This Everyday Habit Gave Me Cancer—And Nearly Ruined My Face

When Janet, 42, suddenly noticed a bump on the side of her nose while looking in the mirror, she assumed it was a harmless pimple. Two days later, things got weird, the iHeartRadio host in Oklahoma City tells Reader’s Digest: “It just sort of self-exploded, and then it began bleeding excessively,” she recalls.

For the next three weeks, Janet watched as the spot on her face scabbed over and bled repeatedly. Finally, her husband convinced her to go to the doctor. “He’s a firefighter, so he’s seen everything. I really thought the doctor was going to laugh that I came in for a zit,” she explains. To her disbelief, her doctor referred her to a dermatologist. “My primary care doctor said he was willing to bet I had basal cell carcinoma. The dermatologist confirmed it with a biopsy. I was shocked,” she says. Make sure you know the different skin cancer symptoms when you’re checking your own body.

A tanning bed aficionado since her teens and an avid runner who disregarded sunscreen, Janet was especially susceptible to skin cancer—which happens to be the most common type of cancer. “I begged my mom to sign permission slips for tanning beds when I was 16, and I tanned before every vacation. Looking back, I’m not surprised I got it,” she explains. Tanning and not using sunscreen are just two common cancer risks—don’t ignore these surprising skin cancer risks either.

After undergoing a separate surgery to remove a dime-sized chunk of her nose, Janet’s next stop was a plastic surgeon to restore her appearance. Her options were limited: “A skin graft isn’t desirable on the face because the color never matches,” she says. “My doctor said I wouldn’t be satisfied with it, and recommended the flap surgery instead.” For this procedure, the surgeon would transfer skin from a discrete spot on her forehead to patch her nose and then—prepare yourself—route a vein from her forehead to supply the patch until the skin can survive on its own. And that vein is left hanging from the forehead and connected to the nose in a sort of loop in front of her face. Janet asked her surgeon what the recovery was like. “He said that I could return [to work] after a few days, but most people take three weeks off to heal because they don’t want to leave the house looking that way,” she recalls.

Janet chose the flap surgery and immediately afterward understood why most people take the three weeks at home. “I cried almost every day, it was such a painful open wound—and emotionally it was just a very dark time,” she recalls. “I tried to go shopping at Target, and people would just stare—or worse—leave the aisle entirely,” she says. Tired of the curious stares from strangers, and even those of friends, Janet went “live” on Facebook to explain her new look. “After the video, I received so many notes from others undergoing the same treatment who felt comforted that they weren’t alone,” she recalls. It was exactly the push she needed to become more vocal about her diagnosis. “It’s heartbreaking to me to think that others going through this feel like they need to hide,” she explains.

After Janet had her final stitches and the vein removed, she says, “I remember leaving the doctor’s office and feeling like I made it.” Today, Janet is cancer-free and visits her dermatologist twice a year. She has partnered with the Miles Against Melanoma Foundation and has found educating others to be rewarding. Her words of encouragement to those facing a skin cancer diagnosis are simple, yet memorable: “You will feel the sunshine on your face again—just wear your sunscreen.” That being said, make sure you know these 51 things dermatologists need you to know about skin cancer.

 

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8 Times You Should Call 911—And 7 Times You Shouldn’t

Call: You or someone else is experiencing a severe allergic reaction

If anyone begins showing signs of a severe allergic reaction—increased heart rate, difficulty breathing, swelling tongue—call 911. Severe allergic reactions can lead to death quickly—in under an hour—so you may not have enough time to get to the emergency department. Emergency responders can give immediate treatment with epinephrine.

“Parents and caregivers are not trained medical professionals, so making a medical decision as to whether an allergic reaction is 911-worthy can be challenging,” says Gerald Lavandosky, MD a pediatric critical care doctor at Pediatric Critical Care of South Florida. “Factors that need to be considered when calling 911 include distance to the nearest emergency department, traffic, weather conditions, and transportation capabilities of the family.” Dr. Lavandosky says mild allergic reactions can be brought to a doctor’s office or emergency department by a family member, but when respiratory symptoms, swelling of the mouth, drooling, or difficulty breathing show up, it’s time to call 911.

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What to Do When You Find a Tick in Your House

An innocent walk through the woods with your pup can result in ticks entering your home. While many varieties of ticks aren’t prone to making a home indoors (deer ticks typically die within 24 hours, and can only survive short periods in places where moisture content is less than around 90 percent, and many species of ticks prefer to lay eggs on the soil surface and don’t reproduce indoors), brown dog ticks, for example, do. Ticks are detrimental, sure, but these 12 most dangerous bugs that you need to look out for this summer wreak their own havoc. So, if you find a tick in your house, of course you should get rid of it but be sure to then keep these things in mind.

1. Check yourself and your family.

A long walk in the woods with Fido and the family on a beautiful fall day can result in ticks hitchhiking their way into your home via your clothing and the dog’s fur. Be sure everyone wears clothing that covers their skin. Also, be sure to carefully check your hair and your pet’s fur! Comb through your dog’s fur, and check for any bumps. Also, check your pet’s feet (including between the toes), inside their ears, and around the face and neck. Have an outdoor cat? You’ll want to check them every time they come in! Your pets and ticks can’t talk, but here are 13 things a tick wouldn’t tell you to avoid its bite.

2. Repair and seal any crevices or gaps.

Most ticks have no interest in coming indoors. However, brown dog ticks can be enticed indoors through small cracks and crevices in homes that aren’t well maintained. If this happens and ticks start laying eggs, you could have a full-blown infestation on your hands. So, this is one more reason to be diligent with your efforts to seal up any and all cracks and openings in your home’s exterior.

3. Use tick treatments.

For an extra dose of safety, be sure to prevent ticks from clinging to your animals in the first place by using tick collars and spot-on treatments.

4. Modify your landscape.

To keep ticks out of your home, you’ll want to keep them out of your yard. The Verona (NJ) Environmental Commission suggests keeping your lawn mowed to a height of 3 inches, getting rid of brush, weeds, leaf litter and other debris, raking up leaf litter and cutting down underbrush for several feet into the woods, if your yard ends at a woods. Also, eliminate densely planted beds near your house. The commission also suggests using wood chips or gravel to create a barrier between wooded areas where ticks are common and your lawn and moving woodpiles, bird feeders and birdbaths far from your home to keep mice and chipmunks, which are hosts for ticks, away.

5. Vacuum like you mean it!

Suck up any ticks in your home with a vacuum. The device will not only pick up the ones you see, but ticks in all life stages. Use it especially in places frequented by your outdoor animals, as well as your carpets, rugs and furniture.

6. Scatter diatomaceous earth.

According to the Verona Environmental Commission, diatomaceous earth (DE) is a safe alternative to boric acid, which, if ingested, is toxic! If you want to go the natural route, here are 10 chemical-free ways to get rid of household pests. Rake DE into the carpet, and get the dust into the corners of any uncarpeted floors. Remove after a week. DE is made up of tiny fossilized aquatic organisms that pierce the tick’s outer layer as it crawls over the fine powder, dehydrating the tick without using toxic pesticides.

7. Dry clothes, then wash them.

According to the AARP, after coming indoors after spending time outside, immediately take off your clothes and throw them in the dryer first. This will dry them out and kill any ticks that are on the clothes, in addition, try these 9 ways to avoid a tick bite this summer. Leave the clothes in the dryer on high for 15 minutes, and then wash them.

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24 Things You Didn’t Know You Could Do with Baby Shampoo

Wash your face

If it’s gentle enough for your baby’s skin, then it stands to reason it would be gentle enough for your own. That’s how Heidi Klum came to include baby shampoo as part of her go-to beauty routine. She calls it “gentle” and “thorough,” according to Hello Giggles.

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This is What Happens to Your Body When You Hold Your Breath

How long could you comfortably stay underwater without coming up for air? Thirty seconds? Maybe a couple of minutes? How about 24? That is the current world record for breath-holding held by Alex Segura Vendrell of Spain. Before you get any ideas for your next party trick, it’s important to note that Segura Vendrell is a professional freediver and trained extensively for those 24 minutes and 3.45 seconds.

How is it possible to hold your breath that long?

It turns out that holding one’s breath for an extended period of time, also known as voluntary apnea, is somewhat of an extreme sport in and of itself. Professional divers and competitors train by taking deep breaths before submerging themselves. By holding a big breath before going underwater, a diver is able to push the carbon dioxide out of his or her body, which takes away the body’s natural reaction to come up for air.

Sounds dangerous, right?

How long is it safe to hold your breath?

According to the Canadian Red Cross, most healthy adults can comfortably hold their breath for about one to two minutes. Anything beyond this is dangerous and should be avoided and can put you at risk for drowning, even in shallow water. Breath-holding underwater is just one of the things lifeguards wish you wouldn’t do. Here are just a few of the processes going on in the body when you hold your breath.

Your oxygen levels go down

Without fresh oxygen coming into our bodies, the oxygen saturation level of our blood goes down. This means that our brain and organs do not receive the oxygen they need to function. When our brains begin to become hypoxic, the first symptoms are a feeling of confusion, altered decision making, and loss of coordination.

Your carbon dioxide levels (should) go up

If you were to hold your breath right now, your blood’s oxygen level would start to decrease and its carbon dioxide level would go up. Our bodies release carbon dioxide when we exhale, so as we hold our breath, it builds up and causes us to feel the urge to take another breath. However, this increase in carbon dioxide doesn’t always happen underwater.

A study in the European Journal of Applied Physiology found that when divers intentionally hyperventilate or exercise before going underwater, their carbon dioxide levels are slower to go up. This can put the diver at risk of passing out before feeling the need to come up for air.

You could be at risk for brain damage

A study in the Journal of Applied Physiology found that when divers held their breath for extended periods of time, they had higher levels of the protein S100B in their bloodstream. This protein is a marker for brain damage; fortunately, the increased level was temporary and went back to normal once they started breathing again.

“The results indicate that prolonged, voluntary apnea affects the integrity of the central nervous system, and may have cumulative effects,” explained the researchers. It’s unclear if people who regularly hold their breath, such as divers, are at risk for long term damage.

You could lose coordination

The study in the Journal of Applied Physiology also found that divers had higher levels of lactate in their blood while holding their breath. Lactic acid is what builds up in your muscles during a long run or intense workout and can lead to cramping, soreness, and loss of coordination. Seeing this increase in the bloodstream means that the muscles are not receiving enough oxygen. Learn more obscure body facts you didn’t know.

Your blood sugar goes up

Holding your breath for too long can cause your blood sugar to jump. Researchers found that blood glucose levels were higher in divers when holding their breath. It’s unclear why blood sugar rises when the body is deprived of oxygen, but it may be related to our body’s inability to secrete insulin during that time.

Your heart rate slows down

When our bodies are deprived of oxygen, the heart can’t pump fresh, oxygenated blood out to the body. Studies show that about 30 seconds of breath-holding can lead to a lowered heart rate and lower cardiac output.

Your blood pressure goes up

Once your body’s heart rate goes down during breath-holding, it tries to compensate by raising your blood pressure to get blood pumped to the body. This happens as our blood vessels constrict. This blood pressure increase usually happens after three minutes of breath-holding, once the oxygen level in our blood starts dropping.

You could pass out

The dangerous risk of holding your breath underwater is the chance of passing out in the water. According to experts at Emory, when children hold their breath underwater, the pressure in their chests causes their blood vessels to cut off blood flow to the right side of the heart. When this happens, the heart can’t pump blood, which leads to the reflex to faint. Adults who hold their breath for extended periods underwater are also at risk of passing out.

Stay safe around water

Because of accidental drownings related to healthy children and adults holding their breath underwater, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend never practicing voluntary apnea. Be sure to teach your kids to stay safe when swimming and never play breath-holding games with friends.

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10 Best Pillows for Every Type of Sleeper

For heavy snorers and beauty lovers alike

It turns out the best pillows for heavy snorers and sleeping beauties have something in common—their shape. “I always tell patients to find a supportive, curved pillow that props the back of the head up from behind the neck if they’re waking up with puffy eyes and facial skin,” explains Doris Day, MD and clinical associate professor of dermatology at NYU Langone Health. “Skin around the eyes is thinner than other areas, so when blood pools there over several horizontal hours it’s especially noticeable. Pillows that elevate the head, even if they’re designed for snoring, help alleviate this beauty problem, and I use Tempur-Neck Pillows in my practice.” Here’s what else sleep doctors wish you knew about snoring.

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10 Scary Things That Can Happen If You Have Sleep Paralysis

You can’t move

Just like the name suggests, sleep paralysis—one of the sleep disorders you should definitely know about—literally paralyzes you. No matter how hard you want to move your arms and legs or sit straight up in bed to break the moment, you just can’t. This happens when you experience REM sleep (the deepest stage of sleep where dreams occur) while you’re awake. REM sleep, like each stage of sleep, matters. “There’s a disconnect between the body and mind, so your mind is awake but your body hasn’t caught up and is paralyzed. This can be very scary,” says Raj Dasgupta, MD, a fellow of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and assistant professor of clinical medicine at the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California. The good news is, it’s temporary, and within a few seconds to minutes you’ll be able to move again.

You feel like you can’t breathe

Part of what makes sleep paralysis so panic-inducing is that in addition to being immobile, many people feel like they can’t catch their breath or are choking. “In your mind, you’re still stuck in REM sleep when your breathing is shallowest, but you’re awake and want to take that deep breath…and can’t,” says Dr. Dasgupta. Patients also describe a sensation of someone sitting heavily on their chest compressing their air supply, a phenomenon dubbed the Incubus by researchers of sleep paralysis (named after the classic painting, “The Nightmare” by Swiss artist Henry Fuseli). If this happens, try to stay calm and remember the moment will quickly pass.

You have hallucinations

As if being temporarily paralyzed wasn’t freaky enough, many sleep paralysis patients also experience hallucinations of snakes or giant insects crawling all over their body while they lie in bed helpless. Find out what your sleep issues reveal about your health.

It can be triggered by exhaustion or stress

“One of the biggest causes of sleep paralysis is sleep deprivation, especially from jet lag,” says Dr. Dasgupta.  “When you finally get to sleep, your body rebounds to the stage you need most, which is REM. The more time you spend in REM the more chance you have to experience sleep paralysis.” Stress and anxiety can also increase your chances of an episode, as well as suddenly halting antidepressant medication.

You think someone’s in the room

One of the most common sleep paralysis experiences is to sense or see an intruder in the room, doorway, or right outside the window. “Your mind is awake and hyper vigilant so it goes into protection mode, which can cause hallucinations of someone being in the room,” says Dr. Dasgupta. Other intruders his patients have described over and over include a demon, an old hag, a creepy child with a poorly defined face, and an overall evil presence.

It can happen while you’re falling asleep

Most people think of sleep paralysis as waking up in the middle of the night with a terrifying inability to move. But some people, particularly those who suffer from narcolepsy, actually experience it while they’re falling asleep. “People with narcolepsy fall into REM sleep right away, so that’s why it strikes right away,” says Dr. Dasgupta. Usually, REM sleep doesn’t occur until between 90 and 120 minutes after you nod off. So if you have sleep paralysis, you should know these things sleep doctors want you to know about narcolepsy, too.

You can have an out-of-body experience

One study that explored the most common sleep paralysis hallucinations discovered that some people have “unusual bodily experiences” where they have a feeling of floating or flying, feelings of bliss, or other out-of-body experiences.

It can cause you to panic

Suddenly waking up without being able to move or breathe well can get your heart racing and leave you gasping for air. But try to relax. “The most important thing for people to know is that it happens to a lot of people and it will pass. You just need to let your body catch up to your brain,” says Dr. Dasgupta.

It can strike in a strange place

Falling asleep in a strange bed can be unsettling for anyone, but in sleep paralysis patients it can trigger an episode. “When you sleep in a new place your mind is a little more vigilant whether you realize it or not. So when you wake up and your mind realizes you can’t move your body, plus you’re in a strange place, it goes into stress mode and makes you think you’re seeing things that could harm you,” says Dr. Dasgupta.

It can be hard to snap out of it

Some people say that focusing on wiggling a toe or trying to scream out can help them break out of a sleep paralysis episode. “If something works for you, go for it. But the best option is usually to wait for it to pass,” says Dr. Dasgupta. For more tips, check out what sleep doctors recommend for better sleep.

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25 Ways You Can Relax that Don’t Cost a Cent

Relaxation isn’t just a fun thing to do, it’s necessary to your overall health and wellbeing, says Lisa S. Larsen, PsyD, a licensed psychologist in private practice in Lancaster, California. Yet despite this basic need, many of us are really bad at relaxing.

You can thank our modern go-go-go society, she says. “A high-stress lifestyle, which many people lead, puts you constantly in ‘fight or flight’ mode, which can be damaging to your health if there is nothing to actually fight or flee from,” she explains. “But when you employ the relaxation response, your parasympathetic nervous system takes over and helps you rest, digest, and repair yourself.” It’s a proven fact that stress can make you sick.

Relaxation is different for every person—one person’s relaxing day at the beach is another person’s sunburned, sand-in-their-shorts nightmare—so Larsen recommends trying out a variety of things to figure out what gets you into prime relaxation mode. And contrary to popular belief, it doesn’t take an expensive spa day or a trip to another country to make you relax. Try these soothing ideas for relaxation that don’t cost a cent:

Go to the free day at the botanical gardens

Every city offers many local attractions free to the public on certain days each year. And what’s more relaxing than a stroll through a beautifully curated and expertly maintained garden? You get to enjoy all the flowers, trees, and shrub animals without ever having to pull a weed. Start with the best free tourist attraction in every state then go to your city’s website to find more fun freebies near you.

Build a fort and take a nap in it

Forts are a childhood staple, and for good reason: They’re fun! There’s just something so relaxing about snuggling up in a cozy little spot. (Perhaps that’s why the Tiny House trend has taken off so much?) Make an adult version with a nest of soft blankets, your favorite book, and decadent snacks. For extra magic, string fairy lights across the top.

Soak your tired tootsies

Foot baths are one of life’s best little luxuries, allowing you to relax in body and spirit. Your feet do all the heavy lifting in your day to day life so don’t you think they deserve a little extra love? You can use a bubbly foot bath if you already own one or simply sit on the edge of a bathtub filled with a few inches of relaxing hot water. Finish off with a little foot massage with scented lotion. (Bonus relaxation points if you can talk someone else into massaging your feet!)

Take a swing at your local park

Nothing soothes and relaxes a baby like a swinging sensation and, contrary to popular belief, you don’t just grow out of that. Give yourself a gentle rock by heading to the park and swinging under the stars. Or try one of these 10 proven relaxation techniques.

Go forest bathing

“Forest bathing” is one of the hottest new wellness trends as simply being outdoors, in nature, offers a host of health benefits, including a deep state of relaxation. Take advantage of this all-natural remedy by walking or hiking through a scenic spot near you.

Admire the sunset

Sure, the sun rises in the east and sets in the west every day of your life—but this doesn’t mean it isn’t a glorious experience. It’s all too easy to overlook the daily aerial light show, especially as it normally happens during the busiest times of day. So make an effort to sit down, take a deep breath of fresh air, relax, and just watch the sun set on another day.

Look through old photo albums

Nostalgia can bring back some powerful feelings. Looking through old family pictures or photos can remind you of the comforting sound of your mother’s voice, the safety of your father’s hug, the laughter of your friends, or the peace you found on that island you discovered on that amazing vacation you took years ago. Remembering how quickly life really goes by can help put your daily struggles into perspective, allowing you to relax and go with the flow more.

Have some milk and cookies

Milk and cookies are a tried-and-true relaxation method and it turns out there’s a scientific reason for that. The carbohydrates in the cookies combine with tryptophan, a calming amino acid found in dairy foods, to induce a powerful feeling of relaxation, according to a study published in Nutritional Health. Not a milk and cookies fan? Try one of these 10 foods that will help you relax.

Tell a favorite childhood story

Sharing a favorite memory with a cherished friend or loved one is a great way to relive happy moments while creating new ones. Not only will this bring a smile to your face and help you relax but it’s a great way to help children relax before bedtime. Keep track of your best stories with a laughter journal.

Call a friend

Hearing your mom or best friend’s voice has a way of instantly relaxing you in a way a text message or an email just can’t. So if you need a quick moment of zen, take a moment to call and say hi to a loved one. They’ll appreciate that you’re thinking of them and you’ll get a quick reminder of why you adore them.

Sing some YouTube karaoke

Happy music triggers happy memories, instantly boosting your mood and relaxing you, according to a study published in Memory & Cognition. Double the effect by singing along to your favorite tunes. You don’t even need a fancy karaoke machine these days, thanks to the millions of free sing-a-long videos on YouTube.

Meditate

Meditation is one of the most powerful relaxation methods we have, according to a growing body of research. And the best part is that all you need is a quiet place and your mind (and once you get good at it you don’t even necessarily need quiet). Start with these 12 breathing exercises to help you relax in mere minutes.

Walk your dog

Owning a pet has many health benefits, including stress relief and increased relaxation. Simply sitting and petting your furry friend can help you unwind but for the biggest relaxation benefits—for you and for them—take your pup on a walk outdoors.

Head to the library

Libraries are a free and incredibly useful resource—yet so many of us don’t even have a library card. Going to a quiet, clean library is calming on its own but add in a good book and you’ve got a recipe for hours of relaxation.

Fold your laundry

Clutter increases anxiety, according to a study published in Current Psychology. So while chores may not be your go-to strategy to relax, doing some light cleaning will allow you to better relax. Plus some repetitive chores, like folding laundry, can induce a relaxing “flow state” that leads to less stress and greater creativity.

Sketch a doodle

You don’t have to be an artist to enjoy sketching, doodling, painting, or some other artistic endeavor. One of the main reasons people enjoy it so much is that creating art is innately relaxing, according to a study published in The American Journal of Public Health.

Play a sport

Relaxation is one of the science-backed benefits of aerobic exercise. While some people prefer a solitary run or hike, many people love to relax with others. Playing a group sport, like an office kickball team or a neighborhood basketball game, can be a great way to get some happy endorphins flowing and have some fun social time.

Take a bubble bath

Warm water combined with bubbles and perhaps some candles and music are a go-to way to relax after a hard day for a good reason: It works! A bubble bath is the perfect way to shut out the world and let your body and mind unwind. And that’s just one of the benefits of baths for adults.

Make some music

Do you play the piano? Have a violin sitting in your closet? Love the harmonica? Every person has the capacity to make some kind of music. Even if you’re no Mozart or Itzak Perlman, you can still find a great deal of satisfaction and relaxation in playing your own music. For example, playing the piano changes the way the brain works, helping even amateur pianists become better at tuning out distracting stimuli and helping them to relax, according to a study published in PNAS.

Listen to a podcast

Podcasts are a huge trend right now and while some shows (think true crime) may keep you up at night, others are designed to help you relax. Look for a podcast focused on meditation, music, learning, or even bedtime stories to help you find your chill.

Have a good belly laugh

The process of laughing actually reduces the levels of stress hormones in your body, according to a Japanese study. This makes having a good giggle one of the quickest and easiest ways to relax. Watch a funny video, ask a friend to tell you a joke, look up funny memes, or read your favorite comic.

Play a game with a kid

You know who never has a problem relaxing? Small children. We are all born with an innate sense of how to chill out but somehow lose that ability as we get older. Get a relaxing reminder by playing a fun game with your kids. It can be physical, like tag, or strategic, like Monopoly, or just silly, like Candy Land. Just make sure you’re not distracted by your phone so you can fully relax in the moment.

Have a cup of tea

Having a nice cuppa has been a way to relax for millennia. Whether you choose tea or an herbal blend, the combination of warm water and herbs has an immediate soothing effect. Plus it gives you the opportunity to sit down and take a moment to yourself—just two of the 14 proven health benefits of tea.

Write in a journal

Have a hard time relaxing after a stressful day? Pull out your journal! Simply writing out your feelings eases negative feelings and relieves stress, according to a study published in Behavior Research and Therapy.

Read a good book

Between texts, emails, and the never-ending stream of content on the internet, most of us read a lot every day. But when it comes to relaxing there’s a difference between reading for work and reading for fun. By picking up a book you allow yourself to get lost in a good story without the risk of distracting electronic notifications. Looking for more immediate relaxation? These relaxation tips will help you wind down immediately.

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Why You Shouldn’t Drink Coffee on an Empty Stomach

For 63 percent of Americans this year, coffee is a daily essential. This number has been this high since 2017, according to the National Coffee Association. The rise of coffee is due to its numerous benefits, liking preventing DNA damage, but it works best if you do this simple thing: eat.

“Drinking coffee on an empty stomach, or early in the morning before you’ve had breakfast, can increase the level of cortisol in your body. From the moment you open your eyes in the morning, your body starts releasing cortisol, a hormone that’s responsible for regulating your immune response, metabolism, [and] stress response,” says Dr. Nikola Djordjevic, MD.

If you pump your body with caffeine when your cortisol is at its peak, Djordjevic says, you’ll be subjecting your body to even more stress. In a pilot study that evaluated preferences of caffeinated drinks among medical students, it showed that 25 percent of students drank coffee in the morning on an empty stomach. They should try brewing a cup of joe at the best time of day to drink coffee, instead.

These students are at an increased risk of mood changes and possible long-term impacts to their health, as explained in the study. This is because coffee stimulates the acid in your belly, producing a more acidic environment.

“Coffee on an empty stomach can magnify the stimulating effects because there is nothing to compete with absorption,” says Dr. Jamie Long, licensed clinical psychologist. Thus, a full belly is vital to curb the amount of stomach acid produced.

Since coffee irritates your stomach acid, you’re highly likely to experience heartburn and even develop gastric ulcers, Djordjevic says. Clearly, coffee on an empty stomach affects physical health. But it ropes in mental health, too. The overproduction of acid in the stomach can cause mood swings, jitters, shaking, and other withdrawal symptoms, Djordjevic says. In addition, there have been studies that link gastric acid to anxiety and depression, she explained.

“Especially when consumed in large amounts, studies have found that caffeine mimics symptoms of anxiety and even panic attacks. Symptoms can include restlessness, trembling, flushed face, and accelerated heart rate,” Long says. “And if you’re already prone to experiencing anxiety, you’re even more vulnerable to the effects of coffee.”

Base line: Know your limits so you can fully experience what coffee can offer, because here’s exactly what happens to your body when you drink coffee daily.

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Experts Say These Magic Words Will Change Your Life

“I don’t”

“When dieting, many people will adopt restrictive language that leaves the mind wanting what we cannot have,” says New York City neuropsychologist Dr. Sanam Hafeez. “By saying ‘I can’t have donuts, I am dieting,’ we wire our mentality to yearn for that which we cannot have.” Saying this instead of “I can’t” may make all the difference when you’re trying to give up an unhealthy habit, according to a study in the Journal of Consumer Research. Authors found that people who were instructed to say “I don’t” in the face of temptation (“I don’t eat ice cream for dessert”) had more autonomy, self-control, and positive behavior changes compared to people who said “I can’t” (as in “I can’t eat ice cream for dessert”). Dr. Hafeez elaborates, “If you say ‘I don’t eat donuts, I’m learning to eat healthier,’ there is a decision being made by you to be healthier. When you say you can’t, the language guides you to abstain not from a need to improve but from a need to avoid getting worse.”

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These Are the Dirtiest Swimming Pools in America, According to the CDC

Looking to beat the heat this summer? Odds are, you’ll opt for a dip in the cool waters of a swimming pool. But you might want to think twice before diving in. Public pools can be hotbeds for all kinds of parasites, viruses, and bacteria—even when they are regularly treated with chlorine and other disinfectants.

In fact, thousands of Americans may get sick this summer due to contaminated water at pools, spas, or other recreational venues, according to a 2018 report by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC). “Germs commonly spread by water can cause diarrhea in people who swallow contaminated water,” according to Michele Hvalsa, chief of the CDC’s Healthy Swimming Program. Swimming in dirty pool water can also lead to infections and even drowning. Watch out for these hidden pool dangers, too.

Yet most people won’t get sick by diving into the average neighborhood pool, the CDC report found. It assessed 493 disease outbreaks caused by treated recreational water in the United States and found that hotel pools were by far the dirtiest. One in three swimming-related disease outbreaks between 2000 and 2014 occurred at a hotel, according to the report.

One of the most common culprits was Cryptosporidium, a parasite found in the fecal matter of someone who has diarrhea that can survive for days in chlorinated pools, per the CDC. It spreads when swimmers swallow contaminated pool water, leading to an unpleasant bout of diarrhea. That’s not the only surprising way your pool makes you sick.

Pseudomonas, bacteria that causes swimmer’s ear or “hot tub rash,” was responsible for nearly half of the hotel-related outbreaks. Also high on the list was Legionella, which can cause a severe case of pneumonia and is contracted by inhaling infected microscopic water droplets, according to the Mayo Clinic.

The next time you find yourself swimming in a hotel pool, take a few precautions to keep you and your fellow pool-goers healthy. The CDC recommends staying out of the water if you have diarrhea or an open wound, keeping your ears dry after swimming, and avoiding swallowing the pool water. And don’t ignore these red flags a public pool is too dirty for swimming.

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15 of the Most Shocking Safety Statistics

The surprising state of safety in the United States

Accidental injury is the third leading cause of death in the United States. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), someone is accidentally injured every second and killed every three minutes by preventable incidents, including drug overdoses, car crashes, falls, and drownings. While you can’t eliminate all risk from your life, sometimes the simplest things can make the biggest difference. “Being aware and proactive can help prevent injuries and save lives,” says Kelly Nantel, vice president of communications and advocacy for the NSC. A few easy steps you can take to reduce your risk of an accident that Nantel suggests are buckling up on each and every car ride, clearing out medicine cabinets of unused or expired medication, and making sure your home is clear of tripping hazards. You’ll also want to keep an eye out for these 11 sneaky backyard dangers.

More than 40,000 people have died in car crashes each year for the last three consecutive years

The yearly death toll is also 14 percent higher than it was just four years ago, per the NSC, and Florida, Hawaii, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, and Washington, D.C., are among the states that reported a 5.8 percent increase in fatalities in 2018. Of course, there can be other types of casualties when an accident happens: Approximately 4.5 million people were also seriously injured in crashes last year alone. To stay safe on the road, check out these 10 scary driving scenarios and exactly how to handle them.

Distracted driving kills approximately 9 people—and injures more than 1,000—every day

Any sort of distraction—whether it’s your cell phone or a screaming toddler in the backseat—can be a problem, as this statistic from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) illustrates. “There is really no such thing as multitasking: Any additional cognitive load comes at additional demand to the brain, and you pay for that,” explains Federico Vaca, MD, a Yale Medicine emergency medicine doctor who is the vice chair of faculty affairs for the Emergency Medical Department and the director of the Developmental Neurocognitive Driving Simulation Research Center (DrivSim Lab). “Basically, when you pay attention to something else, you’re paying less attention to the thing you were doing.” That’s particularly problematic on the highway, he adds, when you can take your eyes off the road for only two to three seconds before you run into some serious issues.

You have a greater chance of dying from an opioid overdose than in a car crash

This is one of 2019’s most staggering statistics: You now have a one in 96 chance of dying from an opioid overdose versus a one in 103 chance of dying in a car accident. That number has risen dramatically over the last 20 years, according to Nantel—up 633 percent since 1999—and fentanyl, fentanyl analogs, and tramadol are the drugs most often responsible for these deaths. While this epidemic needs to be combatted in a variety of ways, you can take measures to protect yourself: “Individuals must feel empowered to serve as their own best health-care advocate,” Nantel says. “They need to ask questions when they are being prescribed pain-relieving medication, such as, ‘Am I being prescribed an opioid?’ and, ‘If so, is there a non-addictive alternative?'”

More than 250 people died while taking selfies between 2011 and 2018

That desire to get the perfect shot can be deadly, according to research published in the Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care. Of the 259 selfie-related fatalities that occurred between October 2011 and November 2017, the mean age of the victims was around 23 years old and the majority were male (72.5 percent). The deaths—often by drowning, falls and vehicular accidents—occurred most frequently in India, Russia, Pakistan, and the United States. “People live and die by social media—literally, with bullying, taking different challenges with social-media games…and with these crazy pictures,” says Dr. Vaca. “But there’s no picture that’s worth your life.” Unfortunately, this problem likely isn’t abating anytime soon as social media continues to be an obsession. Experts are pushing for “no selfie” signs in certain locations, and certain locations have specific safety recommendations: The U.S. Forest Service, for instance, warns against taking selfies with bears in the background, and Yellowstone National Park has created a list of dangerous selfie spots to avoid.

Workplace injuries occur every seven seconds

Here’s another way to wrap your brain around that crazy number: If a worker is hurt every seven seconds, that translates to 510 injuries per hour, 12,600 per day, and 4.6 million per year, according to the NSC. In 2017, those injuries resulted in 104 million lost work days. The top three issues are overexertion (33.54 percent), injuries resulting from objects and equipment (26 percent), and slips, trips, and falls (25.8 percent).

Police chases kill nearly one person every day—and half of the victims are innocent bystanders

In the pursuit of justice, other people can become casualties. Between 1979 and 2013, more than 11,506 people, which includes around 6,300 fleeing suspects and 5,000 bystanders and passengers in the chased cars, were killed during high-speed car chases, according to a USA Today analysis of National Highway Traffic Safety Administration statistics. Plus, more than 270,000 people are estimated to have been injured during that period, or 7,400 people per year. Perhaps even more shocking, most of these chases occurred after minor infractions, usually traffic violations or misdemeanors.

Drowning kills more children between the ages of 1 and 4 than anything except birth defects

Drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury death among children ages 1 to 14, according to the CDC, and drowning incidences are highest among children under five and young adults between 15 and 24. The thing is, drowning often doesn’t look like it does in the movies, so people can be slow to realize what’s happening. “With children, there will be very little noise: They can fall in and don’t know how to tread the water, so they just go under,” says Dr. Vaca. “And if they scream, they suck water into their lungs.” He adds that you should be hyper-vigilant when children are around water because you have mere minutes before a lack of oxygen can irreparably damage the brain. Of course, drowning can happen to anyone: Overall, approximately 4,000 people drown each year, and the overwhelming majority of victims are male (80 percent). Brush up on these 12 water safety tips that adults don’t follow—but should.

You have a one in 3,748,067 chance of being killed by a shark

Translation: The likelihood that you’ll be attacked by a shark is very, very, very low. In fact, according to the International Shark File and the NSC, you have a much greater chance of dying from the flu (1 in 63), a bike accident (1 in 4,919), or being struck by lightning (1 in 79,746). Of the 130 shark-related incidents worldwide in 2018, there were only 32 unprovoked incidents in the United States and one subsequent fatality. While that fatality occurred in Massachusetts, Florida consistently ranks as the place with the most attacks in the world. To lessen your chances of being attacked, don’t wear brightly colored swimsuits and shiny jewelry, stay in groups, avoid the areas between sandbars and deep drop-offs, and don’t swim in the dark or in twilight hours when sharks are particularly active.

Approximately 19,000 people head to the ER each year due to grill-related injuries

According to data reported by the National Fire Protection Association between 2013 and 2017, nearly half of those injuries were from thermal burns and children under five made up 38 percent of those hurt. But that’s only part of the story: Home fires are also a very real risk when grilling. During that same period, fire departments reported 10,200 fires each year that involved grills, hibachis, or barbecues. Gas grills were involved in around 8,700 home fires per year, often due to leaks or breaks, while charcoal grills and the like caused around 1,100 home fires. That resulted in 10 civilian deaths, 160 civilian injuries and $123 million in property damage. Here are 50 other summer health dangers you’re probably ignoring.

Seventy-seven percent of Americans think that home is the safest place to be…but that’s where 75 percent of preventable accidents actually take place

The world seems like a big, scary, unpredictable place, and, in fact, the NSC found that an overwhelming majority of people are most fearful of things that will likely never happen to them, such as murder (80 percent). But the reality is that most accidents happen at home or close to home. While everything from falls and fires to choking and drowning incidents can take people by surprise, opioid overdoses also factor into the equation—and the rising number of preventable deaths.

Playground injuries send more than 200,000 children under 14 to the hospital each year

Bumps and bruises might be expected when children are set free in the relatively safe confines of a playground, but this fun zone can quickly turn into a danger zone. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), more than 20,000 of the 200,000-plus children who need medical attention after a trip to the playground are treated for traumatic brain injuries like concussions. Other issues include scalding slides, little legs that get caught and broken while heading down a slide (often when going down with an adult), and heat illnesses. But you don’t have to be a helicopter parent to keep your kids safe—you just need to be aware of certain dangers. “Check for hazards, such as improper ground surfaces, overcrowded play areas, and sharp points and edges,” says Nantel. “In addition, children should not play with—or wear—anything that could get on playground equipment and be a strangulation hazard.”

A violent crime occurs every 24.6 seconds

According to the FBI’s Crime Clock for 2017, that included a murder every 30.5 minutes, a rape every 3.9 minutes, and a robbery every 1.7 minutes. Property crimes occurred even more frequently—every 4.1 seconds, with burglaries happening every 22.6 seconds. Some other important facts: Burglaries most often happen between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., and 34 percent of burglars get in through the front door, according to Safety.com. A little deterrence goes a long way, so make sure to lock windows and doors, reinforce weak entry points, use motion-sensing lights, and, if your budget permits, install a home security system. You’ll also want to follow these 13 safety tips that could save your home from a break-in.

Around 1,301 people will die this year from hypothermia

That’s the yearly average of the 16,911 hypothermia-related deaths that occurred between 1999 and 2011, per the CDC. In the winter, make sure to heed warnings about polar vortexes and other extreme weather. According to Live Science, hypothermia can set in as quickly as ten minutes at minus 30 degrees if you’re not bundled up properly. And an FYI: When your body is wet, it loses heat more quickly—and you can experience hypothermia in as little as ten minutes in 41-degree waters. You aren’t safe in warm water either: Scientific American reports that someone who’s in 75-degree water for an extended period of time can also develop hypothermia. When you’re exposed to the elements, you’ll definitely want to know these surprising signs of hypothermia that are too easy to miss.

More than a quarter of a million children incurred serious injuries from toys in 2017

These injuries were severe enough to send families to the emergency room, according to the CPSC, though 95 percent of those children were treated and released. Nearly half of those injuries were to the head, face, and eyes. There were far fewer toy-related fatalities: 13, to be exact, of which riding toys were associated with seven (54 percent).

Approximately one in 25 patients in a health-care facility has a secondary infection resulting from a stay in that health-care facility

Hospitals and other health-care institutions are supposed to make you better, not add to your health problems, but the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion warns that’s exactly what can happen. When people are being treated for one issue, many will also contract a healthcare-associated infection (HAI), such as MRSA, pneumonia, surgical-site infections, urinary tract infections or central-line bloodstream infections, to name a few. Surgical patients or those who need catheters or injections are at greater risk, and facilities that aren’t properly disinfected and the overuse or improper use of antibiotics can also be hazardous to your health. Worried? Read these 34 ways to survive your next trip to the hospital.

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My “Vision Trouble” Turned Out to Be a Sign of Stroke—But I Ignored It

Lauren Barnathan had just stepped off the treadmill in her Orange Theory fitness class when she noticed she couldn’t focus on the room around her. Having recently gotten engaged to an emergency physician, she knew who to call. The symptoms cleared up quickly, and her fiancee recommended she go home and rest. “I knew something wasn’t right but I really didn’t think too much of it,” says the 30-year-old Barnathan. “I had the day off so I just spent the day resting, and nothing else happened. Everything seemed normal.” That night in bed, though, Barnathan realized something was horribly wrong. Vision changes are just one of the stroke symptoms to never ignore, here are 15 others to watch out for.

“I was thrashing around in the bed, trying to turn over, but I couldn’t because the entire left side of my body was numb. I thought maybe I was having a seizure. My fiance asked what was wrong and turned on the light and that’s when he saw that the left side of my face was drooping. My speech was slurred, too.”

Despite her alarming symptoms, Barnathan says she was “blissfully unaware” that there was anything wrong; she kept cracking jokes and telling her fiancee not to call 911. He knew otherwise: Barnathan was having a stroke as he assessed her using the stroke sign acronym BE FAST: balance loss, eyesight loss, facial drooping, arm weakness, and speech difficulty equals time to call 911—which he did. According to Barnathan, a speech pathologist who works in the same hospital as her now-husband, this happens often. “Many times the person having the stroke has no idea anything is wrong, and it’s a bystander who sees the signs and seeks help. I really had no idea that my speech was slurred and my face was drooping.” Certain things put you at higher risk—here are 8 things science has linked to having a stroke.

Barnathan was taken to the hospital within thirty minutes, where a CAT scan revealed a blood clot in her brain; it was the result of a torn carotid artery. “I remember the doctor telling me I had salvageable tissue and asking for consent to do surgery. That’s when it set in that my brain was at risk for further damage. I work in healthcare and know the lingo, so it wasn’t until that point that I had any idea how serious it was.”

After surgery to remove the clot, Barnathan made an incredible recovery. “The first day after surgery I was 80 percent better, and in the first 48 hours I was 95 percent recovered.” She credits the quick response of her fiance for her progress. “A lot of my recovery has to do with my age and getting to the hospital right away. The longer you wait to seek help, the more irreversible damage is done.” Barnathan had a stroke related to a blood clot—here’s why that is different from an aneurysm.

Today, Barnathan says she’s 99 percent recovered—and she could be 100 percent, she believes, if she had sought help the moment she noticed her vision was different at the gym. “I still have left arm and hand weakness. Typing is really difficult for me. I could have had a complete recovery if I had gone to the hospital right away when I knew something wasn’t right.”

Barnathan stresses that a stroke can happen at any age, and knowing the signs is vital. “Learn the BE FAST signs now—before you’re sitting in a stroke recovery group. Get help right away, even if you doubt your sign is related to a stroke. The worst case scenario is that you go in, get checked, and the hospital sends you home. If you suspect someone else is having one, then get them to the hospital immediately. Go to strokeawareness.com and educate yourself.” And learn some of the other sneakier symptoms to watch out for, especially for women.

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These 3 Skin-Care Products Literally Erased My Hormonal Acne Scars

The teenage years are when most adolescents suffer from acne flare-ups and cystic pimples. Lucky for me, I had clear, porcelain, glowing skin. I never even used skincare products! Yep, not a drop—true story. I remember how lucky I felt to not have to suffer the emotional stress and embarrassment of having a face covered in craters, redness, hyperpigmentation, and dry flakey skin… until it happened to me.

Around the time I went to college, I started noticing small breakouts along my jawline and had no idea why. I wasn’t doing anything different than I had been doing my whole life. And ironically, the better care I took of my skin, the more acne I got. I was embarrassed and depressed.

Naturally, I ran to the local pharmacy and purchased cult-favorite skin care products, including Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser paired with Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer SPF 15, which resulted in nothing. Nada. If anything, my skin looked and felt worse.

That’s when I got serious and made an appointment with a dermatologist, who put me on topical and oral medications to treat what turned out to be hormonal acne, due to the fact that I had stopped taking birth control. Board certified dermatologist Debra Wattenberg, MD, explains, “Hormonal acne tends to develop post-teenage years and is commonly distributed along the jawline, neck, and cheeks. It often presents with cysts that are caused by fluctuations in hormones, specifically increases in androgens like testosterone.” Causes of hormonal acne, according to Dr. Wattenberg, founder of NY Skin RX, include irregular periods, discontinuation of birth control pills, and menopause. The cysts that develop from hormonal acne are deep and hard to treat, so Dr. Wattenberg commonly recommends antibiotics, birth control pills, and anti-androgens such as Spironolactone, which dials down male hormone expression in the body. These are the clear signs you probably need prescription acne treatment.

Unfortunately, that’s not the happy ending to the story. Although my acne slowly cleared up, it left behind terrible scars, including hyperpigmentation and discoloration of the skin, which is usually caused by excessive picking at areas of irritation, popping pimples the wrong way (here’s the right way to get rid of a pimple overnight), and picking away at pimples as they are healing.

I struggled to find the solution to correct my damaged skin. I tried Sephora’s top picks for scarring from holy grail dermatologists and celebrities such as Kate Somerville, Dr. Dennis Gross, Dr. Jart, and more. Once again, I was left feeling hopeless that my skin would ever be the same.

After months of research on the most powerful skin care ingredients such as Vitamin C, turmeric, and retinoids, I finally found my skincare saviors: Peter Thomas Roth’s Acne Clearing Wash and Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum mixed with a K-Beauty staple, Skin & Lab’s Red Serum, have worked their magic to completely clear my hyperpigmentation, scarring, and redness. This product combination is a skin care miracle like I have never experienced before.

Here’s how they work: The Acne Clearing Wash has 2 percent salicylic acid, which helps eliminate the breakout cycle while removing excess oil, makeup, and bacteria. “Salicylic acid helps to destroy the attachments between skin cells, which allows exfoliation of the skin and helps to unclog pores,” explains Dr. Wattenberg. “It also has anti-inflammatory properties.” The formula soothes and conditions the skin with allantoin and pro vitamin B5, leaving it thoroughly clean and residue-free.

The star ingredient in Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum is obviously Vitamin C, an antioxidant that helps to destroy cell-damaging free radicals, according to Dr. Wattenberg. It decreases inflammation from acne and helps to reduce redness, scarring, and pigmentation. This particular formulation has rose extracts to hydrate the skin, and it adds its own anti-inflammatory properties to decrease the chance for discoloration.

Skin & Lab’s Red Serum has one of the most powerful super-fruit products to slough away dead skin and prevents pore congestion. “These products exfoliate the skin, increasing cell turnover, preventing pigmentation, and scarring,” Dr. Wattenberg explains. “The anti-inflammatory effects of the vitamin C prevent superficial reddening of the skin. Salicylic acid can dissolve the keratin plug that causes a blackhead—it dissolves oil and dead skin cells, making pore look smaller. It also decreases oil production because it’s lipophilic, or water-loving, and has the ability to penetrate the pore, destroy the oil and unclog the pore.”

With this trio of products, my skin has not looked and felt this good since 2008. (Yes, that is an accurate number).

I wish I could tell you that the road to finding the products that work best for your skin ailments is quick and easy, pain-free, and not at all emotionally draining, but everyone’s experience is different. Luckily, you’re one step closer to trying something that your skin and soul will thank you for! Here’s a good place to start for the best acne treatment kits for your skin type.

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4 Firework Injuries Hospitals See the Most

The emergency room is a busy place around the Fourth of July. According to the newly released 2018 Consumer Protection Safety Commission (CPSC) Fireworks Annual Report, a whopping 62 percent of the estimated annual 9,100 estimated fireworks-related injuries treated in emergency rooms happened during the height of the Fourth of July season, from June 22 to July 22. One of the safest ways to enjoy fireworks is to watch the pros do them—find the best fireworks shows in your state.

The old saying, “if you play with fire, you get burned,” certainly rings true for the 44 percent of burn injuries emergency rooms saw during the month surrounding the Fourth of July. Burn injuries were most commonly seen on the hands, fingers, and arms. Burn injuries on hands and fingers often result from getting burned while lighting a firework or holding a lit firework. One such incident included in the CPSC report is about a 13-year-old boy who ignited a smoke bomb while holding it in his hands. The smoke bomb exploded in his hand, removing a lot of skin and causing severe burns on his hand and some on his face and nose. Innocent bystanders also sustained burn injuries. The CPSC reports an incident of a woman walking her dog in the park and getting hit by a wayward rocket and suffering burns on her leg and knee, for example.

Burns can be mild, like a first-degree burn, which affects the outermost layer of skin and feels like a sunburn, says Julie Newhouse BSN, RN, CEN, Health First’s Holmes Regional Medical Center emergency department nurse manager. It gets more serious with second-degree burns. “They affect the epidermis and the dermis of the skin. Blisters can develop, and this type of burn can cause severe pain. A third-degree burn can involve all layers of the skin. The area can be black, brown, or white in color and may have a leathery appearance. This type of burn can destroy the nerves,” says Newhouse. For a mild burn, try one of these home remedies for soothing relief.

Hospitals see their fair share of contusions and lacerations also. They accounted for about 28 percent of the estimated injuries during the same period. Cuts and bruises often stem from getting hit from a projectile from a firework or firework debris—these were mostly to the eyes. Injuries aren’t just about cuts and burns. Some people leave the emergency room in a cast or with crutches; about 8 percent of emergency room patients were diagnosed with fractures and sprains. According to the CPSC report, a 13-year-old boy was hit by a multiple tube shell that fell over. The shell didn’t explode, but it did fracture his ankle. And finally, 19 percent of the estimated injuries were due to other types diagnoses not specified in the report. Do these stats scare you? Then it’s probably best to just watch some of America’s most spectacular fireworks displays instead of playing with fire yourself.

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