Blisters

Blisters are most generally caused by excessive friction on the skin, such as can be caused when shoveling dirt. While harmless, blisters can often be bothersome and sometimes painful. Blood blisters are very similar, except for the fact that a small blood vessel has been broken, usually due to a hard pinch or blow. Blood blisters range from reddish to dark brown in color.

Cover blisters with a bandaid or piece of gauze if you do not have the time to take care of them right away. This will help cushion them, and also protect it if it does burst.
Unless the blister has the feeling of pressure at the point of being painful, do not burst it. If you need to relieve the pressure, carefully poke it with a pin near the edge, and then gently squeeze out the fluid with a tissue. On blisters that you accidentally burst, or needed to relieve the pressure in, apply an antiseptic lotion and bandage if possible. Do not pull or rip the flap of skin. It will shed off when the derma underneath is ready.

Blisters can also be caused by burns (see article on burns), chicken pox and several other diseases. If you have widespread blisters, or blisters of unusual color, check with your physician.


Warning: No information in this post is intended to diagnose or prescribe a cure for any diseases. Consult your physician if you have any symptoms accompanying the blisters.

When the Doctor says: Several medical term definitions.

Cerebral aneurysm - A localized widening of a vessel within the brain. 

Pachyderma - Abnormally thick skin.

Pericardium - The fibroserous membrane, consisting of mesothelium and submesothelial connective tissue, covering the heart and beginning of the great vessels. It is a closed sac having two layers: the visceral layer (epicardium), immediately surrounding and applied to all the heart's surfaces, and the outer parietal layer, forming the sac, composed of strong fibrous tissue (fibrous pericardium [TA]) lined with a serous membrane (serous pericardium [TA]). The phrenic nerves pass to the diaphragm through the anterior pericardium and divide the pericardium into antephrenic and retrophrenic portions; the pulmonary hilum divides both of these portions into suprahilar, hilar, and infrahilar portions.

 Tachycardia - Rapid beating of the heart, conventionally applied to rates over 90 beats per minute.

 

Burns: what to look for and how to treat them

Burns are a common issue and can be caused by various things such as chemicals, heat, and friction.

There are several degrees of burns; first degree burns affect only the epidermal tissue (the top layer of skin) and are easily taken care of at home.  Fortunately, most items for relief are found in every household.  One of the first things to remember is to keep the affected area cold.  Some simple remedies include aloe vera, diluted vinegar, lavender oil, honey, and whole milk.  Apply any one of these to the burn directly or, in the case of the diluted vinegar or whole milk, using a compress.

Do not break any blisters that may appear.  These pockets of fluid cushion the tissue beneath, protecting it from further damage such as infection, and allowing things to heal.  Breaking them could cause more pain and potential infection.

If you receive a burn caused by a chemical of any sort, contact your physician right away, as active ingredients may cause severe problems.

More severe burns should be seen by your physician to prevent things such as infection and scarring.

Warning: This post is not intended to diagnose or cure any diseases. These remedies are intended for use on minor burns only. IMMEDIATELY call for medical help if the burns are severe, cover large areas of skin, or have been caused by exposure to chemicals. Consult your physician if you may be allergic to any of the remedies.

Chest congestion: Some simple remedies for temporary relief.

Congestion in the chest, while usually fairly harmless, can often be quite annoying, especially when it triggers or is accompanied by coughing and wheezing.
The most common symptoms of chest congestion are, the urge to clear the throat over and over, a tickling sensation at the back of the throat caused by excess mucus, and a slight tightness in the chest area. A sore throat may often be present, due either to the virus, or from the continual coughing.
Other symptoms, if present, generally indicate a more serious condition, such as asthma or bronchitis.
ALERT! If you are coughing up blood or are having severe chest pains/difficulty breathing, immediately contact your physician.

Treatment of congestion usually involves various methods of helping to dry out or remove excess mucus, clearing the airway, and providing, at the very least, temporary relief.

Salt-water gargle: Add a pinch of salt to a glass of warm water, and then gargle it. This especially helps with sore throats.

Steam inhalation: Make a cup of hot tea, preferably peppermint or chamomile, inhale the steam between sips. Warning: Hot steam can burn, so be careful with this.

Hot sauce: Believe it or not, sometimes hot sauce can help clear up congestion. One teaspoon every hour of the hottest hot sauce you can stand. (Drinking water immediately after taking the hot sauce reduces its effectiveness somewhat.) Not to be used if you are sensitive to hot foods or have any heart or stomach problems.


Warning: This post is not intended to diagnose or cure any diseases. These remedies are suggestions only, and are not guaranteed to treat or cure any underlying causes behind chest congestion. Consult your physician if you are unsure of  the reason behind the chest congestion.

Headaches: Causes and some home remedies.

The #1 cause of headaches is usually stress, followed closely by allergies. However, it is best to evaluate each headache and try to determine its cause. Headaches can also be an indicator of meningitis (swelling on the protective membranes around the brain) or an oncoming stroke. In any event, it is definitely much easier to evaluate the headache after some relief has been found from the pain.

The actual headache itself is usually caused by dilated blood vessels or muscular tension, both of which stimulate the pain receptors in and around the brain. In both cases, application of a warm object, such as a damp washcloth that has been soaked in hot water, will help reduce swelling and relax the muscles.
Do NOT use a cold pack or washcloth. Even though it provides immediate relief, the cold will cause the muscles to tense up, and the blood vessels to constrict tightly. Pretty much giving you a brain freeze.

Another remedy is to use peppermint tea bags or oil. I don't know why this works, but it does. If you use a tea bag, make sure it has been thoroughly soaked in hot water (might as well make peppermint tea while you're at it.). Just apply over the affected area, lean back, sip your tea and relax.

WARNING: No information in this post is intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. The remedies presented here are for temporary relief only, and are not guaranteed to prevent future headaches. Please consult your physician if you are unsure of the cause of your headache.