Article: Over the course of a day, apply antibiotic cream, lotion or ointment to your affected toe at least a couple of times, particularly just before you go to bed in the evening. After the cream has absorbed into the soft tissue surrounding the inflamed toe, apply a sanitized bandage. Make sure to change the bandage each time you apply antibiotic.  Some compounds around the house that have antibiotic properties include Clorox bleach, hydrogen peroxide, white vinegar, baking soda dissolved in water, iodine solution and fresh lemon juice. Be warned that most home remedies that act as antiseptics will sting if the skin has already been cut by a sharp ingrown toenail. Colloidal silver is a powerful antibiotic, antiviral, and anti-fungal that doesn't sting or irritate the skin when applied. It can be found at most health food or nutritional supplement stores. After soaking your foot in the warm bath, the ingrown toenail will soften up and allow you to slip a small piece of cotton, gauze, or bunched up dental floss (clean of course) underneath the nail, which will provide some padding for the sensitive soft tissue near the nail bed. Carefully pull back the inflamed skin and lift up the toenail with a nail file, or something similar, and tenderly push the cotton material underneath it. Change the cotton material daily.  It may take one to two weeks for the ingrown toenail to grow enough so that it doesn't poke into the skin any longer. Avoid attempting “do-it-yourself" surgery by cutting into the toenail in an attempt to provide pain relief, because it can actually cause the condition to worsen. Once the toenail has grown and is long enough to clip, then don't make the same mistakes again. Instead, trim the toenail straight across and don't taper the edges or clip them at angles. Also, refrain from cutting them too short as it will further agitate the injured toe.  If you have your toenails done by a pedicurist, tell them to trim your nails straight across and not too close to the skin. As a guideline, you should be able to fit your fingernail under the sides and end of the toenail.  If home care and changing your trimming technique doesn't help or prevent your ingrown toenail issue, then see your family physician or a foot specialist (podiatrist) for advice and/or treatment.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Apply antibiotic cream. Slip some cotton or dental floss under the toenail. Trim the toenail properly.
Article: You won’t feel very relaxed if you get into a grimy tub. Even if your tub has been cleaned recently, take a moment to wipe it down with a damp towel to clear away any dust or hair that may have accumulated. It’s a good idea to wipe down the tub after you take a bath, too, so that there isn’t a build-up of soap scum over time. Use water that is steamy and hot to the touch, but don’t get it so hot that you can’t hold your hand under the stream. Make sure to plug the tub’s drain! You can always add more hot water while you’re in the tub if it needs a warm-up. You could make your own bubble bath or bath bombs or buy some from the store. Bubble bath gives you the experience of bathing in bubbles, which can be fun and relaxing, and bath bombs are famous for creating beautiful colors for you to enjoy in the tub. If you’re using bubble bath, pour about 1⁄8 cup (30 mL) into the tub while the water is still filling up. The stream of water will help mix and distribute the bubbles. Combine 6-8 drops of essential oils to 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of carrier oil, like coconut or jojoba oil. After the water has finishing filling, add the mixture to the tub.  Eucalyptus and peppermint are great if you have a stuffy nose. Lavender is a relaxing scent. Lemon and rosemary can boost your mood. Use 2 cups (473 grams) of epsom salts in your bath. Pour the salts in while the water is filling up to help it dissolve a little faster. You can also stir the water with your hand to dissolve whatever remains. Soak in the tub for 15-20 minutes or more for the best results. Your body will absorb the magnesium and sulfate from the salts, which can loosen your joints and relax your muscles.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Start with a clean tub for the best experience. Fill the tub with hot water while you get the rest of your bath ready. Add some bubble bath or a bath bomb for some aromatherapy. Use essential oils to relax your body or clear your sinuses. Relax your muscles with epsom salts.
Article: During periods of stress, you may experience increased heart rate, sweating, tension of muscles, and often shallow breathing.  Deep breathing can help to decrease those negative symptoms of stress by helping to regulate your nervous system.  Start by placing one hand on your cheek and one hand on your stomach. Take a deep breath in through your nose, counting to 7 as you breathe in. Then, exhale through your mouth, counting to 7, while tightening your stomach muscles to exhale all of the air. Repeat the process 5 times with an average of one breath per 10 seconds. Negative thoughts can make social anxiety worse, so it is important to stop yourself when you have a negative thought. The next time you have a negative thought, don’t just let it go by. Take a moment to analyze the thought and try to see what its flaws are.  For example, a negative thought might be, “I am going to make a fool of myself in front of everyone when I give this presentation.” If you find yourself thinking something like this, ask yourself, “Do I know that I will make a fool of myself?” and “If I mess up, does that mean that people will think I’m dumb?”  Your answers to these questions should be “No” and “No” because you cannot know what people will think or do. The more likely outcome is that you will do a good job and no one will think you are dumb. Taking good care of yourself can help you to deal with your social anxiety. Eating well, getting enough sleep, and exercising regularly can help you feel better mentally and physically. Make sure that you are eating well, sleeping enough, and getting regular exercise to feel your best.  Eat a balanced diet that include plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein. Get between 7-9 hours of sleep per night. Exercise for 30 minutes three times a week. Limit caffeine and alcohol intake. Working through severe anxiety on your own can be hard. If you or a loved one has SAD, consider getting help from a licensed mental health professional. A mental health professional can help you to identify the root of your social anxiety an work through these issues. You might also consider attending a behavioral therapy group for people with social anxiety. These groups can help you to build your confidence and learn cognitive- behavioral techniques that can improve your ability to handle difficult situations. Medication alone cannot cure social anxiety, but it can be useful in some situations. Some medications may be more effective than others for your situation, so it is important to talk to your doctor about your symptoms and options. Common medications for SAD include: Benzodiazepines such as Xanax; Beta Blockers such as Inderal or tenormin; Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIS) such as Nardia; Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI’s) such as Prozac, Luvox, Zoloft, Paxil, Lexapro; Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIS) such as Effexor, Effexor XR, and Cymbalta.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Practice deep breathing. Put a stop to your negative thoughts. Take care of yourself. Consider seeing a mental health therapist for help. Ask your doctor about medications.