We are experts in health care and because of our knowledge and passion for good health, we are confident that Mera FAQ page will give you handy tips and perfect product recommendations to help you have healthy, happy life.
How to take care of allergy-prone skin?
If you have sensitive skin that easily turns red, breaks out in a rash, itches or becomes tender, chances are you have allergy-prone skin. These reactions may even occur from skin care or cosmetic products you have used or certain foods. There are two main sensitive allergy-prone skin types. One type is where an ingredient is irritating your skin which may cause itching, burning or redness. When you stop using the irritating product with the specific ingredient, your skin clears up. The second type is an allergic reaction to an ingredient which causes your immune system to make antibodies to fight the allergen, which may be a plant, food or ingredient. This type sets up a chain reaction by your immune system that takes its course even after you stop using the culprit product.
It is extremely difficult to provide adequate care for allergy-prone skin. The best thing to do is to avoid any substances that have caused an adverse skin reaction as well as the common allergens. It is also very important to avoid excessive drying of the skin, and to use fragrance-free skin care products. Fragrances contain highly irritating ingredients. Use a safe sensitive skin sunblock that has non-comedogenic on the label. This means it will not clog pores and Avoid preservatives such as parabens.
The use of appropriate products containing substances with soothing and calming properties and Living a healthy lifestyle, including nutritious meals, proper exercise and well managed stress, significantly improves the condition of allergy-prone skin.
What is dehydration and how does it occur?
Dehydration is a condition that occurs when the loss of body fluids, mostly water, exceeds the amount consumed. With dehydration, more water is moving out of our cells and bodies than what we take in through drinking.
We lose water every day in the form of water vapor in the breath we exhale and in our excreted sweat, urine, and stool. Along with the water, small amounts of salts are also lost.
When we lose too much water, our bodies may become out of balance, or dehydrated. Severe dehydration can lead to death.
What are the signs of dehydration?
Besides wanting water, other signs can include:
• Dark-colored urine
• Not needing to pee as often
• Dry mouth
• Dry skin
• Feeling tired or lightheaded
• Headache
How can dehydration be prevented?
The best treatment for dehydration is prevention. Know when you’ll need more fluids than normal. Here are some tips on staying hydrated:
Plan ahead and take extra water to all outdoor events and workplaces where increased sweating, activity, and heat stress will increase fluid losses. Encourage athletes and outdoor workers to replace fluids at a rate that equals the loss.
Avoid exercise and exposure during high heat index days. Listen to weather forecasts for high heat stress days, and plan events that must occur outside during times when temperatures are cooler.
Ensure that older people and infants and children have adequate drinking water or fluids available and assist them as necessary. Make sure that any incapacitated or impaired person has adequate fluids handy — and make sure that person drinks them.
Avoid alcohol consumption, especially when it is very warm, because alcohol increases water loss and impairs your ability to sense early signs associated with dehydration.
Wear light-colored and loose-fitting clothing if you must be outdoors when it is hot outside. Carry a personal fan or mister to cool yourself.
Break up your exposure to hot temperatures. Find air-conditioned or shady areas and allow yourself to cool between exposures. Taking someone into a cooled area for even a couple of hours each day will help prevent the cumulative effects of high heat exposure.
How can a dehydrated person cool off?
If someone is dealing with heat exposure or has an elevated temperature, cool the person off in the following ways:
Remove any excess clothing and loosen other clothing.
Move the dehydrated person in to an air-conditioned area, which is the best option for helping return body temperatures to normal and breaking the heat exposure cycle.
If air conditioning is not available, increase cooling by evaporation by placing the person near fans or in the shade, if outside. Place a wet towel around the person.
If available, use a spray bottle or misters to spray lukewarm water on exposed skin surfaces to help with cooling by evaporation.
Avoid exposing skin to excessive cold, such as ice packs or ice water. This can cause the blood vessels in the skin to constrict and will decrease rather than increase heat loss. Exposure to excessive cold can also cause shivering, which will increase body temperature –the opposite effect you’re trying to achieve.
What are the factors that increase the risk of lower back pain?
Most often, the mother is affected by the lower back because of the combination of several factors, such as excessive use and stiffness of muscles, muscle damage, or damage to ligaments supporting the spine. In some less common cases, we may feel back pain as a result of the disease or spinal cord torsion.
Risk factors are factors or conditions that increase our risk of pain. The higher the risk factors surrounding you, the greater the risk of back pain.
Among the factors that cannot be controlled:
The risk factors that can be controlled by lifestyle change or by medication include:
What are in food supplements?
Vitamins and minerals are essential nutrients that the body needs in very small amounts to work properly. Most of them cannot be manufactured by the body and need to come from the food we eat.
As well as vitamins and minerals, food supplements may also contain other ingredients such as herbs, amino acids, amino sugars, enzymes and essential fatty acids.
Particular nutrients perform one or more specific functions within the body. For example, calcium and vitamin D work together to build strong bones and teeth; vitamin D also supports our immune functions and calcium is involved in the transmission of nerve impulses. Vitamin C helps keep cells healthy and facilitates the absorption of iron whilst iron is involved in the production of red blood cells, along with riboflavin (vitamin B2) vitamins B6 and B12 and folic acid.
What are the benefits of dietary supplements?
There are many compelling reasons to consider dietary supplements as a complement to nutritional intakes. While a good diet is the foundation for better health, research shows that most adults and children don’t eat the way they should. Supplements are easy to add to the daily diet, and this is often the first step that people take toward greater nutritional awareness and the adoption of other healthy lifestyle choices. Whether taking a multivitamin, herb or specialty product, people can and do live healthier lives by supplementing their diets.
Can people get all the nutrients they need from their diet?
Eating a healthy, balanced diet is the best way to get all the nutrients the body needs. However, UK dietary surveys show that many people do not meet dietary recommendations such as eating five portions of fruit and vegetables a day or oily fish twice a week.
Some groups of people in particular may find it difficult to achieve recommended nutrient intakes through diet alone. These include young children and adolescents, pregnant and breastfeeding women, housebound or institutionalized elderly people, smokers, heavy drinkers, and anybody on a restrictive diet, such as vegans, vegetarians and people trying to lose weight.
Nutrients can also be lost from food as a result of poor methods of storage, preparation and cooking. In addition, busy lifestyles mean that people are more inclined to skip meals and grab individual snacks without giving thought to putting together properly balanced meals which would provide the right mix of nutrients.
Does taking supplements replace the need for a varied and balanced diet?
No. As the name suggests, food supplements are only intended to ‘supplement’ people’s diets and not replace healthy foods. Indeed, the regulation of food supplements makes clear that food supplements are not intended to replace a varied and balanced diet and food supplements packaging is required to carry a statement to this effect.
Although UK dietary surveys show that many people do not meet dietary recommendations, everyone should aim to eat as varied and balanced a diet as possible to provide their nutritional needs, avoiding too many processed, fatty and sugary foods. Supplements should only be used to top up any nutrient shortfalls in people’s diets and ensure they still achieve Recommended Intake Guidelines.
Although the micronutrients (vitamins, minerals and trace elements) can be supplied by supplements, there are components of food which cannot be replaced by supplements, including the macronutrients: carbohydrates, fat and protein; and fiber (non-starch polysaccharides).
How do people know which food supplements they need?
It’s not easy for people to tell if they’re getting all the nutrients they need from food, therefore many people choose to take a supplement, such as a multivitamin and mineral, to top up any nutrient shortfalls in their diet and ensure they still achieve recommended daily nutrient intakes.
Fish oil supplements can also help people who do not eat the recommended one portion of oily fish a wee to achieve the recommended omega-3 intake.
For specific groups of people who are particularly at risk of deficiency or who need higher intakes of certain nutrients, the Department of Health recommends some supplements:
In addition, people with particular medical conditions may be recommended or prescribed supplements by their GP.
What is an NRV and why is it important?
NRV is an abbreviation of ‘Nutrient Reference Value’. NRV’s are set for 13 vitamins and 14 minerals for the purposes of food labelling and are EU guidance levels on the daily amount of vitamin or mineral that the average healthy person needs to prevent deficiency.
Food supplement labels list the ingredients included in the product and give the proportion of the NRV value (% NRV) that is contained within the supplement e.g. vitamin C, 80mg, 100% NRV.
Is it safe for children to take supplements?
The Department of Health recommends that all children aged six months to five years are given a supplement containing vitamins A, C and D. This is because growing children may not get enough of these nutrients, especially those not eating a varied diet.
As children have different nutrient needs to adults, food supplements are available which have been specifically formulated for children. People should check carefully the age range that the product is suitable for. Adult products have higher levels of certain nutrients which can be harmful to children, for example iron is dangerous to young children if taken in excess.
Often children’s supplements are in a chewable or liquid form to make it easier for them to swallow.
Is it OK to take different supplements at the same time?
Combining supplements will not normally interfere with the way they work and in some cases may be beneficial, for example vitamin C helps iron absorption. However, certain supplements may interact with each other. There is competition within the gut for the absorption of different minerals and a large dose of one might decrease the absorption of another. Therefore, a multivitamin and/or mineral product is best for all-round supplementation because it has been designed to deliver nutrients in the right balance.
Before combining supplements, people should consult a health care practitioner or the product manufacturer. It is also important to check that the daily amount taken of each particular nutrient does not exceed Safe Upper Levels.
Can some supplements stop medicines from working?
Supplements will not generally stop medicines from working. However, there are interactions between nutritional status and the action of some medicines.
Certain medicines influence the absorption or metabolism of some nutrients. For example, some anti-ulcer agents reduce the absorption of vitamin B12 and the anticonvulsant drug phenytoin increases the breakdown of folic acid.
Conversely, certain nutrients may influence the action of medicines; vitamin K reduces the clotting effect of the blood which means that the effects of anti-coagulant medications like warfarin will be increased leading to a greater risk of bleeding.
In addition, some herbal remedies may influence the efficacy or toxicity of some prescription medicines; for example, St. John’s Wort (hypericum) reduces the efficacy of the contraceptive pill.
People should always read the product indications carefully before taking a supplement, and if still uncertain, consult a pharmacist or the doctor who has prescribed the medicine.
What are the types of skin?
Skin types include normal, oily, dry and sensitive. Some people also have a combination of skin types in different areas of their skin. Your skin type can change over time. For example, younger people are more likely than older people to have a normal skin type.
Skin types vary depending upon a combination of factors. They include your skin’s:
Here’s what you need to know about what skin type you have and how to take better care of your skin.
Normal skin type
If you have a normal skin type, you’re lucky to have skin that has a good balance and the right amounts of water and lipids. Normal skin has:
Combination skin type
A combination skin type can be dry or normal in some areas, and oily in others, such as the T-zone. The T-zone is the nose, forehead, and chin area. A common skin type, combination skin may benefit from slightly different types of skin care in different areas.
Combination skin can produce:
This type of skin results from genetic or hormonal factors that cause an imbalance in how much and where lipids are produced. It can also vary, depending on the weather.
Dry skin type
Dry skin can produce:
When exposed to drying factors, skin can flake, crack, peel or become itchy, irritated or inflamed. If your skin is very dry, it can become rough and scaly, especially on the backs of your hands, arms, and legs.
Dry skin may be caused or worsened by:
Here are some tips for taking better care of dry skin:
Oily skin type
Oily skin is more common in youth. It occurs when glands in the skin secrete too much oil (lipids). Oily skin can produce:
Oiliness can change, depending upon the time of year or the weather. Oily skin can be caused or worsened by:
Here are some tips for taking better care of oily skin:
Sensitive skin type
If your skin is sensitive, it’s helpful to find out why so you can stay away from things that make it react. You may have sensitive skin for a variety of reasons, but often in response to particular skin care products.
Sensitive skin can show up as:
These are a few of the most common reasons for sensitive skin:
Acne is from oil in the skin that clogs pores and allows for the overgrowth of skin bacteria. Treatment may include:
The basics of skin care
These tips will help your skin stay healthier, no matter its type.
How can skin problems be diagnosed?
Doctors can diagnose many skin problems by discussing the symptoms and examining the skin. Sometimes, additional testing may be necessary. A variety of skin tests are available to help diagnose skin problems such as bacterial, viral, or fungal skin infections. A skin biopsy can be performed to tell the difference between rashes, malignant (cancerous) cells, and benign (noncancerous) growths.
What is a comedo?
What is medically called an open comedo is commonly referred to as a blackhead. A comedo (congested pore), the primary sign of acne, consists of a dilated (widened) hair follicle filled with keratin squamae (skin debris), bacteria, and sebum (oil). An open comedo has a wide opening to the skin and is capped with a blackened mass of skin debris. By contrast, a closed comedo has an obstructed opening to the skin and may rupture to cause a low-grade skin inflammatory reaction in the area. The common name for a closed comedo is a whitehead. The term comedones expresses the plural form of comedo. The term noncomedogenic is frequently used to describe skin care products that will not clog pores.
What is the décolleté?
Skin between the base of the neck and the bust. The décolleté (DAY-co-let-TAY) is the flat area on a woman’s upper body that extends from the base of the neck near the collarbone to the bust.
The term "pigment" refers to what?
Color. The term “pigment” refers to color. Medically speaking, pigment is a substance that gives color to tissue and is also responsible for the color of the skin, eyes, and hair. Cosmetically speaking, pigments are substances that give color to makeup and nail polish.
Do I really need to wear sunscreen every day?
In short, yes! If you care about your skin, wearing a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 15 is the one thing you can do to protect it most. Sunscreen helps decrease the risk of skin cancer and other negative effects including wrinkles, fine lines, freckles, and sallowness.
How do I know if a product is right for me?
Sometimes, there is no way to tell for sure unless you try it. Usually, however, you can make an educated guess by examining the product’s label and ingredient list. To increase the chance that products won’t irritate your skin, seek out those that are fragrance-free, contain little or no alcohol, and are labeled “suitable for sensitive skin”.
What’s the best way to handle sensitive skin?
Be gentle with it! Always wash sensitive skin gently, and never use harsh cleansers. Avoid products that contain irritating substances. Instead, seek out those that are specifically labeled for sensitive skin.
What should I do about dark spots?
UV exposure and hormonal changes are two causes of dark spots. Avoiding the sun and wearing sunscreen can prevent new dark spots from forming, while exfoliating regularly or using prescription medications may help treat the existing spots you already have. Certain dark spot correctors or moisturizers may also make a difference over time. Remember to choose the products that are formulated for your skin type.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN UVA AND UVB IN SUN CARE PRODUCTS
With the growing risk of skin cancer, protecting yourself against the sun has become more important than ever before. We’ve all had the basics drummed into us since childhood. Wear a wide brimmed hat. Seek shade during the hottest part of the day. And, of course, lather on the sun cream.
But the more we learn about the damaging effects of the sun’s rays, the less inclined we will be to let our complexion-protecting routine slip. So, how exactly does that fiery star in our solar system wreak such sunburn-creating, wrinkle-making, age-spot-forming havoc?
Rays, that’s how.
The sun’s harmful rays can be split into two types: Ultra Violet A and Ultra Violet B. Here we take a look at the USPs of both summertime foes so you can arm yourself with the right sun-cream factor. Go forth and get some vitamin D… safely.
UVA – The Facts
1. UVA rays make up about 95% of the total UV radiation hitting the earths’ surface
This means that they are present – with roughly the same intensity – throughout all daylight hours, from the mid-afternoon glare to the late afternoon sunset.
2. UVA rays penetrate to the middle layer of the dermis
These rays penetrate much deeper than UVB and are responsible for skin ageing, wrinkling and hyper-pigmentation. UVA is the ultra violet light most commonly associated with tanning. But, bronzed and beautiful as that tan may be, it is still skin damage – and can be storing up untold problems for your future. UVA rays have been linked to skin cancer.
3. Look for a broad-spectrum SPF
This ensures you will be protected against both UVA and UVB rays.
UVB – The Facts
1. If UVA are long-wave rays, UVB are short-wave rays
This basically means that they affect the outer layer of skin, causing super visible damage in the form of sunburn. They penetrate the superficial epidermal layers of the skin but can also cause skin cancer too. In other words, UVB rays are bad news.
2. UVB rays’ intensity varies depending on season, location and time of day
So, while there is always a slight danger of UVB rays in the atmosphere, you are more at risk in the Sahara Desert in the height of summer than you are in rainy London in the depths of winter.
3. As before, opt for a broad-spectrum SPF
And never go lower than SPF 15 with your sun cream.
At Mera, our sun care products are designed to keep you happy and healthy in the sun.
HOW TO DRESS FOR THE SUMMER IF YOU HAVE ECZEMA
It can be really hard to get excited about summer when your skin feels like the Itchy & Scratchy show. Eczema – the skin condition that causes dry, flaky and inflamed skin – certainly has a way of dampening the sunny mood. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
Just because you suffer with eczema, doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy beach days, floaty sun-dresses and everything else that summer has to offer. In fact, sunlight can really help to improve eczema. While covering up only creates more sweat, which can exacerbate the condition.
So, let your skin breathe!
To help you curate a wardrobe that will be soothing and comfortable to wear, we’ve drawn up our very best eczema-busting tips.
1. Show some skin
When you’re experiencing a skin flare-up, the temptation is to hide away in a muumuu. But this is counter-productive. Overheating in swathes of fabric can make your eczema worse. Which in turn gives you further incentive to cover up. Stop the Catch-22 cycle! UV light has anti-inflammatory properties in small doses and speeds up the healing process of your skin. So, dare to bare your arms, legs, everything.
2. Wear loose-fitting clothing
If your skin is itchy, wearing tight, constrictive clothing will only make it worse. Instead opt for flowing dresses, baggy jumpsuits and floaty kaftans.
3. Steer clear of dyes
Coloured dyes can provoke reactions in super-sensitive, eczema-prone skin. It’s much safer to stick to neutral, organic hues.
4. Go for cotton everything
Cotton is great for eczema sufferers because it is so soft. The quality of the fabric helps to keep skin irritation to a minimum. Synthetic fabrics like polyester, however, should be avoided at all costs.
ARE YOU USING THE RIGHT SPF FOR YOUR SKIN TYPE?
Summertime has finally arrived. Which can mean only one thing: sun, and lots of it. But before you shed all your clothing and prepare to lie out and catch some rays, make sure to arm yourself with some information about sunscreens. It’s important that you apply the correct factor to protect your complexion against both harmful UVB and UVA rays.
UVB rays burn the superficial layers of the skin, which can cause heat rash, skin peeling and painful redness. Meanwhile, UVA rays penetrate deep below the outer dermis of the skin and are responsible for wrinkles and premature ageing. You need to increase your skin’s defences, to help create a barrier against the insidious powers of the sun.
To figure out which SPF is right for you, take your skin type into consideration. Really the intensity of the sun is largely irrelevant. You should be wearing adequate sunscreen whether you’re in your back garden or a beach on the Cote D’Azur. So, lather it on and reapply it regularly
Here’s our guide to finding your SPF:
1. For fair skin
SPF15 shields skin from about 93% of UV radiation. This level of protection incrementally as you increase in factors. So, for example, SPF30 filters 97% of the UV radiation and SPF 50+ filters 98%. Although this may seem like only a minute difference, if you have fair skin, your skin needs all the help it can get. Go for the highest SPF you can find, and keep your sunscreen topped up throughout the day.
2. For oily skin
Even if you’re lucky enough to tan, you should never go without sun protection. Exposure to UVA rays can cause irreparable damage to your skin, which, unlike sunburn is not immediately visible. Making it all the more dangerous. That said, you can probably get away with wearing a lower SPF. But never go using a sunscreen with lower than SPF10.
3. For sensitive skin
The Frezyderm sunscreen for sensitive skin is so delicate and soothing, it can even be used during pregnancy. With only inorganic filters, the product is suitable for sensitive and photosensitive skin, it protects against the harmful effects of the sun without causing any irritation to the skin.
4. For acne-prone skin
If you have oily or blemished skin, wearing a sunscreen can very often exacerbate the situation. The rich formula clogs the pores and can lead to further spots and pimples. But this is not an excuse to forgot sun protection entirely. Oh no. Instead, opt for something with an oil-free base.
SMOOTH OUT YOUR WRINKLES WITH OUR TOP TIPS
Wrinkles are a natural part of every woman’s life, and yet they continue to be one of our most common complaints and daily sources of stress. Spotting those first few lines around the eyes can be incredibly daunting, leading women to consider expensive options such as Botox or surgery-still, many are not prepared to take these extreme and highly intrusive measures. Luckily, we have some tips for those of you who would rather avoid going under the knife and prefer to fight this battle naturally. Remember, wrinkles are a natural part of the aging process, but there are some measures that can be taken to prevent and minimise their premature appearance.
Get on that Vitamin C train
At this point, you will probably already be familiar with the many benefits of Vitamin C, but have you ever considered putting it on your face? Using rose water, for example, as well as other mixtures from foods high in Vitamin C (such as lemon, orange and tomato juice, as well as pineapple flesh or papaya) as face masks can encourage your skin to produce more collagen, which in turn smooths out those wrinkles.
Work out your face
Yes, facial fitness is a thing! It’s new, it’s hip and you can access full face workouts to help tone those facial muscles and tighten your skin. Best thing about them? You can easily do these exercises anywhere: in front of the TV, whilst doing your chores and even at the workplace (just make sure that your co-workers don’t notice your newly found habit of making funny facial expressions).
It’s called beauty sleep for a reason
Getting between 7-9 hours of sleep per night will also help prevent wrinkles and give your skin a fresher look overall. If you are in the habit of tossing and turning during the night, sleeping on your side and stomach can exacerbate the appearance of wrinkles; invest in an anti-wrinkle pillow, or at least ditch those harsh pillows and replace them with softer ones: your skin will thank you in the morning.
Keep hydrated
A dehydrated skin is more likely to age prematurely, so drink up that water! You should ideally aim for 8-10 glasses of water per day. Eating foods rich in water also helps towards your daily goal of liquid intake, so don’t forget those fruits and vegetables and include them in your daily diet.
Embrace them
Doing the above will help you minimise wrinkles and prevent their formation, but remember that no matter what, they are natural parts of every woman’s life, and therefore you shouldn’t despair at their sight. Having a healthy and balanced lifestyle is the best way to prevent wrinkles, so don’t forget to be positive above all!
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