Difference between sunblock and sunscreen

The difference is the sunscreen contains chemicals such as cinnamates, whereas sunblock contains titanium or zinc. The block blocks the rays of the sun, and the sunscreens absorb the rays. You are less likely to be allergic to the zinc or titanium.

"X" marks the Mosquito bite

A few years back, I read somewhere that pressing your fingernail into the middle of the bite twice, forming an X, slightly breaks the skin at the intersection of the indentations, thus allowing you to express the irritant before most of it has seeped into the tissue. This only works with mosquitoes and other bites where NO stinger is involved.

Skin Screen is essential!

Use sunscreen liberally and often. BE SURE TO AVOID THE EYES! Sunscreen can be painful when it gets near the eyes. Be sure to re-apply often. There are my types and varieties. You can get an oil-free, water-proof, creme, lotions, spray, oil. It is always best to go for at least 30 SPF. The higher the SPF the longer you can stay outside without re-applying.

Sunburn is painful and can result in fevers and general discomfort.

Sunless Tan Protection?

If you use sunless tanning products, read the labels carefully before depending upon this product for sunscreen protection. Some products are also sunscreens, many are not.

When applying sunless tanning products, first, smooth a film of petroleum jelly over the palms of your hands. Directions on sunless products warn you to wash your hands immediately, but the petroleum jelly will help avoid orange hands. Also, to avoid orange stains on knees and ankles, be sure to work the sunless tanning product over your skin thoroughly. A lick and a promise here can be disasterous. Some people use rubber exam gloves to spread the sunless tan product.

Preventing Sunburn

Avoid exposure to strong sunlight, particularly during the hottest part of the day.

If you have to go under the sun:

Limit your time of exposure initially, gradually increase over the following days.

Apply sunblock liberally to all exposed skin.

Wear a wide-brimmed hat, long sleeves, trousers, and sunglasses. Wearing an unbuttoned long-sleeved cotton shirt over a t-shirt or tank top will help keep you cooler while protecting you from sunburn

Medication and the Sun - don´t always Mix!

Does your medication have a warning about avoiding the sun? There are many medications that don´t react well with the sun...make sure you read the label.

Carrying an umbrella, wearing a hat with a 3" minimum brim and using sun screen can help you still be able to enjoy the outdoors and fresh air.

Keep Cool

Make your plan now to Beat the Heat when the temperatures outside go UP this summer. Get an insulated mug, at least 2 cups in capacity. Keep it filled with a cool beverage which is non-alcoholic and non-carbonated. PLENTY OF WATER works best. Use your favorite TV programs as a timer for drinking the entire contents of the mug. Sip at it thru the program and you won´t have to guzzle to get enough fluids to keep your body cooler inside and out. Light amounts of alcohol and soda pop are okay for a treat, but they can be diuretic and cause mild dehydration and won´t quench thirst when used exclusively.

Homemade Mosquito Remedies

I recently took a poll of what people do to help relieve the itch of mosquitos. Here are some of the remedies I got to relieve the itch:

* Make an "X" on the bite with your fingernail
* Try putting Colgate toothpaste on the bite (must be a white paste - not a gel)
* Make a pasty mixture of baking soda and water and placing it on the bite.
* Make a paste of meat tenderizer and water.
* Put some Tea Tree oil on the bite
* Clean area with rubbing alcohol and then rub benedryl cream on bites

Tip your Hat, Baby!

Encourage children to wear hats when out in the sun. This protects their tender scalps, ears, noses a little more from sunburn. A hat between the top of their heads and the hot sun is healthy insulation to lessen the chances of sun stroke. Straw, light weight cotton, vented canvas, even baseball caps will be helpful. A hat with a drape down the back of the neck is great to protect tender necks too. There are some darling, easy beach hat patterns available to sew quickly.

Don´t fry at the game!

Going to a game? The players may have plenty of sun protection, but spectators often roast. Take along a survival kit such this suggested by the Skin Cancer Foundation Journal:

*A broad-brimmed hat. Not a baseball cap with a bill.
*A light T-shirt won´t provide much protection: Choose a tighter knit, and use sunscreen under it.
*Bring a long-sleeved shirt.
*Wear long pants or use plenty of sunscreen on your legs.

Research has shown that the number of hours spent in the sun correlates with the risk of skin cancer.

Natural Mosquito Repellent

Splash some rubbing alcohol on yourself as it dries it will help deter mosquitoes from biting you.