Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Random Thoughts


In all my years of gardening I've never encountered poison ivy...
until this year.  It was a fairly mild case, but since it continued to spread I paid a visit to my dermatologist.
She sent me home with a cream to take care of the poison ivy and also a "patient education" list on caring for dry skin.
I thought it was rather interesting and thought I'd share some highlights in case you, too, might find it interesting:

Dry skin lacks WATER, not lotion or oil.

The MOST DRYING thing you can do to your skin is to apply water to the skin and then to let it evaporate. 

Treatment requires keeping water in the skin, so drinking water doesn't help.

I never really thought of myself as having dry skin, although at this stage of life I am noticing a lot of damage from my long ago habit of sun worshiping.  Oh how I wish I could turn back the hands of time :).  But since that is not possible, I was encouraged by some of the tips for caring for my skin now.

Those tips follow:

  • Quick showers using cooler water.
  • Mild soaps like Dove for Sensitive Skin
  • Pat dry after showering.  Rubbing can cause itchy skin
  • Apply lotion right after drying to help keep moisture in.  My dermatologist has been highly recommending the CeraVe products (pictured above).  They can be found in drugstores. 
  • Avoid scents and dyes.  I have now switched to unscented detergents and have quit using dryer sheets altogether. 
 
 In other random news, I recently saw this product on another blog and thought I'd give it a try.  These BB creams are something I didn't know anything about.  I had been using a mineral powder with a sunscreen underneath.  It was working okay, but I was ready for a change.  This one has sunscreen in it and it seems to do a good job of evening out those middle age flaws (another result of too much sun in my younger days).
Just so you know, I'm not being compensated to talk about these products.  Just sharing a few things that I've found helpful.
If you have any input on skin care or beauty products that you're loving right now, please feel free to share.  

Moving right along from beauty products to puppies...
I told you it was random here today.
This little puppy seems to have been left on a neighbor's porch in the middle of the night.  She had a collar and leash on.  The neighbor has tried everything to find it's owner to no avail.
She's only a couple months old and cute as can be.
Brett & I felt so bad for her, we even tried to let her stay here.
Peanut would have no part of that.  She is too old and set in her ways.
The general consensus around the neighborhood is that somebody bought her and realized they couldn't take care of her so they left her for someone else to figure out.  Luckily this neighbor is determined to find her a home and has found a rescue group that has been able to place her.  According to the rescue worker, this is happening all the time.  It seems so unfair to the poor little puppy.
This whole experience has made me have a new appreciation for the necessity of spaying and neutering our pets.

On that note, I'm wrapping up the randomness for today.
Any random thoughts you'd care to share?




11 comments:

  1. Good randomness! I will be checking out the products you mentioned. As for dry skin...I know it well!

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  2. I'll write down these products and look for them. I have sensitive skin so I am careful to use unscented everything! And about a year ago, I had a rash that didn't go away and I wasn't sure how to treat it so I went to the doctor. I used some cream that helped but she told me something I've kept doing. Put 1/2 to 1 cup of vinegar in the rinse cycle of your washing machine. It helps fight germs and your laundry comes out smelling SO fresh! You'll be surprised! It cuts the odor of the thrift store linens I find, too. (I don't use dryer sheets either) Enjoy your week! Sweet hugs, Diane

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  3. I have my hands in water way too much. I've always had dry hands. Sad!
    I'll check out the products you mention.
    Poor pup! I hope he finds a home.

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  4. An awfully cute baby to leave alone. Glad that someone was able to take her.

    A friend has chronic dry skin and the tips you shared sound familiar. Her doctor told her one shower a week is more than enough. Really? I don't know. Anyway, I do love Dove products. I'll be looking for the products...my sis is a nurse...her poor hands!

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  5. I love random!

    I use CeraVe myself but I learned a lot from you today. Thank you!

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  6. I've used Beauti-Control products for the past 25 years and are very happy with them.
    I put sunscreen on my face every day - CVS brand.

    I used to get poison ivy every year, but haven't for the last few years. When I'm working in the yard I go inside every so often and just give my hands and arms a good washing.

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  7. Himmm....coincidence? Last evening, just as I was leaving work, a young male customer was in the lotion aisle and I asked if he needed help. He said no, but he was holding the CeraVe lotion you mention above. Now I see it in your post and I'm wondering if that would be good to finish clearing up some eczema I'm experiencing. Eczema can cause your skin to become dry, but it is NOT caused by dry skin. It comes from the inside of the body and is caused mainly by stress and sometimes too much fungus in the body. The eczema skin itching and eruptions are the outwardly symptoms of an inward problem. Just thought I'd add that, since so many people are given wrong reasons for why eczema exists. Baby's can have it too, but remember, babies have come from another body, which may have been filled with fungus, and or stress, too.

    Thanks for the information. I'll check these out. I do have some tips for dry wintery skin which may crack. I know a lot of people suffer from that especially on their finger tips during the winter months. Dr. Zim's Crack Cream is the best for that. It heals quickly. I wish I had know about this cream when my sweet mother was suffering from cracked fingertips during the New Jersey winters. They used to carry it in stores, but now I think it has to be ordered online, at least where I live.

    Blessings for more beautiful, healthy skin,

    Marianne

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  8. My dermatologist recommended CeraVe, too. It works great! Like you, my early years of sunning and tanning are showing in my older years. Wish I knew about sun block back then!

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  9. Thanks for the tips! I have never used CeraVe, but will certainly check it out now.

    That little puppy is so adorable. I hope he finds a good home.

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  10. I like random posts, and you shared so great insights on products. My husband is prone to poison ivy, and I am grateful for this information. I do use CeraVe at times and find it is a good product, although right now I use organic coconut oil on my dry skin, at a recommendation of my dear 60 year old friend, with great skin. I am not recommending it to everyone, because there are so many differing types of skin, but for me, it works well. Thanks for sharing such an informative post.

    I do hope that puppy finds a warm, loving home.

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  11. It is very dry here in Colorado and I've noticed my skin needs more moisturizing. I use Cetaphil and the Suave Argon Oil lotion I reviewed a few months ago has also been very helpful. I will look for the creams your dermatologist recommended and try them also.

    So sad about that puppy! I'm glad the rescue group was able to find it a good home.

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