Page 20 - 5-8-15 Friday's Edition

Health 5 Best Benefits
And Uses Of Shea Butter
Prevent Eczema Summer Flare Ups
Although eczema is more common during the winter months, there are some peo- ple who still experience flare- ups in the summer due to increased sweating.
Eczema is an itchy, red rash that is occasionally bumpy and it can appear any- where on the body. Eczema is intensely itchy causing many sufferers of eczema may scratch their skin until it bleeds or hardens and thick- ens.
Try these tips if you are an eczema sufferers:
• Moisturize every day with a rich cream ( or lotion in summer) to hydrate the skin.
• Take short (less than 10 minute) lukewarm baths and showers, using mild, hypoal- lergenic soap and cleansers.
• Learn your eczema trig- gers and avoid them.
• Purchase a cold mist hu- midifier to avoid drying out your skin indoors.
• Treat seasonal allergies with a good antihistamine.
Lastly, protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays, always use aa broad-spec- trum sunscreen with a SPF of at least 30 all year round.
What Are Styes?
Styes are caused by staphylo-
coccus aureus, a nasty bacteria
that lives on the skin and can
spread when proper care and
cleansing isn’t taken. A less
likely cause, but still a possibility
for a stye, is clogged glands from
overproduction of secreted oils.
Research suggests that styes often are triggered by stress.
Symptoms
Here are the symptoms to look for when are concerned about the possibility of a stye:
• Swelling in a small area or the entire eyelid.
• The affected eye may water, feel irritated or be sensitive to light.
• Discomfort when blinking.
• A small yellowish spot in the center of a sty, which occurs when pus collects and expands. Pain is usually relieved when the sty ruptures, draining the pus.
Treatment
Treatment for styes can include warm compresses and topi- cal antibiotic cream. This helps to drain the stye, while the an- tibiotics treat the bacterial infection. The issue here is prevention. If you are one to consistently get styes, your hygiene and managing your stress is a top priority. Keep your hands away from your face, especially your eyes! Get lots of rest, as this will help to keep your stress levels down.
Shea butter comes from the shea nut tree and de- pending on the country it can sometimes be referred to as the karate nut, mangi- folia tree, bamboo butter tree or the glam butter tree.
Takealookat5ofits marvelous benefits:
1. Eczema, psoriasis and acne. Eczema, psoria- sis and acne are all skin ail- ments that require careful treatments. The moisture and nourishing properties that shea butter offers are a great way to better manage these skin concerns. While the skin is still damp, apply a thin coating of shea butter. This will allow the butter to set in and seal the moisture.
2. Cracked heels and cuticles. After showering, dry your feet then give your- self a nice foot massage with the shea butter. Slip your socks on so that by morning your feet will be soft and moisturized. For your cuti- cles, try keeping a small con- tainer of shea butter with you at all times so that you can moisturize your hands with it after every time you
wash your hands, keeping your hands and cuticles soft. 3. Shaving. Instead of using store bought shaving cream, try slathering a layer of shea butter over the area you want to remove hair from. The shea butter will not only protect the skin from the razor, it will pro- vide your skin with benefi- cial moisture it especially
craves after a fresh shave. 4. Bug bites. Just in time for the warm summer months when mosquitoes and the pesky bites they leave on your skin are a huge downside. Shea butter has anti-flammatory prop- erties that help relieve the skin from bug bites. It rids you of the swelling, as well as subsides the aggravating
itch.
5. Dermatitis and dry scalp. Shea butter is effec- tive in soothing a dry, itchy scalp or dandruff. It absorbs into the skin without leaving a greasy residue or clogging the pores. Being rich in vita- mins A and E, it soothes dryness, repairs breakage and mends split ends.
PAGE 8-B FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2015