| How to Find a Good Attorney Posted: 14 Jul 2016 05:00 PM PDT Finding a good attorney may be the most important step you can take toward winning a legal case and it doesn't have to be a difficult task. You will, however, need to take your time with the search. Focus your efforts on finding a lawyer that has dealt with your specific legal issue in the past and that you get along with personally. Taking the time to find the right lawyer will be worth it, as they are more likely to help you win your case. EditFinding Potential Attorneys - Determine what type of attorney you need. It is always preferable to locate an attorney who has specialized expertise in the practice area that your case involves (e.g., malpractice law, bankruptcy law, etc.). It's also a good idea to find attorney familiar with the courts and laws of the area where you live. This will enable your attorney to best represent your interests. Some examples of practice areas include:[1]
 - Bankruptcy law. This will be helpful if you are struggling with your finances.
- Criminal law. An attorney who specializes in criminal law is important if your case involves a crime or potentially illegal activity.
- Disability specialist. Disability specialists can handle Social Security and/or veteran's disability claims.
- Trusts and estates. This type of lawyer deals with issues such as estate planning, qualifying for Medicaid, probating an estate, and obtaining guardianship of an elderly parent or grandparent.
- Family Law. Family law attorneys handle matters such as separation, divorce, pre-nuptial agreements, adoption, guardianship, child custody and support.
- Personal injury law. Personal injury attorneys handle cases involving medical malpractice, dog bites, car accidents and any injury to a person that may be the fault of another.
- Employment law. Employment attorneys can help your business set up employment policies or handle cases where either an employee sues a business for wrongful termination or a where a business is sued.
- Small business or corporate law. If you are looking to establish a business, a small business attorney or corporate attorney is your best choice.
- Contact your local bar association for qualified attorneys in your area. State bar associations keep public records about complaints and disciplinary actions taken against attorneys licensed to practice in the state. Most local bar associations also have free referral services that can help you find an attorney to suit your case's needs.
- You can find your bar association's website by selecting your state from the State & Local Bar Associations page provided by the American Bar Association.[2]
- Review online listings of attorneys. Many websites offer free reviews of businesses. Some places to look for lawyer reviews include: LegalZoom, Rocketlawyer, LawTrades, and Avvo.com.
- Some websites, such as LawHelp.org, focus on helping low-income individuals find attorneys.
- Cross reference reviews from more than one website. This will help counter any bias in reviews you find.
- Get referrals and recommendations from friends and family. Talk to friends and family members who used an attorney. Find out who they hired, for what type of service, if they were happy with the services, and why or why not. Ask if they would recommend the attorney.
- Make a list of the potential attorneys you have found in your area. Include the attorney's name, address, phone number and website address. This will help you organize your search as you move forward.
- Review each attorney's website. You will want to look for information about the type of law the attorney practices. In addition, look for background information on the attorney, such as his or her law school and areas of specialization.
- Look for some general information about the type of legal issue you need help with, including a frequently asked questions (FAQ) section, or a blog with articles pertaining to your legal issue. The best attorneys will maintain well-developed websites offering a lot of information.
- Most attorneys' websites will provide information about each attorney working for the firm. Take a look at each attorney's educational background and work history.
- Typically, you should look for an attorney with at least three to five years of experience practicing the type of law you need help with. Additionally, you should choose an attorney that currently practices in the area you need help with.
- Remember that many attorneys are also on social media such as Twitter, LinkedIn, or Facebook. Check these profiles as well. How an attorney conveys him- or herself to the public may help you get a sense of how you would be able to work with him or her.
- Keep in mind that the size of the firm may matter. Law firms can vary in size ranging from one attorney to many attorneys, so you need to choose a law firm that you think will be best suited to your situation. Big corporations may want to hire a big-time firm to handle extremely complicated, often international, legal matters. However, if you are simply looking for someone to help you with your divorce or to help you write a will, you should feel comfortable hiring an attorney from a smaller firm.[3]
EditChoosing an Attorney - Make an appointment with any attorneys remaining on your list. Contact each attorney and set up a consultation. Most attorneys do consultation appointments for free. However, some may charge a small fee for a consultation. Make certain that you know whether you will be charged, and don't make an appointment with an attorney who isn't forthcoming about these details.
- Most attorneys offer consultations for free. Start your search with these before you consult with an attorney who charges for initial consultations.
- If you do not live in the same state as the attorney, you can schedule a phone consultation instead of an in-person meeting. However, because you will usually want your attorney to appear with you in court, you should try to find a local attorney to represent you.
- Write out questions about the lawyer's practice. You can generally find out the basic information about the attorney online, such as how long s/he has been practicing, where s/he went to law school, etc. For your in-person questions, ask about matters that are relevant to your specific case. The attorney should not have any problem answering any questions you may have, and should not sound hesitant or unsure. Areas to ask about include questions about the following:[4][5][6]
 - Pricing. You should ask whether the attorney offers hourly pricing or flat fees? Flat fee pricing is very popular for many areas of practice, particularly things like family law.
- Delivery time for legal work. You should ask how quickly you can expect for the attorney to complete your legal project. Your attorney will likely not be able to give you an exact number, but s/he should be able to tell you how long previous, similar cases have taken and when you can likely expect a resolution.
- Success rate. You will probably want to ask what the attorney's track record is with cases like yours. Attorneys cannot guarantee an outcome (they are ethically forbidden to do so) but you should have an idea of what results you can reasonably expect. You can also ask for references from prior clients. Be aware that the attorney must obtain permission from prior clients before s/he can give you their information, so you may not get references immediately.
- Availability. You should ask how quickly the attorney can start. You should also ask who your primary contact throughout the case will be. Will you hear mostly from an assistant or junior colleague? You should know who to contact with questions about your case.
- Misconduct. If the attorney has misconduct or reprimands on his or her record – which you can find out at your state's bar association website – ask about them. In some cases, the infraction may be minor, such as failure to pay bar fees on time. You must decide whether the infraction is significant enough to disturb you.
- Bring documents or information to the meeting. The lawyer may ask you to bring certain documents, but you should also bring any that you think are important to the case. Gather these documents ahead of time to be sure that you can locate them on the day of the appointment.
- Attend your consultations. Meet with, or talk to, each of the lawyers you selected. Feel free to take notes while talking to each one, so that you can remember later what each attorney said and what your initial impressions were.[7]
- Remember that you are interviewing the attorney for a job. Treat your meeting as such, a job interview. If you feel as though the attorney isn't listening to you or isn't answering your questions, pick a different attorney.
- Choose an attorney that you feel comfortable with. Aside from experience and strong knowledge of the law, choose an attorney who you think that you would get along with and like working with.
- If the attorney makes you uncomfortable in any way, you should choose someone different to represent you.
- Also consider how well the attorney answered your questions. If s/he hesitated, used too much "legalese," or didn't attend to your needs, pick someone else.
- If more than one attorney has the qualifications you are looking for, you should choose the one that you feel the most comfortable with.
EditConsidering the Costs - Understand how attorneys charge for their services. Typically, there are three major ways that attorneys bill for their services: a flat fee, a contingency fee or hourly fees.[8]
 - An attorney charging a flat fee will charge one fee (sometimes upfront) for handling an entire matter, regardless of how many hours the matter takes. Some examples of cases that are commonly handled using a flat fee are criminal cases, bankruptcy cases, domestic relations cases (such as divorce or custody matters), and document drafting, such as drafting a will or a trust document.
- An attorney charging a contingency fee does not collect legal fees from the client unless the attorney recovers money for the client, either through a settlement or a trial. The attorney will receive a percentage of the settlement amount, usually between 30 to 40 percent. Some examples of cases that are commonly handled on a contingency fee basis are personal injury cases, employment discrimination cases, and other types of cases where a large recovery from a corporation or business is expected.
- Lawyers charging an hourly rate "bill" hours and then charge the client for the amount of hours worked on the client's matter. Usually, hourly rates are used by businesses and corporations who may be involved in litigation. Additionally, individuals may be charged hourly rates for long or complicated litigation.[9]
- Negotiate a fee. Budget what you are able to spend, and ask if the attorney will be able to handle your case for the amount you budgeted. Additionally, you should make sure to tell your attorney that he or she should inform you before doing anything on your case that takes it out of budget.
- Keep in mind that even with a strict budget, if your case becomes significantly more complicated or takes significantly longer than the attorney originally anticipated, you may need to pay more in legal fees.
- If you cannot afford the attorney's fees upfront, ask about potential arrangements such as payment plans. Many attorneys are willing to work with you base on your financial needs.[10]
- There are several ways that attorneys can help those on moderate or low incomes find legal counsel. Many firms offer "sliding fees" based on your income, so that you pay however much your income level allows.[11] You can sometimes even pay in barter, by trading goods or services (e.g., web design, gardening) for legal counsel.[12] This is up to the individual attorney.
- Execute an engagement letter or retainer. Your attorney will provide you with an engagement letter or retainer. This is a contract between you and your attorney that defines the nature of the legal engagement you are involved in, and the conditions and terms of your agreement with your attorney.
- These conditions should include the expenses you are responsible for, the rate the attorney will be charging and the minimum billable increment. Note: the minimum billable increment should be six minutes, not 15 minutes.[13]
- Consider firing your attorney for doing any of the following: missing filing or court dates, refusing to give you updates on the status of your case, not answering phone calls and emails, and not being honest and forthright when you ask questions.
- To get the best results from your case, cooperate with your attorney. Always provide all requested documents, and don't skip hearings. A good attorney will certainly help you in your case, but there is only so much an attorney can do without cooperation from you.
EditRelated wikiHows EditSources and Citations
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| How to Get Rid of Acne Naturally Posted: 14 Jul 2016 09:00 AM PDT Acne medications might stop breakouts, but they can also cause dryness, discoloration, and skin irritation. Beyond the unwanted side effects, they're just expensive! Stick with these scientifically proven natural remedies, and save some money by using ingredients you might already have around the house. EditSteam Cleaning Your Face - Ready your face for steam cleaning. If your hair falls into your face, pull it back and secure it with a hair tie, head band, or bobby pins. Wash your face with a gentle cleanser — either a non-oil-based product or a plant-oil-based product. Many dermatologists recommend using glycerin, grapeseed and sunflower oils, as oils are best to absorb and dissolve other oils.[1]
- Use your fingertips instead of a washcloth or sponge that could further aggravate your skin.
- Massage the cleanser into your skin for about a minute using a gentle, circular motion. You're not trying to scrub, just help the cleanser loosen and absorb dirt and oils.
- Rinse your face thoroughly with lukewarm water.
- Pat your skin dry using a clean, cotton towel. Never rub a towel over your face, as this could further irritate your skin.
- Choose your essential oils. The oils listed here all have either antibacterial or antiseptic properties, meaning they can kill the bacteria that cause acne and prevent the formation of new pimples. You can choose based on personal preference (which one smells best?) or based on your unique situation. If you tend to be anxious or depressed, use the lavender. If you have some pimples (usually bacterial), in addition to blackheads, use an herb with antibacterial properties. If you are battling an upper respiratory infection, use thyme to both treat the infection and break up the congestion with heat.
- Spearmint or peppermint oils may be irritating to some, so pre-test your skin by putting a single drop of it on your wrist and waiting for 10-15 minutes. If there is no irritation, you should be able to use the oil. Start with 1 drop per quart of water. Both peppermint and spearmint contain menthol, which has both antiseptic and immune-boosting properties.[2]
- Thyme boosts the immune system and has antibacterial properties. It also increases circulation of the blood by opening up blood vessels.[3]
- Calendula accelerates healing and has antimicrobial properties.[4]
- Lavender is soothing and can help with anxiety and depression. It also has antibacterial properties.[5]
- Prepare your steaming water. Fill a 1-quart pot with water and bring it to a boil for a minute or two. Once the water has been steaming for a couple minutes, add 1-2 drops of any of the listed essential oils.
- If you don't have the essential oils, substitute with ½ teaspoon of the dried herb per quart of water.
- Once you have added the herbs or oils, let the water boil for another minute.
- After a minute, turn off the heat and move the pot to a comfortable area for steaming. Make sure you won't have to hunch awkwardly over the pot, as you'll have to hold that position for a while.
- Test for skin sensitivity.[6] Always be aware that you can develop sensitivity to an herbal oil. Even if you've successfully used oil in the past, retest it every time you steam your face with it. Try each oil for about a minute, then take your face away from the steam for 10 minutes. If you're not sneezing and you're skin isn't reacting poorly, reheat the water and proceed with the steaming.
- Steam your face. Place a large, clean cotton towel over your head. You'll use this to create a sort of "tent" to trap the steam around your face. Once you've made your towel-tent, lean over the steaming put to put your face in the steam.
- Keep your eyes closed during the steaming process to protect them from steam damage.[7]
- Keep your face at least 12 inches away from the water so you don't burn your skin. You want heat to dilate blood vessels and open up pores, but you certainly don't want to damage your skin with heat.
- Breathe normally and relax! This should be a pleasant, soothing experience.
- Keep your face over the steam for about 10 minutes.
- Care for your skin afterward. Rinse your face well with lukewarm water and pat it dry with a clean cotton towel, remembering not to rub your skin. Moisturize your skin with a non-comedogenic lotion or cream that won't clog pores and worsen acne. Look at the packaging to make sure it's a non-comedogenic product.
- "Non-comedogenic" products don't promote the formation of acne like comedones, blackheads, whiteheads, or pimples.[8] Any product you put on your face — from lotion to cleanser to makeup — is likely produced in a non-comedogenic formula for people with acne-prone skin.
- One skin moisturizer is coconut oil. You can use plain coconut oil or garlic coconut oil mixture: squeeze the juice of one clove of garlic into 1 jar of coconut oil and stir well. The shelf life is about 30 days in the fridge. Sparingly rub this into your face once or twice per day. Both garlic and coconut oil kill acne germs. The medium chain fatty acids liquefy comedones and keep your skin pores open. The garlic gives it a bit of garlic smell; if you do not like that you may want to just use plain coconut oil instead.[9]
- Repeat this procedure until you see improvement. At the beginning, you can steam your face twice a day — once in the morning and once in the evening. After two weeks or so, you should see some kind of improvement in your skin. When you see improvement, reduce the frequency of your steam treatments to once a day.
EditApplying Herbal Masks - Learn why herbal masks work. The mask ingredients described here have astringent properties that clean, tighten, and help heal skin while treating pimples. Astringents can dry out skin, so don't apply it to already dry areas.[10][11] However, if you have oily skin, a mask with astringent properties will help normalize your skin's moisture level.
- Mix your herbal mask base. In a bowl, mix together 1 tablespoon of honey, 1 egg white, and 1 teaspoon of lemon juice. These ingredients have natural properties that will help heal your skin. For example, honey has antibacterial and astringent properties.[12] The egg whites not only thicken the mask, but also act as an astringent, and the lemon juice is both an astringent and a natural bleach/whitening agent.[13][14]
- Add an essential oil. Once you've made your mask base, mix in 1/2 teaspoon of any of the following essential oils:
- Peppermint
- Spearmint
- Lavender
- Calendula
- Thyme
- Apply the mask. Using your fingertips, spread the mixture over your face, your neck, or wherever you're having a problem. This process might get messy, so make sure to do it in an area that can be easily cleaned, like a bathroom. Don't glop on so much of the paste that it will drip off your face or take too long to dry.
- If you don't want to apply an entire facial mask, you can use the mixture to spot-treat problem areas. Simply use a Q-tip to apply the mask directly to pimples.
- Allow the mixture to dry. Depending on how much of the mixture you applied to your face, drying time may vary. However, it should take somewhere around for 15 minutes. Be careful not to let the mask drip everywhere while you're waiting for it to dry.
- Rinse your face. After the fifteen minutes have passed and the mixture has dried and had time to work on your skin, it's time to wash it away. Rinse it off completely using lukewarm water and your hands. Don't use a washcloth or sponge that might further irritate your acne skin. Pat your face dry with a clean cotton towel, making sure not to irritate the skin by rubbing.
- Apply a non-comedogenic moisturizer to finish.
EditUsing Sea Salt - Learn how sea salt treats acne. Experts don't actually know exactly how sea salt reduces acne. It may be that the high salt concentration helps kill off bacteria or that the sea salt replenishes minerals that help heal the skin.[15] Sea salt may also be helpful in dissolving sebum.
- This method, has helped many with mild-moderate acne and will not interfere with any medications used.
- Still, it's always best, if you are seeing a dermatologist, to let them know what you are doing at home to help yourself.
- Be careful not to over-use sea salt, as it can dry your skin and stimulate sebum production that might cause a breakout.
- Ready your skin for treatment. Always cleanse your face first with a gentle non-alcohol based cleanser. Place the cleanser on your fingertips and use gentle, circular motions to loosen any dirt. Wash for about a minute, then rinse with cool or lukewarm water. Pat dry with a clean towel and use one of the sea salt methods given below as an after-cleanse treatment.
- Mix a sea salt mask. A mask is useful if the acne you want to target is on your face. Stir 1 teaspoon of sea salt into 3 teaspoons of hot water. The water should be hot enough to dissolve the sea salt completely when you stir it together. To this solution, add 1 tablespoon of one of the following:
- Aloe vera gel (to help heal)[16][17]
- Green tea (for antioxidants)[18][19]
- Honey (for its antibacterial actions and to promote healing)[20][21]
- Apply the mask. Spread the mixture over your face with your fingertips, making sure not to make too much of a mess. Avoid getting the mixture near your eyes. Leave it on for 10 minutes, but no longer. Sea salt draws water out and can dry your skin out too much.
- After 10 minutes, rinse the mask off with cool to lukewarm water, and pat your face dry with a clean towel.
- Apply a non-comedogenic moisturizer to finish.
- While you may be very tempted, use this bath or facial wash only once a day. Otherwise, you may dry out your skin too much, even with a moisturizer.
- Make a sea salt spray as an alternative to a mask. The ingredients for the spray are essentially the same as for the mask. However, use 10 teaspoons of sea salt in 30 teaspoons of hot water, and 10 tablespoons of the aloe vera gel/green tea/honey. Once you've made your solution, pour it into a clean spray bottle.
- Store this mixture in the refrigerator to preserve it.
- Spray the mixture onto your face. Every time you treat your skin with anything, you should always wash it with lukewarm water and a gentle cleanser. Close or cover your eyes to protect it from the sting of salt water, then spritz the mixture onto your face and neck.
- Just as with the mask, you don't want to leave it on your skin for more than 10 minutes, after which you should rinse thoroughly with cool to lukewarm water.
- Pat your skin dry, then finish with a non-comedogenic moisturizer.
- Soak in a salt bath for a "whole-body" method. If you have outbreaks of acne on large portions of your body, immersing your whole body in treated water might be a better option than a mask or spray. While regular table salt won't hurt your skin, it also won't offer all the benefits of the other minerals found in sea salt: calcium, magnesium, sodium, chlorine, iodine, potassium, zinc, and iron.[22] The bath won't really be worth it if you're using regular table salt.
- Add 2 cups of sea salt to very warm-to-hot water as it is filling the tub. This helps the sea salt to dissolve.
- Soak in the water for up to 15 minutes, but no more. Longer than that might over-dry your skin.
- If you have pimples on your face, soak a washcloth in the tub water and place it over your face for 10-15 minutes.
- Rinse off the sea salt water with cool water.
- Pat your skin dry and apply a moisturizer to your body to prevent the sea salt from over-drying your skin.
- Don't bathe more than once a day in sea salt.
EditUsing Homemade Natural Cleansing Solution - Learn how acne is formed.[23] Sebum is a naturally produced oil that, when overproduced, clogs up your pores, causing blackheads and whiteheads. When the skin is also infected with the bacteria Propionibacterium acnes, pimples, pustules, cysts, and abscesses form.
- Familiarize yourself with natural acne-fighting theory. Sebum, the most direct cause of acne, is an oil. Based on the principles of chemistry, the best way to dissolve oil (and dirt, cell debris, dirt, bacteria etc,) is to use another oil.[24] We've grown used to thinking that oil is always bad for the skin, so we use cleansers with (often) irritating chemicals. We forget that the natural oils on the skin are there to protect, moisturize, and keep the skin healthy. Oil has the ability to not just break down dirt and unwanted oils, but also to prevent the stripping of the skin that you see with soap.[25]
- Choose your primary oil. Choose oils wisely, making sure to avoid sensitivities and allergies. If you have a nut allergy, for example, you won't want to use hazelnut oil. The following list of oils is varied — some are more expensive than others, some are easier to find than others. However, all are non-comedogenic, and will not clog the pores and contribute to the acne problem:[26]
- Argan oil
- Hemp seed oil
- Shea nut oil (Shea olein)
- Sunflower oil
- Alternative oils that you can use (that are non-comedogenic for most people) include olive oil and castor oil. Castor oil can be drying for some people, while for others, it is moisturizing.
- Coconut oil is different from the other oils in that it contains medium chain fatty acids. It kills bacteria including Propionibacterium acnes. It counters the long chain fatty acids in sebum that block the skin pores.[27]
- Decide on a second, anti-bacterial/antiseptic. The herbal essential oils on this list are known to have properties that will help minimize the presence of P. acnes bacteria. Many of these oils have pleasant aromas, so you might choose an oil based on personal preference. With all oils you put on your skin, always remember to try them on a small area of skin first to determine if you have a sensitivity to it.
- Oregano: antibacterial, anti-inflammatory[28]
- Tea tree: antibacterial, antifungal[29]
- Lavender: antibacterial, calming and soothing.[30]
- Rosemary: specifically antibacterial against P. acnes [31]
- Frankincense: anti-inflammatory, antibacterial[32]
- Mix your oil cleanser. You can make as much or as little of your cleanser as you'd like. It may be more efficient to make larger batches and store them somewhere cool and away from light. The ratio you should maintain for all batches is:
- For every fluid ounce of primary oil, add 3-5 drops of secondary herbal essential oil.
- Use your natural cleanser. Pour a small amount of the oil mixture into the palm of your hand and apply it to your face. Never use a washcloth or sponge, which might further irritate your acne. Using small, circular motions, gently massage the oil into your skin for 2 minutes.
- Wash your face. A simple rinse will not be as effective as usual, since water does not dissolve oil. To remove the oil cleanser from your face, place a washcloth soaked in warm water on your face for 20 seconds. Slowly and gently wipe of the oil, then rinse the washcloth in warm water. Repeat this procedure until you've wiped all the oil from your face.
- Use a cotton towel to pat dry your face.
- Use this method twice a day and after heavy sweating.
EditDeveloping a Good Cleansing Routine - Make washing a regular part of your routine. Wash your face at least twice a day — once when you wake up to clear away oils that accumulate on the skin during sleep, and once before sleep to wash away the day's accumulation.[33] Beyond that, always wash your face after periods of heavy sweating, whether you've gone to the gym or just been outside on a warm day. Take a bath at least once a day, and consider taking an extra shower after heavy sweating.
- Always use either a non-comedogenic product or your homemade oil-based cleanser.
- Use sea salt as directed. Overexposing your skin to drying sea salt could dehydrate your skin, causing a flare-up of acne.
- Use proper washing technique. You may be tempted to use a washcloth or exfoliating gloves to wash your face, but your best tools are your fingertips. Especially if your skin already has acne on it, you don't want to irritate it with abrasive surfaces. Massage cleansers into your skin in gentle, circular motions for about 10 seconds. [34]
- Don't exfoliate blemished skin, as it could pull away skin that's not ready to come away yet. This is like pulling off a scab that's still working to heal your skin, and will leave behind scars and discoloration. .[35]
- Do not pop your pimples.[36][37][38] No matter how bad acne looks, you need to understand that those pimples and pustules are actually keeping harmful bacteria contained. The pus that comes out of a popped pimple is full of the P. acnes bacteria. It may be satisfying to see it leave the skin, but all you're actually doing is exposing your other, healthy skin to the bacteria that was previously contained in the pimple. This could potentially lead to acne spreading, rather than your pimple disappearing. Popping zits can also cause scarring and discoloration.
- Protect your skin from the sun. A popular myth suggests that a tan can help treat and prevent acne, but scientists have found no evidence to support that.[39] In fact, both the sun and tanning beds damage your skin and raise your risk for cancer. Be aware that some acne medications or other types of medication can actually make your skin even more sensitive to the sun. These drugs include antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin, tetracycline, sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim; antihistamines like diphenhydramine (Benedryl); drugs used to treat cancer (5-FU, vinblastine, dacarbazine); heart drugs like amiodorone, nifedipine, quinidine and ditiazem; Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like naproxen and the acne medications isotretinoin (Accutane) and acitretin (Soriatane).
EditAdjusting Your Diet - Eat foods with a low glycemic index (GI). Skin specialists tell us that despite stories you may have heard about milk and chocolate, diet doesn't directly cause acne. However, recent research examined diets of indigenous populations around the globe where there was no acne in the teenage subpopulations. When diets were compared between the controls in the US who had more than 70% acne and the indigenous teenagers without acne, it was clear that milk products in combination with too much sugar were missing in the diets of the acne free teenagers, but present in the US controls.[40] This explains why for some people, certain foods including dairy products and diets high in processed sugars increase the risk for acne. These foods increase inflammation and provide an environment where bacteria can flourish.[41] Studies have indicated that low glycemic index foods (GI) reduce the severity of acne.[42] Low glycemic index foods are those foods that release sugars into your blood more slowly. The lowest GI foods are:[43]
- Bran cereals, Natural Muesli, rolled oats
- Whole wheat, pumpernickel, whole grain breads
- Most vegetables except beetroots, pumpkin and parsnips
- Nuts
- Most fruit except watermelon and dates. Mango, banana, papaya, pineapple, raisins, and figs have medium GI.
- Legumes
- Yogurt
- Whole grains are low- to- medium GI. The lowest GI are found in brown rice, barley, and whole grain pasta.
- Fill out your diet with Vitamins A and D. Along with eating foods low in GI, you should also make sure that you're introducing the appropriate nutrients for skin health into your body. The vitamins that appear to be most important for the skin are vitamins A and D.[44] Work the following foods into your diet:[45][46]
- Vegetables: Sweet potato, spinach, carrots, pumpkin, broccoli, red peppers, summer squash
- Fruit: Cantaloupe, mangoes, apricots
- Legumes: Black-eyed peas
- Meat and Fish: beef liver, herring, salmon
- Fish: Cod liver oil, salmon, tuna
- Dairy: Milk, yogurt, cheese
- Get Vitamin D through sun exposure. Though many foods are fortified with Vitamin D, it doesn't exist in abundance in the foods we eat. While you can try to increase your Vitamin D levels through eating, the single best way to get Vitamin D is to expose your skin to the sun 10-15 minutes a week. Sunlight triggers Vitamin D production by the skin.[47] Do not wear sun screen, and leave as much skin exposed as you feel comfortable with.
- Do not over-expose your skin to sunlight without sun screen, as it is very dangerous and could lead to cancer.[48]
- Increase your omega-3 fat consumption. Studies suggest that omega-3 fats can benefit those with acne.[49] Omega-3 fats limiting the body's production of leukotriene B4, which increases sebum production and leads to inflammatory acne. Sebum is a natural oil produced to moisturize the skin, but when it's over-produced, it clogs the skin and causes acne. By increasing the omega-3 fat in your diet, you can help control your acne. Foods you should look for include:
- Seeds and Nuts: flaxseeds and flaxseed oil, chia seeds, butternuts, walnuts
- Fish and Fish oils: salmon, sardines, mackerel, whitefish, shad
- Herbs and Spices: basil, oregano, cloves, marjoram
- Vegetables: spinach, sprouted radish seeds, chinese broccoli
- Use a clean towel on your pillow every night (or just turn the same one over so you do half the amount of washing!). Oils and bacteria from your face and hair stay on the pillow for a long time. Try this out to stop bacteria spreading - this is an effective method to help combat acne breakouts.
- Try using a single treatment at a time to see what works and what doesn't. You'll be able to deduce one at a time which of your methods is the most successful at reducing your acne growth.
- Wash your face with a soap bar, then apply a paste of water and baking soda. Finally, splash your face with water. Do this twice a week.
- In women who have severe acne there may be a hormone imbalance that could be part of the causation of acne. For instance, when women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) are tested for hormones by doing saliva tests their estrogen level may be too high and the progesterone level too low. This condition is called "estrogen dominance" and is treated with bioidentical progesterone cream. Any naturopath would be able to treat this effectively. The women who have this condition will notice that the associated acne will improve at least by 50%, if not more using the progesterone cream. But not every case of acne is caused by hormone imbalance.
- If you have tried all these methods and there is still no improvement you may want to see your physician for a referral to a skin specialist (dermatologist).
- Don't place dry sea salt directly onto your skin, as it can sting quite a bit and is a case of "too much of a good thing"
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| How to Prevent Jaundice in Newborns Posted: 14 Jul 2016 01:00 AM PDT Jaundice, or hyperbilirubinemia, is a common medical condition that develops in newborns within the first two to four days of life. It results from high levels of bilirubin, a waste product from the breakdown of blood cells, found in the blood and in bile. Fully mature livers can filter and eliminate bilirubin, but the immature livers of newborns can cause jaundice to develop. While there is no sure way to completely prevent jaundice, knowing risk factors can help you determine what you can do to prevent and prepare for newborn jaundice. EditMeasuring and Reducing Risk Factors - Take blood tests during pregnancy. Certain blood incompatibilities can cause more blood cells to break down, producing more bilirubin.[1]
- Mothers with Rh negative blood or O+ blood type should consider having additional blood work taken for their babies since Rh incompatibility and ABO incompatibility are among the highest risk factors.
- Genetic enzyme deficiencies, like glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, can also lead to a higher risk of jaundice because they can destroy certain blood cells, creating more bilirubin in the blood stream.
- In addition to prenatal blood tests, doctors now routinely test the baby for jaundice before the baby leaves the hospital.
- Reduce the risk of a preterm birth. Babies born before 38 weeks are at an increased risk of developing jaundice.[2] The liver of a preterm baby is less developed than that of a full-term baby, making it even more difficult for the newborn's liver to eliminate bilirubin.[3]
- Some preterm risk factors, such as age or multiple births, cannot be changed, but many environmental risks can.
- Keep up-to-date on your prenatal care. Early and consistent prenatal care will ensure that you and your baby stay as healthy as possible during the pregnancy, which can pinpoint any problems that could lead to premature delivery.
- Avoid chemical contaminants. Tobacco, alcohol, street drugs, and some medications can increase your chances of delivering early. If you need help quitting, talk to your doctor. Environmental pollutants can also contribute a risk.[4]
- Stay as calm as possible. Stress is a major factor in early births. Lack of social support, work that is physically or emotionally demanding, and domestic violence, whether physical or emotional, can all contribute to stress and lead to a premature birth.[5]
- Monitor or reduce your risk of certain infections. Infections such as herpes, syphilis, CMV, and toxoplasmosis can lead to premature births as well as jaundice.
- Recognize that breastfed babies are more likely to develop jaundice. However, it is usually easily treated and short lived.
- Breast milk naturally does not come in until a few days after the baby's delivery. In the first few days of life, breastfed babies eat a pre-milk substance called colostrum, which is very scant in amount but dense in nutrients.
- Because they do not drink as much as formula-fed babies in the first few days of life, their digestive systems are not emptied as quickly, which causes bilirubin to build up in the system. This is generally not a cause for concern, and experts still recommend breastfeeding.
- Because breastfed babies often get a mild case of jaundice, it is not unusual for doctors to recommend supplementing them with formula in the early days of life if the baby is at higher risk for jaundice, until the breast milk supply is established.
EditTreating Jaundice in Newborns - Begin breastfeeding immediately. Nursing immediately after birth can help reduce the risk of developing jaundice and also begin to treat it if the baby already has it.
- Mothers who begin breastfeeding within the first few hours after birth are more likely to have success than those who wait. Early weight gain can help a baby's development, making it easier for the liver to do its job.
- Moreover, the colostrum a mother produces early on prompts the baby's digestive system to eliminate waste, which helps to expel excess bilirubin from the intestines. In other words, the sooner your baby begins pooping, the sooner the jaundice will begin to clear up.[6]
- If you decide to breastfeed your baby, work with a lactation specialist to improve your breastfeeding technique. These professionals can help new mothers learn how to encourage proper latching so that newborns can receive enough milk.
- Feed your baby frequently. A steady supply of milk will increase your baby's weight and development, including the development of the liver. This is true for both breastfed and formula fed babies. Ideally, newborns should eat at least eight to 12 times daily for the first several days, especially if they are at risk for developing jaundice.[7]
- If you nurse, frequent feedings in the first few days of life (at least eight to 12 times a day) will encourage your milk to come in sooner and establish a strong supply.
- Expose your baby to light.[8] Ultraviolet light reacts with bilirubin, changing it into a form that does not need to pass through the liver in order to be expelled, thereby eliminating excess bilirubin from the body and reducing the risk of jaundice.
- Expose a naked or diapered baby to sunlight for no more than five minutes at a time, once or twice a day. Do not exceed this amount, since prolonged sun exposure can cause a baby to burn very easily and create further complications. Ensure that the baby does not become chilled while sunning by raising the temperature in the room and/or laying the baby across your own chest while sunning.
- Alternatively, try placing the baby's bed near a sunny window with curtains. Curtains and windows filter out many of the UV rays that can cause help problems, allowing your baby to take in sunlight without burning.
EditUnderstanding Jaundice - Understand how jaundice develops. Jaundice typically develops on the second or third day of life and generally follows a predictable pattern.
 - In healthy bodies, bilirubin is a normal byproduct that occurs in the blood stream as red blood cells are broken down. The bilirubin travels to the liver, where it is excreted into the bile duct and eventually in your stool. In cases of newborns with jaundice, the liver has not begun to work efficiently yet, so the bilirubin builds up in the liver and the blood instead of traveling to the bile duct.[9]
- Newborns in hospitals are routinely tested for jaundice. It's very common — about 60% of full term babies will develop jaundice, and even more of those who are born preterm.[10] In a typical scenario, a newborn infant will be tested for bilirubin levels by pricking the baby's heel and squeezing out a small amount of blood.
- A baby with a bilirubin level of under 5 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) is considered normal, while anything over 5 mg/dL is considered an elevated level.
- Most babies with a low to moderate level of jaundice will not need treatment, and the jaundice will clear up after a week or two.
- Sometimes, if the level is too high, rises too quickly, or does not go down after two weeks, doctors may prescribe light therapy (a UV therapy which is harmless and enjoyed by most babies).
- In rare cases, your baby may need a blood transfusion to reduce severe jaundice.
- Know the symptoms of jaundice. Most babies born in a hospital will be tested one or more times for their bilirubin levels, but certain symptoms can signal jaundice:
- A yellow color to the skin and the whites of the eyes. This is the most common feature of jaundice.
- Sleepiness and difficulty feeding. Sometimes bilirubin levels cause an infant to be drowsy, which can make nursing or bottle feeding the baby difficult.[11] Try undressing the baby to rouse it to eat.
- Know when jaundice signals a problem. Jaundice is very common and most often clears up on its own. But in some rare cases, it can cause complications and require treatment.
 - Although jaundice is common among newborns, high levels of untreated bilirubin (what is medically known as "severe hyperbilirubinemia") in the blood can cause bilirubin to pass to the brain, leading to serious complications.
- Although rare, these complications can lead to permanent brain damage (cerebral palsy, learning problems, or developmental disabilities), improper development of tooth enamel, or hearing loss.[12]
- Symptoms to watch for include lethargy, a bright yellow color, and yellow feet (especially the soles). Also poor muscle tone, an unusual, high-pitched cry, fever, or irritability may occur.
- Your doctor may recommend supplementing breastmilk with infant formula if your baby's bilirubin levels continue to rise after a couple of days of life. In most cases, it is not necessary to supplement unless the baby's bilirubin level is 20 mg/dL or higher or if the baby has other risk factors for jaundice such as prematurity or blood disorders or is losing too much weight. Supplementing with formula can make it harder to establish a successful breastfeeding relationship.[13] Talk your doctor about the pros and cons before supplementing.
- Because most babies develop jaundice, it might be a good idea to avoid baby clothes that are yellow. Yellow clothing tends to bring out the yellow tone in a jaundiced infant's eyes and skin.
- If your baby has dark skin, check the gums and whites of the eyes for yellowing.
- Never give water to a newborn. While this may seem like a good way to get the baby to pass waste more quickly, it can actually be deadly to a newborn because it upsets a very delicate balance of nutrients in the bloodstream.
- Seek immediate medical treatment if your baby is lethargic, bright yellow, if the soles of his feet are yellow, or if you feel your baby is not feeding well or appears dehydrated.
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