Symptoms

• Flakes of skin that range from small and white to large, greasy, and yellow
• Itchy flaking that appears on the scalp or eyebrows, or around the hairline, ears, or nose

Causes

Dandruff is caused by skin cells that grow and die off too fast, but the reason that this occurs is not clear.

Factors which may be involved include:

• Over-active sebaceous glands
• Inherited tendencies
• Food allergy
• Excessive sweating
• Use of strong shampoos
• Yeast infections
• Stress

Natural Therapies

Anti-dandruff shampoo will help treat most forms of dandruff, however more stubborn forms may require stronger tar-based products to remove the greasy scales.

• Evening Primrose Oil and Fish Oil contain essential fatty acids which are required for the oil balance of the scalp
• B Complex vitamins may be beneficial to help relieve stress – look for a formula containing biotin
• Essential fatty acids are important for the function of cell membranes. They are essential for energy production, particularly of skin and hair

Lifestyle Factors

Avoid fried foods, dairy products, sugar and chocolate, and eat a diet rich in fresh fruit and vegetables.

Do not scratch or pick at the scalp as this may break the skin, leaving it vulnerable to infection.

Brushing your hair with a natural-bristle brush to stimulate hair follicles can prove beneficial.

Remedy

Make sure you use a gentle shampoo suited to your hair type. Washing your hair too frequently and using shampoo that upsets the delicate oil balance of the scalp will make your hair more prone to dandruff.

Important Notes

Consult your healthcare professional if your dandruff is greasy and yellow, and does not respond to over-the-counter dandruff shampoos and lotions – you may have seborrheic dermatitis and need more aggressive treatment to relieve the itching and flaking.

Source: www.blackmores.com.au

Symptoms

• Itching or tingling of the skin in the affected area (normally the lips) – this may precede the appearance of the cold sore
• One or many clusters of small blisters forming over inflamed skin and filled with a yellowish or white fluid
• Red, painful sores on or near the mouth and lips, or on fingers
• Swollen, sensitive gums of a deep red colour
• A fever and/or flu-like symptoms

Causes

Cold sores are caused by the Herpes simplex virus, which is transmitted by contact such as kissing an infected person or sharing eating utensils.

The virus may lie dormant in the body for years, sometimes without causing any symptoms, only to be activated during periods of low immune status, stress, exposure to cold, and sunburn. Some women also find that menstruation can trigger cold sores.

Natural Therapies

• The amino acid L-lysine helps to reduce the frequency and severity of cold sore outbreaks
• Zinc, Echinacea and Vitamin C help to keep the immune system strong, and help to fight the Herpes virus
• The NES system has many preparations to help beat this virus effectively and is well worth your time to consider.

Lifestyle Factors

The Herpes virus is made stronger by the amino acid L-arginine and weaker by L-lysine. Avoid foods rich in L-arginine (such as nuts, chocolate, carob, coconut, soya beans and oats). At the same time, increase foods high in L-lysine, (such as kidney beans, split peas, fish, lamb, milk, cheese and sprouts), and consider taking an L-lysine supplement.

Stress can be a trigger for cold sore outbreak – if you are getting lots of cold sores your stress levels may be to blame – look for ways to cope better. This can also be an indicator of your system becoming run down and immune system is compromised as a result.

Remedy

Hygiene is an important factor in cold sore prevention. Be careful not to kiss someone who has a cold sore, or use the same utensils, towels, or razors. Always wash your hands after touching a cold sore, and be sure not to touch your eyes or genitals after touching your cold sore.

If you know that sun exposure is a trigger for cold sore outbreak in you, be very careful to avoid the sun.

Important Notes

Consult your healthcare professional if:

• Cold sores develop near the eyes or on eyes
• You develop a high fever or chills
• Your sores are very painful

Symptoms

It is not abnormal for young children to wet the bed at night – even when they have learnt to use the toilet during the day. Don’t be unduly concerned about bedwetting unless your child is older than six. Before then, your child’s body may not have developed enough to control bladder action during sleep. Time usually heals the problem and most children resolve any difficulties on their own by the age of seven.

However there may be a need to be concerned if:

• Your child is older than six and has never been dry at night
• Your child suddenly starts wetting the bed at night after a period of having been dry through the night

Causes

The most important thing to remember about bedwetting is that it is involuntary.

It is not fully understood why bedwetting occurs. It is thought to be a stage whereby the child has not fully developed his or her bladder control mechanisms fully for use at night. Very rarely is it an infection; however, if you are concerned, it is a wise idea to take your child to a healthcare professional for a check up.

The child may be consuming too much fluid before going to bed, which could trigger or aggravate the problem.

Any new, stressful situation may cause a child to revert to bedwetting, as can being overtired or sick. Once your child adjusts to the situation, the problem should resolve itself. If your child does not improve, the treatments listed here may help. In addition, you may want your child to talk through his/her fears.

Treatment
Your practitioner will first ensure the problem is only minor and is not disease-related.

There are three primary ways to treat bedwetting in an otherwise healthy child:

• Waiting for the problem to fix itself (this may make the child anxious however)
• Using behavioural conditioning (this uses a device with a sensor that detects wetness and sets off an alarm, help the child to begin associating a full bladder with being awakened, and helps the body to learn to wake up by itself when the child needs to urinate)
• Undertaking drug therapy (this is considered to be less effective because most children relapse after stopping medication, however it may be useful for short-term situations such as when the child is sleeping over with friends)

Natural Therapies

Magnesium phosphate and potassium phosphate may help to support nervous system function in cases of anxiety. 

Homoeopathics and/or Bach flower remedies may also be considered along with a physical therapy such as Bowen therapy. This is a gentle and relaxing technique that supports the body’s own healing resources

Lifestyle Factors

Sometimes bedwetting is associated with food allergies. Try eliminating milk products, citrus fruits, and chocolate from your child’s diet as these are the foods most frequently linked to allergies.

Ensure that your child does not drink fluids in the evening, in order that the bladder may be emptied before going to bed.

Remedy

Allow the child to wear new pyjamas to bed each night and to make his bed with fresh sheets everyday. This will help him to feel it is his responsibility to keep the bed linen and himself clean and fresh, and will give him a sense of independence in that he does not have to rely on you.

If you are using an alarm device for behavioural conditioning, avoid heavy sheets and pyjamas which can cause sweat, and can set off the alarm.

Prevent the mattress from getting wet by using a plastic-lined mattress cover (which may cause the child to sweat) or, better yet, provide him with a small, rubberised, felt-covered pad that he can place over the wet area on the bed after an accident.

• Your efforts to help your child learn to stay dry through the night are not working, or your child wants additional help in managing the situation
• Your child is wetting the bed and has frequent or painful urination, dark brown urine (a sign of bleeding), abdominal pain, or fever; these symptoms may indicate a urinary tract or bladder infection
• Your child experiences side effects from any medication used to control bedwetting