Head Lice (Symptoms, Causes, & Treatment)

HEAD LICE

* Head lice are tiny, flat, wingless insects which often find their way
   into the scalp as parasites.
* They suck the blood by biting the skin, this results in an irritation.
   It causes thickening and pigmentation of the skin.
* Head lice occur more frequently in children than in adults.

SYMPTOMS

* Itching is the main symptom of head louse infection
* The adult female louse lays eggs, known as nits, close to the
   surface of the scalp.
* They hatch eggs before the hair has grown more than few
   millimeters (they are difficult to see).
* Their favorite haunts are on the scalp, around the ears
   or underneath hair grown at the back of the head.

CAUSES

* Head lice are very infectious and can be easily acquired by
   head-to-head contact with a person harboring the parasite.
* They are common in person who are crowded together and live
   in poor sanitary condition.
* They spread rapidly during disasters.

TREATMENT

* The first step towards treatment of head is thorough cleanliness.
* You should not share towels, pillows, combs, and hair-brushes.
* A special comb with close-knit, teeth, which is easily available
   should be used. This will help remove the lice from the hair.

EFFECTIVE METHOD TO DESTROY LICE

 Thoroughly cleanse the whole body from the scalp to the toes,
using pleanty of soap and water.  Next, five percent
benzyl benzoate emulsion should be applied to all the itching
areas.  This should be rubbed well into the scalp at night,
especially if the hair has been invaded by the parasites. 

PREVENTION

The condition can be prevented by the maintenance of personal cleanliness. The clothing of individuals suffering from pediculosis should be soaked in boiling water and washed. As children are more likely to suffer from this problem, it would be advisable to keep their hair short.

Good Sources of Vitamins and Minerals

VITAMIN A

Strengthens your cells and skin, protecting against cancer and premature aging.

Carrots, Apricots, Spinach, Eggs, Milk, Liver, Nectarines, Canteloupe melon.

VITAMIN B6

Aids the body in metabolizing amino acids and proteins.  It alleviates menstrual problems – women are often deficient in this Vitamin.

Wheatgerm, Bananas, Tuna, Wholegrain cereal, Brown rice.

VITAMIN B12

Needed for healthy nerve function and production of red blood cells.

Meat, Eggs, Milk, Vegetarians are advised to take supplements.

VITAMIN C

Used in the formation of collagen, vitamin C also has an important part to play as an antioxidant. Used for the absorption of iron and formation of antibodies.

Blackcurrants, Citrus fruits (oranges, grapefruit), Brussel sprouts, Green peppers.

VITAMIN D

Regulates the growth and repair of bones by controlling absorption of Calcium and Phosphorus.

Cod live oil, Herring, Mackerel, Sardines, Salmon, Milk fortified with vitamin D.

VITAMIN E

A vital antioxidant, it protects against free radicals, which promote aging.  It is also responsible for normal growth and development.

Sunflower seeds, Nuts, Milk, Wheatgerm, Vegetable oils. 

Heart Attack - "Please Be Aware"

A serious note about heart attacks:

*  Women should know that not every heart attack symptom
    is going to be the left arm hurting.

*  Be aware of intense pain in the jaw line.

*  You may never have the first chest pain during the course
    of a heart attack.

*  Nausea and intense sweating are also common symptoms.

*  60% of people who have a heart attack while they are asleep
    do not wake up.

*  Pain in the jaw can wake you from a sound sleep.

*  Let's be careful and be aware. The more we know, the better
    chance we could survive.

Home Remedies For Pimples

* Rub fresh garlic on and around pimples. Pimples will disappear without

   a mark with regular applications.

* Apply juice of raw papaya (including the skin and seed) on swelling pimples.

* Mix lime juice and rose water in equal portions. Apply on affected area.

  wash it off after 20-30 minutes with lukewarm water.

* Apply ripe tomato pulp on pimples and keep upto 1 hour, then wash.

* Grind nutmeg with unboiled milk and apply on affected area.

   This works as a magic. Pimples disappear without leaving a mark.

* Make orange peel paste by grinding it in some water. Apply on and

   around pimples.

* Mix 1 tablespoon groundnut oil with 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice to prevent

   formation of blackheads and pimples .

* Apply fresh mint juice over the face every night for the treatment of pimples.