Whether from cold, allergies, or infection, swelling will prevent Eustachian tubes from opening and allowing air to pass. This results in pressure changes, and sometimes, the accumulation of fluid in the ear. When this happens, you will feel the following symptoms:  Ear pain or a feeling of "fullness" in the ear. Ringing or popping sounds and sensations that don't come from the outside environment. Children may describe popping as a “tickling” sensation.  Trouble hearing clearly. Dizziness and trouble keeping balance. Symptoms might be heightened when you rapidly change altitude — for example when flying, riding an elevator, or hiking/driving through mountainous areas This very simple maneuver is known as the first technique of the Edmonds maneuver. Simply jut your jaw forward, then wriggle it back and forth, from side to side. If the ear blockage is mild, this action can pop your Eustachian tube open and reestablish normal air flow. This maneuver, which attempts to force air through the blocked passage and reestablish air flow, should always be performed gently. When you try to blow out through blocked passageways, the air pressure in your body is affected. The sudden rush of air when you release your breath can cause a rapid change in blood pressure and heart rate.  Take a deep breath and hold it, closing your mouth and pinching your nostrils shut.  Try to blow air out through your closed nostrils. If the maneuver is successful, you will hear a popping sound in your ears, and your symptoms will be relieved. Like the Valsalva maneuver, the Toynbee maneuver is intended to open blocked Eustachian tubes. But instead of having the patient manipulate air pressure through breathing, it relies on the air pressure adjustment of swallowing. To perform this maneuver:  Pinch your nose closed. Take a sip of water. Swallow. Repeat this process until you feel your ears pop and open back up. It might look and feel silly, but this action, called the Otovent maneuver, can be effective for equalizing air pressure in your ears. Buy an “Otovent balloon” either online or at a medical supply store. This device is just a normal balloon that has a nozzle that fits into the nostril. If you have a nozzle around the house that will fit securely into the balloon opening and your nostril, you can make an Otovent balloon of your own at home.  Insert the nozzle into one nostril, and pinch the other nostril closed with your finger.  Try to inflate the balloon using only your nostril, until it is about the size of a fist. Repeat the process on the other nostril. Repeat until you hear the “pop” of free air flow in the Eustachian canal. This is called the Lowery maneuver, and it’s a little harder than it sounds. Before swallowing, you have to build up air pressure in your body by bearing down like you’re trying to have a bowel movement. When you’re holding your breath and blocking your nose, it will feel like you’re trying to blow air out through all of your blocked orifices. Some people find it difficult to swallow under these circumstances because of the increased air pressure in the body. Be patient, though, and keep at it. With enough practice, it could pop your ears open. This can both ease any pain you might experience and treat the blockage. The gentle heat of a warm compress can help break up congestion, unclogging the Eustachian tubes. If you use a heating pad, you should place a cloth between the heating pad and your skin to avoid burns. Ear drops won't be able to unclog your congestion because the ear is blocked up. Because the ears and nose are connected through tubes, a nasal spray is an effective way to treat Eustachian tube blockage. Angle the nasal spray bottle through the nostril toward the back of the throat, almost perpendicular to the face. Sniff as you spray the decongestant, hard enough to draw the fluid into the back of the throat, but not hard enough to swallow it or pull it into the mouth.  Try one of the equalizing maneuvers after using a nasal decongestant. They might be more effective at this time. While antihistamines aren't usually a primary method of Eustachian blockage treatment, they may help alleviate the congestion from allergies. Talk to your doctor about whether this is a good option for you. Note that antihistamines are usually not recommended for people with ear infections.
++++++++++
One-sentence summary -- Recognize the symptoms. Wriggle your jaw. Perform the Valsalva maneuver. Try the Toynbee maneuver. Blow up a balloon through your nose. Swallow with your nose pinched. Place a heating pad or warm washcloth against your ear. Use nasal decongestants. Take antihistamines if your problem is caused by allergies.


Shoes, tight shoes especially, do not allow for your tattoo to breathe. Instead, they trap your foot in sweat. Shoes can also rub against your tattoo in a bothersome manner. This friction can cause irritation. Irritation and perspiration are not only uncomfortable, in tandem they can lead to a foot infection. So, at least for the first two weeks, try to avoid wearing shoes.  If you wear socks regularly, then make sure you take them off for a few hours during the day. After these first few weeks, you can begin to wear shoes again. However, you should treat your feet as gently as possible. You should take your shoes off as soon as you get the chance, and then make sure to wash your feet thoroughly. If you have to wear footwear as part of your job, make sure that you take a break for the time that you need your feet to heal. If this is not possible, then you should consider wearing sandals. The sun can make your tattoo lose its luster. Therefore, it’s best to not expose your tattoo to the sun. When you can’t avoid the sun, make sure to apply sunscreen to your tattooed area. Restoring your feet is a process. Your body generally takes about three months in order to replace the skin cells over your tattoo. Due to their location, foot tattoos have a high potential for infection. Therefore, make sure you keep an open line of communication with your doctor. Continuous pain, yellowing, and bleeding are all signs of an infection.
++++++++++
One-sentence summary -- Don’t wear shoes. Keep your tattoo away from the sun. Give your feet time. Communicate with your doctor.


Jett’s trademark coif is dark and chin-length, but you don’t have to go jet-black to go Joan Jett. Nor do you have to copy her signature length: your hair can be as short as a pixie cut or as long as a shoulder-length bob.  The key to channeling Jett’s spunky hairstyle is texture. Ask your stylist to make your ‘do as choppy as possible.  Bring a photo of Jett to ensure your stylist gets the picture.  Your stylist will razor shear your hair to get that jagged look while also cutting out some bangs. With the right razor-sheared haircut, your daily styling routine shouldn’t be too intense, but there are a few instruments and products you will want to have on hand.  Even if your hair is naturally straight, you’ll want to use a straightener to accentuate your jagged locks and make the look more dramatic. Get creative with gels, hair waxes, and non-sticky hair sprays to make your spiky look more durable. If you want to try out Jett’s signature black, try a demi-permanent home or salon treatment first.  This way you can make sure the change isn’t too startling for your daily life.  If you want to stay away from dark dyes, consider dying a streak or several streaks of your hair bright colors.  This kind of half-measure adds a healthy dollop of punk to your look without forcing you to commit to a complete color overhaul. When going for a bright color, get your hair professionally bleached before applying the colored dye.  In-home bleaching is possible, but you’ll get the best and safest results from a professional colorist.
++++++++++
One-sentence summary --
Keep your hair short and textured. Use products at home for everyday styling. Experiment with color.