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Top 10 Places You Should DEFINITELY WASH Your HANDS After Touching

The AHA! Team — Wed, 12 Feb 2025 06:49:46 +0000

News Editors via Natural News – What is green coffee? (Article republished from GreenMedInfo.com) It’s impossible to count, but how many people have gotten sick from Covid, the flu or the common cold from simply touching something that someone else who was sick touched, and then touching your fingers to your mouth, nose or eyes? The easiest way for germs, bacteria, viruses and pathogens to enter your body and make you sick is through your wet orifices, and that’s why we are here to remind you of the top ten places where germs sit and wait to jump onto your fingers and into your body through your eyes, nose or mouth. Wash your hands with warm water and soap after touching these popular germ-laden places #1. Money So easily we forget when we handle money that it’s actually one of the dirtiest surfaces in the universe. Money can trade hands up to 100 times in a day and the odds of at least one of those people being sick are very high, especially during the cold and flu season (now). Whether it’s cash or change, the end result is the same. People sneeze and cough into their hands, they rub their eyes, pick and wipe their nose, pick their teeth and eat food with their hands, and even let their dogs lick their mouth and nostrils. Gross. Then you touch the money they touched and voila. You’re sick. #2. Touchscreens How easy it is to forget or not even realize that you’ve touched some automated screen to ring up your groceries, personal care items, household goods or even to pay the bill at the doctor, pharmacy or hospital. Germs are microscopic, that’s why they’re called microorganisms, so it only takes the tip of one finger to touch the pin pad to enter your debit or credit card secret code to pay for your goods and services. Then, you will most likely touch an itchy eye, adjust a contact lens, or shove a piece of gum or a mint in your mouth without even thinking about it. Bam – you just pushed sickness right through your gate, into your “home.” #3. Restaurant menus Wait, did you go to the bathroom and wash your hands before you left for the restaurant, or did you wait until you arrived there? Guess what? It doesn’t matter, because as soon as you touch the menu to figure out what you want to eat, you just touched one of the most hand-trafficked places on the planet. Now, most likely, you will touch your food, whether some finger-food appetizer, a sandwich, or you just drop a piece of whatever on the plate, grab it and toss it in your mouth. Researchers at the University of Arizona swabbed menus and found a whopping 185,000 bacterial organisms on them. Maybe, from now on, you should look at the menu, order, then hit the restroom and wash up. #4. Animals Americans love their pets. They are unconditional best friends. They’re good for company, entertainment, snuggling and of course, pictures and videos for sharing on social media. What happens, though, when the dog licks the owner’s face, or the cat hops up on the kitchen table after using the litter box? It’s important to wash your hands well after petting, holding or playing fetch with your pet, or anyone else’s pet. #5. Kitchen sponges Wow, these things get really nasty. People seem to keep the same ones forever and a day, until they’re chock full of grease, food particles and a million germs (over 300 species of bacteria have been found living in them) that get on your hands, your cookware, your silverware, your plates, your bowls, and then find their way into your body. Buy a bristle brush with a handle and toss out that nasty sponge. #6. Other people’s pens Bet you didn’t think of that one. You have to sign for a package, or an invoice, or sign in at a front desk, and then you touch your mouth, nose or eyes, and the person or persons who used that pen before you were sick as dogs. Pens have up to 10 times the germs of an office toilet seat. Let that sink in. #7. Doorknobs, handrails, poles and handles go anywhere and the odds are you’re going to touch at least half a dozen. At the office, store, building, bathrooms, homes and public transportation. #8. Everything at the airport, bus or train terminal this includes rails, tables, chairs, money, door handles, tray tables and any buttons you push for anything. #9. Anything at the doctor’s office, clinic or hospital. #10. People’s hands it’s too easy to shake someone’s hand or even fist bump and forget you did it. Thirty seconds later you’re touching your face and then they tell you they’ve been fighting a cold, the flu or Covid. Tune your food news frequency to FoodSupply.news and get updates on more ways to eat clean, keep germs out of your body, and avoid common illnesses. Sources for this article include: NaturalNews.com TheHealthy.com To read the original article, click here

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Fingernail Health Clues to Internal Health. What Do Yours Say?

The AHA! Team — Mon, 13 May 2024 08:03:35 +0000

Dr. Don Colbert – Is it possible that your fingernails hold the secrets to your health? Can they show you nutrition deficiencies, underlying systemic issues, injuries, or toxic loads from medications? Amazingly, they hold clues into the mysteries that make up your overall health. While your fingernail health is not a stand-alone diagnostic tool, it can help you recognize potential issues that can be further investigated. What do your nails say about your overall health? Find out today! What Fingernail Health Says About Your Overall Health 1. Soft or Weak Nails Soft or weak nails often bend before snapping. Like brittle nails, soft nails may be a fingernail health sign that points to overexposure to moisture or chemicals like detergent, cleaning fluids, nail treatments, and nail polish remover. However, weak nail may also be associated with a deficiency in B vitamins, calcium, iron, or fatty acids. Other signs of vitamin B deficiency include pins and needles tingling in hands and/or feet, fatigue, pale skin, fast heart rate, mouth pain or swelling, red smooth tongue, and/or depressed moods or mental health changes (1, 2, 3). How can you improve fingernail health when they are soft and weak? Reduce the amount of chemical exposure to your nails. Give your nails a break from polish and/or remover. If other sign point to vitamin and mineral deficiencies, try to increase your intake. 2. Pitted Nails When you look at your nails, do you see evidence of pitting? Nail pits are small round depressions or notches appear in the nails. Nail pitting is common in those with skin conditions including psoriasis and eczema. It can coexist with psoriatic arthritis, or may be related to alopecia areata — an autoimmune disease that causes hair loss (4). How can you improve fingernail health if you see nail pitting? If you see nail pitting, it’s worthwhile to talk to your medical provider. Often, this is associated with inflammation or disorders of other connective tissue including skin and joints. You may talk about ways to decrease overall inflammation while supporting connective tissue health. 3. Peeling Fingernails Peeling fingernails can be tricky. It is often due to external trauma. However, it can also be caused by having a low iron status internally. So, which is it for you? One way to figure it out is to look at your toenails. If they are peeling as well, it’s more likely to be an internal, possibly iron, issue. Other iron deficiency symptoms include unexplained fatigue, dark undereye circles, spooned nails (see below), heavy, rather than springy, legs when you walk or run, or newly formed paleness. Iron-deficiency can be assessed and diagnosed with laboratory tests including serum ferritin (5). How can you improve fingernail health when they are peeling? If caused by external trauma, refrain from using your fingernails as a tool, pressing into the nail too firmly, or using acrylic polish on nails. If caused by iron deficiency, talk to your medical provider about testing serum ferritin levels and/or adding iron-rich foods or supplements. 4. Brittle Nails If your fingernails are rough or splitting, you may have what’s called onychoschizia. It’s actually quite common. Typically, it does NOT point to an internal health problem, but a drying out due to repeatedly wetting and drying your hands and nails, such as when washing hands, doing dishes, etc. How can you improve fingernail health when they are brittle? Try using hydrating lotions on your hands and nails to protect them from wetting and drying. Consider wearing gloves while washing dishes or doing other water-heavy tasks. 5. Fingernail Ridges Do you have thin vertical ridges that run from the tip of your fingernail down to your cuticle? If so, don’t fret, these are usually not a cause for concern or an indication of a health issue. If you have horizontal ridges, it may or may not be an indication of a health condition or a side-affect of treatment. For example, this horizontal grooves, call Beau’s lines, are often caused by chemotherapy and show up across all 20 nails in accordance delivery of the medication. In addition, Beau’s lines have been associated with systemic issues such as measles, mumps, malaria, typhoid fever, scarlet fever and hand-foot-mouth disease – in these cases people are typically diagnosed with the issue and then notice the ridges (6). How can you improve fingernail health when you notice ridges? If you notice vertical ridges, you can ignore them or gently buff the surface of your nail with a fingernail buffer to smooth them. If you notice horizontal lines, you may attribute it to a known medication or medical issue, or you can see a healthcare professional to find the underlying cause. 6. Thick Yellow Nails Yellow nails are actually relatively common. They can be caused by an infection or a reaction to a product, such as nail polish. Yellow, thick nails are a different issue. If you notice your fingernails or toe nail are thick, peeling, and discolored, it could be a nail fungal infection, known as Onychomycosis (7). In rare cases, yellow nails can indicate a thyroid condition, skin conditions, or blood sugar abnormalities. How can you improve fingernail health when they are yellowing and/or thick? Suspect a nail product as the culprit? Discontinue use and monitor changes. If not thickening, but also not due to a product, talk to your medical professional about potential causes. If your nails are thickening and yellowing, talk to your medical professional about possible fungal infection and treatment. 7. Black Lines on Nails Black lines on nails are also called a splinter hemorrhage. These black lines, which can appear brown or dark red, may look like splinters, and there may be more than one. Typically, these black lines are caused by trauma to the nail. As the nail grows out, they should disappear if due to injury. When they don’t and in rare cases, the lines could be a sign of an underlying issue, including skin, heart, or nail cell issues (8). How can you improve fingernail health if you see black lines on them? If form trauma, give it time. The lines should disappear as your nail grows out. If there’s no change over a few weeks, talk to your healthcare professional and monitor any other symptoms, such as inflamed skin, night sweats, or bleeding in the nail. 8. Nails with White Spots If you see scattered white spots on your nails, it can be a sign of zinc deficiency. It may also be an allergic reaction to a product, fungal infection (see thick yellow nails), or injury to the nail. Other signs of zinc deficiency include unexplained weight loss, wounds that won’t heal, lack of alertness, decreased sense of smell and taste, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and/or open sores on the skin. How can you improve fingernail health if you see white spots? First, give your nails a break from polish or other products and allow the nail to grow. If the spots remain or reappear, or you have other signs of low zinc status, talk your healthcare professional about possible zinc deficiency and supplementation. 9. Spooned Nails Spoon nails are soft nails turned up around the edges, creating “spoons.” This condition also is called koilonychia and are often are a symptom of iron deficiency anemia. Iron deficiency anemia can be caused by inadequate iron intake or absorption, bleeding, gastrointestinal disorders, and more. As mentioned above, other iron deficiency symptoms include unexplained fatigue, dark undereye circles, peeling nails (see above), heavy, rather than springy, legs when you walk or run, or newly formed paleness. Iron-deficiency can be assessed and diagnosed with laboratory tests including serum ferritin (9). How can you improve spooned fingernail health? Since this is often caused by iron deficiency, talk to your medical provider about testing serum ferritin levels and/or adding iron-rich foods or supplements. General Recommendations to Take Care of Fingernail Health Fingernails are an epithelial skin appendage. They are made of a hardened nail plate surrounded by specialized epithelial surfaces. The nail plate (the portion of the nail you see on top) is formed of keratinised epithelial cells. Fingernails are incredibly dynamic and grows distally at a rate of over 3 millimeters per month! As described above, fingernails can display signs of connective tissue health, nutrient deficiencies, and systemic issues. It stands to reason then, to support connective tissue health and adequate nutrient intake. From there, if your fingernails still show abnormalities, you may find evidence of other underlying or systemic conditions. To take care of fingernail health in terms of connective tissue support, reduce inflammation, and adequate nutrient intake, consider adding: Collagen Powder (supports connective tissue) A Food-Based Multivitamin/Multimineral Anti-Inflammatory Foods and Supplements Strategies to Increase Needed Minerals and Glutathione In addition, consider giving your nails regular breaks from harsh polishes, glues, and other chemical agents that may harm them. Bottom Line Your fingernail health may hold clues to your internal health. While they are not a stand-alone diagnostic tool, they can be the first indication of an issue. Take care of your fingernails and monitor any signs or symptoms of abnormalities. What are your fingernails telling you? To read the original article click here.

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COVID-19: How to Care for Dry Hands After Washing Them so Much

AHA Publisher — Thu, 19 Mar 2020 07:00:11 +0000

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Health Sciences via Newswise – More people are upping up their hand washing game now that the CDC and health officials have emphasized that regular hand washing is imperative to helping curb the spread of COVID-19. But there’s one step we all tend to forget after washing our hands or applying hand sanitizer – that critical layer of hand cream. Ironically, by over-washing our skin, we can develop dry cracks in the skin, giving bacteria an entry point into our bodies. Sara Hogan, MD, a dermatologist at UCLA Medical Center, Santa Monica, shares some best practices on how to treat signs of over-washing like pain, redness, flaking and itching. Why Is Handwashing So Harsh on Our Skin? The outermost layer of our skin is composed of oils and wax, and it acts as both a shield from the outside and a guard that maintains natural moisture in the skin. This natural barrier is broken down by the suds created by soap while washing hands, which does not discriminate between unwanted oil, germs, debris and natural oils in the skin. Not applying hand cream can lead to dryness, redness, itching, flaking, discomfort and in severe cases, cracks in the skin. Those with preexisting dermatologic conditions like eczema can experience worsening symptoms. How Should We Wash Our Hands to Avoid Skin Dryness? Apply enough mild, fragrance-free soap to remove dirt, but avoid using so much that it creates a thick lather—this washes away natural oils. Wash with warm, not hot water, for at least 20 seconds, patting your hands dry with a towel. Once your hands are dry, apply a moisturizer immediately. Keep small travel sizes of creams in purse, gym bag, and at your work desk to make sure it is within reach. Are There Any Ingredients People Should Avoid When Their Skin Is Chapped? Products that contain fragrance can be irritating to chapped, sensitive skin. Creams and ointments are better than lotions. Hand sanitizers with too much alcohol can be drying to chapped skin. You can try a hand sanitizer with a moisturizing base, just know that it will not be as effective in killing viruses. Are There Common Misconceptions About What to Look for in Hand Creams? Use hand ointment or cream instead of a lotion as these are more effective. Petrolatum (Vaseline) is still the most effective moisturizer out there. Are There Other Treatments Besides Hand Creams That People Should Consider? At nighttime before going to bed, apply thick moisturizer and then cover with cotton gloves to increase absorption. Beauty product junkies can consider a moisturizing mask for hands. These glove-like masks are applied for 20 minutes, then washed off. Consider a humidifier at night—raising the humidity level in a room can help dry skin. To read the original article click here.

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