Sitting or standing slouched does not only look bad but also has a bad effect on your spine. If not addressed in time, bad posture can become a person s second nature. Over time bad posture can change the natural curvature of your spine and lead to a number of health issues. Here are a few tips that could help:

1. Follow the structure of the chair
We spend a lot of time on office chairs. A well-designed chair will follow ergonomic guidelines to support your body. However, this can help only if you sit on the chair properly. Distribute your weight evenly on the chair. Try to align your body to the center of the chair. To do this try keeping your ears, shoulder, and hips in a straight line. Alternate between sitting at the edge of your seat and against the backrest to relieve your back muscles.

2. Change Positions
Though you can t change your desk every few hours, you can change how you sit. Tiredness is one of the leading causes for slumping and bad posture. Thus, to maintain a good posture try changing positions frequently. Stretch every half hour or so. Getting up from your table and walking over to a colleague to tell them something instead of calling them can give your muscles a break.

3. Use posture-friendly props
Along with ergonomic chairs, there are a number of other ergonomic props that could help maintain good posture. This includes footrests, pillows to support the lower back and lumbar back supports. These props can help ease the strain on the back muscles. Using a chair with an adjustable back is also a good idea. While walking, invest in bags and backpacks that are ergonomically designed to distribute their weight evenly over the entire back.

4. Exercise right
Improved posture is one of the many benefits of regular exercise. Cardiovascular exercises such as walking, running, and swimming help condition the body and maintain a good balance. Exercises that strengthen the back muscles are also great for posture. These exercises support the muscles of the upper body and relieve stress on the back muscles.

5. Wear the right footwear
Wear shoes that fit right and support the arches of your foot. This can help you maintain your balance and improve posture. Avoid wearing high heels for extended periods of time as they could have a negative effect on your center of gravity. In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

Tips For Improving Posture And Ergonomics!

Also known as contact dermatitis or contact eczema, allergic eczema is a condition wherein one experience symptoms of skin rash on coming in contact with an allergen. Other symptoms include a burning sensation in the eyes, coughing and a runny nose.

Causes-

This condition is caused when you come in contact with an allergen. Some common triggers that cause your immune system to react in this manner are:

Perfumes in cosmetics

Hair dyes

Metals such as nickel found in jewelry

Latex based products

Chemicals present in soaps and other cleansing agents

Certain antibiotic creams and lotions

Adhesives

Symptoms-

With allergic eczema, the most common symptoms include itching and pain around the affected area, and tender skin. Inflammation and dry skin are some other common symptoms that one may experience. Pus-filled red bumps are common occurrences along with this disorder. The skin may start to thicken and turn scaly. The symptoms may show up when one is exposed to sunlight.

Treatments-

The treatment for this disorder begins after a thorough diagnosis of the symptoms. Based on how severe the symptoms are, the treatment is prescribed accordingly. The first step is usually to wash the affected area with warm water to wash away the allergens. In case of mild symptoms, you may not need any treatment. It is also advised to use apply moisturizing cream to maintain hydration of the skin. To reduce inflammation and itching, use of corticosteroid creams is recommended.

In case of severe symptoms, strong corticosteroid pills may be prescribed.

If the treatments are carried out properly, the symptoms tend to clear up within 15-20 days. However, it is important to remember that the condition may erupt again if you come in contact with the allergen once more. Thus identification of the allergen is very important for long-term treatment and preventive measures. By seeing an allergist contact dermatitis can be ruled out by doing an Allergy Patch Testing.

Allergic Eczema: Causes, Symptoms and Treatments

Eczema is a common skin problem that appears as red, raised rashes on the skin, commonly the face, neck, elbows, hands, and feet. Considered as an allergic response, it is often seen in people who have a predisposition to other allergies like asthma, hay fever, hives, etc.

The good news is that these have identified patterns, and there are things that can be easily done which can prevent flare-ups.

Reduce soap: Soaps are known to dry the skin up and irritate the skin, so eczema flare-up is common in those who love to lather themselves up. If possible, switch to soap or body wash that contains moisturizer as reduce the bacterial load on the skin. People who live in hot and humid locations, such as Mumbai it is important that they cleanse their face completely, else it can lead eczema eruption. 
Moisturize: Keep a moisturizer handy at all times. Eczema is common when the skin is dry, so keep applying moisturizer at regular intervals and keep eczema at bay. Make it a habit to apply moisturizer soon after the bath. The moist skin soaks it in nicely and provides maximum benefit when applied this way.
Avoid artificial fragrances: While deodorants and skin care creams which contain fragrances smell appealing, they also cause irritation and are harsh on the skin. This exacerbates eczema, and so avoiding these products is advised.
Know your trigger: This could be anything from a dishwasher liquid to a bath soap or a deodorant to some plant in your garden. Over a period of time, you will be able to identify the trigger, and avoid it so that eczema does not flare up. Remember, it is a type of allergy after all.
Detergents for washing clothes: Using milder detergents, especially for undergarments, greatly helps. Also, wash these twice to get rid of all the soap. Avoid fabric softeners as they are fragrant and can cause irritation.
Avoid hot baths: While a hot bath at the end of a long day sounds very relaxing, it also leaves your skin dry. This can worsen the condition of eczema. Add to this the irritation from your bedspread and pillow covers. Unless you have the habit of applying copious amounts of moisturizer before going to sleep.
Cover up your hands and face: When possible, use gloves and a mask especially when washing dishes and using laundry detergents. This way, you can prevent dryness and irritation of the skin on the hands and prevent eczema.
Soak it in the tub: When you stay for about 20 minutes in a tub (no hot water though, but lukewarm), the skin absorbs moisture which prevents it from drying. This greatly helps prevent eczema.
Cut down stress: Like any allergy, eczema acts up when stressed, so manage it. There is no point stressing anyways!

Eczema - How To Prevent Its Flare-ups?

Home remedies for skin allergies 

Skin allergies are often indicated by redness, scaly, itchy, chapped or bumpy skin. These may occur due to a variety of factors. Usually, when an allergen or a foreign element comes in contact with skin, it triggers an immune system response leading to an allergic skin condition. Other factors may include climatic changes like heat and cold, infections, cosmetics, specific foods or even medications resulting in skin allergies. Often, mild skin allergies do not sustain for long even if these are not treated. However, to get relief from the pain and added discomfort caused by these skin allergies, these home remedies are a lot easier and safe bet.

Cool down the itch

Use typical ice packs or cold running water over the infected part to treat itching. Using a cold water cloth over infected area relieves from suffering. Do not try using hot water as it relaxes in the beginning but makes the condition worse later.

Scare the scar

Aloe vera is the best bet in almost all skin ailments due to its remarkable anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal properties. Regular oral intake of 2-4 teaspoons of aloe vera gel or the application of its pulp on areas of dark spots or scars eradicates scars and rashes from the face and other skin areas.

Act on acne with apple cider

The best option to treat the most irritating yet much prevalent skin ailment is apple cider vinegar. Add one part of apple cider vinegar to three parts of water. Mix it well. Use cotton balls to apply this solution on acne directly and leave it for 10-15 minutes. Then rinse with water. Apply this three times a day to seek optimum results.

Coconut oil sways away eczema

First, wash your hands with utmost care. Then, pat them dry. Use your fingers to slowly rub coconut oil on the affected area. Leave it for some time to get it dry. Use it as many times as you want to get the benefits. Actually, application of this oil on the affected portion is recommended for a longer duration for best results.

Bye-bye to rashes with baking soda

Baking soda is to be applied on the rashes directly. Then, to get better results, press the skin softly and see the rashes disappear soon.

If you would like to consult with me privately, please click on 'Consult'.


Quickie Home Remedies for Skin Allergies

Are you experiencing skin itchiness and development of dry, scaly rashes on your skin? This indicates you have eczema, which is a group of skin diseases occurring due to the inflammation and irritation of skin. Atopic dermatitis is the most common form of eczema. The disease can be controlled if proper treatment is undertaken.

Symptoms
Itchy skin is the most common symptom of eczema. In some cases, the itching starts before the development of the rash. The rash appears most commonly on the back of the knees, face, hands, wrists and feet. The affected areas become dry and thickened and in people with a fair complexion, the areas may turn reddish initially and then become brown.

Causes
The specific cause of eczema is yet to be determined. However, the condition is associated with an overactive response by the immune system to an external irritant. This response leads to eczema. The condition is more common in people who have a family history of allergies or asthma.

Treatment

As the condition turns the skin dry and itchy, certain creams and lotions are recommended to be used in order to keep the skin moist. You should apply these products when your skin is damp, ideally after taking a shower. This helps the skin in retaining moisture. You can use a cold compress to ease the itching.
Several creams such as hydrocortisone cream and ointments which contain corticosteroids are prescribed in order to reduce inflammation.
In case the affected area becomes infected, antibiotics should be taken to eliminate the infection-causing bacteria.
Antihistamines are used for reducing the severity of the itching. 
Prevention of Eczema Flare-ups

Moisturize your skin frequently
Avoid sudden changes in humidity or temperature
Abstain from overheating and sweating
Try to reduce stress
Avoid starchy material
Avoid soaps, detergents and solvents, which are harsh
Be aware of food items which trigger eczema flare-ups
It is recommended for you to consult a dermatologist if you experience any symptom of eczema. This will help you with a quick diagnosis so that you can start the treatment without further worsening of the symptoms.

Eczema - How You Can Prevent Its Flare-ups?

The metatarsal and tarsal bones form two different types of arches at the bottom of the foot. These are known as the transverse and longitudinal arches. These arches act as springs and help support the body. The arch of a foot influences the person s posture as well. Longitudinal arches can be further categorized as a medial arch, lateral arch, and fundamental longitudinal arch. The amount a person s foot arches, can also determines the type of injuries the person is susceptible to.

Low Arch
A person with minimal foot arch is also said to be flat-footed. Up to 20% of people across the world are flat-footed. Low arches make feet very flexible and also increase the risk of making the foot roll inwards. People with low arched feet have a high risk of heel pain, plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, bunions and arch pain. It can also increase the risk of medial knee problems. Arch support and rearfoot posting can help align the foot and control over-pronation.

Medium Arch
This is an example of a biomechanically efficient foot. It can be described as a defined arch and a moderately flexible foot. The most common foot problems such people are susceptible to are metatarsalgia and heel pain. This is triggered by wearing improper footwear. People with a medium arch in their feet should ensure that they wear footwear that fits them properly. The right footwear for a person with a medium arch has extra cushioning, good support and it absorbs shock well. This can help prevent injuries and align the body properly.

High Arch
A high arch is defined as a well-defined arch that sits higher from the ground than the average foot. This type of an arch makes the foot very rigid and puts extra pressure on the forefoot and rear foot. This can affect up to 20% of the worldwide population. People with high arches have a very little surface area to absorb impact while walking or running. This can make them very susceptible to heel pain, pain in the forefoot and plantar fasciitis. It can also increase the risk of calluses, arch strain, heel pain syndrome, and claw toes. The good news is that it can be treated. Wearing shoes with the right arch support, good cushioning, and metatarsal pads to provide forefoot relief can help disperse the shock and help you prevent injuries.


Arches Of Foot And Its Effect On Body!

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