Small lifestyle changes can make a big difference

[annniee]

over the past month ive been making small changes and i see huge improvement. like just little things i do makes a difference.

for example .. you know how when you're cold or standing in one spot for a while and your legs sort of look purple? this is when you dont have good blood circulation so i try to dress as warm as possible and pile the blankets on me when i sleep. when i wake up my skin feels smooth and balanced.

another thing is i dont use facewash! i use the steam of my shower and plain water to wash my face. once a week i use the conair facial sauna and a gentle organic face scrub by burts bees right after the steam. but i used to use this gentle aveeno foam cleanser and it was amazing on my skin.

i also use lemon juice for everything. i drink it with warm water and apply it topically to my skin. some recipes ive tried is lemon and water, lemon and egg white and olive oil, lemon and egg white and avocado.

water is also VITAL to me, but i try to drink a lot over a long period of time

i also take warm baths and give myself massages bc its relaxing and eases tension and any muscle tightness.

breathing in steam has also helped with my nasal congestion and allergies!!

[annniee]

ohh and i also believe that the URGE to itch can make you more stressed out than anything, so if its an unbearable itch, lightly scratch it bfor it drives you crazy.

[bamagal]

I agree with you that sometimes just the smallest change makes the biggest impact. I also drink all the water I can, but sometimes I slip and drink some tea. Your recipe for lemon sounds pretty good. I am a big bathtub person. I'm going to try what you have recommended. I hope you continue to improve. Take care of yourself because it's the only one you have.

[Just Ducky]

Itching. I wonder, sometimes how much of it is in the mind.

There are times..when I itch, that I can just touch the spot..run my hand over it a few times and the itch stops. If that doesnt work..I dont itch the spot..but somewhere around it..and it stops. I dont like to scratch a lesion, so will try these methods first. If none of that works..good old over the counter cortisone does..and I have been told by more than one derm, that even used daily..its not strong enough to thin the skin.

I just use plain water on my face, too. If my face feels dry, I will use oil of olay on it..but only if it feels dry to the touch. If not..I use nothing.

[WhoaTrigger]

When my skin was raging, there was no way I could stop scratching, to the point of bleeding! The only thing I found that could stop it in the short term was oatmeal in the bath. Tied in a cheescloth bag so it doesn't clog the drain. And salt in the water, about a handful. After towelling off, a little unscented vaseline on the plaques so they wouldn't get hard.
Mcordy talks about drinking lemon juice in water. Read his post about how he stopped drinking soda.

[annniee]

oh and i also changed the ice cream i eat! i eat nonfat frozen yogurts and things like that. im a big ice cream eater and its made a huge difference. its crazy when i compare the the nutrition label with breyers and haagan daz regular ice creams.