Have an Unexplained Rash? Your Jewlery Could be to Blame
Unexplained skin irritations, itchy rashes—it happens to millions of Americans and many say they have no idea what causes the breakouts. According to experts jewelry allergies are not only extremely common, but very simple to prevent.
“We see it quite frequently,” says Lisa Garner, M.D., dermatologist on the medical staff at Baylor Medical Center at Garland. “Some patients come in and actually realize what’s going on and others do not have any idea what’s causing their rash.”
For millions of Americans the problem is nickel.
“The most common metal to be allergic to is nickel and any metal that looks silver-ish in color has nickel in it to some degree,” explains Dr. Garner.
Getting diagnosed is the first step to stopping the breakouts, but treating them is not so simple.
“The only real treatment for an allergy like this is to avoid contact with items like this,” adds Dr. Garner.
Sounds easy, but nickel can be found in practically anything metal. Dermatologists say a big help are test kits that can be used to detect nickel in items you’re considering wearing.
“You could test the fasteners on your jeans, the metal belt buckles on your belts, etc.,” says Dr. Garner.
Determining whether or not your rashes or irritations are the result of an allergy to nickel is pretty simple. If it is something you’re wearing that’s causing you to break out, simply not wearing it should cause it to go away quickly and not return. Also, your dermatologist can give you a patch test to double-check.
Are these allergies more common in certain people? It is more common in women and most common in women who have their ears pierced.
Energy Drinks May Give You More Than Just a Buzz
It’s now a billion dollar industry. Currently, there are at least 200 energy drinks on the market. So is it bad to get an energy drink buzz?
“There was a time when we would get our caffeine intake from coffee and cola, but now there are a number of caffeine containing beverages and we need to be careful because over a period of 24 hours that caffeine intake is cumulative,” says Dee Rollins, R.D., PhD, dietitian with Baylor Regional Medical Center at Grapevine.
In fact, experts say energy drink consumers should keep careful track of the amount of caffeine they get in a day.
“If you know that 400 milligrams a day is the upper limit you can check the back of the labels and make sure that you don’t get more than that,” explains Dr. Rollins.
It may sound like a lot, but 400 milligrams is roughly the equivalent of just one energy drink and two cups of coffee. Getting more than that can lead to jitteriness, nausea, heart palpations—and in extreme cases more severe symptoms.
“It can be so bad that if you take too much caffeine you can end up in the hospital thinking you have flu-like symptoms and really it’s caffeine overdose.”
So remember as you’re sipping—take it slow or it may not just be energy you end up with.
“We don’t think of caffeine as being a drug that we need to monitor, but we can overdo it,” says Dr. Rollins.
For most people—if they’re not getting more than around 400 milligrams of caffeine a day—these energy drinks are safe. But here are some important things to remember:
- Don’t drink energy beverages while exercising. It can lead to severe dehydration.
- Don’t ever mix these drinks with alcohol—it’s popular—but doing so can not only mask how intoxicated you really are, it again can be extremely dehydrating.
In addition to caffeine, most of these energy drinks contain very high amounts of sugar and sodium which can be dangerous for diabetics or those with high blood pressure.
Long Commutes, Cell Phones While Driving Can Cause Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Is your long, daily commute causing you pain? According to experts, hours in the car can create more than stress—it can actually cause carpal tunnel syndrome.
“Repeated, prolonged gripping of anything—whether it’s a steering wheel or a tool—can contribute to carpal tunnel syndrome,” says Jennifer Valle, occupational therapist and certified hand therapist, Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas. “There are activities you can do and modifications you can make to help alleviate the risk of developing carpal tunnel.”
Here are some tips:
- Switch the hand you drive with—periodically using your left, then your right.
- Keep your hand in line with your elbow and your wrist straight.
“If you imagine the steering wheel as a clock, the best position to put your wrist in would actually be at three o’clock and nine o’clock.”
Experts say most people who have already developed carpal tunnel symptoms can reverse them by making simple changes.
“A lot of times patients will come back and say ‘I’m having fewer symptoms,’ and that the activity modifications are working,” adds Valle.
Something else drivers do which increases their risk of carpal tunnel—they talk on their cell phone while driving—holding it with their wrist bent. Experts say if you’re going to use your cell phone in the car get an earpiece or headset.
But what about wrist splints… do they help while driving? They do. You can find them at most pharmacies and they will force you to keep your wrist in a straight position.
Why Women Struggle With Sleep Problems
Good sleep equals good health, says Raul Noriega, manager of the Sleep Disorders Center at Baylor Regional Medical Center at Grapevine. Yet more than half of women report problems with insomnia. According to the National Sleep Foundation, “Women’s lack of sleep affects nearly every aspect of their time-pressed lives, leaving them late for work, stressed out, tired and with little time for friends.” What’s going on? There are several factors, Noriega says, and all relate to poor sleep hygiene.
Jolt of java
Coffee consumption has jumped dramatically, Noriega says. It’s like a vicious cycle. People drink coffee at night and stay up late watching TV or surfing the Internet. Then they need a jolt at 6 a.m. to get started for the day. Eventually, that takes a toll on the body. Remember, caffeine is a stimulant, so refrain from drinking it at least six hours before bed.
Stressed out
Women tend to worry, Noriega says. “Once your head hits the pillow, your only duty is to sleep,” he says. But some women find it hard to relax. “They start thinking about what they forgot to do, about the kids, work deadlines, unpaid bills, the stock market,” he says.
Stay cool
Body temperature lowers about one degree during sleep. Working out too close to bedtime is counterproductive—it will take three hours to cool down enough for sleep to take place, Noriega explains. And, next time you’re tempted to check the clock and calculate how many hours of sleep you have left—don’t. Even a small amount of exertion consumes energy, which raises the body’s temperature, further delaying sleep.
The bottom line
Developing good sleep hygiene can help people avoid relying on medication, Noriega says. For example, be sure to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day. A bedtime ritual also can help. Thirty minutes before bed turn off loud music, make the atmosphere calm, dim the lights, take a warm (not hot) shower. Then read in bed for 15 minutes maximum, turn off the lights, close your eyes and relax.