Category Archives: Health

5 Signs You Have A Pest Infestation

11/17/2023 R.C. Liley 4 Comments

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Pests can cause a whole host of issues for homeowners regardless of where they live or the type of pest infestation they have. While you might not always be immediately aware of something making itself at home alongside you, sure enough, over time, there will be telltale signs that something is amiss and you have a pest problem.

If you’re not entirely sure what type of issues you have or whether or not you do have an infestation and are making it up, checking for the following signs can give you a heads-up before calling pest control to help you eradicate your unwanted guests.

Foul Smell

Smelling a greasy or oily smell? This could indicate that you have cockroaches in your home, while a strong ammonia smell is associated with rodent urine and isn’t pleasant. If you have lingering odors you cannot shift, no matter how much you clean, you must identify the culprit and rid your home of your foul-smelling guest.

Nests

Bird nests, wasp nests, or bee hives, for example, are easy to spot visually and are usually found on the external parts of a building. But other nests, such as ant nests or rodents, aren’t quite as easy to spot due to them being under something. Ants will come up through the ground in an opening, and you will usually see a pile of dirt to indicate this, but rodent nests are generally in places such as wall cavities or under floorboards and are much harder to spot.

Damage

One of the biggest giveaways that something is amiss in your home is damage caused by pests. More minor pests might not cause much damage, but larger pests, such as raccoons, mice, rats, etc, will cause damage to your home if they gain access. Look for scratching marks on walls or furniture, items being chewed, etc, to help you identify the pest responsible and take the proper steps towards eliminating them. If you find yourself unable to handle the situation on your own, don’t hesitate to reach out to a Wildlife Removal company. Their expertise can effectively address the problem and prevent further damage to your home.

Droppings

Pest droppings are typically linked to rodent activity and present like tiny dark specks around your home, often in a trail following wherever they run free. If you notice the appearance of anything similar or something you cannot explain from your daily activities, then this could be pest droppings, and it’s probably a good idea to call in the professionals to help you catch and remove the offenders from your home.

Footprints

If a pest is running free within your home, be it coming and going from the outside sporadically to find food and warmth, or you have live-in issues where they’ve made themselves at home and won’t leave, you will see footprints or markings of some sort. For example, it would be via greasy streaks left by rodents or paw prints from larger pests. And lets face it, no one wants to live with a raccoon in house! But tracking them will identify how and where they are coming into your home and give you a starting point to block their access and give them a permanent eviction notice.

No one wants to live with pests in their home, but sadly, not everyone can prevent pests from gaining access all the time. When you discover evidence of pests in your home, the best thing to do is to call in the experts.

Going Healthy, Health

Skin Rashes: What Causes Them?

11/15/2023 R.C. Liley Leave a comment

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Pretty much all of us have had a rash at some point in our lives. Some of us may even get them regularly. Rashes are areas of irritated skin that can take many forms – they can be red, scaley, bumpy or blistered. They don’t look pleasant, and can often be itchy or painful.

Some rashes are easy to diagnose like diaper rash. Others can appear without us realising and may require a bit of detective work to diagnose. Below are just some of the common causes of rashes.

Allergies

Allergic reactions and sensitivity to certain substances are the most common reasons for rashes. Such rashes can take several forms.

Pure allergic reactions typically result in redness and small bumps called hives. Triggers for these rashes could include certain foods, medication, contact with animals or contact with certain materials like latex.

If your skin is dry and irritated, this is more likely to be a form of eczema known as contact dermatitis. Causes of these rashes can include cleaning chemicals, soaps, detergents, certain cosmetics or even certain metals like nickel.

Sites like Asthma & Allergy Associates can help you to explore treatment methods and prevention strategies. Once you know the trigger, you should reduce contact and look into hypoallergenic alternatives if they are an option.

Stress

Some rashes are the result of underlying conditions. These rashes may be brought out by allergic reactions to substances, but can also often be brought out by stress.

Types of rash conditions that are often triggered by stress include psoriasis, eczema, rosacea and stress-induced hives. Stress may also increase your chances of developing infection-based rashes like impetigo due to lowering the immune system.

Finding ways to destress can help reduce flare-ups of these types of rashes. There are many stressbusting techniques that you can try.

Bites/stings

Animals and plants can often cause rashes when they sting or bite. These may take the form of a large red bump, or an area of small bumps (hives).

Nettles, ants and mosquitoes are a few common culprits behind mystery rashes. Such rashes are often not a concern, but you should see a doctor if they grow or get more painful. This post at MedicineNet explains more as to when to worry about an insect bite.

Using insect repellent sprays may prevent bites. It’s also advised that you cover up your arms and legs when exploring areas of long grass or boggy areas where bites and stings are more likely.

Sun exposure

Sun exposure can cause all kinds of different rashes. Sunburn (which is technically more of a burn than a rash) is the most obvious. Heat rash and sun rash are other types of rash that are more similar to an allergy.

Wearing sun lotion, keeping cool and not spending too much time in direct sunlight can stop you from getting these types of rashes. Some people are more susceptible than others due to their complexion or underlying skin conditions – if you are more likely to get rashes, you will need to be more careful in the sun.

Viruses/bacteria/fungus

Various infections caused by bacteria, fungus or viruses can lead to rashes. Examples include chickenpox, measles, shingles, cellulitis, impetigo, ringworm and athlete’s foot are all examples.

These types of rashes tend to cause a greater level of pain and itchiness and are often accompanied by spots, blisters or bleeding. It is important to see a doctor for these types of rashes as they may require prescription medication to treat. Some can also be contagious, so it’s important to cover them up.

Going Healthy, Health, Life

3 Potential Causes Of Hair Loss

11/14/2023 R.C. Liley Leave a comment

Hair loss is experienced by many and can vary in degree. Although it is normal to shed hair every day after combing or brushing, there may be cause for concern when it comes out in clumps. It may be due to underlying medical issues or purely genetic. Hair loss affects both men and women but for men there’s an 80% prevalence rate for pattern baldness. With that said, this post takes a look at three potential causes of hair loss.

Genetic reasons

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If you have a biological parent losing their hair naturally, chances are you would, too. Science explains this as the hereditary sensitivity to the DHT hormone, which causes the hair follicles to shrink. Families with this trait often experience this as early as their twenties or by age fifty when aging sets in. Understanding your family’s genetic history is important to help you understand why you’re experiencing hair loss and helps you learn where your susceptibility stems from. Although genetic factors are beyond your control, advancements in science and technology have proven useful. Solutions like topical minoxidil and oral finasteride have proven to be effective in treating hair loss in males and females, although men use them more. The increase in hair transplant procedures also shows that many opt for this technique to regain a headful of hair.

Hormonal fluctuations

Fluctuations in hormones can significantly affect your hair follicles, potentially leading to patches on your scalp. This type of hair loss happens gradually, and for women, it may be misinterpreted as a reaction to a new shampoo or conditioner. Increased androgen production, triggered by certain conditions like PCOS, can cause this reaction in women. Thyroid issues can also be another underlying factor for hair loss. If it happens over time, it would help to see a specialist to ascertain the underlying cause. Also, Vitamin D deficiency is another common reason for hair loss. That is because this vitamin is essential for hormone synthesis, so the more you lack it, the less hair you have. The same goes for Vitamin E, which is influential in balancing hormones. Some vitamins to balance hormones for females can help restore normal function in the body. And this leads to the next point.

Nutritional deficiencies

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The adage ‘you are what you eat’ is true at this stage because your body will respond to what you consume. Your hair follicles need essential minerals and vitamins to thrive and grow healthy, but may not always receive the right levels due to diet and other factors. Iron deficiency is one of the main nutritional issues people face in their diet. It causes reduced blood flow to the scalp, leading to reduced nutrient flow to the base of the hair. The more this occurs, your hair loses zinc, vitamins A and C, reducing the strength and healthy growth of hair. An easy way to combat these nutritional deficiencies is to maintain a well-balanced diet. It shouldn’t be a one-off thing because your hair needs constant nutrition to keep growing healthy. A professional can help you bridge the nutritional gaps impacting the quality of your hair and stop the loss in its tracks. Certain supplements rich in essential vitamins can also help manage your hair loss problems.