Dry Skin

I often forget that I actually have been diagnosed with several skin disorders of no specific origin. Sometime in my mid twenties I found I have eczema and seborrheic dermatitis. Since I am pretty healthy, I rarely have an issue or outbreak on the first, though the second is a constant irritant, so I try to keep my scalp shaved, which seems to work better then any other treatment I have tried, and I have tried them all!

There are likely a million DIY recipes for lotions, ointments, etc. that will likely help with any minor skin irritations. I have a huge problem in this life - I cannot stand lotion or things on my hands that may transfer to my face. I never had acne as a teenager, but as an adult it has been a huge battle for me, so anything that may inadvertently cause me more acne is a no-no! I do tend to touch my face a lot, but I try my best to be aware of it and to stop the urge. When I had long curly hair I had a compulsion to rub the smooth part of a curl against my lip and this only made my acne go crazy as I was transferring oil everywhere. No hair is a better option for me. I would suggest searching around on pintrest or google if you have an interest in making your own products, just keep in mind that not every recipe is going to suit every person, so you may have to test out a few. I usually read comments and reviews and if they seem sincere and numerous, I am on the train!

For my head, as I stated above, my only real answer to the dermatitis is to shave my head. It clears up mostly when I manage to keep it shaved and also if I put some jojoba oil on my dome to keep it moisturized. Living in the high desert is not for every skin type and mine is definitely not suited to the climate here any better then it was back in New York, where it was moist, but almost too moist. Both of my skin conditions began when I lived in NY, so my current environment did not cause my conditions. Now, as a farmer living in the high desert with sensitive skin I can tell you about some dry skin! My skin flakes off as though burned even when it is not. I have heard that coconut oil is a good moisturizer, but I have not had any luck with it. As soon as I put it on it feels like it is gone. If I had some to waste right now I would probably try to make an ointment with some wax and oils and see if that would work better (which it probably would, since the wax would make the oil stay on top of the skin longer).

I live in a 5th Wheel trailer and have no dishwasher, so I get to wash a lot of dishes. In the winter my hands crack badly and since I cannot tolerate lotion on my hands, I end up with cut up hands. I started to use dishwashing gloves and that helps a lot. A warning, they will break and pop no matter what brand you choose. If my hands get really bad, I will slather them with Aquafor or homemade ointment before bed and when I awaken, they are usually much better.

I know I could do a million different things to moisturize before the damage is done, I just have a terrible time with slimy things on my skin, so sometimes you have to know what to do After! So, ointments, lotions, specialty shampoos - you can make your own from a million recipes online to try. If you have any additional tips, please add them to the comments section.

Love and Light <3 Psynn

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/handmade-holidays-soothing-skin-ointment.html
http://diyconfessions.com/2012/11/15/homemade-eczema-creamskin-moisturizer/
http://myhomemadebeauty.com/2010/09/23/diy-skin-cream-workshop/
http://soapdelinews.com/2012/10/diy-winter-salve-recipes-25-natural-homemade-skin-salve-recipes.html

Some Natural Ways to Beat Seasonal Allergies

As I am typing this, my ears hurt. The allergies have been killer lately, so bad that no matter what you take whether it is prescription, over the counter or holistic  it is a war inside your head and sinus cavity! My lymph nodes are half swollen, but to be fair I just laid out a bunch of straw and dirt in the garden and my nose is still full of dirt, so my poor body is working at maximum to keep these allergic reactions at a minimum. I am allergic to three different plants that flower every few months for the entire year on the west coast and I moved to Arizona! I guess that was a bad choice for my allergies. Anytime I work in the yard there is a chance that I will be stabbed by Russian Thistle also known as tumbleweed or come into contact with yellowdock, a common plant that is also used in many organic body products. I cannot recall the third allergen, but I have it documented somewhere. Anyway, onto the cures!

Local Honey: They say that if you want to get your body tough and able to take on local allergens, you should ingest local honey. All those pollen bits will enter your body and may worsen your symptoms for a while, but in the end, your immune system will be stronger. I do love honey, but it is not a cheap commodity so I have not been able to acquire any local honey to test this one. There are many testimonials online about it, if you need more proof, but really - honey is yummy, so just try it if you can afford it :) my allergies have worsened so much over the years that I am not sure I could ever afford enough honey to cure myself, but it will sure be fun to try!

Quercitin - Quercitin is a naturally occurring bioflavonid that we consume in a lot of different fruits, flowers and vegetables every single day, but in such small amounts that it is impossible for a human to consume enough food to create the same effect as the supplement. However, it's main function in supplement form is respiratory support and it saves my life every single day of bad allergy weather (and I live in a very windy place with lots of trees, weeds and plants around). I actually take the one with Bromelaine, because joint support is always a good thing! The thing I love best about quercitin is that it is natural and it works differently then any OTC medication. Instead of blocking the histamine, it blocks as much of the bodies reaction to the histamine as it can - I made my body mad with all that straw and dirt and allergens in my face, which is the only reason I am feeling any bad reaction.

Apple Cider Vinegar - As with all ailments I know of, allergies can be aided with a little acv cocktail every day. It just balances the body, raises the immune system, and is made of magic. 

Nettle tea: I have not tried this method, but it is a natural antihistamine!  As long as there is no allergy, can't hurt to try it! Any herbal tea that provides respiratory support would also be helpful!

Golden Seal/Echinacea: This can help boost your immune system, to better block those pesky infections. If I don't take my quercitin or acv, I am almost guaranteed an infection that will then have to be acv'd all over again :)

Netti Pot: This is a special thing. I have one, though I have not used it in a while and probably should now as all that dirt is driving me sort of crazy. The key is to breathe shallowly through your mouth as the water runs through your nose and out of your other nostril (hopefully over a sink). I am not going to tell you this is comfortable, but it is a great way to rinse your sinuses before something starts to spore! After you are done, blow your nose and it should eventually soothe the sinuses. Always use filtered water or purchased water. I live on a community well, but I would not even use that water. There have been a few too many stories about people having parasites from using tap water. I did it for the first year with no problem, but better to be safe than sorry on this!

Oil Pulling: If you oil pull every morning, this helps to keep the sinuses moister then they might normally be and we all know sinus infections start with dryness and cracking. When I oil pull I can't help but blow my nose afterwards as it knocks everything loose, in a good way!

Water: Keeping hydrated is a huge thing when allergens are about - once that irritation begins there is an increased chance of infection.

Rest: Some say that resting is a good way to stave off allergies, stating that stress can increase symptoms or aggravate them.

Staying Inside: I am the worst at this! Being a farmer, living in a trailer, having most of my things in a shed, having to run to town, etc. I can stay inside for only so long, plus I need that vitamin D! I did purchase a dust mask at some point, but it got shuffled in the move :) I will try to cover my mouth and nose with a handkerchief if I remember - I forgot today! 

Peppermint Steam: If that infection gets you and you just cannot breathe, put a few drops of peppermint essential oil in some boiling water and hover near the pot as it steams. You can use a towel to help localize it towards your sinus area and that should help loosen anything stuck in your nose or lungs. 

If the allergies get you, just keep on with the supplements to support and boost your immune system and never forget the apple cider vinegar! 

Some references from:
https://www.mylifestages.org/health/allergies/system2_allergies.page

Love and Light <3 Psynn