Problem: Article: One of the ways you may be enabling your alcoholic loved one is by drinking with them. You might rationalize that if you are there you can stop them from going overboard, but what you are doing is actually condoning the behavior. If you are able to consume alcohol responsibly, do so away from the alcoholic. If they are around, suggest healthier alternatives for dealing with stress, such as exercise or a comedy film. Giving an alcoholic money reinforces their addiction. Even if the cash isn't intended to buy alcohol, you are still enabling their alcoholism by financing them. If they had to face the financial consequences of their drinking, they'd be forced to get help.  The next time the alcoholic asks you for money, say something like, "Heather, whenever I give you money, you use it for alcohol. I won't do it anymore." Don't apologize or come up with a handy excuse—just refuse. You may have fallen into the habit of lying and making excuses for the alcoholic. Maybe you call in to their workplace and say they’re sick. Or, maybe you lie and say you helped them finish the bottle of vodka when they really did it alone. Don't use your words to get the alcoholic out of trouble or keep the addiction hidden. Doing so simply gives them permission to continue. It is important for them to face the consequences of their actions and deal with them on their own. All in all, your enabling prevents the alcoholic from facing the consequences of their addiction. By letting these consequences play out, you offer your loved one the best chance of recovering.  The idea of letting your loved one “hit rock bottom” may be frightening, but many experts in the addiction community find that when a person doesn't experience a rock bottom, they aren't motivated to change. You can still assure their relative safety by taking measures to prevent them from hurting themselves or someone else. For example, you might take their keys if they are attempting to drink and drive. They'll be forced to catch a ride or hail a cab, but they won't be able to hurt anyone.
Summary: Don't consume alcohol with the person. Don't give the person money. Stop lying and making excuses for the person. Let some of the natural consequences take place.

Problem: Article: A second type of skin infection is a streptococcal, or strep, infection. Strep infections include:  Impetigo — This is also known as “school sores.” This is a common skin infection that may cause blisters or sores. This commonly affects children. Strep throat — Your throat may become sore and white dots might appear on your tonsils or the roof of your mouth. Scarlet fever — You may experience a very high fever. You may also have a red rash with a sandpaper like texture. Your throat may be coated in a white mucous and you may experience swollen glands. Toxic Shock Syndrome — TSS may be caused by pregnancy, hospital stay, or extended tampon use. The symptoms include a sunburn-like rash, fever, and swollen glands. Some strep infections are fairly common and are frequently passed around from patient to patient in the school or work environment. These common infections include strep throat and impetigo. Other strep bacteria, such as scarlet fever, are a bit rarer. Like a staph infection, a strep infection can occur anywhere in the body. Infections such as scarlet fever and strep throat may be more easily diagnosed by examining for discoloration or swelling in the throat or mouth. External rashes, sores, or scabs may be the sign of diseases such as cellulitis or toxic shock syndrome. Strep infections can be contagious and need to be treated immediately. Go to your doctor or dermatologist (if you can get an immediate appointment) if you think you have any of these diseases. These infections can be treated with antibiotics, and should be monitored closely by a healthcare professional.
Summary: Distinguish between strep and staph infections. Calculate your risks for strep infections. Locate the infection site. Seek medical attention.

Problem: Article: In addition to helping you express emotion, music also promotes creativity and serves as a source of inspiration. If your fingers pounding away at the keyboard or tapping your pencil against the desk are the only sounds you hear, fill the void with inspirational music. Choose whatever genre you think will motivate you. This might be rock and roll, or pop. If your work environment is uninspiring, you may be overdue for a change in location. Switching up your work environment may be just what you need to get those creative juices flowing and burst through your mental block.  Try working in a library, co-work center, or coffee shop. You might even take your work materials to a park or riverfront and work outside. You may have run into a mental block because the energy in your workspace is confining or even distracting. There is a correlation between an uncluttered work environment and enhanced creativity. So, if your work space is cluttered, try doing a quick de-cluttering. There’s a reason the vision board trend has taken off with everyone from creative professionals to travelers. Seeing your goals everyday can have a miraculous impact on your actions towards reaching them. In your case, creating or reviewing your board may offer inspiration to help you overcome a mental block. If you don’t already have a board, create one using inspiring quotes, song lyrics, photos, colors, fabrics, or anything else that relates to your project.
Summary: Listen to inspirational music. Work in a new place. Tidy your environment. Create or review your vision board.

Problem: Article: Eczema and psoriasis both cause red patches on the skin; however, eczema has red patches that may also have a brownish or gray tint to them. The skin may also be covered in smaller bumps that are filled with fluid or that are crusty.  The red patches of skin may be covered in raised bumps that look like goosebumps. The affected skin may thicken or develop knots. The color may be darker or lighter depending on the type of eczema, how long it has been affecting you, or how serious the flare up is. Eczema often makes your skin dry. Your skin may be flaky or peel off when scratched. In extreme cases, the skin may be cracked because it is so dry. The skin may crack and ooze a clear substance. The cracked skin may lead to skin infections. Eczema often occurs on the hands, wrists, feet, ankles, upper chest, eyelids, and cheeks. You may also see it on areas of the body that bend, like the inside of the elbows or knees. In babies, eczema may be on the face or scalp. Babies may also get it along the leg where a diaper sits or between the buttocks.
Summary:
Monitor for red-brown patches. Check for dry skin. Identify where eczema occurs.