| How to Get Rid of Bumps After Waxing Posted: 25 Aug 2017 05:00 PM PDT Getting rid of the small, red bumps that appear after waxing can be quick and painless. You can eliminate these post-wax bumps through exfoliation and keeping the freshly waxed area clean. You can also prevent the bumps from showing up with a cold compress post-wax and by making sure you don't apply lotion or oil to freshly waxed skin. EditEliminating Post-Wax Bumps - Keep the area clean. It's important that you keep the waxed area clean, especially during the first few days following a wax. Sweat and dirt can get trapped on freshly waxed skin, contributing to the development of those pesky bumps. Try showering at least once a day and making sure you clean the waxed area thoroughly during your shower.[1]
- Exfoliate daily to treat ingrown hairs. Dead skin cells can build up after you get a wax, clogging the hair follicle and causing ingrown hairs. After you wax, make sure you exfoliate the area every day. Try swapping out your regular washcloth for an exfoliating cloth. Then gently rub the wet exfoliating cloth over the waxed area with your favorite soap or body wash.[2]
- You can buy an exfoliating cloth at your local drug store or online.
- You can also try a topical exfoliating product, like a post-wax cream that contains salicylic acid. Be sure to apply the products to clean skin and carefully follow the directions on the package.
- Exfoliating can help prevent and treat bumps.
- Use a warm compress and hydrogen peroxide for painful ingrown hairs. If you have post-wax bumps that are painful to the touch and/or feel pressurized under the skin's surface, you might have infected ingrown hairs. If this is the case, take a warm compress and apply it to the affected area. Leave the compress on for 1-2 minutes, and then swipe the area with a cotton ball soaked in hydrogen peroxide.[3]
- You can use a warm compress several times to help alleviate the bumps.
- Use a hydrocortisone cream. Calming inflammation after a wax can help eliminate post-wax bumps. Dab a small amount of one-percent hydrocortisone cream on the waxed area after your procedure. For example, a pea-sized amount works well after a brow wax. Use more for a larger area.[4]
- Apply a thin, even layer across the skin.
- Talk to your dermatologist. If you frequently get bumps after waxing, you might want to make an appointment with your dermatologist. They can determine what is causing the bumps, such as a proclivity to ingrown hairs, and whether waxing is the best way to remove unwanted hair. For example, they may suggest a depilatory or laser treatments instead of waxing.[5]
EditPreventing Bumps After a Wax - Use a gentle cleanser after waxing. After you are finished waxing an area, gently wash it with a mild cleanser. Don't use soap or scrubs, as both can irritate the freshly waxed skin. For example, after you wax your eyebrows, wash your face with an everyday, gentle facial cleanser.[6]
- If you waxed your body, use a gentle cleanser like castile soap.
- Apply witch hazel after waxing. You can soothe freshly waxed skin with a gentle application of witch hazel. Dip a cotton ball in with hazel. Then, smooth it across the area that was waxed. You can purchase witch hazel at your local drug store or online.[7]
- Don't apply lotions or oils after a wax. Lotions, oils, and other types of moisturizers can clog the pores of freshly waxed skin. Avoid applying these products right after a wax. If you find your skin needs extra moisture, try aloe vera gel instead.[8]
- Try a cold compress after waxing. One way to cut down on the bumps some people get after waxing is by icing. Apply ice to the waxed area to help reduce inflammation. Make sure the ice pack or bag containing ice is clean so that you do not inadvertently introduce bacteria and dirt to your waxed skin.[9]
- You can use a cold compress as often as you like.
- Wear loose clothing. Tight clothes can trap dirt and sweat, contributing to the appearance of post-wax bumps. Try wearing loose, breathable clothing after a wax. This will allow your skin to breathe and may help prevent the appearance or exacerbation of unsightly bumps.[10]
- For example, you should avoid wearing tights after a bikini wax. Instead, opt for loose fitting pants or a skirt.
EditThings You'll Need - Wax
- Hydrocortisone cream
- Ice or a cold compress
- Loose clothing
- Witch hazel
EditSources and Citations
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| How to Cope With Being Pregnant at Work Posted: 25 Aug 2017 09:00 AM PDT Most women continue to work during pregnancy, but you should not need to suffer to do so. By making some reasonable accommodations, easing morning sickness, managing fatigue, and handling workplace relations, you can successfully cope with pregnancy at your place of employment. With a few simple changes, you can remain safe and comfortable at work. EditMaking Accommodations - Avoid hazardous materials and dangerous activities. Some chemicals are known to negatively impact fetal growth. Furthermore, some activities--like heavy lifting or performing x-rays--are known to be dangerous for pregnant women. If you're in a job with dangerous conditions, you should ask to be shifted to other duties (not involving chemicals handling, heavy lifting, or x-rays) for the duration of your pregnancy and lactation.[1]
- If you work in an industry that handles chemicals, find out immediately what is safe for you to be around and what is not.
- Look into your legal rights and be sure that your workplace is not violating them.
- Make physical accommodations for yourself. Try to make your work experience as comfortable as possible. If you'll be sitting, choose a comfortable chair. If you'll be standing (in one spot), add an additional mat under your feet. If you'll be at a computer, aim to create an ergonomically correct workstation. If you need to grab or pick up items (for instance, in retail work), consider using a "grabber arm" in order to avoid excess bending.[2]
- Ask your employer for help. Talk to your employer about implementing any reasonable accommodations that will help you to work more comfortably. If you are comfortable, you'll be able to work more effectively and stay at work later into your pregnancy. Review your employee handbook and/or state/province/country guidelines to find out what rights you are entitled to.[3]
- For example, you might need to run to the restroom more often that the average employee. You might say, "Can we make a plan to manage times when I need to step away?"
- If you need more breaks/snacks, you could say, "Would it be possible for me to take shorter breaks more often, instead of a long lunch?"
- If you need some time off work for doctor's appointments, you could say, "I need to schedule my doctor's appointments during business hours and these can conflict with my work schedule. I thought maybe we could work together to find the best times before I made official appointments."
- Wear comfortable clothing and shoes. Even if your "regular" clothing still fits, it may press on your body in uncomfortable ways. You can help ease any discomfort and feel cute by wearing specially-made maternity clothes. You may also need to change your footwear. Choose shoes that cushion your feet, while allowing room for swelling.[4]
- Dressing in layers can also be a good way to cope with hot flashes!
EditEasing Morning Sickness and Heartburn - Snack often. Although it is called "morning sickness," pregnancy-related nausea can strike at any time. The best way to keep this at bay is to keep a little bit of food in your tummy at all times. Keep healthy snacks with you at work.[5]
- Fresh fruit, dried fruit, nuts, crackers, cheese, milk/non-dairy drinks, and water are good selections to have at hand.
- Try to avoid snacking on high-sugar, low-quality foods. These can contribute to feeling tired.
- Talk to your employer about working short snack-breaks into your schedule.
- Avoid nausea triggers. These can be drastically different for everyone, but it won't take you long to decipher what makes your stomach turn. Avoid eating foods or encountering smells that trigger your nausea. Consider moving your work station (if possible), or asking co-workers to alter their behaviors (if you think it will help).[6] Some common triggers include:
- Food smells
- Perfume smells
- Coffee
- Greasy foods
- Visual triggers, such as watching people eat
- Take nausea medication. Some over-the-counter and prescription nausea medications are approved for use during pregnancy. Talk to your doctor about the best options for you, especially if morning sickness is interfering with your happiness, comfort, or ability to work.[7]
- Supplements such as B6 might help.
- Dramamine is approved for use during pregnancy.
- Prescription drugs such as doxylamine and pyridoxine are approved for use during pregnancy, but they have been shown to cause drowsiness.
- Try natural alternatives. You also have a number of natural nausea remedies available to you that you can explore. Every person is different, so you will need to experiment to find something that works for you.[8] You might try:
- Mint (essential oil, tea, or candies)
- Ginger (tea, hard candies, ginger chews, or supplements)
- Acupressure therapy (such as motion sickness bracelets)
- Acupuncture
- Hypnosis
- Aromatherapy
- Manage heartburn. Another common digestive problem during pregnancy is heartburn. When it comes to managing heartburn, you have a couple of options. You can avoid heartburn-producing foods (such as tomato sauce, greasy food, spicy food, citrus, or dairy), and/or you can take approved medication.
- Some OTC approved medications for heartburn include: Tums, Mylanta, Malox, or Pepcid.
- Your doctor may recommend Zantac or Tagamet if your heartburn is severe.
- Stay hydrated. Particularly if you are prone to morning sickness (but even if you are not), staying hydrated can help keep you healthy and comfortable during your pregnancy. Drinking water after you eat may also help prevent heartburn.[9].
- Plain water is your best option, but sparkling water, coconut water, non-dairy milks, and occasional fruit juice are good choices, too
- If you have been vomiting, it is especially important to consume fluids.
- For some, sparkling water can help ease nausea.
EditManaging Fatigue - Consume iron-rich foods. Fatigue may come as the result of anemia, or low iron, which is quite common during pregnancy. You can counter anemia and boost your energy levels by consuming plenty of iron-rich foods.[10]
- Some iron-rich foods include: meat, poultry, spinach (and other leafy greens), broccoli, sweet potatoes, beans, and fortified cereals.
- Supplementing iron is an option, but it can cause upset stomach, so this may not be a good choice for you.
- Take frequent breaks. Taking short, frequent breaks can help keep your energy up while you're at work. Getting up and walking around or resting your eyes in a dark room for a few minutes can do wonders for your mood and help counter fatigue. Do this as often as you are able during your work day.[11]
- Speak to your employer about working short breaks into your daily schedule.
- Maintain a fitness routine. Fitness may be the furthest thing from your mind during pregnancy (especially if you are not feeling well). However, maintaining a modest fitness routine can help boost energy levels and keep you (and your baby) healthy.[12]
- Try going for a walk after work each night (or on your lunch break).
- Look for prenatal fitness classes (such as yoga, Zumba, or water aerobics) in your area.
- Be careful not to overexert yourself.
- Go to bed early. The best way to cope with pregnancy fatigue is to sleep as much as possible. Avoid staying up late to tackle tasks. Rest is more important to a healthy, comfortable pregnancy than crossing items off of your to-do list.[13]
EditHandling Workplace Relations - Decide when to tell people. Many people choose to disclose their pregnancy toward the end of the first trimester. However, if you suffer from severe morning sickness, you may need to inform your employer of the pregnancy sooner. Determine when you'd like to inform your employer, and who you are comfortable sharing this information with.
- Know your rights. Find out your legal rights in relation to work and pregnancy. Research the guidelines for your country and province/state, as well as the policies specific to your workplace.[14] Such guidelines should help explain:
- Hazardous actions that you should avoid at work, and safe alternatives
- How many sick days/family days you can take
- What (if any) accommodations will be offered during your pregnancy
- The length of your maternity leave
- Your ability to pump breast milk after you return
- Plan your maternity leave. If you will be taking a maternity leave from work, work with your employer to determine the approximate start date and end date. Determine what you will need to do ahead of time to prepare for this absence, and do it as early as possible. As your due date nears, leave everything you work with (your station, desk, locker, etc.) neat and orderly before going home each day. Your baby may arrive sooner than you think![15]
- You may want to compose a written "maternity leave plan," that outlines exactly what you have agreed to, including the length of your leave, what (if any) contact you will have with your workplace while you are gone, and what (if any) duties you will continue to perform while you are gone.
- You have the right to set boundaries. Your co-workers should never touch your "bump" without your permission.
- If you find yourself in the unfortunate position of being fired as a result of being pregnant, seek immediate legal advice, or go to the government department responsible for labor laws in your country. In some countries it's illegal to fire a woman for being pregnant!
- Get your health professional's advice when you are worried about the potential for aspects of your work impacting on the baby's health; do your research but also ensure that a qualified person canvases your concerns thoroughly. Your doctor can be your best ally.
EditRelated wikiHows EditSources and Citations
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| How to Introduce Your Guinea Pig to Floor Time Posted: 25 Aug 2017 01:00 AM PDT Floor time is an excellent method that should be introduced to your guinea pigs to promote a healthy lifestyle with mental stimulation and exercise. They should have floor time at least once a week to reduce boredom. If you've never given your guinea pig floor time then now is a great time to start! EditPreparing for Floor Time - Understand the concept of floor time. The purpose of floor time is to provide your guinea pig with exercise, fun and a time to explore new objects and toys all in one. Floor time is also beneficial to your guinea pig's mental health, as it gives them a special time to interact with new objects.
- Floor time is an increasingly popular and effective method to keep guinea pigs fit and encourage them to exercise. During floor time, your guinea pig is promoted to move around more and manoeuvre their body to get through obstacles.
- Floor time also allows you to play and bond with your guinea pig. The open space allows the both of you to interact better and connect with each other.
- During floor time, the purpose is to provide your guinea pig with plenty of toys, huts, tunnels and obstacles to explore and play with on the open floor. This is something your guinea pig probably wouldn't be able to do just as well in their confined cage.
- Understand that your guinea pigs may feel scared at first. It might seem odd reading about floor time as an exercise method and then seeing your guinea pig inactively huddle in the corner of the room. This is normal and every guinea pig starts out like this. The new surroundings takes a toll; your guinea pig will need some time getting use to the concept of floor time just as much as you do.
- The open space will scare your guinea pig at first. You can help ease your guinea pig by providing an adequate amount of hides (or pigloos).
- Set a schedule. Floor time should be a weekly activity for you and your guinea pig. However, the smaller the cage your guinea pig lives in, the more floor time you should introduce. A guinea pig can live comfortably in a smaller cage if they get plenty of floor time; which allows them to get the proper exercise and stimulation they need.
- Make a schedule of how many days a week, when and for how long you want your floor time to be. Such as every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday for an hour of floor time. Guinea pigs thrive on consistency and schedules.[1]
- Acquire a puppy pen or border (optional). Considering that you will be using an open floor space, setting up a border will help construct a safer and more secure environment to play in. However, this is an optional decision. If you are not worried about your guinea pig wondering off around the room then skip this step.
- A border should be assembled if your room isn't safe or secure for your cavy to roam around in.
- C & C cubes are a cheap and easy material you could use to make a DIY play pen for your guinea pigs.
- Decide where you would like your floor time to be. There are no limits on where you can go to introduce floor time. Consider arranging floor time directly outside of your guinea pigs cage. This assures that you don't have to go through the hassle of transporting your guinea pig from one room to another.
- Of course, some rooms are safer than others. Don't hold back from choosing a safer and more secure room over a room of which is closer to your guinea pig's cage.
- No room is off limits. If you feel that a kitchen or bathroom would be a safer place to hold floor time then go ahead! However, take into account of the tiles during the colder months.
- Try to select a room that has low traffic where you and your guinea pig are less likely to be disturbed. On top of that, it is suggested to choose a room that is well-lit and well-ventilated (but no drafts).[2]
EditSetting Up - Safety check your room. It is important to ensure that the room you choose for floor time is safe and secure for your guinea pig to play and roam around in. It is your duty to provide a safe environment for your guinea pig. This includes;
 - Packing away wires sprawled around the room. You can temporarily put these into a box secured away from your guinea pig or put them up somewhere. If your guinea pig chews into the wire it will cause an electric shock. This includes phone chargers too.
- Blocking off areas where your guinea pig shouldn't go. Guinea pigs are notorious for getting into places where they shouldn't be. Usually out of fright they will scamper to the first hiding spot they see, which could be anything from under a large wardrobe to hiding behind a sofa. You can block these off with something as simple as a flattened, cardboard box.
- Removing pets from the room. Other animals, such as dogs or cats, are seen as predators to guinea pigs. If you have both animals in the same room, your guinea pig might feel threatened and therefore discouraged to come out and play.
- Closing the door to the room.
- Remove any house plants that are poisonous to your guinea pig. If unsure about a specific plant; remove it. Don't put your guinea pig at risk.
- Set down some puppy pads or fabric. Fleece is highly recommended to lay down before you start floor time with your guinea pigs. The material should pick up all the droppings and urine; making clean-up easier and quicker for you.
- Puppy pads can be expensive whilst fleece is reusable. It would be much more convenient opting for fleece instead.
- Add toys. Toys are the fun part of floor time. You can place as many toys as you would like, as the space is unlimited. However, do not get sucked into thinking that any toy is safe for your guinea pig. There are a few toys that should be steered away from.
- Exercise wheels and balls are a big no! These objects are commonly targeted for guinea pigs in pet shops, when they aren't actually any good. Unlike mice and hamsters, guinea pigs do not possess a flexible spine. Using these balls/wheels on your guinea pig will result in harming their back.
- Check for splintering wood. Before you add a wooden toy to the floor time area, examine the wood to check for splinters or splintering which can harm your guinea pig when/if they chew it.
- Avoid wire treat toys. Guinea pigs are known to get their head stuck in these. Go for a safer alternative such as a plastic ball treat dispenser.
- Add huts and hiding holes . When you first introduce your guinea pig to play time, it is common that they feel frightened and may want to hide away. Huts aren't only a great object for your guinea pig to explore, but they serve the purpose of providing a safe place for your guinea pig to retreat to when scared, thus reducing stress levels.
- Add tunnels and ramps. Guinea pigs are burrowing animals in the wild; they love hiding in tunnels and climbing ramps! You can purchase a safe tunnel from a pet shop or recycle a cardboard tube. Ramps can be made out of almost anything.
- Add obstacles. With obstacles, your guinea pig is promoted to do more exercise and manoeuvre around the objects. Obstacles can be anything from toys to tunnels and ramps. Anything lying around the house (and is of course pet-safe) can be used as an obstacle such as blocks, wood, logs, pillows, etc.
- You could even construct a maze with the obstacles.
- Include a feeding station. During floor time, guinea pigs should still be allowed to have access to food whenever they would like. Add a bundle of hay, some plain pellets, water and vegetables.
- A water bottle is preferred during playtime to reduce leakage and mess.
- It isn't important to provide your guinea pigs with vegetables or pellets during floor time. However, they should continue to have access to fresh water and hay.
- Provide your guinea pigs with hay. Hay can become a fun toy for your guinea pigs too - place a compacted bundle in the centre of the floor and watch your guinea pigs explore and walk around in it. Alternatively you can collect a bundle of untreated, fresh grass and place it in the centre of the floor. Guinea pigs love grass just as much as they love hay.
EditDoing Floor Time - Supervise your guinea pigs. During floor time, it is important that you have full supervision of your guinea pigs whilst they are playing and exploring. Something can easily go wrong in an unconfined, open space where there is no supervision.
- Use your time up effectively and wisely. Bond with your guinea pigs. Talk to them or even play with them.
- Encourage your guinea pig with treats. It's understandable that your guinea pig might be shy at first with the new space and surroundings of floor time. You can try your best to encourage your guinea pig to walk around and explore through the use of treats. Guinea pigs love fresh vegetables, or consider a forage mix.
- Fruits make a great alternative to commercial treats which are far too sugary. Fruits are just as sweet but contain less sugar and preservatives.
- Take time to bond with your guinea pig. Floor time should be a special time for not just your guinea pig but you as well. In the space you are provided you should use your time up effectively. Socialise and play with your guinea pig. Be in the space with them and explore each object along their side.
- If your floor time space is upstairs, secure off the stairway.
- Guinea pigs, surprisingly, can fit in the tightest of spaces. There are numerous stories of guinea pigs getting stuck inside furniture, behind refrigerators, etc. Make sure to block all spaces off.
- Never use exercise wheels or balls during floor time. Guinea pigs have delicate spines which are nothing alike to other small rodents such as mice and hamsters. These objects can easily injure their back.
EditSources and Citations
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