INPUT ARTICLE: Article: In a small dish, mix together 3 teaspoons of raw honey and 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon. Spread the mask over your face, avoiding the eye area. Wait 10 to 30 minutes, then rinse the mask off with warm water.  Use this mask no more than once per week. Cinnamon can be harsh on sensitive skin. If you have sensitive skin, test the mask on the back of your hand first. If you don't have cinnamon, you can use ground nutmeg instead. Mix together 1 tablespoon of honey, 1 teaspoon of lemon juice, and 1 teaspoon of baking soda. Apply the mask to your face, then wait 15 minutes. Rinse the mask off with warm water, then splash your face with cool water to close your pores.  Do not use baking powder; it is not the same thing. This mask may not be suitable for sensitive skin. Lemon juice can make your skin sensitive to sunlight. Avoid going outside after using this mask, or apply a 30 SPF sunscreen instead. Mix 2 tablespoons of honey and 1/2 tablespoon of turmeric powder. Apply the mask over your face, wait 20 minutes, then rinse it off with warm water.  You can use this mask up to 2 to 3 times per week. Turmeric not only helps treat acne, but it can also absorb excess oil from your skin and lighten discoloration. Because turmeric is gentler than cinnamon or lemon, it is suitable for sensitive skin. Mix 2 teaspoons of honey with 1/2 teaspoon of lemon juice. Spread the mask all over your face, wait 20 to 30 minutes, then rinse it off with warm water.  This mask can be harsh, so don't use it more than once or twice per week. Because of the lemon juice, this mask may not be suitable for sensitive skin. Lemon can make your skin sensitive to sunlight. Avoid going outdoors after using this mask, or use a 30 SPF sunscreen instead.

SUMMARY: Bust acne with a honey and cinnamon mask. Try a honey, lemon, and baking soda mask as an alternative. Make a gentler mask with honey and turmeric powder. Fade scars and dark spots with honey and lemon.

In one sentence, describe what the following article is about: Parvo typically occurs in puppies between six and twenty weeks of age, and 85% of all infections occur in dogs under one year old. Puppies are most susceptible because they have a very high number of rapidly dividing cells in their stomachs and intestines; these cells are the primary target of the parvo virus. If your dog is older, parvo is unlikely (though certainly not impossible). If your puppy’s mother was not vaccinated against parvo, it’s possible for the virus to appear even earlier, in the first few weeks of life. Parvo is more likely in certain breeds, including Rottweilers, American Pitbull Terriers, Doberman Pinschers, and German Shepherds. If your dog belongs to one of these groups, be particularly vigilant in watching for parvo. In general, the first sign of a parvo infection is lethargy. Your puppy may become less active, eventually retreating to a corner and staying put. This lethargy is typically followed by weakness and loss of appetite. The signs are rapidly progressive with a quiet dog quickly becoming critically ill with foul, bloody diarrhea. Dogs with parvo usually develop a fever between 104 and 106 degrees Fahrenheit (40–41ºC). Parvo destroys the stomach, which is full of the rapidly dividing cells that the virus targets. The stomach lining becomes irritated and ulcerated, causing your dog to vomit. Typically the diarrhea associated with parvo is particularly severe. It is as if the dog is passing blood, a very liquid and foul-smelling diarrhea. This may lead to dehydration as well. Parvo causes gastro-intestinal bleeding, which can lead to anemia. To see if your dog might be anemic, press down on the gums. A healthy dog’s gums will quickly return to their normal color, usually within two seconds; if it takes longer, your dog may be anemic. Anemia may also lead to a noticeable paleness of the gums.
Summary: Consider your dog’s age. Factor in your dog’s breed. Monitor your dog’s behavior. Watch for fever. Pay attention to vomiting. Pay attention to your dog’s stools. Check for signs of anemia.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: There are several resources available to help you prepare for both certification exams.  The NCBDE certification exam handbook has an appendix with an extensive list of resources.  The AADE handbook also offers a list of useful resources in its appendix.  Appendix 3 in the NCBDE handbook offers a content outline.  The content outline describes broadly what the diabetes education test will cover.  Examine this content outline closely.  Seek assistance from a mentor or consult diabetes education literature to answer questions you might have about the material. Appendix 5 in the NCBDE handbook offers a list of suggested references.  Look over these references, taking notes as necessary, to sharpen your knowledge of specific content areas.  Focus on areas that you are less familiar with in order to remedy any gaps in your understanding. For a $55 fee, you can take a practice NCBDE examination through Psi/Amp.  A practice AADE test is available online for $95.  A test tutorial to help you familiarize yourself with the computerized testing system is also available online. Visit the test center at the time and date you selected.  Arrive early so that you have plenty of time to find a seat and settle in.  The NCBDE test consists of 200 multiple-choice questions.  You’ll have four hours to complete the exam.  The AADE test consists of 175 multiple-choice questions administered over three-and-a-half hours.  Bring at least two types of valid, government-issued photo ID.  You might bring a passport, driver’s license, military identification card, or state identification card with photo. You should also bring a printout confirming your test site, date, and other relevant information. Do not bring your phone, hat, electronics, or other personal items into the test center with you. The AADE exam results are mailed six to eight weeks after taking the exam.  NCBDE scores are reported in two ways: raw scores and scaled scores. The NCBDE exam’s raw scores will give you your score as a percentage of the total number of questions you got correct out of 200.  For instance, you might get a raw score of 150/200.  Scaled scores are reported as a percentage of correct questions on a scale of 0 to 99.  You must score at least a 70 on this scale in order to pass the exam.  Using the above example — 150/200 — you would earn a 75, giving you a passing grade. You must recertify your NCBDE and/or AADE credentials every five years.  Recertification for the NCBDE requires that you accrue at least another 1,000 hours of DSME and that you hold the same position in the same medical field that you held when you obtained certification originally.  If you cannot meet the 1,000-hour practice requirement but wish to maintain your certification, you can substitute the practice requirement for 75 clock hours of continuing education. When your certification is close to expiration, the NCBDE, and/or AADE will send you a reminder notification along with directions outlining how to renew your certification.  Renewal costs $250 for NCBDE certification and $500 for the AADE certification (or $800 if you are not an AADE member). With your new credentials, you’ll have a legitimate claim to expertise in the field of DSME.  With your certification, you should be eligible for a pay raise.  Broach the subject discretely with your employer.  You might ask, for instance, what kind of financial benefits you’re eligible for as a certified diabetes educator. Many medical professionals find that they are more confident, respected, and financially secure as a result of earning their certification.

SUMMARY:
Prepare for the test. Take the test. Review your scores. Renew your certification. Use your certification.