| How to Read pH Strips Posted: 15 Jul 2018 05:00 PM PDT If you're interested in testing the alkalinity or acidity of a liquid, you can use pH strips to help you determine the pH level. If you've never used a pH strip, though, it might look like just a plain strip of paper, and the colorful chart looks like something you'd see in art class. Luckily, once you understand how the color coding works, reading a pH strip is easy! EditUsing the pH Strips - Make sure your strips test the range you need. The pH scale covers a range of 14 numbers, where 7 is neutral. Lower numbers are more acidic, while higher numbers are more alkaline. Some strips only test a portion of that spectrum, so make sure the strips you buy cover the pH levels you want to test for.[1]
- Read the box to determine how long to leave the strips in. Some test strips only need to be left in the test liquid for about a second, while others need about 20 seconds to produce a reading. Be sure to read the instructions to ensure that your reading will be accurate.[2]
- Dip one end of the test strip in the substance you want to test. You don't need to submerge the whole strip in the test substance. Hold the strip at one end and dip the other end in the liquid, then remove it after the appropriate length of time.[3]
- You can use pH strips to test the pH level of any liquid.
- Compare the color of the strip to the chart provided. Your pH strips should come with a pH color chart. When your test strip has finished reacting, hold it up to the chart and compare the color of the strip to the color chart. When you find the number associated with the color on the strip, you'll have your pH reading.[4]
- Acids are represented by warm colors, such as red and orange, while alkalines are associated with cooler colors, like blue and green.
- Look for a universal chart online if you don't have one. If you lose the chart that comes with your strips, or if your strips didn't come with a chart, you can look online for a universal chart. Even if you can't match your color exactly, you should get a close approximation of the pH level.[5]
EditKnowing What to Test - Test your tap water to make sure it's acid neutral. Water is neutral, meaning it should have a pH balance of 7. Most drinking water falls in the range of 6.5-8.5. Test your drinking water to see if it falls within this range. If it isn't, there may be a contaminant in your water supply.[6]
- Keep your swimming pool balanced by testing the pH levels. A swimming pool should stay at a pH balance of between 7.4 and 7.6. Add a product made with soda ash if the pool is below 7.4 and muriatic acid if it's above 7.6.[7]
- Test the pH levels in your aquarium if you have one. The pH balance in your aquarium is critical to keeping your fish healthy. Since the pH levels of natural waters vary, it makes sense that different fish would have different pH requirements. Make sure you know the best pH range for your fish and test your water to make sure it falls within that range.[8]
- There are a number of products available at pet supply stores to raise or lower the pH level of your fish tank.
- Measure the pH of your saliva to test your oral health. The average pH of saliva is around 6.7, but a normal range is anywhere from 6.2-7.6. If you measure your saliva and it is drastically different, your teeth are at a higher risk for cavities or gingivitis.[9]
- Make sure you don't eat or drink anything for about 30 minutes prior to testing your saliva, as this can throw off the reading.
EditThings You'll Need - Universal pH strip
- pH chart on box
- Something to test
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| How to Stop Eczema from Spreading Posted: 15 Jul 2018 09:00 AM PDT Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that causes rough, bumpy patches on the skin. Although eczema can't be spread from person to person, scratching can spread eczema across your body, and severe scratching may cause a secondary infection that is contagious to others. Prevent severe scratching by nourishing your skin and managing triggers that cause eczema flare-ups. Talk with your doctor about treatments that reduce the itchy feeling that can make your eczema worse. EditStopping the Spread of Eczema across Your Body - Follow a gentle skincare routine. Avoid scrubbing your skin or using harsh cleansers. Wash your skin with mild, unscented cleansers. If you apply sunscreen or makeup, use products that don't contain oil and are labeled "noncomedogenic." Always use cool or warm water to wash your skin.[1]
- Using harsh products or very hot water can dry and irritate your skin. Since you're more likely to scratch the irritated skin, keep the skin moisturized so you don't spread eczema.
- Moisturize itchy skin throughout the day. Wash and bathe with warm, not hot, water. Once you've gently cleaned your skin, pat your skin dry and apply lotion within a few minutes of drying off. Look for moisturizers, creams, or ointments that don't have alcohol, which can dry out your skin. You'll probably want to apply a moisturizer several times throughout the day, even if you apply medicated creams to the skin.[2]
- Use colloidal oatmeal. Colloidal oatmeal is made by finely grinding oats so they dissolve or suspend in water or lotions. Research shows that colloidal oatmeal has anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which soothe itchy skin. Rub lotion that has colloidal oatmeal in it over your itchy skin. Or add dried colloidal oatmeal to a warm bath.[3]
- To soothe your skin, you could also use fragrance-free bath oils, baking soda, or vinegar in the bath.
- Press cool compresses against itchy skin. Run cold water in a clean washcloth and wring it out. Lay this cool compress against the itchy patch of skin and hold it there until your skin stops itching. Relieving the itching feeling will keep you from scratching the skin and spreading eczema to other parts of your body.[4]
- Keep your fingernails short. Trim your nails on a regular basis to keep them smooth and short. This way, if you do accidentally scratch, the short nails will do less damage than long fingernails.[5]
- Stay hydrated. It's important to drink water throughout the day so your skin stays hydrated. It's especially important to drink more water if you plan on exercising or sweating. Drink at least 6 to 8 glasses of water a day.
- You can also drink herbal teas, milk, and fruit juices.
- Sit outside in the sun for a few minutes every day. Your body gets vitamin D from the sun, which helps combat eczema. While too much sun exposure is bad for your skin, a few minutes of sunshine every day can help clear up your eczema and stop it from spreading.
EditAvoiding Eczema Triggers - Wear soft, breathable fabrics. Tight-fitting clothes can trap heat and moisture, which makes eczema worse. Choose clothing that fits loosely and breathes, such as cotton fabrics. Ensure that the fabric feels soft and comfortable against your skin and avoid scratchy fabrics such as wool. Remember to wash the clothing with unscented laundry detergent.[6]
- If you find that you scratch when you sleep, consider wearing lightweight, comfortable gloves to bed.
- Avoid heavy fragrances. Chemicals and fragrances in harsh laundry detergents, soaps, cleansers, and lotions can all make eczema worse. Wash your skin with fragrance-free cleansers and clean your home with gentle cleaning products that don't have strong fragrances, which could irritate your skin.[7]
- Vacuum and dust at least once a week. If you find that pollen, mold, dust, or animal dander cause your eczema to flare up, remember to dust and vacuum your home at least once a week. You may need to do this more frequently if you have pets. Remember to wash their bedding too.[8]
- Try running an air purifier and humidifier. These will clean the air and add moisture that can make your skin feel less itchy.
- Manage your stress. Research has shown that stress can make your eczema worse, which could make it spread. To reduce your stress, practice several calming therapies. For example, you can:[9]
- Take deep breaths
- Go for a walk
- Take short breaks during the day
- Do something you enjoy
- Meditate
- Avoid tobacco smoke. Studies have linked environmental tobacco smoke with worsening eczema symptoms. If you smoke, try to quit or limit the amount you smoke. You should also avoid smoky places such as bars, restaurants, or clubs if you're experiencing an eczema flare up.[10]
EditGetting Medical Treatment - Manage any food sensitivities. Although research is still being done, some studies suggest that severe eczema can be caused or made worse by food allergies. Food sensitivities are more likely to cause or spread eczema in children, rather than adults. Work with your doctor to identify if you're allergic or sensitive to a type of food. You may need to eliminate one of these from your diet:[11]
- Dairy
- Eggs
- Wheat
- Soy or nuts
- Seafood
- Apply topical corticosteroids. Your doctor will examine your skin to determine how severe the eczema is. They may prescribe a prescription ointment, cream, lotion, or spray. If your eczema is mild, you might be able to buy an over-the-counter corticosteroid such as hydrocortisone. Use the corticosteroid on the irritated skin and then apply a moisturizer on top, since corticosteroids can dry out the skin.[12]
- Follow your doctor's recommendation for using the corticosteroids. In most cases, you'll only need to apply them once a day.
- Take oral antibiotics to stop the spread of infection. If severe scratching has caused a rash that becomes infected, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics. These will kill the bacteria that spread the infection, which makes eczema worse. Keep in mind that because of the side effects, the doctor will only prescribe antibiotics if your skin is infected.[13]
- Try ultraviolet (UV) light therapy. If your eczema isn't responding to medication, talk with your doctor or dermatologist about using light therapy. Research shows that UV light can relieve the itching sensation in the short term, but you'll need 2 to 6 treatments a week for 4 weeks to 3 months.[14]
- Each treatment session only lasts a few minutes.
- Although there's no cure for eczema, treatment focuses on relieving itchy skin.
- If your eczema has red streaks or pus, or if you develop a fever, get medical treatment as soon as possible. These things are a sign of a secondary infection.
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| How to Improve Punching Speed Posted: 15 Jul 2018 01:00 AM PDT Boxing takes a lot of physical and mental stamina, and in the ring, every second matters. There's nothing like a quick, streamlined punch to keep you ahead of the game. Combine your strength, speed, and skills, and you too can float like a butterfly and sting like a bee! EditStrengthening Your Muscles - Strengthen your lower body by jumping, cycling, or squatting. Grab a jump rope to use, or do jumping jacks. Try cycling with either a stationary bike or a bicycle. Add weights to your squats for an extra challenge. Your lower body is essentially a foundation for power, so develop and strengthen your quads and hamstrings.[1]
- Punch through water or sandbags to increase your strength. While in a pool, make the water your target and punch straight ahead. The water adds resistance against your punch, similar to the way a resistance band works. Punch repetitively, consistently, and gently, to nail the punching motion. This technique will help build "muscle memory" for the punching motion while strengthening your muscles.
- You can use a sandbag as a substitution.
- Enhance your rotational movements by doing core exercises like sit ups and push ups. Strengthen your upper body with core exercises in order to better deliver your punch and improve speed. Also try moving your muscles in this rotational movement by swinging a baseball bat or a golf club like you would a punch. [2]
EditIncreasing Your Speed - Stretch to relax your body and maximize punch speed. Any tension in your body will slow down your punch speed. Take deep breaths, loosen your shoulders, and stretch to relieve muscle tension. The more relaxed your muscles are, the greater potential you have to move at maximum speed.
- Only tighten your fist at the moment of impact.
- Keep your biceps and shoulders loose until right before the punch.[3]
- Breathe deeply to clear your mind before you make your punch. Take deep breaths. Fill your lungs fully and release your breath entirely to release any tension in your mind or body. Taking deep breaths eliminates mental distractions. This will help you stay clear and focused on your punch.
- Do this meditative exercise for a few minutes before you fight or work out.
- Don't think about winning or losing, be present in the moment, and think of speed. [4]
- Breathe quickly to increase the speed of your punch. Experiment with your punching speed by slowing down and speeding up your breath. You will quickly find that if you breathe slowly, you can't punch as quickly. This is because quick movements stem from quick breaths. Aim to have quick and repetitive breaths, inhaling before you punch and exhaling after you throw your punch. [5]
- Try punching exercises like "shadowboxing" to build up punching speed. While focusing on your breath, practice punching as much as you can. Your speed will improve the more you practice. Use the "shadowboxing" technique, where you move around yourself throwing punches at the air.
- The fastest punch is delivered with the greatest amount of force within the smallest amount of time.
- Master the punching movement in the shortest amount of time to deliver the fastest punch possible. [6]
EditExercising with Training Tools - Use weighted gloves with punching exercises to increase your speed. Weighted gloves add weight to the back of your hands, making them ideal for punching exercises. The weight is kept in place for moves like upper-cuts, hooks, and jabs.
- Weighted gloves help keep your hand in a fixed position, good to help practice punching quickly.
- The extra weight helps you get used to making the punching motion with more weight so when you take the gloves off, it is easier to perform the move quickly.[7]
- Try wrist weights to increase your strength. Wrist weights are a type of hand weight attached to the wrist with Velcro straps to give an even distribution of weight. Put the wrist weights on your wrists and do your workout as usual, focusing on punching exercises. After you take them off, it will take much less force for you to punch, making the act of punching feel like less work.
- Improving strength in turn helps increase punching speed.
- Wrist weights are similar to weighted gloves, but the weight in these is distributed on the wrist rather than the back of the hand.[8]
- Hit a speed bag to practice punching quickly. Speed bags help improve hand-eye coordination and proper timing. The goal is to decrease the size of your circles, as smaller circles result in faster punches.
- Keep your hands close to the speed bag, and hit the bag in small circular movements. Your hand should make a small circle in the air.
- Hit the speed bag in a right-right, left-left rhythm--twice with your right hand then twice with your left. Repeat this, increasing speed as you get more comfortable. [9]
- Practice hitting a double-end bag to increase hand-eye coordination. Double-end bags improve your punching technique as well as speed. The goal is to hit the bag fast and accurately, until it becomes second nature. This improves your mental reflexes.
- Start off by hitting the bag with one or two punch combinations until you get a good sense of timing. Once this feels comfortable, throw a jab or other combination of punch. [10]
- Use resistance bands to build your muscle strength. Resistance bands are elastic ropes used to strengthen muscles by working with resistance. You can use resistance bands in many different exercises. Strengthening the arm muscles helps create a more fluid range of motion while punching, which increases speed over time.
- Place one foot on the middle of the elastic part of the band, grasp the hand strap, and curl your arm in an upwards motion, like you would for a bicep curl. This motion will help strengthen your biceps muscles. [11]
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