Safe home remedies to soothe your child's cold and flu symptoms

Many parents used to head straight to the drug aisle of their local pharmacy when their child would get the sniffles. But the American Academy of Pediatrics warns that over-the-counter medications to treat coughs and colds aren't safe for children under 2 and may not work or could seriously harm children under 6.

Whether your child has a cough, a cold, or the flu, you can try these gentle, effective, and safe home remedies. A cold or flu usually takes about ten days to run its course. While none of these home remedies will shorten your child's illness, they may help him feel a lot better.
1) Lots of rest (all ages)

How it helps

It takes energy to fight an infection, and that can wear a child (or an adult) out. When your child's resting, he's healing, which is exactly what he needs to do.

Studies show that stress plays a role in illness, too. If your child is under pressure – because of school or friends, or something happening at home – giving him a break may be just what he needs to fight off his symptoms.

What you need

A comfortable place for your child to rest and things to occupy him.

How to do it

Now's the time to let your child watch that favorite video or television program one more time. Or bring him a new set of crayons and paper or coloring book. Even a puzzle can be manageable in bed.

Of course, a bed isn't necessarily the best place to rest. Sometimes a change of scenery is helpful. If the weather is good, set up a comfortable place in the yard or on the porch for your child to rest. Indoors, fashion something more fun than his bed – like a tent in the living room or a snug, pillow-filled area near you.

If your child finds it hard to rest, help him by cuddling up with some books. Teach him some finger rhymes (like "The Itsy Bitsy Spider") or tell stories together. Or bring him the phone so he can chat with Grandma or a friend.
2) Steamy air (all ages)

How it helps

Breathing moist air helps loosen the mucus in the nasal passages. A warm bath has the added benefit of relaxing your child.

What you need

A humidifier, cool-mist vaporizer, or steamy bathroom.

Be sure to clean humidifiers often and according to the manufacturer's directions. Humidifiers accumulate mold, which they then spray into the air if they're not kept scrupulously clean.

How to use a bulb syringe to clear your baby's mucus

Give your baby relief from congestion by suctioning out the mucus with a standard bulb syringe or other nasal aspirator. Our pediatrician shows you how.

Different Types of Acne

Scars from acne can seem like double punishment — first you had to deal with the pimples, now you have marks as a reminder.
What's your go-to source for information about acne?

It helps to understand the different kinds of acne so you can figure out what to do about different types of scarring: Acne lesions or pimples happen when the hair follicles (or "pores") on the skin become plugged with oil and dead skin cells. A plugged follicle is the perfect place for bacteria to grow and create the red bumps and pus-filled red bumps known as pimples.

Acne comes in different forms:

    mild acne, which refers to the whiteheads or blackheads that most of us get at various times
    moderate acne, which includes red inflamed pimples called papules and red pimples with white centers called pustules
    severe acne, which causes nodules — painful, pus-filled cysts or lumps — to appear under the skin

Most serious scarring is caused by the more severe forms of acne, with nodules more likely to leave permanent scars than other types of acne.

The best approach is to get treatment for acne soon after it appears to prevent further severe acne and more scarring. If you have nodules, see your doctor or dermatologist for treatment.
Treating Acne Scars

Most of the time, those reddish or brownish acne marks that are left behind after a pimple eventually fade with no need for treatment. Picking or squeezing acne can increase the risk for scarring, though.

Acne scars take two forms:

    scars with a gradual dip or depression (sometimes called "rolling" scars)
    scars that are deep and narrow

A person's acne needs to be under control before scars can be treated.
Mild vs. Severe Scarring

Treatments depend on how severe the scars are. In some cases, a doctor or dermatologist may suggest a chemical peel or microdermabrasion to help improve the appearance of scarred areas. These milder treatments can be done right in the office.

If you have serious scarring from previous bouts with acne, there are several things you can do:

    Laser resurfacing. This procedure can be done in the doctor's or dermatologist's office. The laser removes the damaged top layer of skin and tightens the middle layer, leaving skin smoother. It can take anywhere from a few minutes to an hour. The doctor will try to lessen any pain by first numbing the skin with local anesthesia. It usually takes between 3 and 10 days for the skin to heal completely.
    Dermabrasion. This treatment uses a rotating wire brush or spinning diamond instrument to wear down the surface of the skin. As the skin heals, a new, smoother layer replaces the abraded skin. It may take a bit longer for skin to heal using dermabrasion — usually between 10 days and 3 weeks.

    Fractional laser therapy. This type of treatment works at a deeper level than laser resurfacing or dermabrasion, Because fractional laser therapy doesn't wound the top layer of tissue, healing time is shorter. Someone who has had this type of treatment may just look a bit sunburned for a couple of days.

For "rolling" scars, doctors sometimes inject material under the scar to raise it to the level of normal skin. Finally, in some cases, a doctor may recommend surgery to remove deeply indented scars.

One thing you shouldn't do to deal with acne scars is load up your face with masks or fancy lotions — these won't help and may irritate your skin further, making the scars red and even more noticeable.

If you have a red or brownish mark on your face that you got from a bad zit, it should eventually fade. However, it may take 12 months or longer. Talk to your doctor if you're upset about acne marks; he or she may have advice on what you can do.

Best All Natural Remedies for Acne

Surprising Natural Remedies for Acne that Work Better Than Over-the-Counter Treatments

There are many options for all natural remedies for acne. So, how do you choose which ones to try?

The ones I have included in my list of the top 10 all natural remedies for acne, are ones that I have found to work the best and are the most powerful! Everyone is different, and it may require some experimentation to find what works best for you! But most importantly, don’t give up!

After having acne for many years, I have tried nearly every possible remedy and treatment. I even, hate to say it, tried prescription treatments. But, the funny thing is, after trying everything, I found the natural remedies for acne have worked the best! Seriously!

My acne started around age 13 and only progressed to get worse! My mother always told me, just wait until after high school, it will get better. But those years came and went with no change. Then, I had hoped by the end of college I would definitely be better, but yep, you guessed it, four years later, it was only worse!

All through high school and college, I searched for years trying to find help, but nothing seemed to work. It didn’t seem fair because for some people, they improved with age. This is because acne it seems is sometimes just a temporary occurrence due to changes in hormones, but for me and many others that isn’t the case!
Causes of Acne Your Doctor Will Never Tell You!

1. First of all, don’t trust anyone! By this I mean doctors and dermatologists will tell you that diet doesn’t matter, natural remedies for acne don’t work, that it’s just hormones and there’s nothing you can do but take their prescriptions. But, that’s not true!
2. What you eat matters! It so important to watch what you’re putting into your body. Avoid all processed foods, eat real foods and make sure to get enough fats into your diet, such as avocados and coconut oil. According to Natural News, Dairy can be a problem and this should be avoided, along with refined sugar.
3. Get a blood test! Test your blood for vitamins and nutrients to make sure you aren’t deficient in anything. Here are a few main ones to make sure you include; vitamin A and zinc. Also, it may be a good idea to check your thyroid and your hormone levels (progesterone and testosterone).
4. Allergens! Your acne may be a result of an allergy. Determine if there are any possible allergens that may be causing your acne, such as gluten, which may reduce the amount of nutrients absorbed. Other common allergens are dairy, yeast and eggs. Delayed food allergies may affect you especially if you have a leaky gut.
10 Best All Natural Remedies for Acne:

Me and my love :)

How to Be Happy

Happiness–it's what we all strive to find and keep, even when it's as elusive as ever. Nobody is jolly and elated all the time, but some individuals are definitely more fulfilled than others. Studies reveal that happiness has little to do with materialistic needs, goods, or wants, or high achievement; it boils down to your outlook on life, the quality of your relationships, and basic amenities like good governance and community resources.
    1
    Be optimistic. You can influence your happiness in a multitude of ways. It's the totality of all you think, do and experience. "Hardship builds strength of character and toughness."; so, happiness is closely related to a hopeful, acceptance of life's challenges. What works? In the 1970s, researchers followed people who'd won the lottery and found that a year afterward, they were no happier than people who hadn't. This is called hedonic adaptation[1] which suggests that we can expect to return to a baseline level of happiness. No matter what events occur, good or bad, the effect on ones happiness is temporary, and happiness tends to quickly revert to the baseline level. Some people have a higher baseline happiness level than others, and that is due in part to genetics, but it's also largely influenced by how you think.
        Accumulate all the little joyful things that happen to you during the day. They add up. You could keep a journal, and write them down. For example, if there was not bad traffic on the road, if you had a very scrumptious breakfast, if your friend said something uproariously humorous that made you laugh, if you took your dog out for a walk in the park and played with it, add these together. Your outlook can begin to brighten.
        Think deeply grateful thoughts for the things you have. This is a very effective way to become more happy. If you feel grateful for the things you have, you not only become more happy, but it also helps you to bring more good feelings into your life.
        View the glass as half-full instead of half-empty. Your girlfriend/ boyfriend broke up with you? Now you have the chance to meet someone good for you! You lost your job? Now you can seize the opportunity to find a better one! Adjust your mentality so that, in each thing that happens, you see some kernel of good, and say hopeful words, "It will be all right!", or "It's going to be good.", or "I'll keep expecting good results."
        Put yourself in situations where fortunate things are likely to be achieved or happen where preparation meets opportunity. It's easier to remain optimistic, if you set yourself up for success. Cheating on a partner, or stealing someone's bicycle — while temporarily thrilling — rarely ends well for any party involved. Ask yourself before you act out: Am I setting myself up for success or for failure?
        2
    Assess yourself. Figure out, and focus on what is really "it" for you (family, education, career, relationship, marriage, etc.), at least as you see it now. Consider your pathway, for example: You choose your career objectives. In school, you get to choose your personal "high school plan" and then, possibly, your "college degree plan", etc. When ready, write your individual clear short, medium and long-term goals, for your career-/life-path: Plan how to begin, and then start. Follow-through on your ideas, goals and plans to see your future develop. Work it out by achieving your goals in steps. But, do not just work harder but work smarter; so, continue branching-out, achieving your goals, adding to your kind of progress, all your life.
        Follow the path of "cause-and-effect" -- as life is exactly like that. See what goals you need as causes that will bring the effects needed. If possible find something you love or like to do, most especially when you make a crucial decision -- choosing education, career, training, buying a house, showing love to your spouse and children, family and friends... Look for possibilities of what may be caused by long-term results of your decisions and your actions. When you think of your current situation (however hard it may be) -- then think of how much harder some other people have it, in any aspect. So, be glad that you are not in that worse situation, and enjoy your life! Say: "It could be worse." Be alert and eager, mentally leaning forward and reaching toward what you want to grasp, enjoying learning and improving for years of daily growth and satisfaction.

Home Remedies for Acne & Pesky Pimples

Acne Your skin is your friend. You like your skin. Your skin likes you. It protects you from the elements and literally keeps you together. You in turn do your best to protect it from any kind of damage. Then, one day, acne rears its ugly head, and you suddenly hate your skin. What do you do then? Turn to harsh chemicals, and expensive scrubs? That’s a fine way to thank a friend who’s been there for you since day one. Your epidermis isn’t at fault here-it can’t help that your hormones are causing all that extra sebum to clog up your pores, or the fact that bacteria is running rampant. If your skin could talk it would say something along the lines of “patience, grasshopper. Treat me right and I shall repay you in kind.”

That’s just a guess, anyways. The point is, natural acne remedies are a good way to get rid of it, or at least hold it at bay. They make you step back and really figure out what’s going on with your skin, and how to work with it. Chances are, your skin will repay you in kind for not simply ravaging it with strange chemicals-and your wallet will probably thank you too.

1. Apply some apple cider vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is a powerhouse when it comes to acting as an acne remedy. Why? It kills off the bacteria that may be causing all the trouble in the first place. It also becomes alkaline, and balances the pH of your skin, which in turn makes it harder for bacteria to thrive. To top it off it’s an astringent, like lemon juice, and will help dry up excess oil. Keeping that in mind, don’t overdo and dry out your skin too much. This could cause the sebaceous glands overproduce to compensate, therefore triggering an outbreak.

You will need…
-Pure unfiltered apple cider vinegar
-Fresh water

Directions
Wash your face with water and pat dry. Using a ratio of 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water, dip a cotton ball into vinegar and apply it directly to the blemish. Leave on for at least 10 minutes, or overnight. Reapply several times a day, washing face thoroughly after each time. Make sure to use a moisturizer afterwards as well if you feel like your skin is getting dry.

Apply Some Apple Cider Vinegar

2. Make a cinnamon and honey mask

Honey is sticky, and cinnamon is spicy, and it seems like they’re both things you’d want to avoid getting near your skin. Surprisingly, while it may sound strange, honey and cinnamon make a (literally) killer combo when it comes to acne. Cinnamon has antimicrobial properties, so it can help stop bacteria from getting out of hand. If it does, the honey is a natural anti-biotic, ready and waiting to wipe the little buggers out.

You will need…
-2 tablespoons of honey
-1 teaspoon of cinnamon
- paper towels

Directions
Rinse your face with water and pat dry. Mix 2 tablespoons of honey and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon together until they are thoroughly blended and have formed a sort of paste. Apply the mask to your face (or spot treat) and leave on for 10-15 minutes. Rinse off completely, and pat your face dry. This is a sticky mixture, so make sure you have some paper towels at on hand.

Stay Safe Online: 10 Ways To Protect Yourself

This is LB C 97.3's guide for how to stay safe online - covering hacking, phishing, trolling, email scams and cyber bullying.

computer security On Sunday 24th February at 7am, James Max will be joined by James Ball, a data journalist from The Guardian, who will be answering your questions on how to stay safe on the internet.

Follow these guidelines to avoid
How To Stay Safe On The Internet

1) Don’t use lazy passwords
If your account is hacked, it's often because someone has worked out your password. Never use a password that anyone could guess or work out - a middle name, pet's name or favourite football team. Include capital letters, numbers and punctuation for extra security. So if your pet is called Hamish, try using the password Ham15h!

And never use the same password for different accounts. That will mean when people can get into one of your accounts, they can access everything.

2) Be careful what you post online
Everything you write on a social network is public, so don't give out any personal details, such as your address, bank details etc. That would be the equivalent of shouting the details out of the window. Don't write that you are going on holiday, as that leaves you vulnerable to burglars.

Many employers also google prospective employees before hiring, so don't post anything that could damage your chances of getting a job.

3) If you are a victim of cyberbullying, do not answer back
The rule for dealing with cyberbullies is to "stop, block and tell". Don't answer back, as that will only feed the abuse, block the person or message and tell someone you trust.

The new lolzNOTtrolls campaign provides dos and don'ts to help stop online bullying.
Do own everything you say
Do speak only for yourself
Do be the same friend online as you are in person
Do think about the effect your post will have on other people
Do report it if you see any of your friends being bullied.

Don't say anything online you wouldn't say to someone's face
Don't write if if you wouldn't be happy for your Mum to read it
Don't respond to anyone who is being negative towards you - don't feed the troll
Don't write/post anything you aren't 100% happy to be made public - as it will be out there forever
Don't say anything you wouldn't be happy to have said to you

3) Never open email attachments or click on links from strangers
Viruses are often spread via attachments on emails, so if you don't know what an attachment is, do not open it.   Never open .EXE attachments.

The same is true of links. Even if it looks like a safe link, it may be forwarding to somewhere you weren't expecting.

4) Watch out for email scams
Spoof emails are very common, ranging from Nigerian princes asking for a short-term loan to proper-looking companies asking you for personal information. This is called phishing. If you get an email from someone like a bank, eBay or PayPal, saying there is a problem with your account, forward it to the company in question to get confirmation it's from them. Most companies will never ask you to tell them your password.

Try searching on Google for similar scams. For example, Nationwide bank has an archive of known email scams in circulation.

5) Even emails from friends can be suspicious
Robert Fox, a journalist for the Evening Standard, told of how his email contacts were all sent an email saying he was stuck in Cyprus after having his passport and wallet stolen and asking for money. Some of his friends did this.

All of this was done when a hacker got into his account, changed passwords and locked him out.

7) If you're doing online banking, use all the banks security recommendations
Many banks will recommend adding a piece of software which guards against hackers. Do it. That will give your account maximum protection. For example, HSBC uses a programme called Rapport. Only complete online transactions where the URL starts with 'https' and not just 'http'. The 's' stands for secure.

Don't do internet banking on computers that may be infected. Again, remember your bank will never ask for your login details via email, text or phone.

8) If you get hacked, change your password immediately
Often, when you are hacked, a spam email will be sent to all your contacts. If you find out this has happened, change your password to something completely different immediately.

Alert the people that may have received a spam email from your account to delete it immediately without opening it.

9) Read the small print
When you're signing up for an account, make sure you look for the box near the bottom, which asks if you want to receive more information. Some require you to tick them to opt-in, some require you to tick them to opt-out, so read it carefully. Only fill in the mandatory boxes, marked with an asterisk *.
Some companies will sell your personal data, so make sure you take time to tick/ unpick the right boxes.

10) Use a firewall, anti-virus programmer and anti-spyware programmer
You can use Windows' own firewall, or a third-party, such as Norton or McAfee. But make sure you don't use both as they can interfere with each other.
- A firewall will stop unauthorized people hacking on to your computer.
- Anti-virus programmers will guard your computer from viruses which could destroy your computer.
- Anti-spyware will look out for programmers such as keyloggers and Trojans which spy on your computer use in an attempt to learn passwords or account details.