What to do: Tilt your head and find an angle that will let the water drain out, says Rachel C. Vreeman, MD, an assistant professor of pediatrics at the Indiana University School of Medicine, in Indianapolis. Holding a hair dryer a few inches from your ear can also dry up the fluid, Freeman says—but be sure to use the gentlest setting. waterlogged ears + water gets trapped in ear canal,
When to call a doctor: If your ear hurts, is red or is draining fluid, you may have swimmer's ear and should seek medical attention.
hiccups + diaphragm contraction, vocal chords snap shut, What to do: Well-worn remedies, like drinking a glass of water upside down or holding your breath, can help. "Many of these cures actually seem to work by disrupting your breathing cycle in a way that allows the diaphragm to relax and stop its hiccup-causing spasms," says Vreeman, co-author of "Don't Cross Your Eyes … They'll Get Stuck that Way!"
When to call a doctor: Seek medical attention if they last for more than three hours or make it hard to breathe or swallow. Scaring away hiccups,
What to do: Drink more water. Chewing sugar-free gum or sucking on sugarless hard candy can also help. Reduce your caffeine intake, and if you smoke, quit. You can also try moisturizing rinses, sprays and gels. dry mouth + slow down in saliva production, dry mouth caused by drugs,
When to call a doctor: "If none of these remedies work, check in with your doctor," says Roshini Raj, MD, Health magazine's medical editor and co-author of "What the Yuck?!" "There's a chance you could have another problem like a respiratory infection, chronic sinusitis or diabetes."
What to do: "The best thing you can do for your blister is leave it alone," Dr. Vreeman says. "Blisters can get infected easily, and this is why we don't want you to pop them unless they are really big." If you must pop a blister, make sure your hands are clean, use a sterile needle to let the fluid out, and don't remove the flap of skin covering the blister. Blisters + friction causes fluid between layers of skin, +shoe shopping tips to prevent blisters,
When to call a doctor: You should seek medical help if the area around a blister gets red or tender, or starts draining fluid that is not clear—all of which can indicate infection.
What to do: "If you regularly have sneezing fits, you need to think carefully about when they happen and what you might be allergic to," Dr. Vreeman says. "Dust, pollen and animal dander are the most common causes."
When to call a doctor: If your sneezes happen only during pollen season or after you pet a dog, you may have allergies. See an allergist to find out for sure. sneezing fits + allergy or viral infection, Pollen Season January to October, pollen season tracking,
What to do: Be aware of your posture. If you work in an office, make sure your desk, chair, computer keyboard and monitor are positioned to let you work comfortably. What movement created a more comfortable work place? stiff neck + neck muscle strain,
When to call a doctor: If your stiff neck doesn't respond within a week to home remedies such as over-the-counter pain relievers, heating pads, icing, or gentle massage, check with your doctor. ergonomic office furniture,
What to do: Licking your lips can make it worse. Frequent applications of lip balm will shield the delicate skin of your lips and help them heal. Dermatologists recommend using a balm with built-in sun protection and staying away from ingredients such as eucalyptus or camphor, which can dry out your lips. chapped lips + dry air, sun, cold dries out lips and causes cracks or splits,
When to call a doctor: If lip balm doesn't do the trick, you should consult a doctor. "Cracks at the corners of your mouth may be a sign of a vitamin deficiency," Dr. Raj says. "Have a doctor check your levels—and consider taking a multivitamin."
What to do: A charley horse every now and then isn't cause for concern, Dr. Raj says. "Try eating more foods with potassium, like avocados and bananas," she advises. Be sure you're hydrating adequately before workouts, she adds, and fully warm up and cool down after each exercise session. Potassium rich foods + avocados, bananas,
When to call a doctor: Rarely, the spasms can be due to nerve injury—stemming from a herniated disc, for example. If they happen frequently, have your doctor test for nutrient deficiencies and do a full neurological exam. Charley horse name origin,
What to do: Moving your foot in circles or clenching and unclenching your hand should get rid of pins and needles fast, Dr. Vreeman says. "Shifting position, not crossing your legs for long periods of time, and taking breaks to move around can all prevent you from having a body part fall asleep," she adds.
When to call a doctor: If normal feeling doesn't come back quickly, you may have problems with your nerves or circulation and should seek medical attention. Sleeping foot + nerve pathway cut off causing numbing,
What to do: You can stop tweezing, shaving or waxing. Also, as you're getting ready to shave, gently rubbing your skin with a warm washcloth in a circular motion may help prevent ingrown hairs. Ingrown hairs + when hair grows back into skin after shaving,
When to call a doctor: Your doctor can prescribe creams, such as Renova, that help slough dead cells from the surface of your skin.
What to do: Apply calamine lotion or hydrocortisone cream and repeat until the itch is gone. If you're having a more severe reaction, you can take an over-the-counter antihistamine. mosquito bites + bump is reaction to mosquito saliva,
Best Prevention: The best cure is to avoid getting bitten in the first place. Cover up as much as possible, use insect repellent and stay inside during peak biting hours, mosquito peak biting hours + dawn to dusk,
What to do: Most of the time your throat will get better with home remedies like drinking plenty of liquids, gargling with warm salt water, sucking on lozenges and taking over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen. Putting a humidifier in your bedroom can also help. tickling throat + caused by irritation from cold, allergy, salt water gargle + half teaspoon salt to 1 cup water,
What to do: If your dry skin is caused by environmental factors, using plenty of moisturizer and showering in lukewarm water will make a big difference. dry skin + caused by hot, cold, sun, harsh soap,
When to call a doctor: See your doctor for help with dry skin that persists. He or she may be able to prescribe ointments that will solve the problem. Dry skin also can be caused by hypothyroidism. dry skin apply moisturizer immediately after showering,
What to do: "Exercise might be the last thing on your mind when your stomach hurts, but a brisk 10- or 15-minute walk can do wonders," Dr. Raj says. "If you don't exercise, your intestines become sluggish, which can lead to cramping and constipation." He also suggests applying gentle pressure in a circular motion to a spot four finger-widths above your navel, for five minutes. This acupressure technique can ease stress and calm belly woes. bloating + caused by excess gas trapped in stomach or intestine,
What to do: If you try to pop a pimple the wrong way you're liable to end up with a scar. To remove one properly, cover it with a hot, wet towel for three minutes. Then wrap your fingers in a tissue and gently squeeze the pimple from either side until the fluid runs clear. If it's a blackhead and doesn't come out easily, stop and try again later. acne + caused by excess oil blocks a pore and bacteria gets trapped inside,
When to call a doctor: Dermatologists can treat more serious cases of acne with topical medications, oral antibiotics and even laser therapy. teen acne + hormonal changes ,
via: health
