TREATMENT FOR MINOR AILMENTS

Bumps, bruises, swellings, bites and stings are part of everyday life. For minor ailments there is no need to visit the doctor but if it persists for long, medical attention is necessary. There are some natural solutions to treat such ailments. These solutions help to avoid potential side effects from synthetic ingredients and also saves money.

BOILS

Boils are also called furuncle is a collection of pus that forms in the skin. Boils can occur anywhere in the body and are painful.

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•  Do not squeeze a boil. Doing so will be painful and there is a risk of spreading the infection. It will eventually burst or open up spontaneously within two weeks.
•  Mix 250 grams of elm powder with enough water to make a paste. Carefully spread it over the boil and then cover with a sterile gauze. Leave it in place until it is cool. Repeat twice a day until the boil discharges.
• The area must be kept clean and hands washed after touching.
•  If you are prone to boils, drink immune boosting teas.
•  Large painful boils and abscesses require medical assistance.

BRUISES

Bruises occurs when capillaries and veins are damaged by trauma allowing blood to seep into the surrounding interstitial tissues which does not break through the skin.

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•  Eat more citrus fruits, red and green capsicums, kiwi fruit, spinach and broccoli for their vitamin C content.It is thought that people with low levels of vitamin C bruise more easily.
•  Apply an ice pack quickly. Cooling numbs the area and also constricts blood vessels so that less blood spills into the surrounding tissues to cause discoloration and swelling.
•  Use a menthol based ointment to increase circulation which speeds healing and reduces discoloration.
•  Avoid taking aspirin or anti hypertensive drugs if you can. These two medications may increase bruising.
•  Ask your doctor for advice if you bruise easily.

BITES AND STINGS

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•  Wearing perfume and brightly colored clothes and eating sweet, sticky food increases the chances of being stung or bitten by insects. Cover your skin and hair and wear pale clothing.
•  Consider taking bromelin. This is an enzyme derived from pineapple. It may help to reduce swelling.
•  Try taking vitamin B1 to repel mosquitoes. It is thought to produce a skin odor that mosquitoes dislike.
•  Use an ice pack or calamine lotion to calm red, irritated or itchy skin. Use a paste of bicarbonate of soda and water to ease pain and itchiness.
•  Apply calendula ointment to relieve the inflammation.

SUNBURN

Sunburn occurs from overexposure to ultra violet rays from the sun.

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•  Before spending a day at the beach, take antioxidant supplements such as vitamins A, C and E. Although vitamins wont protect from becoming sunburnt but research has found that they may slow the sun's ageing effects.
•  If you are badly sunburnt, you may also be dehydrated. Until the symptoms of sunburn ease, drink 2 litres of water a day and avoid alcohol.
• Add 10 drops of lavender essential oil to a cool bath and soak in it for 15 minutes.
•  Use a lip balm to soothe burnt lips. Remember to re-apply it after eating or drinking.
•  To speed healing, pierce a vitamin E capsule and massage the oil once skin has formed over the burn.

HIVES

Hives are itchy lumps that can be caused by stress, emotional upset or reaction to allergies. Hives are pale red, raised, itchy bumps.in medical terminology they are called Urticaria.

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•  Try to relieve the itch and swelling without taking antihistamines(if not severe)
•  Rub ice cubes over the lumps to shrink the blood vessels and reduce the swelling caused by the cells releasing histamine.
•  Use calamine lotion (astringent famous for its ability to soothe rashes). Milk of magnesia may also help, especially when chilled.
•  If you suspect emotional upset, try some nerve-calming teas.