Skincare products are formulated to help you cleanse, exfoliate, and counter surface odors. But most of these daily use sunscreens, face wash, shampoos, conditioners, and cold creams contain chemicals. Regular use only increases the concentration of such chemicals on the skin that can possibly trigger skin irritation, allergies, and even skin disorders like eczema. It is better to switch to more organic to lower this risk. Here are five major skincare ingredients to avoid and better protect your skin. Parabens You must have come across so many products these days that come with a paraben free disclaimer. That’s mainly because parabens are one of the most used preservative ingredients in almost all cosmetic products, especially fragrances. Compounds like propylparaben and Iosbutylparaben will increase the shelf life of the product but are really harmful for sensitive skin and people with eczema. Moisturizing agents Lanolin, propylene glycol , and petroleum jelly are largely used in moisturizing products or protective lotions. But improper refining processes trigger a release of harmful carcinogens called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). These are skin irritants that further worsen the symptoms of atopic dermatitis or eczema. It is one of the skincare ingredients to avoid at all costs. Synthetic fragrances Fragrances are formulated to mask the body odor and provide long lasting effect even on hot summer days.

Dogs love smelling things. They want to put their snout on anything that comes across their path, be it garbage on the sidewalk or blossoming flowers in a park or garden. While some things are downright disgusting, other items can be toxic to your dog’s health. Certain plants can cause diarrhea and other serious issues like liver damage. Hence, it’s important to keep your dog away from the plants mentioned below. Sago palms These popular indoor ornamental palms are found in warmer climates. Every part of this plant is toxic to your dog. If consumed, it can cause severe vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, tremors, and seizures. Aloe vera Aloe vera is another common household plant grown mainly because of its many beneficial properties. However, its gooey gel contains some components that are toxic for dogs. It can cause lethargy, stomach problems, vomiting, and diarrhea. Elephant’s ear Elephant’s ear is a beautiful plant commonly found in warm climates. This plant can be harmful to dogs as it contains glass-like insoluble oxalate crystals, which can result in severe irritation, swelling in the mouth, vomiting, and diarrhea. Azaleas All parts of the azalea plant, including the flower, leaves, seeds, and honey made from its nectar, are toxic to dogs.

Also called the emperor of maladies, cancer affects nearly 1 million people in the country. It is also the second leading cause of death globally, heart disease being the leading cause. Most of the time, cancer affects those people whose family has a history of cancer. Genes carrying cancer-triggering cells are passed down from one generation to the next. In other cases, prolonged exposure to radiation or toxic substances can chemically induce cancer. This exposure can be a result of occupational hazards, lifestyle choices such as smoking, or due to radiation therapy. In all of these cases, cancer prevention is very difficult unless all the risk factors are eliminated. But, more often than not, this is practically quite difficult. However, the field of alternative medicine recommends the use of certain herbs and spices for cancer prevention. Although there is no reliable scientific proof regarding the effectiveness of these herbs and spices, adding them to one’s diet may lower the risk of certain types of cancer. Here are some well-known herbs and spices that help prevent cancer. Black pepper Black pepper contains a chemical known as piperine. This chemical is known to prevent the growth of cancerous cells, especially in the case of breast cancer.

5 household things that can cause lung damage Lungs are an integral part of the respiratory system. They make the absorption of oxygen into the bloodstream possible. It is important to keep the lungs healthy to maintain optimum oxygen intake. However, there can be things in the environment that can trigger lung damage. This article lists five such household factors that can trigger lung damage and diseases Mold Mold is a type of fungus that grows on damp surfaces and corners. It is common in houses with issues of leaking pipes. The fungus releases spores in the air and can trigger a severe reaction in people that are allergic to mold. The reaction is relatively severe in people with lung damage and diseases like asthma, COPD, and more. Carpet Carpets add to the allure and warmth of our homes. But there are some other things as well that they add to. This includes acting as a storage space for dust mites, cockroach droppings, mold, dander, pet hair, and other allergens. These are released back into the air often. It is advisable to clean and vacuum carpets multiple times a week to ensure they do not work as carriers for lung-damaging components.

Asthma is a respiratory condition where the airways narrow, swell, and produce extra mucus. These factors make it difficult for the person to breathe and trigger wheezing and coughing. Apart from treatment and home remedies, people with asthma tend to eat foods that can boost their recovery. But not all foods are suitable, and some may even worsen the condition. Here are seven such foods that may trigger severe respiratory symptoms. Eggs Eggs contain healthy nutrients, including proteins, vitamins, and minerals. However, asthma patients prone to egg allergies should avoid them. Egg allergies generally lead to reactions on the skin, such as hives. Eating eggs can also cause inflammation in the respiratory tract and lead to an asthma attack. Soda Soda produces gas, which may apply pressure on the diaphragm. The excessive pressure may make it difficult to breathe, worsening the symptoms of asthma and other respiratory disorders. Bread Bread is a wheat-based product that may also cause allergic reactions because of its gluten content. Those allergic to gluten are likely sensitive to albumin and globulin. These are amino acids that lead to inflammation in the respiratory tract and subsequently cause an asthma attack. Dried fruits Despite their healthy nature, people with asthma must avoid dried fruits.

Today, most American households have a vacuum cleaner. But not everyone knows how to use the appliance properly. Many people misuse their vacuum cleaners, which interferes with the machine’s ability to clean properly and causes it to stop working prematurely. Fortunately, most of these mistakes are avoidable, regardless of the type of vacuum cleaner one owns. This article points out some common mistakes vacuum owners make and explains how to avoid them. Not emptying the dust bag on time If you operate a vacuum cleaner while its dust container is full, the appliance will not pick up dirt and dust as effectively as it used to. Plus, the airflow within the vacuum will get restricted, causing the motor to overheat, decreasing the appliance’s longevity. To avoid this, empty the dust bag well before it’s full or after every use. Incorrectly assuming the motor is broken If your vacuum cleaner suddenly stops working while you’re cleaning, that doesn’t necessarily mean its motor is gone for good. Oftentimes, vacuum cleaners shut off automatically as soon as the motor overheats to prevent a hazardous incident. The motor usually overheats when the dust bag is full, or hair or fiber gets entangled in the brush roll.

Buying a mattress can become really confusing at times due to the sheer number of options available today. It is a product that you use daily but cannot purchase frequently. So you will have to make the right choice in the first go. Options only increase the odds of an impulse buy and could land you in potential sales traps. So here are a few common mattress buying mistakes to be aware of and avoid for your next purchase to get the best deal available. Do your research There are four types of mattresses namely memory foam, latex, coil springs with padding, and hybrid. Each bedding style offers a unique comfort level for different sleeping positions. Some are also designed to provide supportive orthopedic comfort. You must compare available options to check what type of bedding is suitable for your sleeping needs. Don’t go for the cheapest one While price is a major deciding factor, consider spending a little more to get a decent product. For example, single foam mattresses with minimal design elements are the most affordable ones to buy. But these mattresses lack the quality and necessary lumbar support for a good night’s sleep. Try them out Go for brands that offer a free trial period.

Finding it hard to sleep at night? Staying away from your phone and reducing psychological stress can help, but these are not enough. You also need to be wise when choosing foods late in the evening and before bedtime. Some foods have ingredients that can induce insomnia and cause tummy troubles, making it hard to sleep well at night. Below, we’ve listed seven such foods you should avoid eating before hitting the sack. Chocolate Post-dinner chocolate cravings are pretty common, but it’s not good when struggling to get proper sleep. Chocolates, especially dark chocolate, contain lots of caffeine, which can prevent you from getting deep, restful sleep. Coffee Talking about caffeine, it’s hard not to mention coffee. A shot of espresso is a go-to late-night drink for many, but it can hurt your objective of sound sleep. Coffee contains very high levels of caffeine, more than dark chocolate. So, it’s best to avoid any type of coffee at least six hours before bedtime. Potato chips Potato chips are fried foods loaded with unhealthy fats. Such foods take long to digest, cause indigestion, and can keep you up at night. Some studies even show that eating lots of fried, greasy foods can cause disturbing dreams.