Health Care & Medical

As a breath health specialist, I find myself treating patients with chronic sinusitis and frequent sinus infections. Not only are sinus infections miserable, but they also contribute to the bacteria-friendly environment that results in severe halitosis. Symptoms of sinus infections include headache, low grade fever, ear fullness, facial pressure, fatigue, bad breath, a foul taste in the mouth, and an unsettling feeling that your head is “heavy.” Many of my patients seeking to cure chronic halitosis also experience intermittent sinus infections.

The sinuses are cavities and channels in the skull that allow air to flow and mucous to drain into the nose. When mucous membranes become irritated (often by a cold, allergies, pollutants or exposure to unusually dry or chilly air), they become irritated and inflamed. When your membranes are irritated, the tiny hairs that move the mucous out of the glands slow down, leaving mucous to sit still in the head. Irritation also puts mucous glands into overdrive as they fight to purge bacteria. The glands thus secrete more mucus than the norm and the sinus cavities become clogged with mucous. The result is a bacteria friendly environment that is prone to infection.

So the key to preventing and treating sinus infections is reducing irritation and inflammation, and clearing out trapped mucous. The following tips will help you keep your nasal passages healthy and stave off the unpleasant symptoms of chronic sinusitis.

• Gently blow your nose on a regular basis and always wash your hands after blowing.
• Irrigate the nasal passages regularly using a high quality nasal irrigation system and medium warm salt water or saline solution intended for nasal irrigation.
• When congested, take an antihistamine or decongestant to reduce inflammation, thus allowing for the nasal passages to drain.
• Apply warm, moist heat to the area. The heat will help break up mucous for more efficient draining and will reduce sinus pressure. Simply apply a warm wash cloth to your face for a few minutes while in the shower. If discomfort persists a humidifier and warm facial compress can be helpful – just be sure to test the temperature before applying the compress to the face. My clients have also found the scent of eucalyptus particularly soothing.
• Dilute mucous by drinking lots of water, hot tea or hot water with lemon. Proper hydration is critical to sinus health, but avoid dairy liquids and products as they can trigger congestion.
• If you are prescribed a series of antibiotics by your physician, be sure to take the entire series. Do NOT stop as soon as you start feeling better as that can lead to further infection with bacteria that is more resistant to treatment.
• If your sinus issues persist, visit an ear, nose and throat specialist to rule out more serious conditions.

Baking soda has always been an item in the first aid kit for treating skin injuries and scalding. It is known to prevent blistering and development of scars. When baking soda is mixed with water, the resulting endothermic reaction and its mild antiseptic properties make it useful for treating skin irritations. Baking soda has several medicinal uses, not to mention its easy availability and low cost. This makes it the ideal candidate for home remedies for several skin disorders, teeth whitening and even acid reflux. Eczema is a non-contagious skin disorder that manifests as itchy red patches on the affected parts of the skin. It is a condition that affects people of all age groups, including infants. Eczema treatment focuses on reducing the skin inflammation and providing relief from itching. The antiseptic properties of baking soda are very effective for treating rashes caused by eczema.

Please note: Baking Soda and Baking Powder (used in cake recipes, etc.), are not the same. The product we are referring to, in this article, is baking soda, also known as bicarb soda or sodium bicarbonate. Ensure that you’re buying the correct product as this confusion is widespread.

Certain Precautionary Measures Before Use

Although baking soda is gentle on the skin, please take the following precautionary measures before taking a baking soda bath for the first time.

• Everyone’s skin texture is not the same. If you have sensitive skin that is usually prone to allergies from even mild skin care products, do not use baking soda in your bath.
• Even if you have never had any other skin allergy, the eczema itself can make the affected area sensitive. It is better to test with a dilute mixture on a small part of the rash. If the redness of the rash increases or becomes uncomfortably itchy, it is better not to use baking soda in your bath. This test must be done while bathing babies in baking soda as their skin is naturally sensitive. If you notice an instant reaction while doing the test, dilute the mixture further. Typically, it is not known to make eczema rashes worse, but it is better to be careful.
• Just as you would do with any cleansing product, it is essential to moisturize your skin after a baking soda bath so your skin does not dry out and become scaly.
• If you’re bathing a baby in baking soda, ensure that the baby does not swallow the bath water. Ingestion of baking soda in high quantities is known to cause headache and nausea even in adults. Simply exercise extra care while bathing the baby and ensure to expose only parts affected by eczema to the bath solution. Once done, pat the baby dry quickly so that it does not start to lick the solution off its arms and feet.
• In addition to eczema, if you have a pre-existing heart or kidney condition, ensure you do not accidentally swallow the bath solution as its high sodium content may cause other health problems.
• If you’re a diabetic with a tendency to develop infection or bleeding on the smallest cuts and wounds, do not try baking soda on your eczema patches.

How to Treat Eczema Using Baking Soda

• Method to Make a Baking Soda Bath: Eczema patients can add half a cup of baking soda to a full bath. Ensure that the water is not uncomfortably hot. Also, see to it that you take a brief bath. Prolonged exposure may cause excessive dryness. For bathing babies and young children you might want to start with an even diluted solution and gradually increase the concentration to half a cup, if need be. It is interesting to note, that a baking soda bath also provides relief from diaper rash in babies. Following the bath, ensure to rub the affected areas with a mild moisturizer. Do not use any chemical skin cream or other harsh products. Wear clothing with natural fibers like cotton.
• Applying in Paste Form: Alternatively, make a paste of baking soda and water and apply liberally on the affected areas to relieve itching. Wash off after a few minutes and dab some moisturizer.

You will find several sites on the Internet enlisting remedies for eczema as well as using baking soda for several other ailments (including cancer). It is better to take all this information with a pinch of salt and not blindly try everything you come across. We would advise that you pay attention to the points of caution mentioned above even with using baking soda for external application.