| How to Clean a Daith Piercing Posted: 19 Jan 2019 04:00 PM PST A daith piercing passes through the ear's innermost cartilage fold, and is an interesting form of body art. Like other cartilage piercings, it's particularly prone to infection. However, taking good care of your new daith piercing can help ensure it heals properly. Clean it twice a day with saline solution, and don't touch the area except when you're cleaning it. Healing can take 6 months. During that time, leave the earring in place, and avoid exposing the area to sources of infection. EditCleaning Your New Piercing Daily - Clean the piercing with saline solution twice daily. Cleaning the piercing more than twice a day can cause irritation. Use a store-bought saline solution or the cleanser your piercer provided. Alternatively, make your own saline solution by mixing 1/8 teaspoon of non-iodized salt with of warm water.[1]
- Don't clean the piercing with rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide, as these can delay the healing process.
- Wash your hands before touching your piercing. Wash up with hot water and soap for at least 20 seconds before you clean the piercing. After washing your hands, dry them with a disposable paper towel.[2]
- Only touch the area around the piercing when you clean it.
- Soak a clean gauze pad in saline solution. Use clean, lint-free medical gauze to apply saline to your piercing. Squirt bottled saline onto the gauze pad to saturate it, or dip the pad into a cup of a homemade solution.[3]
- Don't use cotton balls or cotton wool; the fibers could get caught in the piercing.[4]
- Hold the gauze pad to the piercing for 5 minutes. Keep the gauze in place to allow the saline to work its way into the piercing. Don't move the piercing as you clean it. If there's any crusted buildup around the piercing, allow the saline to soften it, then gently wipe it away when you've finished soaking.[5]
- White or pale yellow buildup is normal. Don't pick at it; just soften with the saline, then wipe it away.
- Pat the area dry with a clean paper towel. Dry the area with a disposable paper towel instead of a cloth. Leaving it wet could promote bacterial growth.[6]
- A cloth can harbor bacteria and snag on the piercing, so go with a paper towel.
EditKeeping Your Piercing Clean - Don't twist or pick at the piercing while it's healing. Playing with the earring could irritate the piercing and prevent healing. Additionally, germs from your hands could lead to infection.[7]
- Remember not to pick at any crusty residue that builds up around the piercing.
- It can take up to 6 months for a daith piercing to heal.
- Keep hairspray, lotion, and other products away from the piercing. Do your best not to get shampoo into the piercing when you wash your hair. If you have long hair, wear it up as much as possible to keep hair products out of the piercing. Avoid using hairspray; if you do, don't spray it near the piercing.[8]
- Beauty and cosmetic products can cause irritation and block air circulation, which can interfere with the healing process.
- Avoid swimming until the piercing has healed. It's especially important to avoid submerging the piercing in pools, lakes, and hot tubs. Bacteria in these bodies of water can lead to infection.[9]
- Bathtubs can also harbor bacteria, so take showers instead of baths while the piercing is healing.
- If you do go swimming, cover the piercing with a wound-sealing waterproof bandage, which you can purchase at your local pharmacy.
- Clean your phone and any other objects that touch your ear. Wipe your phone, earphones, and other objects that come into contact with your ear daily with sanitizing pads. Try to limit your use of earphones, and hold your phone to your other ear whenever possible.[10]
- If you wear glasses, clean the parts that slip over your ears at least daily.
- Try to avoid sleeping on the piercing. It's also wise to cover your pillow with a clean tee shirt. That way, if you do sleep on the piercing, it'll be touching a clean surface.[11]
- If you can't get comfortable in any position other than on your side, try sleeping on a neck pillow. Sleep on your side with your ear in the neck pillow's opening to protect the piercing from pressure and friction.
- Additionally, wash your bedding weekly. Dirty sheets and pillowcases can lead to infection.[12]
EditSpotting Signs of Infection - Note any worsening bleeding, pain, redness, and swelling. Some discomfort, bleeding, and swelling during the first few days is common in daith and other cartilage piercings. However, persistent or worsening symptoms could be a sign that something's wrong.[13]
- Contact your piercer or see a doctor if bleeding, swelling, or pain don't improve within a few days after getting your ear pierced.
- Check for a yellow or green foul-smelling discharge. Note that an odorless white or light yellow discharge that dries into a crusty residue isn't pus. This is a normal part of the healing process. Pus, or foul-smelling, darker yellow or green discharge, is a sign of infection.[14]
- If you see pus, carefully clean the piercing with saline, and don't remove the earring. The ring helps allow the wound to drain.
- See a doctor if you notice signs of infection. Contact your piercer, see your doctor, or head to a health clinic if your piercing is infected. Without proper treatment, infected daith piercings can lead to serious complications, such as abscesses and deformed ears.[15]
- An reputable piercer can recommend a doctor or clinic experienced with treating infected cartilage piercings. Treatment may include topical or oral antibiotics. If you're prescribed medication, take it according to your doctor's instructions.
- Daith piercings are sometimes used to manage migraines. However, there's no scientific evidence that they actually reduce pain due to migraines or migraine frequency.[16]
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| How to Drink White Wine Posted: 19 Jan 2019 08:00 AM PST Drinking white wine is a rich, flavorful experience. The different types of white wines have widely divergent flavor profiles that are delicious on their own or paired with different foods. This all may sound a little intimidating at first, but once you get the hang of the different white wine types, how best to serve and taste them, and what foods go best with each type, drinking white wine will become a much more rewarding experience for you! EditServing and Tasting White Wine - Chill your white wine to before serving it. The best way to get your wine to this temperature is to store it in the refrigerator after you buy it and leave it there for several hours. Conversely, if you need to serve it right away, leave your bottle in the freezer for about 30 minutes to do the trick![1]
- While this is the optimal temperature range for white wine, don't worry too much about chilling your wine down to a specific temperature. Just getting your white wine down to "refrigerator temperature" should be enough to put it in this optimal range.
- If you do want to make sure your wine is before serving it, use a bottle thermometer to gauge the wine's temperature before you open it. You can buy one of these devices relatively cheaply online or in a winery.
- Drink your wine out of a white wine glass with a small bowl. This kind of glass is best for preserving the aroma of white wine, maintaining the wine's optimal cool temperature, and expressing the acidity of wines like sauvignon blanc. However, if you can't use a white wine glass, a standard wine glass will usually also work.[2]
- If you're drinking a creamier white wine, like American chardonnay, a glass with a large bowl may actually do a better job of expressing that creamy texture.
- Hold your glass by the stem to avoid heating the wine with your hands. You may not realize it, but holding the wine glass by the bowl inadvertently allows you to transfer the body heat in your hands into the wine. If drinking white wine at the optimal cool temperature is important to you, make sure you always grip your glass by its stem.[3]
- Conversely, if your wine is too cold (which is possible), holding the glass by the bowl is a good way to let the wine heat up a bit before drinking it.
- Take some time to appreciate the appearance and aroma of the wine. Hold the glass up to the light to appreciate the wine's color, or swirl the glass to see how much of the wine sticks to the glass. Before you drink it, lift the glass up to your nose and breathe in the scent of the wine. The experience of drinking white wine is as much about the look and smell of the wine as it is about the taste of it.[4]
- The primary aromas associated with wine are fruit flavors, herbal flavors, and floral flavors. When you smell your wine, see if it has a fruity smell like raspberries, an herbal aroma like mint, or a flowery smell like roses.
- Don't feel discouraged if you don't notice much about the wine's smell at first. The more experience you have with different wines, the more you'll learn to distinguish individual flavors and aromas.
- How much of the wine sticks to the glass when you swirl it indicates how rich and dense the wine is. The more wine that sticks to the glass, the bolder the alcohol content is.
- Sip the wine and swish it around in your mouth before swallowing it. Let the wine cover your tongue to get the full experience of it in your mouth. Focus on both the taste of the wine, as well as it how feels on your tongue and on the sides of your mouth.[5]
- Take note of how the wine tastes, whether it's sweet or sour, or if it tastes more like a tree fruit versus a citrus fruit. Pay attention as well to how warm the alcohol feels in your throat.
EditChoosing a White Wine - Choose chardonnay for a classic, velvety white wine. Chardonnay is a very popular white wine and considered by many to be a sort of "standard" variety. They're usually fruity, velvety, and full, though some regional varieties can be more creamy than others. Overall, chardonnays tend to be pretty light, making them a good choice for wine novices.[6]
- American chardonnay, for example, is usually much creamier and more "buttery" than French chardonnay.
- Go with sauvignon blanc for a dryer, tarter taste. Sauvignon blanc, like chardonnay, has some hints of fruit, but it's a much more acidic variety of white wine. These fruity tones will be closer to grapefruit than anything else, but it's still a bright and refreshing wine to try.[7]
- Sauvignon blancs are great if you want something light and sweet like chardonnay, but not overly sweet.
- Opt for moscato for a softer, more versatile white wine. Moscato is very fresh and light, meaning its sweet and soft when you drink it. Its versatility means you can pair it with almost anything, so it's a good wine to choose if you want some white wine with your meal but don't quite know what wine would go best with your food.[8]
- Moscato is just sweet enough that it can even be had with dessert!
- Drink pinot grigio when you want strong fruity notes in your wine. Pinot grigio has a citrus-y taste, not unlike chardonnay and sauvignon blanc. However, the taste of pinot grigio is closer to green apples than grapefruit, making it less tart than sauvignon blanc but still crisp and sweet.[9]
- Pinot grigio is also pretty consistent across all regional varieties. This means you can have a pinot grigio from any vineyard in the world and expect it to taste pretty much the same.
- Try gewürztraminer for the ideal combination of dryness and sweetness. Gewürztraminer is a relatively sweet wine, but not so sweet that it can only be had with dessert. It's a good choice of white wine for those who are fond of sweet drinks but who don't want to go all in on a dessert wine.[10]
- Gewürztraminer also has an impressive mouth feel that will leave your tongue feeling pleasantly coated when you drink it.
- Have riesling when you want a sweet dessert wine. Riesling is probably the sweetest popular variety of white wine, making it very popular to have with or for dessert. Some regional varieties may feel more oily than others, but all types of riesling are consistently sweet, making it the ideal white wine to satisfy your sweet tooth.[11]
EditPairing White Wine with Food - Drink chardonnay with seafood in a rich sauce. This type of white wine is particularly good with fatty fish like salmon, or with seafood that is served in a lush, creamy sauce. It also goes well with dishes that have a strong umami flavor, like mushrooms.[12]
- If your chardonnay is particularly light, it may also go well with a light seafood dish like oysters.
- Drink moscato with fresh, crisp salad. The lightness of the salad complements the light, fresh flavor of most moscatos. However, you may also find that moscato works well when paired with a spicy food, so consider trying it the next time you go out for Thai food![13]
- Because moscato has a little bit of sweetness to it, some people also enjoy pairing it with their desserts.
- Combine sauvignon blanc with tangy seafood or cheeses. In contrast to creamy seafood dishes, try sauvignon blanc with a dish like scallops with grapefruit-onion salad to bring out its full flavor. Conversely, softer varieties of sauvignon blanc may pair better with cheese than seafood.[14]
- A soft sauvignon blanc also goes well with charcuterie boards.
- Have a glass of riesling or gewürztraminer with dessert. With the full sweetness of riesling, it's hard to find a better pairing for this wine than a rich, sweet dessert dish. Try it with a fruity summer cobbler or a dish grounded in dark chocolate. If riesling is too sweet for your tastes, try a glass of gewürztraminer instead.[15]
- Much like moscato, the sweetness of riesling also makes it an interesting pairing with spicier cuisine.
- Opt for pinot grigio with light seafood dishes. Pinot grigio usually works best when paired with seafood-based finger foods, like seafood tostada bites, as they seem to bring out the flavor of the seafood. This is especially the case if you're drinking a light pinot grigio from Italy.[16]
- Pinot grigios with stronger fruit notes also tend to go well with salads.
- Never drink and drive or operate heavy machinery after drinking alcohol
- Always drink responsibly and within your own limits. If possible, drink with other people instead of drinking alone.
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| How to Wear a Buff Posted: 19 Jan 2019 12:00 AM PST The Buff is a super versatile, scarf-like piece of fabric, used most often by people who love outdoor activities, like biking, hiking, and camping. It wicks away sweat, protects your skin from the wind and sun, and keeps you warm. There are many different ways to wear the Buff, from a simple headband to a head-encompassing balaclava. And don't forget to check out the different types of Buffs that are available, like ones with extra UV protection or made with windproof materials. EditStyling Your Buff - Wear the Buff around your neck to stay warm while you're outdoors. Tuck the bottom of the Buff inside your shirt or jacket collar to keep it in place. You can also use the Buff to protect the back of your neck from burning by wearing it as a scarf.[1]
- The Buff doesn't just have to be functional—pick out a color and pattern that you love, and use the Buff to accessorize your outfit, too.
- Use the Buff as a face mask by pulling it up over your mouth and nose. If you're outdoors and the wind is blowing and the cold air is irritating your face, simply pull the Buff up from around your neck. Position the top of the Buff over the bridge of your nose so your nose, mouth, and neck are covered.[2]
- The Buff is made of material that keeps you warm while also allowing you to breathe through it without the fabric itself getting moist.
- Keep your ears warm with the Buff. From the scarf position, pull the back of the Buff up so that it extends over the majority of your scalp. Leave the front tucked under your chin, and position the Buff so that it covers your earlobes.[3]
- For extra warmth, pull a hat overtop of the Buff.
- Turn the Buff into a balaclava to keep your entire face warm. From the scarf position, take the back of the Buff and pull it up over your head so that it's covering your ears. Then, pull the front of the Buff up over your nose and mouth. Grab the middle of that front section, right between your nose and mouth, and fold the top edge of the Buff inside to create a thicker, straighter line for your balaclava.[4]
- It's super easy to line up the Buff because there are no seams!
- Make a hat out of the Buff by twisting it in the middle. Turn the entire Buff inside out and twist the middle several times. Hold the twisted section in one hand, and put one side of the inside-out Buff on your head, like a hat. Pull the other half of the Buff down over the inside-out section, so that the pattern is on the outside again.[5]
- Since the Buff is thin, you can still wear it under a hat or helmet, even when it's doubled up on your head.
- This is a great option for those mornings when you wake up with tousled hair, especially if you're out camping and don't have the option to shower or style your hair.
- Use a Buff as a headband when you're on the go or working out. To wick away sweat or keep your hair out of your face, pull the Buff down around your neck so it looks like a scarf, and then pull it up around your hairline. Fold it or scrunch it so it isn't hanging down on your forehead.[6]
- To keep your ears warm while sporting a headband style, put the Buff on over your hair rather than pulling it down to the scarf position first.
- Put the Buff under your helmet to wick away sweat. Wear it as a hat or balaclava, or simply pull it over your head however it feels best to you. Then settle your helmet on top of the Buff and fasten the straps as you normally would.[7]
- This is a great option for bikers, especially as the weather gets colder. You can add warmth without adding a lot of weight to your ensemble.
EditChoosing the Right Buff for Your Next Adventure - Pick a wool or fleece-lined Buff to keep you warm. If you love camping but don't love how cold you get when the sun goes down, buy a wool or fleece-lined Buff for some extra insulation. There are lots of different styles and colors to choose from![8]
- Buffs can be bought online from the official Buff store, or you can find them at most sporting goods stores.
- You can get a traditional fleece-lined Buff, or you can buy one of the newer styles, which are made of the same great material but come in hat form.
- Grab a windproof Buff for your next chilly hiking adventure. Search your local sporting goods store to find a windproof-specific Buff. Bring this Buff with you when you go hiking, camping, biking, skiing, or when doing any activity that takes you out into the cool air.[9]
- Wear the windproof Buff like a balaclava so that it protects your nose and mouth. Pull the top down further to cover your forehead, too.
- Choose a UV Buff to protect your skin from the sun. If you love spending time out in the fresh hair but also want to keep your skin healthy, use a UV Buff to put another breathable layer between your skin and the sun.[10]
- Even on cold or cloudy days, the rays can still reach through and burn your skin.
- Pick up a Buff for your favorite canine friend.[11] The canine Buff protects your dog from chilly winds, and it also makes them look super cute. It goes around the dog's neck, and you can pull it up to cover their ears if they get really cold, too.
- The Buff even comes in handy when you're traveling: simply position it over your eyes to create an on-the-go sleep mask.[12]
- Wear a Buff wrapped around your wrist. You can use it to wipe away sweat, and it's quickly available to you in case you need it for something else.
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