| How to Treat Chafing Posted: 06 Jan 2018 04:00 PM PST Chafing occurs when your skin gets too moist or rubs against another surface. If you have chafing wounds, wash them and apply a lubricant. If the chafed area is painful, swollen, bleeding, or crusted, then you may need an antibacterial cream to prevent infection. As you are healing, stay hydrated and wear loose clothing that won't stick to the wounds. To prevent chafing in the future, you might try applying body powder or anti-chafing creams to problem areas. EditHealing any Wounds - Warm with warm water and mild soap. If the chafed skin is torn or bleeding, there is a possibility that it could get infected with harmful bacteria. Gently pour warm water over the skin and apply a mild soap. Keep rinsing until all of the soap is gone. Carefully pat your skin dry with a towel.[1]
- Don't scrub or rub the chafed skin or you may worsen the damage. Your goal is not to smooth out the skin right now, it's to cleanse it.
- Apply a warm compress. Now that your skin is clean and free of debris, get a clean hand towel and soak it in warm water. Wring it out and place it on the irritated skin. Let it sit until it grows cold. Re-wet it again, if you are still in pain. The heat will help to increase blood flow to the area and reduce inflammation.[2]
- Rub in a lubricant or cream. Once your skin is dry, place a small amount of lubricant or cream onto your fingertips. Slowly work this lubricant or cream into your chafed skin, rubbing in tiny circles. Apply enough product so that the entire damaged skin is covered. This will help promote healing.[3]
- Apply the cream again at least once daily, until the chafed skin is no longer open or raw.
- If your chafed skin is red, swollen, or crusted, apply an antibacterial cream to prevent or treat the infection.
- Give your skin time to heal. For the next few days, it's best to minimize any activities that might further irritate that patch of chafed skin. If you have a saddle sore, skip biking for a bit. If you have a thigh burn, try to minimize walking long distances. If a certain piece of clothing is causing the chafing, such as a particular swimsuit, skip that suit and go with another one.[4]
- Talk with your doctor. If the skin remains red and irritated for more than a week, you may want to contact your doctor for an appointment or advice. It is possible that you might have an infection that could be treated with oral medications or a medicated cream.[5]
EditPromoting Fast Healing - Drink lots of water. Your body needs water to kick-start the healing process. As you are recovering from a chafing wound, it's even more important that you drink at least 8 glasses of water each day. If you exercise or do other strenuous activity, then you may need to drink even more to recover.[6]
- Bathe in Epsom salts. Run a nice, cold bath. Pour in 2 cups of salts and wait for them to fully dissolve. Sit in the bath for around 15 minutes. The salts will help to clean and dry out your chafing wounds. They will also help you to relax and take your mind off the pain.[7]
- Wear loose, cotton clothing. A breathable fabric, such as cotton, will allow your skin to get enough air to stay dry and heal. Cotton also does not hold moisture against your skin, which will limit bacterial growth. You'll want your clothing to be loose, so that it won't stick to any injured areas.[8]
- For example, instead of wearing a synthetic-fabric nightgown, try out cotton pajamas.
- Keep your skin dry. If you notice that your skin is chafing and moist, get a towel and gently pat it dry. This is particularly important when caring for folded areas of skin, as moisture in these areas will promote skin breakdown. You can also dry your skin by aiming a blow dryer at it.[9]
- Apply bandages over any open skin. If you are worried about your damaged skin chafing even further, either tape or roll a non-stick bandage over the skin. Keep the bandage fairly loose and change it every 2 hours or so. Giving your chafed skin the most air time possible is the best option, but a bandage will keep it cleaner.[10]
EditAvoiding Future Chafing - Apply bodyglide or Vaseline. Place a small amount of these anti-chafing products onto your fingertips and rub them into any areas of possible chafing. You want to lightly coat the entire area, not heavy enough to go through fabric but not light enough to wear off quickly.[11]
- The lubricating quality of these products will provide a protective barrier over your skin. Some people also use a thin layer of antiperspirant in the same way.
- Dust on a coating of body powder. Get a container of body powder and gently dust it over any skin that could chafe. The powder will help to absorb any moisture coming off of your skin. It will also create a barrier between skin-to-skin contact.[12]
- However, be warned that body powder can stain and come off on clothing. This is another reason to only apply it sparingly.
- Wear moisture-wicking fabrics if working out. Chafing often occurs while exercising due to the rubbing sensation of skin against skin or fabric. Wearing clothing designed to pull wetness away from the skin will help to eliminate or reduce the severity of chafing. This is also a situation where tighter-fitting clothing may be better than loose cotton.[13]
- Wear bandelettes. These are lace or light-fabric bands that are held onto your upper thighs with elastic edges. They are meant to prevent thigh chafing and can usually be worn throughout the entire day.[14]
- If the seams on your clothing are causing the chafing, you might try simply flipping them inside out when you are at home.[15]
- Repeated, deep chafing in the same part of your skin can cause scar tissue to develop over time.
- Make sure to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water before touching the chafed skin. This will reduce the possibility of spreading any infection.
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| How to Grow Gerbera Daisies Posted: 06 Jan 2018 08:00 AM PST Gerbera daisies are plants with bright, large, and colorful flowers. In warmer climates, gerbera daisies can be grown in the garden as perennials, but in cooler climates they're grown outdoors as annuals. Gerbera daisies also grow well in containers. This is convenient because you can bring the flowers in when it gets too cold. The trick with caring for gerbera daisies is providing the right amount of water for them to flourish. EditGerminating the Seeds - Aim to start the seeds indoors in early spring. Gerbera daisies can't be planted outside until the frost is done and the soil has started to warm. To give the seedlings a head start, you can start the seeds inside before that so they'll be ready for transplanting in late spring or early summer.
- Starting the seeds indoors early will also help to ensure that you get blooms this growing season.
- Fill a seed tray with a seed starting mix. Seed starting mix is a soilless potting mix that's lighter than typical potting soil, so it's better for germinating seeds. When the tray has been filled, use a spray bottle to moisten the mix in each cell. You can also make your own seed starting medium by combining equal parts:[1]
- Vermiculite
- Perlite
- Peat moss
- Plant the seeds. Use the sharpened tip of a pencil or a toothpick to poke a hole in the center of the medium in each seed cell. The hole should be about deep. Drop a seed in each hole with the pointed end facing down. The top of the seed should be just below the soil line. Pack the medium around the hole to cover the seed.[2]
- Water the seeds. Use a mister or small watering can to moisten the potting medium and help settle the seeds. As the seeds germinate, water as necessary to keep the soil slightly moist but not soggy.[3]
- Cover the tray with plastic. You can place a seed starter dome over the tray, or use a sheet of plastic wrap to cover the top. This will keep the seeds warm and keep moisture in the soil as the seeds germinate. You can remove the plastic in 2 to 3 weeks once the seeds have sprouted.[4]
- You won't have to water as often when the plastic is on the tray, but may have to water daily to keep the medium moist once the plastic comes off.
- Place the seeds somewhere bright. Choose a bright windowsill or other area where the seeds will get about 8 hour of indirect light every day. The bright light and plastic will also keep the seeds warm and encourage germination.[5]
EditTransplanting Gerbera Daisies to the Garden - Wait for the daisies to develop two sets of leaves. After the seeds have germinated, the gerbera daisy seedlings will continue to grow. The seedlings aren't ready to be transplanted outside until they've grown two sets of leaves (four leaves in total), and the soil has started to warm in the late spring or early summer.
- Even if the seedlings have two sets of leaves, don't transplant them until the threat of frost has past.[6]
- Choose a location with morning sun and afternoon shade. Gerbera daisies are native to South Africa, so they don't tend to like temperatures above . Because of this, it's important to keep them out of the hot afternoon sun. They also like a lot of light, so the ideal location is somewhere that's bright and sunny in the morning but protected from direct sun in the afternoon.[7]
- Amend the soil with compost. Gerbera daisies are particularly susceptible to rot if they're exposed to too much moisture. You can help improve soil drainage by tilling of compost into the garden bed before planting. This will also enrich the soil and encourage better blooms.[8]
- Instead of compost, you can use peat or some other organic material.
- In areas with soil that has a very high clay content, consider amending the soil with sand as well to improve drainage. Otherwise, you can plant the daisies in containers.
- Dig holes for the seedlings. Use your hand or a spade to dig holes that are just deep and wide enough for the root ball. If you plant the daisies too deep in the soil, the crowns will rot. The holes should be spaced apart to allow adequate airflow between the plants.[9]
- Plant the daisies in the soil. Gently remove the seedlings from the seed trays and place one seedling in each hole. Cover the root ball with soil and use your hands to gently firm the soil around the roots to secure the seedling in place.
- Water the seedlings thoroughly to set them in the soil. Water the soil around the seedlings to avoid getting the plants wet. As the plants grow, water them deeply once a week to keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy. Avoid getting water on the blooms or leaves, as this can lead to rot.
- Always water gerbera daisies in the morning so excess water will dry during the day.[10]
- Fertilize the daisies monthly. It takes a great deal of energy to produce large and beautiful flowers, and you can help the daisies by providing regular nutrients. Once a month during spring, summer, and early fall, add an all-purpose liquid fertilizer to the water before watering the plants.[11]
- Remove dead flowers to encourage new blooms. As the flowers bloom, watch them carefully so that you can snip them off as they start to wilt. Use sterilized garden shears to trim off dying flowers and leaves. This will encourage the plant to grow more flowers.[12]
- To keep from having to remove spent blooms, you can instead cut blooms when they're fresh and bring them indoors. If you keep the flowers in water, they should last for several days.
EditGrowing Potted Gerbera Daisies Indoors - Choose a container with good drainage. The most important thing when growing gerbera daisies in pots is to choose a container with lots of drainage holes. Choose the smallest pot possible so you can easily move the plant outside as the weather allows. Growing gerbera daisies in pots is ideal if you:[13]
- Live in a cooler climate with cold fall and winter months
- Live in a rainy climate where the plant will get too much water in the garden
- Live in a climate where the relative humidity is often over 65 percent
- Have high-clay soil that doesn't drain well
- Fill the container with a light potting mix. The ideal soil for gerbera daisies is a well-draining and fertile soil, such as a potting mix with lots of peat, perlite, or vermiculite mixed in. Fill the container and then moisten the soil with water using a mister.[14]
- Dig up the daisies from the garden. If you're moving the plant from the garden to a container to overwinter it, use a spade to gently dig the soil around the roots to loosen them from the ground. When the root have been loosened, hold the plant by the base of the grow and gently lift it from the soil.
- Plant the daisy in the pot. Use a spade to dig a hole in the soil. The hole should be just large enough to accommodate the root ball. Transplant the daisy from the garden or the seed tray (if you're moving seedlings directly into pots) to the container and cover the roots with soil. Use your hands to gently pack the soil around the roots.
- Water the plant every 3 to 5 days. Gerbera daisies like soil that's evenly moist but never soggy or wet. A good test is to stick your finger into the soil. If the soil feels dry, water the plant thoroughly. Otherwise, leave it for another day or two.[15]
- Gerbera daisies tend to need less water during the winter months, but never let the soil dry out completely.
- Place the pot where it will get morning sun. The ideal temperature for gerbera daisies is around , so you don't want them in direct afternoon sun. To provide them with enough light, find a window that gets lots of direct morning sun, but that's shaded in the afternoon and only gets indirect light later in the day.[16]
- In the warmer months during spring and summer, you can leave the potted gerbera daisy outside in an area with similar lighting conditions.
- Fertilize the plant monthly during growing periods. The plants will need additional nutrients in spring and summer when they're actively growing and producing flowers. Every 30 days, dissolve a 15-5-15 fertilizer in the water before watering the plant to feed the daisies.[17]
- Deadhead old blooms. When the flowers on the plant start to wilt and die, remove them with clean gardening shears. This will redirect the plant's energy and encourage new flowers. You should also trim off dead leaves and foliage as they begin to wilt and brown.[18]
- Gerbera daisies are also known as Barberton or Transvaal daisies.
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| How to Prevent Tartar Posted: 06 Jan 2018 12:00 AM PST Tartar is a hard mineral that builds up when plaque is not removed from your teeth. It can only be removed with dental cleaning, so it is best to avoid its build up in the first place. To prevent tartar, you should practice good dental hygiene. This means removing plaque quickly by brushing and flossing regularly and having regular dental cleanings. With thorough preventative care, your teeth can stay healthy and tartar free for years to come.[1] EditPracticing Good Oral Hygiene - Brush your teeth at least twice a day. In order to remove plaque from your teeth, and in turn prevent tartar from developing, it's important to brush your teeth. Brushing twice a day is recommended to keep plaque and tartar at bay.[2]
- Typically, you should brush your teeth in the morning when you get up and in the evening before you go to bed. However, pick a brushing schedule that works for you and stick to it.
- Floss every day. Tartar can build up between your teeth if you do not remove food that builds up there. By flossing once every day you will remove the substances that cause plaque and tartar.[3]
- When flossing, slide the floss gently between each of your teeth. Move the floss around between the teeth to remove any debris between them. Then pull the floss out with a sawing motion.
- Sugars and starches that build up between your teeth are especially capable of developing into plaque and tartar. If you have been eating sugar or starch, consider flossing right after eating.
- Use plaque-removing mouthwash. There are some mouthwashes that are formulated to help remove plaque from the teeth. They typically help loosen plaque so that your brushing and flossing is more effective. Using one of these mouthwashes once a day in combination with brushing and flossing can improve your dental health and prevent tartar.[4]
- Use your mouthwash after you brush and floss in order to rinse away any left over debris.
- Look at the label on your mouthwash and make sure that it has antibacterial properties designed to fight plaque. Good mouthwashes typically have a seal of approval from a professional dental organization, such as the American Dental Association.
- Avoid foods that are bad for your teeth. In order to prevent the buildup of plaque you should avoid eating foods that promote its growth. These include sugary and starchy foods, such as candy, soda, and bread.[5]
- If you do eat these foods, brush your teeth after eating them. However, if you don't have access to a toothbrush and toothpaste right away, be sure to drink a lot of water to rinse these foods off your teeth.
EditRemoving Plaque Effectively - Use the right toothbrush. If you want to get rid of plaque and prevent tartar, you need to use an effective toothbrush. Use a soft-bristled brush so that the plaque is removed but the gums and enamel of the teeth are not damaged.
- The bristles of the toothbrush should be rounded. This also protects your enamel and gums from damage.[6]
- Use a tartar control toothpaste. There are many toothpastes to choose from but you should make sure to get one labeled for tartar control. These toothpastes have a built-in mild abrasive that can remove plaque from the surface of your teeth.[7]
- If you have sensitive teeth, make sure to get a toothpaste that is labeled for tarter control and sensitive teeth.
- Brush at a 45° angle with short strokes. In order to remove plaque from below the gum line, angle your tooth brush correctly. By holding your brush at a 45° angle, you will get some of the bristles down below the top of the gums.[8]
- Use short, gentle, and circular movements when brushing. This will be most effective for removing plaque and food debris.
- Brush all of your teeth thoroughly. Spend time cleaning every tooth. If you are taking the time to clean them all, your total brushing time should be about 2 minutes.[9]
- It is important to clean all sides of your teeth. Take time to clean the inside, outside and top surfaces of your teeth.
EditHaving Your Teeth Professionally Cleaned - Schedule regular cleanings. To keep your teeth tartar free, you should have your teeth cleaned in a dental office on a regular basis. Be sure to schedule your cleanings in advance so you actually get them done on a regular basis.
- While many dental professionals recommend 2 cleanings per year, the actual number you need may vary. Talk to your dentist about how often you should get cleanings based on any risk factors or dental issues you have.[10]
- Contact your dental office if you suspect something is wrong with your teeth. If you are having pain or irritation in your mouth, it could be the sign of a problem that needs treatment. Contact your dentist and schedule an appointment to have your teeth looked at and treated.
- Have your teeth inspected. First, the dental hygienist will look inside your mouth and assess your teeth. They will look over all your teeth and look for signs of plaque and tartar build up.[11]
- The hygienist will also look for signs of other dental problems, such as gingivitis.
- Have your teeth cleaned. When you have your teeth cleaned by a hygienist, they will likely begin by manually removing plaque and tartar. To do this, they will use a metal pick called a scaler. The hygienist will then continue the cleaning by brushing your teeth with a gritty toothpaste. This will remove any remaining plaque and tartar on your teeth.[12]
- The gritty toothpaste that is used in dental offices gives your teeth a shiny polish, but it should only be used twice a year. Using this type of toothpaste more often can damage the enamel surface of your teeth.
- Get an ultrasonic cleaning. After your dental hygienist gives your teeth a general cleaning, you may need more advanced care. If plaque and tartar have built up significantly, your hygienist may clean it away with an ultrasonic cleaner. This uses vibrations and water to clean off large chunks of tartar.[13]
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