Home remedies for common skin problems

1. Boils. A boil is an ugly-looking reddish skin infection. Boils can occur all over the body but most frequently in skin areas with hair. Boils are caused by the bacteria Staphylococcus, which get inside our skin because of a tiny wound (like an insect bite).

Because of this infection, our body’s white blood cells pool together to fight infection, which then collects as pus. That’s why a boil starts as a firm reddish nodule and slowly softens until it bursts to secrete yellowish pus. If you mess around with a boil, it can sometimes leave you with an unsightly scar. Nevertheless, most boils can be safely treated at home.

Boils usually affect the following groups: 1) obese people, 2) individuals with chronic illnesses, 3) the elderly, 4) hairy people, and 5) those with diabetes.

Here’s how you treat a boil:

• Apply warm compress for 10 minutes twice a day. You can use a clean hot towel. The heat will cause the boil to form a head (become pointed), and drain faster.

• Apply alcohol or povidone iodine on the boil three times a day. This antiseptic will treat the boil from the outside and avoid further infecting the boil.

• For large and multiple boils, you may need to take an antibiotic for seven days (either Amoxicillin or Cloxacillin 500mg capsules, taken three times a day). Consult your doctor.

To prevent getting a boil, take a bath daily. Make sure your home is clean and insect-free. Sometimes, a boil starts as an insect bite.

If the boil is located on the face, it would be better to consult a doctor. The front part of the face is a dangerous area where pus could leak inside the brain. Those with diabetes, the very young, and the very old also need to see a doctor.

2. Pimples. Teenagers and women tend to get more pimples because of their hormonal fluctuations. Genetics, stress, sunbathing and use of contraceptive pills may also predispose you to get pimples.

Here are some tips to help prevent pimples. For ladies, check your makeup. Make sure it’s not greasy or oil-based. Frequent washing of the face with soap and water will also lessen the oil. The lesser makeup you use, the better. Although still controversial, I think there is no harm in avoiding oily foods.

Wash your hair at night. When you sleep with dirty hair, the dirt can get smudged on your pillow and face, thus giving you a pimple in the morning.

Learn about the “T” zone of your face. This “T” comprises the oily areas of our face, which includes the top part of our eyebrows down to the nose area.

One simple home remedy for pimples is to clean them with 70-percent alcohol every day. Use a cotton bud soaked in alcohol and dab it on the pimple. Alcohol is particularly effective at getting rid of new pimples. As soon as you notice a new pimple, apply alcohol two times a day.

Take note: Don’t prick a pimple because this can cause further infection and leave a scar. Let it subside naturally. You may also want to try the natural oatmeal face mask explained below.

There are, of course, other treatments for pimples like pimple face wash and antibiotics. Consult your doctor for hard-to-treat pimples.

3. Dark skin. Filipinos have dark skin because they have more melanin on their skin. It’s a genetic trait. The best prevention tip is to simply avoid the sun. Don’t go out from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.. Avoid going to the beach and sunbathing.

Use a sun block, especially those with SPF (sun protection factor) 30 and higher. Choose sun blocks with UV-A and UV-B protection against skin cancer.

According to dermatologist Dr. Katty Go-Estrada, here’s a simple rule to follow when you have any skin rash: Don’t scratch, don’t pick, and don’t rub your skin. Even if it’s itchy, don’t scratch. Apply ice or cold compress if you like. Remember, any skin area you rub too often will darken and harden. Just compare the skin of your elbow to other parts of your body.

One home remedy for dark elbows and underarms is to apply calamansi or lemon (diluted with lots of water) on the skin. After four to six weeks, the skin will lighten up a bit.

Lastly, if you are thinking of taking glutathione capsules, consult your dermatologist first and have your liver function checked.

4. Wrinkles. According to dermatologist Dr. Coyle Connolly, there are two causes of skin aging. The first is our genes, which we can’t do anything about. The second cause is photoaging due to the detrimental effects of the sun’s ultraviolet rays. To delay photoaging, follow these tips: First, simply avoid the sun, use an umbrella, bring a hat and wear sunglasses and long sleeves. Avoid the ravages of weather such as wind, dust, and smoke.

Unhealthy habits like cigarette smoking and drinking alcohol can also make you age faster. Smokers have twice more wrinkles than non-smokers and their skins have a thicker and yellow-orange tinge. This is because of the lack of circulation and oxygen in the face.

Eat more foods known to promote beautiful skin, which include avocado, cottage cheese, watermelon, tomato, veggies, oily fish (like sardines, tilapia, and salmon) and green tea. Drink enough water to keep your skin supple and firm.

Stress and lack of sleep also lead to wrinkles. And so does an angry face. Get into the habit of applying moisturizer before you sleep. Lastly, it’s better to sleep on your back, to avoid pressing on your face.

For those who want a natural and effective facial, try the time-tested oatmeal face mask. This beauty regimen has been used as far back as 2000 BC in Egypt by the likes of Cleopatra.

Oatmeal has been approved by the US FDA as a remedy for dry skin and eczema. It can also help those with blackheads and pimples.

Here are the ingredients: 1/4 cup instant oatmeal, 3 tablespoons honey, and 2 tablespoons water.

Crush the oatmeal finely using an osterizer. Add honey and water to make a pasty mixture. Afterwards, you can microwave the solution for around 10 seconds.

Apply the oatmeal mixture to the face. Make sure that your face is clean first and without makeup. Use a brush or spoon to spread the oatmeal on your face, just avoiding the eyes. Let it stay on for 10-20 minutes.

Afterwards, wash your face with lukewarm water and pat your face dry. Now, look in the mirror and presto, you’ve got soft and supple skin!

How does the oatmeal mask work? Oatmeal actually has three components: 1) polysaccharides to repair the skin, 2) oat protein to moisturize the skin, and 3) saponin to remove dirt and dead cells on the skin (called exfoliation).

The honey also helps because of its anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Try it.