicity they were born into, and the white skin they were born with.

People with albinism must not only prove their race or ethnicity, but they must also manage the practicalities of the condition, and try to live “normal lives” in the face of stigma.

People with albinism have reported feeling “cursed” as their condition is constantly mocked. This causes feelings of social anxiety, depression and a poor self-image. As a result, they often keep to themselves, having no friends or family support.

Supporting your friend with albinism

Having a friend with albinism is like having any other friend. But there are few things you can do to help make life with albinism easier for them.

First, ask how they would like to be referred to; albino has been used as an insult, so many people prefer “people with albinism”.
Recognise that albinism is an inherited condition and not a curse. Help break the stereotype and stigma around it.
Recognise that albinism does not cause mental difficulties. People with albinism can keep up with their peers in class.
Understand the different kinds of albinism.
Be aware that people with albinism might have vision problems, so your friend might be staring oddly at you just to see you clearly.
Be aware of the sun safety precautions people with albinism must take to stay healthy.

Take precautions

People with albinism suffer from light and skin sensitivity from the damaging rays of the sun. Without melanin, which offers some protection against UV rays, their skin is more vulnerable to skin cancer:

They should:

Wear long-sleeved cotton shirts and long trousers, and tops with high collars.
Wear closed shoes when out in the sun.
Keep out of the sun especially between 11 am and 1 pm.
Use a sunblock of at least SPF25 on all exposed areas of skin (neck, hands, and feet if wearing sandals).
Use a lip protection cream of at least SPF25.
Wear wide-brimmed hats.

Besides friends, family and counsellors, there are support systems for those living with albinism. Genetic Alliance South Africa works with people with inherited conditions to provide support and information.

You can contact Nomasonto Mazibuko at Genetic Alliance for more information on [email protected] or call (011) 838 6529.

References

Is your medication causing acne?

March 20th, 2019 by The Hello Doctor Team

If you have acne, you are not alone. About 80% of people between the ages of 11 and 30 get acne breakouts at some point. It seems that adult acne is also on the rise, with studies showing that as many as 54% of women aged 25 and older affected by the skin condition.

With acne, different types of pimples form when the hair follicles under the skin are blocked with sebum (oil), dead skin cells and sometimes, bacteria.

While doctors don’t always know the cause of acne, they do know that changing hormone levels, genes and some cosmetics may play a role. Certain medication can also be to blame.

Acne culprits

Birth control medication that contains progesterone-like hormones. This includes progesterone injections and pills (e.g. Depo-Provera and Provera) as well as progesterone-containing intra-uterine devices and implants (e.g. the Mirena).
Topical and oral corticosteroids. The oral corticosteroids may cause yeast to grow within the hair follicles, resulting in acne, while the overuse of topical ones (i.e. skin creams or gels) could produce a type of acne.
Anabolic steroids, synthetic variations of the male sex hormone testosterone, can leave you with severe acne. These drugs increase the amount of sebum in the pores.
Lithium. This medication is used to treat bipolar disorder and can cause a type of acne.

Other medications linked to acne and acne-like eruptions include anti-epileptic as well as immunosuppressive medication (which inhibit the activity of the immune system). Medication can, however, also play an important role in treating your acne. Oestrogen-based contraceptive pills, for example, can help regulate the hormonal changes that cause acne.

Manage and treat your acne

Make a point of getting your acne treated, as the skin condition can leave permanent scars and affect your self-esteem. With the right approach, your doctor could help clear your skin completely.

Your treatment will depend on what’s causing your acne and its severity as well as your age, your health, and your medical and family history.

Talk to your doctor about:

Alternative birth control options if you think your current method could be causing or aggravating your acne. For example, a combined oral contraceptive pill may be a better choice than a progestogen-only contraceptive pill or injection.
If you’re using oral or topical corticosteroids, find out if you’re using them correctly and at the right dose. Remember: overuse could be causing your acne.
Anabolic steroids should only ever be taken under strict supervision by your doctor. Don’t use them to bulk up.
Talk to your doctor about managing your acne if you think lithium may be the cause. A lower dose might help clear your skin, but it’s important to discuss with your doctor first. Another possible treatment option is tretinoin, a topical drug that will help unclog your skin.

Commonly prescribed treatments include:

Antibiotics
Anti-androgens, i.e. drugs that block the action of the male sex hormones.
Isotretinoin (Roaccutane), a powerful and effective anti-acne drug.
Benzoyl peroxide, a topical antibacterial treatment.
Retinoids, a form of Vitamin A.
Salicylic acid, a treatment from the same family as aspirin.
Photodynamic therapy, which involves special photosensitising drugs and light.
Chemical peels, which are applied to the skin, causing it to peel off.

Remember: Your skin might only respond to treatment within a few days or weeks. In the meantime, gently wash your face twice a day (don’t scrub!) and when you’re sweaty. Make a point of using skincare products and cosmetics that don’t cause acne. Look for “non-comedogenic”, “non-acnegenic” and “oil-free” on labels.

References

Can you use regular face cream for your eyes?

January 23rd, 2019 by The Hello Doctor Team

The first signs of ageing usually show up around the eye area. This is because the skin around the eyes is a little different from the rest of the face. It’s much more delicate and fragile.

This begs the question: is the skin on your face and eye area different enough to merit using two separate moisturising products?

All about face cream

While the skin constantly needs protection and moisture, everyone’s skin is different. Your skin also changes over time.

To know what will work for you, you first need to understand your skin type and your face’s skin zones. This calls for an organised skincare routine to help maintain and balance your skin.

Commercially available face creams are packed with moisture-boosting chemicals. A good moisturiser infuses your skin with hydration, which helps to trap the product underneath it to make the ingredients even more effective. Skin-replenishing ingredients enrich the skin’s surface, while drenching it with revitalising hydration.

The lowdown on eye cream

The skin around the eyes is extremely thin, fragile, prone to dryness, and quicker to show signs of ageing and fatigue. It can also be severely stressed by blinking and/or rubbing of the eyes. Squinting and constant movement of your eyes accelerates the appearance of lines and wrinkles, while fluids that collect under the eye cause puffiness and dark circles.

Eye creams can help to address some of these issues, but so can your diet. Fluid accumulation is often caused by poor circulation, so including more vitamin K- rich food in your diet, can help ease this. Healthy options include broccoli, Brussels sprouts, green leafy vegetables, spinach, fish, liver and eggs.

Should you use eye cream?

Eye creams often contain ingredients that offer quick, temporary fixes to the problems mentioned above. They can help reduce puffiness, fine lines, wrinkles and dark circles. The night-time versions usually contain more of these active ingredients that help to repair the skin while you rest.

But these creams aren’t always the magical fix you’re looking for. Don’t forget that the skin is an organ that needs constant maintenance. Because the eye area is so sensitive, it’s best to give this part of your skin a little more TLC before fine lines and wrinkles start to appear. Using a good eye cream is one trick. Remember though, your skin also benefits from gentle, fragrance-free products, including a good cleanser and toner.

Your skin needs will change as you age, and so will your products.

Take care of your skin in four steps:

1. Cleanse: Wash your face using lukewarm water and cleanser.

2. Tone: This helps to balance the skin.

3. Moisturise: This hydrates and softens the skin.

4. Eye cream: Apply regularly to give the fragile skin around your eyes the extra protection it needs.

References:

How to stop chafing

January 23rd, 2019 by The Hello Doctor Team

Chafing is always a risk, especially in summer. Here’s how to prevent and treat this common problem.

Chafing is a type of skin irritation that can go from mild to extremely painful within minutes. It happens when skin continuously rubs against skin, clothes or other surfaces.

The inner thighs, underarms, ankles and nipples are all prone to chafing, especially when you’re participating in sports activities. If you’ve ever done a long run or hike, your feet and/or ankles probably chafed at some point, leading to painful blisters.

Heat, moisture, poorly fitting clothes and shoes, and excessive or unusual exercises all increase your odds for chafing. When your skin is moist because you’re sweating on a hot day or running in the rain, you can quickly chafe to the point that your skin breaks and starts to bleed.

Chafing is a problem for athletes

Chafing is a major problem for professional runners, cyclists and other athletes. In fact, research among marathon runners showed that the most common skin-related issues were:

Blisters and other injuries from repetitive friction (0.2-39%)
Jogger’s nipple (2-16.3%)
Chafing and abrasions (0.4-16%)

Jogger’s nipple comes from friction between a runner’s shirt or underwear, and their nipples. It’s particularly common among women who run without bras and men who wear shirts made of coarse fibre. While chafing itself isn’t serious, it can lead to infection. So, it’s important to manage it quickly.

How to prevent chafing:

Dress lightly, especially on warm days, so that you can move with ease.
Apply talcum powder or petroleum jelly to chafing-prone areas.
Use a good antiperspirant under your arms.
Wear clean, dry clothing, as dried-up sweat and dirt may irritate your skin.
Wear the appropriate clothing and shoes for the activity you’re doing: a good sports bra, soft, moisture-wicking fibres to train in, and make sure your clothes and shoes fit properly.
When you’re running or hiking outdoors, take care not to get your shoes wet.
Drying powders used on the feet can increase your risk for chafing and blisters. Opt for good-quality socks instead.
When you go hiking, wear two pairs of socks made from different fabrics to reduce skin friction (nylon anklets combined with woollen socks work well).
Use commercially available patches or tape to cover your nipples during jogs and runs.
Lose weight if you’re overweight to reduce your risk for chafing, especially between the thighs. It may also help to wear spandex shorts under your dresses and skirts.
If you feel that your skin is starting to become irritated during an activity, stop what you’re doing.

Treat chafed skin:

Clean the area with gentle, unscented soap and water.
Dry the area thoroughly.
Use petroleum jelly, nappy rash cream or antiseptic ointment to relieve the irritation and prevent the chafed skin from drying out.
Once your skin has healed, apply talcum powder or petroleum jelly to the affected area to prevent further chafing.

References:

What to do about warts under your feet

January 23rd, 2019 by The Hello Doctor Team

Plantar warts are small growths that appear mainly on your heels or other weight-bearing areas of your feet. The pressure on these warts can cause them to grow inward, creating a clump of hard, thick skin (mosaic warts). Warts can also appear on the hands, and these are called palmer warts. Plantar warts are common, particularly in children.

Most people will have a wart at some point in their lifetime. Some corns and calluses are mistaken for plantar warts. In some warts, little black dots appear. These are called “seed” warts. The black dots are small blood vessels that have grown into warts.

Symptoms of warts:

Hard, thickened skin.
Small, fleshy grainy growths on the bottom of your foot.
Pain or tenderness when standing or walking.
Little black dots on growths.

What are the causes?

Plantar warts are skin growths caused by a viral infection in the top layer of skin. The virus that causes these skin-growths is called HPV. HPV enters your body through little cuts or weak spots at the bottom of your foot. Plantar warts spread from person to person. For example, if a child has a wart on his hand and touches a surface that is then touched by another child, that child is likely to get a wart.

Another example would be if someone with warts on their feet uses a shower without flip-flops and then whoever uses the shower after them will develop a wart. If your immune system is weak, your risk of getting a wart is increased as the virus has a better chance to enter your body.

What to do about them

Prevention is better than cure, so lowering your risk of getting plantar warts is your best bet.

Avoid touching warts, including your own warts.
Wash your hands carefully after touching a wart.
Keep your feet clean and dry. Change your shoes and socks daily.
Avoid walking barefoot around swimming pools and locker rooms, always wear flip flops
Don’t pick at warts.

Plantar warts shouldn’t raise serious alarm bells because they usually go away without treatment. Still, here are a few self-treatments you can try at home.

Stick a small piece of duct tape over your wart and leave it on for six days. Remove it and soak the wart in water and then gently remove it with a pumice stone. This could take a few months to work.
Ask your pharmacist for over-the-counter helpers like gels, ointments and lotions. Ask for ones with salicylic acid to help peel the wart. Freezing spray can kill the wart tissue. These remedies work about 50% of the time.
If home treatment doesn’t help, see your doctor. Medical treatment includes removing the wart with surgery and injecting medications to help clear up the wart.

See your doctor immediately if:

The discomfort caused by the wart prevents you from doing any activities.
Treatment isn’t working.
The growths are bleeding, painful, or changes in colour.
You have diabetes.
You aren’t sure if you have a wart or another kind of growth.
You have a weak immune system because of an immune disorder or immune-suppressing drugs.

References:

What your skin is telling you about your health

November 27th, 2018 by The Hello Doctor Team

Your skin reflects your health. Imagine a mirror that echoes from the inside out; chances are that if you’re generally unhealthy – the evidence shows up on your skin. As your largest organ, your skin needs (and deserves) the best care and nourishment. Your diet plays a vital role here. What you put in is what you get out. So, watch what you eat to avoid any unexpected “guests” showing up on your face and body.

Some skin issues are way beyond your control, but for the most part, there are ways you can give your skin a healthy boost.

Faulty gut

Your gut is there to absorb the nutrients from your food that your body needs for growth, repair, and normal functioning. When the body doesn’t get sufficient nutrients, it begins to prioritise which organs will get the few nutrients that are available at the time. Your hair, nails and skin are usually the first places to show the signs of deficiency. When nutrients are in short supply, your body prioritises your heart, brain and liver over your skin to receive the bulk of the good stuff.

Acne

This is the most common skin disorder. It’s marked by pimples, whiteheads, blackheads and cysts. Acne is usually caused by an excess of inflammatory foods, a deficiency of highly nutritious ones, a messed-up gut, hormonal imbalance and stress. If you’re constantly having breakouts, your first step should be to evaluate your diet.

Ageing

Ageing causes a progressive loss of your skin’s strength and elasticity. This shows up in the form of wrinkles, sagging, dark spots, and loss of luminescence, or natural glow. Skin needs proteins and fats to give it a youthful appearance. A poor diet produces too many oxidizing free radicals. Smoking can damage your skin’s tissues which will make the skin look old before its time.

Dry skin

Being dehydrated can suck the moisture out of all your body’s systems, including your skin. If you experience dry, flaky skin on a regular basis, you probably need to drink more water, and/or eat more hydrating foods.

Eczema

This is a skin condition characterised by itchy, uncomfortable, scaly skin, and sometimes a blistering rash. It’s often found on the face, hands, feet, behind the ears, and in crooks of the knees and elbows. Food sensitivities, microbial imbalances, and other gut-level irritations activate an immune response which causes the skin flare-ups In some cases, eczema can be triggered by an external irritant, like an environmental toxin. In the case of food-based triggers, aim to avoid these foods for six to eight weeks. This will be enough time for the skin to rejuvenate itself and can often eliminate the need for medication.

Red face or raised red patches

Raised, red patches on the skin may be signs of psoriasis, a condition in which your skin cells build up and form scaly and itchy, dry red patches. The main culprits seem to be an irritated gut, an overactive immune system, or metabolic syndrome. Removing inflammatory foods from your diet, like gluten, dairy, and sugar, can help relieve irritation in the gut and in turn, improve the appearance of your skin.

Rough skin

About 70% of your skin is made up of collagen, and collagen relies on Vitamin C. When you don’t get enough of this vitamin, your skin begins to sag and feels rough. Some good sources of Vitamin C include citrus, broccoli, and dark leafy greens.

Uneven complexion

If you lack vital nutrients, it’s going to show on your skin. Uneven skin is a cry for more vitamins and minerals to help you truly glow. This is because your skin gets its dynamic look from the nourishment you provide it.

Nutrient deficiency could come from not eating enough or not eating the right foods. Even those who overeat are often nutrient-deficient because they rely on processed foods that don’t have any beneficial nutrients.

As the saying goes; you are what you eat. The foods you eat provide the foundation of the structure and function of every little cell in your body. Take care of yourself from the inside out.

References:

How the ocean affects your health

October 22nd, 2018 by The Hello Doctor Team

A cool, salty breeze on your skin, waves softly crashing over you and endless sand to squish your toes into…

There’s nothing quite like frolicking in the ocean to lift your spirits.

But, did you know that taking a dip also has health benefits? Years ago, ancient Greeks bathed in seawater to boost their health, and so can you! Here are some great reasons to dive on in.

It heals your skin

Unlike a river, seawater has large amounts of important minerals like calcium, chloride, sodium, sulphate and magnesium. These minerals are little health helpers for skin and can help clear up conditions like psoriasis and eczema. When you’re swimming in the ocean, your skin is also exposed to the sun. When the mineral salts team up with Vitamin D from the sun, your skin can regenerate itself more easily.

You’ll breathe easier

If you suffer from asthma, a severe cough or phlegm, swimming in the ocean and breathing in the ocean breeze can help. The salt water from the ocean helps rinse out your airways and gets rid of toxins and other substances that attack your lungs and makes breathing more difficult.

Dip to destress

Seawater is full of magnesium; an important mineral that can help calm you. Besides magnesium, plunging into cold water gives you a rush of adrenaline and releases dopamine, the feel-good hormone. This combination can help keep you happy. What’s more, the ocean’s relaxing atmosphere and the weightlessness of the water makes it a great place to meditate and relax.

It boosts your immune system

Blood cells; particularly white blood cells, act as soldiers to guard your body against intruders like viruses and bacteria. A dip in the ocean – specifically cold water – increases the number of both red and white blood cells in your body. This means seawater is a great way to help a weakened immune system gain back its strength.

Your hay fever and sinus symptoms will decrease

Saline (salt) solutions are often used to treat symptoms of sinus and hay fever by flushing out the nasal cavity. They help by reducing inflammation and clearing any infection of the sinuses. Swimming in the ocean and being exposed to a salty environment like the beach offer the same positive effects.

It can help with aches and pains

If you suffer from chronic pain, doing your workout in the ocean or near it is a good choice. In water, there isn’t the same strain and impact that there is on land. As exercising in water makes moving and stretching easier, it also helps with muscle pain and arthritis.

You’ll sleep better

Whether you choose to swim in the ocean or take a walk along the beach, you will be tired out because of the effort of exertion. The exercise combined with the lulling sound of the ocean’s waves can help you to sleep more soundly at night.

References:

Is it safe to use a tanning bed?

October 22nd, 2018 by The Hello Doctor Team

That golden, tanned skin is quite covetable, yes. But is it worth the harm to your skin, even if you get it via a sunbed?

A tan is your body’s attempt to protect itself from the damaging effects of harmful UV rays – and with good reason.

Sunbeds are tanning machines that release ultraviolet (UV) rays close to your skin. The nearness means that the UV rays can stimulate the production of melanin in your skin, which is what enables your skin to tan.

Risky skin business

Sunbeds emit bigger doses of ultraviolet rays (UV) rays than the sun does during its peak hours.

These harmful rays can age your skin prematurely, making it look uneven, wrinkled and leathery. Tanning for long stretches, and particularly on sunbeds, can damage the DNA in your skin cells. This destruction may build up to cause skin cancer. UV rays harm your skin in many ways and people who are exposed to UV rays before the age of 25 have a higher risk of developing skin cancer later in life.

Research by the IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer) found that sunbeds boost the risk of melanoma (the most serious form of skin cancer) by 16-20%.

Before trying out a sunbed, know this:

You can still damage your skin, even if you don’t burn

Turning lobster red may seem like the only cause for concern when it comes to tanning, but UV rays are so strong that they penetrate deep into your skin’s layers. This means that you don’t have to roast in the sun for hours or have your skin change colour for harm to be done. In fact, the damage may be done to your cells even before your skin changes colour.

You don’t need a sunbed to get enough Vitamin D

Step away from the sunbed if you think it’s your only route to getting enough Vitamin D. You can get your daily dose by spending some time outside where the UV rays aren’t as dangerous. Just be sure to slather on the sunblock. You can also get enough Vitamin D from dairy products, fish and fortified cereal. Talk to your doctor about a supplement if you have a deficiency.

Sunbeds don’t help you build a natural defence against the sun’s rays.

The common myth that sunbeds can help make you less vulnerable to the sun’s rays isn’t true. Getting a tan from a sunbed only gives the same protective effect as using sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of approximately 2-3.

Sunbeds won’t give you a better tan

Don’t hop into a sunbed to increase your tan because it’ll only do you more harm. It will just make your skin more wrinkled and coarse. Rather, enjoy the sun safely with an SPF of at least 15. Tanning gradually isn’t safe either. Short periods of intense UV ray exposure can still harm your skin.

Good to know

Soothe overexposed or sunburnt skin (caused when you haven’t applied enough sunscreen) with coconut oil to prevent itching and peeling. First apply a cool, damp towel to the affected area for at least 15 minutes. You can also take a 15-minute cold bath or shower. Once your skin has cooled, smear on the coconut oil.
Prevent sun damage by wearing a wide-brimmed hat, a summer scarf, sunglasses and sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 or higher. Reapply your sunscreen every two hours.
If you spend a lot of time in the sun, talk to your doctor about going for an annual screening to detect possible early signs of skin conditions like melanoma.
Drink at least eight glasses of plain water a day to keep a balance of moisture in your body and skin. Drink thrice the amount if you drink caffeinated beverages.

References:

Quick recipes for radiant skin

October 8th, 2018 by The Hello Doctor Team

Your skin is an important organ that needs to be nourished with good sources of nutrients. Good news: you can whip up your skin radiance boosters right there in your kitchen. Skin smoothies for the win!

Fruit and veggie smoothie

This carrot-spinach combo boasts a good amount of beta-carotene (an antioxidant that converts into Vitamin A). We need Vitamin A for healthy skin, mucus membranes, the immune system, and for the health of our eyes. The avo is a good source of healthy fats for soft, supple glowing skin, and kale, which contains chlorophyll, helps remove toxins from the body and improve skin quality. The antioxidants in the berries offer an added bonus: anti-ageing power.

Ingredients

½ cup orange juice
½ cup low-fat vanilla yoghurt
1 cup frozen loose-pack mixed berries
1 cup fresh spinach leaves
½ frozen banana, sliced
6 baby carrots
1 avocado
1 cup of chopped kale

Method

Combine the orange juice and yoghurt in a blender.
Add the berries, spinach, banana, and carrots. Blend until smooth.
Add in the avocado, give another whirl and enjoy!

Apple zinger smoothie

Granny Smith apples are packed with Vitamin C, an essential ingredient for skin collagen production. The probiotic-filled vanilla yoghurt promotes healthy digestive function, which also directly affects the quality of your skin. Avocado helps to keep your eyes healthy while also protecting the skin from signs of ageing and the harmful effects of the sun’s UV rays.

Ingredients

1 cup skinned, cored, and chopped Granny Smith apples
½ cup chopped avocado
½ cup vanilla yoghurt with live probiotics
½ cup finely chopped kale

Method

Mix all the ingredients together in a blender.

Plumper skin juice

Dry skin? Sip on some of this. To tackle wrinkles, choose blueberries, blackberries, black grapes and dark cherries, which are all rich in anthocyanidins (a kind of flavonoid). The Vitamin C in these fruits also helps to keep skin healthy by supporting collagen and elastin fibres.

Ingredients

2 large apples, or 200ml fresh apple juice
Approx 30 seedless black grapes
Approx 30 blueberries, blackberries or pitted dark cherries
½ tbsp cold-pressed flaxseed, rapeseed, walnut or olive oil

Method

Juice the apples then transfer to a blender with the grapes and your choice of blueberries, blackberries or cherries.
Blend until smooth. Blending berries is preferable to juicing them as juicing removes their skins, which is where you find the healthy polyphenols and resveratrol (these phytonutrients have been linked to longevity because of their ability to slow down cell oxidisation).
Stir in your chosen plant oil before serving and enjoy!