Otitis Externa

Otitis externa is an infection of the external ear characterized by an inflammation of the ear canal. It occurs mainly due to overexposure in water or any fluid. When the skin has prolonged contact with moisture, mostly from contaminated water, the skin softens and the natural barrier breaks down, enabling bacteria and fungi to easily penetrate inside the ear.

Symptoms of Otitis Externa

There are various conditions that can surface when an individual is infected with otitis externa. Most of them include a sudden or sharp pain in the ear, itchiness, reduce hearing ability, appearance of yellowish discharge from the ear, hypersensivity to ear movement, and swollen ears or lymph nodes on the neck. The skin is also sore and scaly.

Causes of Otitis Externa

Most well known cause of otitis externa is bathing or swimming in contaminated water or overexposure to moist environment allows the bacteria and fungi to penetrate the ear canal and cause infection. On the other hand, smaller ear openings can cause water retention and will ultimately lead to ear infection.

Certain habits can make a person develop otitis externa. For instance, improper usage of hair sprays, hair dyes, or shampoos may allow the chemical irritants from its ingredients to enter the ear canal and cause irritation. Similarly, cleaning the ears using cotton buds, fingernails, or any sharp objects may tear the soft tissues in the interior of ear canal. This leads to the infection of the ear.

Certain infections can also contribute to developing swimmer’s ear. These are infection of the middle ear, which can further infect the ear canal; folliculitis or infected hair follicle within the ear canal; and diabetes, which can raise the alkalinity of the earwax, therefore leaving the ear vulnerable to bacterial invasion.

Children who suffer from eczema and seborrhea are at greater risk of getting infected with swimmer’s ear. While adults, adolescents, and schoolchildren, are more prone to contracting swimmer’s ear than toddlers.

Home Remedies / Treatment for Otitis Externa

Vinegar: For mild cases, place a few drops of vinegar of both ears. Leave for 5 minutes. Turn the ear down to spill down the liquid. Repeat treatment twice a day for 3 days. Vinegar contains acetic acid that prevents the growth of bacteria and fungi.

Apple cider vinegar: Dilute equal parts of apple cider vinegar with water or alcohol. Place 3-4 drops of this mixture when water clogs the ears, especially after swimming or showering. This will prevent any future infection.

Baby oil: Warm a small amount of baby oil. Place a few drops on both ears using a dropper. Place a cotton ball at the opening of the ears to avoid spilling the oil.

Hair dyer: Set the dryer to warm settings. Use it to blow dry your ear. The warm air coming from the dryer will evaporate the remaining water trapped in your ear.

White vinegar: Mix equal parts of water, white vinegar, and peroxide. Place a few drops on both ears using a dropper and let it stay for 1 minute. Tip the head on the opposite side to spill the solution out of the ear then place a piece of cotton to dry it. Do this before bedtime.

Further Suggestions for Otitis Externa

Place a few drops of oil in the ear before going down the pool. It will prevent the water from drying out the protective oils in the ear.

After swimming, gently pull the ear in the opposite direction to spill the water trapped in the ear canals. Use a towel when drying out the ear.

Avoid swimming in contaminated or dirty waters.

Wear an earplug before swimming if possible.

Avoid cleaning your ears with your fingers or sharp objects.

Onychomycosis

Onychomycosis, is a contagious fungal infection that is caused by a group of dermatophyte fungus. This certain type of fungus feeds on the keratin substance that makes up the surface of the toenail and causes the discoloration and disfiguration of each nail. It occurs on both fingernails and toenails although the big and small toe finger are more likely to be affected.

Symptoms of Onychomycosis

Toenails that are infected will get a yellowish or brownish color. It will grow thicker than normal making it painful to wear shoes. The nail will be brittle and will leave a foul smell. Spots are commonly seen at the downside of the infected nails.

Causes of Onychomycosis

Prolonged contact with damp areas such as swimming pools, public gyms or shower stalls, and wearing tight-fitting shoes or hosiery, are the factors that contributes to toenail infection. The fungus may also spread from one toenail to another, or to other parts of the body.

Abnormal pH level of the skin, weak immune system, and not drying off the feet after bathing or exercise are other known causes of toenail infection.

Home Remedies / Natural Treatment for Onychomycosis

Tea tree oil: Mix tea tree oil with olive oil. Apply on the infected toenail. Alternately, rub a few drops of tea tree oil on the infected nail thoroughly. Repeat treatment daily for more effective results. Tea tree oil is a natural antiseptic and fungicide.

Listerine: Place toes in a basin filled with diluted Listerine mouthwash. It is a powerful antiseptic that will leave your toenails clean and healthy.

Apple cider vinegar: Mix equal parts of warm water and apple cider vinegar in a flat basin. Soak feet in the solution for 15-20 minutes. Dry nails thoroughly using a blow dyer on warm setting. This will absorb all the moisture all round the toes.

Lavender oil: Put equal drops of tea tree and lavender oil on a cotton gauze or swab. Dab cotton gauze all around the infected nail. Do this 2-3 times a day. Tea tree oil has natural antibiotic properties and lavender oil will prevent skin irritation and fight infection.

Oregano: Mix 2 drops of oregano oil with 1 teaspoon of olive oil. Apply mixture on the infected area everyday for 3 weeks only. Oregano oil is an all-around analgesic, antiseptic, antibacterial, anti-parasitical, antiviral, and anti-fungal agent.

AHA creams: Apply AHA creams (or Alpha Hydroxy acid) on your feet before bedtime. It will remove flaking skin in your feet that are prone to inhabiting fungus.

Diet Suggestion for Onychomycosis

Increase intake of probiotics in your diet. Yogurt and kefir are very good sources of probiotics. These good bacteria will help remove the invading fungus from the body.

Taking olive leaf extract internally will also provide the needed anti-fungal agent for the body.
Avoid refined carbohydrates in the form of dairy products, sugar, and vinegar.

Further Suggestions for Onychomycosis

Wash your feet immediately and dry them well after coming out of public areas that are wet and warm such as locker rooms, showers, spas, and swimming pools. This habit will reduce of fungal infection in your feet.

When wearing close-toe shoes, wear cotton socks to let the feet absorb the perspiration.

Always makes sure to keep your feet dry. Take off wet socks, clean and dry your feet before wearing a new pair.

Avoid sharing personal items with infected people. This include shoes, towels and washcloths.

Trim your nails regularly by cutting them straightly and smoothing the edges with a nail file.

Avoid using nail polish as much as possible.

Getting Fit and Trim with Water

Being fit and healthy has become an obsession for millions of people all over the world. It is not surprising, therefore, to see so many drug companies coming out with a variety of pills promising dramatic weight loss in a short time. What a lot of people do not know, however, is that the answer to their weight problems is something found right in their own kitchen — water!

Water has weight-loss properties that may still seem alien to many people. Water has no calories, no trans fats, and no saturated fats. It, thus, becomes a perfect drink if you are trying to lose weight. Also, try drinking a glass of water before meals and another glass after meals because such method helps to control your cravings for more food. At the same time, water also aids in digestion, thus, making weight loss and keeping the pounds off, possible.

Water comes with a lot of health benefits. It does a lot more than quenching your thirst or reducing your weight. For one, water cleanses your body by facilitating the removal of metabolic wastes from your body through the urine and sweat. The more you drink water, the more metabolic wastes are excreted from your body; thus, the healthier you become.

Water, too, keeps your kidneys healthy by preventing the formation of kidney stones. Drinking sufficient water everyday can also protect you from urinary tract infections which could call for a medical emergency if left untreated.

Moreover, water reduces incidence of sunstrokes and dehydration. Especially during summertime when it gets to be excruciatingly hot in many parts of the world, sunstrokes and dehydration are serious problems that need medical attention. Sometimes, if such conditions are taken for granted, they could lead to death. Drinking lots of water during this time may prove to be beneficial, health-wise.

Water also keeps your skin looking young and healthy. A well-hydrated body often results to skin that’s firm and taut, smooth and moisturized — all the characteristics of young, healthy skin!

Best of all — water is cheap! So if you want to be healthy at practically no cost to you, simply drink at least eight glasses of water everyday, and you can have the body and the well-being that you’ve always wanted.