Colds and Flu

• Wash Up!: A cold is an infectious disease that is caused by a virus. These viruses are spread by human contact. Thomas Gossel, Ph.D, a professor and chairman of the Department of Pharmacology and Biomedical Sciences at Ohio Northern University says that washing your hands for 1-2 minutes helps remove many of the 200 or so viruses that can cause a cold.
• Bundle Up!: When you go outside make sure that you stay warm and dry, because if you get cold or wet you are lowering your resistance by raising your stress level.
• Take you Vitamins: It is important to take your vitamins daily especially vitamin A and C. These vitamins help to activate the infection-fighting white blood cells and will boost you immunity. They are also said to protect against respiratory ailments.
• Humidify the Air: Indoor air is very dry especially in the winter. This lack of humidity is a great breeding place for cold viruses. You can add moisture to the air just by leaving the bathroom door open when you take a shower, get some house plant(they add moisture) and keep open pots of water around the house.
• Get Vaccinated: If you are elderly or have asthma, bronchitis, heart disease, cystic fibrosis or any illness that involves the lungs speak to you doctor about getting a flu shot.
• Drink Water: Drinking water helps replace fluids that you lose when you have a fever. Soup is also good, because it will help store you needed nutrients.
• Sip on hot liquids: Drinking hot liquids will raise the temperature of the throat, which slows the viral reproduction.
  

Canker Sores

Canker sores are medically known as aphthous ulcers. They thrive inside your mouth on the wet tissues of your tongue and cheeks. It will start out as a small red wound and quickly grows into a white painful ulcer. There is no way to speed up the process of healing the ulcer, but there are ways you can ease the pain and help it heal steadily.

• Tingle Time: When you feel the first tingle of a canker sore open a vitamin E capsule and squeeze some of the oil on the sore.
  
• Nip it: Use a styptic pencil, this will stop the development of a big ulcer. It has an active ingredient called astringent alum, which dries out the sore.
• Use Peroxide: Hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide are antiseptics that kill germs. They are both available over the counter. Apply them several times a day, but be sure not to use too much peroxide because it can cause burning.
• Salt water soothes: Mix a teaspoon of salt into a cup of warm water and swish around in your mouth for a minute. This helps clean the tissue around the sore and will help it heal and temporarily relieves the pain. You can also use water mixed with baking soda.
• Numb it: Using over the counter anesthetic gels that contain benzocaine, phenol, camphor, or menthol can help numb the sore. Apply as needed.
• Tea time: Soak a cloth or piece of gauze in cool tea and hold it on your canker sore for a few minutes. This will help ease the burning and itching. You can use a wet tea bag as well but make sure it is real tea and not a herb tea. It's the astringent in black tea that does the trick.
• Got milk: Rinse your mouth with some cold milk before eating. The milk will coat the sore and make eating less painful.
  
• Eat yogurt: Yogurt is a natural healer for canker sores. Eat most of the yogurt and then put the last tablespoon in your mouth and swish around.
  

Bursitis

• Freeze the flame: Slowly rub the ice in circles on the spot that hurts and within 5 minutes the area will feel numb greatly diminishing the pain. Use this method three to four times a day until you feel better. If no improvement or the pain gets worse see a doctor.
• Squeeze the pain: Wrap the aching area in an elastic bandage. This will reduce swelling and ease the pain. Make the bandage snug but not too tight or uncomfortable. Remove the bandage when you ice the area, and don't sleep with it on.
• Raise it up: Keep the painful area raised above the level of the heart. This will control swelling and pain.

Burns

What you do the first few minutes after you burn yourself will determine how well your skin heals. Your cells continue to fry even after you have removed yourself from the heat source. It is important to bring down the temperature of the injured tissues quickly so below I have listed somethings that help.

• Put the minor burn in cold water: Keep the burned area in a container for up to 2 hours, or until there is no more pain when you take it out. Only use cold water for superficial burns that cover a small area and if the skin is unbroken.
  
• Keep it clean: Wash area with a mild soap to remove bacteria.
• Use Aloe: After you have cooled the burn apply aloe. Aloe may help shorten the healing time. If you don' have an aloe plant then use a lotion or cream that contains aloe. But choose one that does not contain alcohol, because the alcohol tends to neutralize the aloe.
• Grab the Preparation H: Preparation H contains a live yeast derivative which can speed up the wound healing process. Put a little on the burn and cover with a bandage making sure to change the dressing daily.
  
• Oatmeal Bath: If you have a sunburn then fill the tub with cool water and add an oatmeal bath soak. Always follow the directions on the package to see how long you need to soak. Don't use breakfast oatmeal because the flakes are too large so they will do no good.
  

Bunion Pain

A bunion is a growth of bone on the outside of the big toe which are usually inherited. They can be very bothersome and painful. The pain comes from walking improperly or because your shoes is pressing against it. Below are some tips to help relieve the pain.

• Wear gentle shoes: Softer shoes can ease the pain immediately. Try to chose shoes that are extra wide around the toes.
• Soft orthotic devices: Line your shoes with these products. It will help absorb shock and take pressure off of sore spots.
• Soak your feet: A warm soak will give a quick relief. Another way to soothe painful bunions is with a whirlpool bath.