How to Detect, Treat and Prevent Skin Cancer

You know that crinkle in your forehead is from your daughter announcing she's quitting the debate team to play drums in a garage band. And that bruise on your thigh is from hauling recycling bins out to the curb. But every so often something pops up on your skin that you can't explain. "Most of the time these things are harmless," says Susan Taylor, M.D., of Society Hill Dermatology in Philadelphia, ticking off a long list of common noncancerous conditions from skin tags to age spots. "But if you're not sure what it is, see your doctor." If it's one of the 3.5 million skin cancers diagnosed in the U.S. each year, the sooner you get treated, the better your chance of being cured. Read on to learn about the changes that can happen to your skin -- and how to protect it.  Read More ›

The Ultimate Summer Skin Guide

Get gorgeous skin from head to toe, with beat-the-heat advice

Your Back and Chest

• Use a body wash with (at least) 2% salicylic acid on these areas—it exfoliates skin without causing inflammation, says Mary Lupo, MD, a dermatologist in New Orleans. Try Proactiv Deep Cleansing Wash, $20, which has botanicals that simultaneously soothe skin.
• Finish treatment with a benzoyl peroxide gel or cream to kill any remaining bacteria. 
  Posted 6/4/2013  6:00:00 AM By: SparkPeople Guest Blogger : 5 comments   3,486 views
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How to Protect Yourself from Arthritis

"I'm too young to feel this old," says Vicki Inman, 41. She's always been very active, but a few years ago this mom of two teen girls was diagnosed with arthritis. "The pain became so severe I felt as if my leg were going to give out." Thankfully, she found a solution in exercise: "I have to do gentle stretches and yoga regularly, otherwise it's painful to walk," says Inman, who's currently based at the U.S. Army Garrison Fort Benning, near Columbus, Georgia, with her husband.  Read More ›

7 Ways to Sleep Better Tonight

I'm a married woman, but there's a guy I've been chasing after for months: the Sandman. I want him desperately some nights -- and then other evenings I push him away. It's completely my fault that he's turned his back on me in bed. Our always-too-short encounters are rarely satisfying because I'm constantly thinking about an errand I forgot to run or a form I need to fill out for my son's school. (Even Overstock.com and Candy Crush Saga come between us.) Yes, in terms of sleep time, I could -- and should -- do better.

And I'm not alone. More than 91 million women don't get the recommended seven to nine hours of shut-eye each night. Those missed zzz's can pack on pounds, steal your good looks, and make you just plain grouchy. That's why Family Circle went to its Facebook page in search of readers so heavy-eyed that they agreed to let sleep experts take a peek into their bedrooms to see what's really robbing them of 40 winks. Here they share what all moms should (and shouldn't) be doing for sounder sleep.  Read More ›

How to Get the Perfect Blowout

Straightening your hair can be less of a hassle with these expert product picks.

Top Hair Tools to Achieve the Maximum Blowout
 
John Frieda Salon Shine Dryer, $40
Use a lightweight ionic dryer with at least 1,800 watts for a sleek style. This one fits the bill.

Goody TangleFix, $9
Gets rid of knots gently and has an easy-to-grip shape.  Read More ›

7 Tests You Should Never Skip

Going to the doctor when you're sick is a no-brainer. But going when you're perfectly fine can be a lifesaver. "People who schedule routine visits get the best preventive services, and that sets the stage for success," says Jonathan Temte, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor of family medicine at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, in Madison. Screening tests are crucial: Your chances of beating virtually any condition are much greater when you catch it in its earliest stages—when it's most treatable or even curable. Use this chart as a guide, but discuss your personal history and specific needs with your doctor.  Read More ›

The Best Cleaning Tips for Every Room

Spray, swipe and sponge your way to a spotless house in no time with these helpful strategies.

SCOUR POWER

Oven:Tackle those charred drips and baked-on blobs. 
 
Racks: Lay them down on newspaper or, even better, place racks inside a large plastic garbage bag and spray with a nontoxic oven cleaner. Let sit, then scrub with a scouring pad, rinse well and dry.

Interior: Zap splatters by running your oven's self-cleaning cycle. If you don't have the feature, Debra Johnson, training manager at Merry Maids, suggests applying a fume-free oven cleaner (like Easy-Off). Give the solution about two hours to do its job, then wipe away the greasy debris with rags or paper towels. Follow with a scouring pad, if needed, and a once-over with a microfiber cloth.  Read More ›

5 Ways to Get What You Want

Find yourself raising the white flag all too often when it comes to having your way? Whether you need more attention from your doctor or require approval from your boss to work from home, claiming victory could be easier than you think, says Elizabeth Lombardo, Ph.D., author of A Happy You (Morgan James Publishing). "The trick is not confusing assertiveness, which is expressing yourself in a kind manner, with aggressiveness, which is expressing yourself but not respecting others," she explains. Get it right, and you'll receive your heart's desire. Get it wrong, and you not only hit a roadblock, but the tension can cause everything from depression and lack of productivity to weight gain, colds and fatigue. We asked doctors, 800-number managers and even restaurant pros to find out how you can become a satisfied customer in the game of life. As the motto goes, it's not what you say but how you say it.  Read More ›

What Your Hands Say about You

Important info about your overall health may literally be at your fingertips. We decode pale nails, puffy fingers, and more.

HANDS

Puffiness: Salty snacks, antibiotics, hot weather and PMS can all bring on bloat. Swelling that doesn't subside after a few days of drinking plenty of fluids, however, could be a sign of a kidney, liver, thyroid or heart problem, so see your doctor.
 
Blue tips: About 5% of the population (mostly women) has Raynaud's disease, a condition brought on by stress or cold temperatures that causes the tips of the fingers, ears, nose or toes to get cold, numb and bluish. Usually it's just a nuisance, but discuss with your doctor if symptoms last more than a half hour.  Read More ›

6 Ways to Increase Your Energy

 Click here for more tips to increase your energy from Family Circle.
 
More from Family Circle:
 

• 14 Natural Energy Boosters
• Stress-Free in an Instant
• 7 Ways to Stay Relaxed Behind the Wheel 

What helps you stay energize throughout the day?

Join our Rise and Shine challenge this April! Read More ›

The Truth about Vision Problems

When do you know whether an over the-counter eye product is the best remedy for you? Get our smart tips on when you should go to the drugstore and when it’s time to set up a doctor’s appointment.

Eyedrops for Dryness

Head to the drugstore if... a particularly windy or dry day is to blame for your irritated eyes. The best drops are preservative-free. See a doctor if... you've been using a product regularly or aren't sure what's giving you trouble. "Some people don't produce enough tears, while others have eyelid disorders," Hawthorne says. "Sometimes only a prescription eyedrop may provide relief."  Read More ›

20-Minute Weeknight Dinners

Simple, great-tasting meals ready in a flash. Just what you need when there's a lot on your plate.
 
Crispy Bean and Cheese Burritos
Makes: 6 servings
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 18 minutes
Get the recipe

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3 Symptoms Your Husband Shouldn’t Ignore

Sleep apnea, which causes severe snoring and stoppage of breathing for at least 10 seconds, may not only lower his sex drive but also increase his risk of high blood pressure and stroke. "When you don't breathe, oxygen levels in your blood drop and stress hormones rise," explains David Volpi, M.D., founder of the Eos Sleep centers in New York, Pennsylvania and California.
 
Too many extra pounds make your guy vulnerable to diabetes and heart disease in addition to decreasing his desire. But you might hesitate to mention his pants size if yours has gone up too.  Read More ›

7 Ways to Beat Stress

It's been a long, long day. You skipped lunch, ran 50 errands, and now you realize that your whole head is aching, you are seriously cranky, and every muscle in your body is sore. Your life, as they say, is out of control. But that doesn't mean you have to suffer. "There's a lot you can do to relieve stress, even in a single moment, if you prepare yourself," says Herbert Benson, M.D., director emeritus, Benson-Henry Institute for Mind-Body Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital. Next time you're feeling frenzied, frustrated, and fed up, try one of our instant serenity tips.  Read More ›

6 Reasons Why You Feel Exhausted

Some days you know exactly why you feel worn out: maybe a curfew-breaking teen kept you up past your bedtime or your coughing kid has you coming down with something. Other days it's a mystery. "So many of my patients come to me saying they're tired and they don't know why," says endocrinologist and metabolic specialist Eva Cwynar, M.D., author of The Fatigue Solution. The reason may be one (or more) of these six energy suckers. If they have you dragging your heels, we've got easy fixes for putting pep back in your step.
 
Drain #1: Skipping Sex
When patients go to Dr. Cwynar complaining of burnout, she always tells them: Have good sex. "Making love boosts your body's production of adrenaline and endorphins -- hormones that increase alertness and energy," says Dr. Cwynar. For a rarin' start to your day, set aside some time in the morning. "I know you're thinking that you have to prepare for work, make your kids their lunches, and it doesn't seem like you can find the time," says Dr. Cwynar. But a quickie before the children wake up can be just as satisfying as a longer session on date night, plus it'll give you the get-up-and-go you're seeking.  Read More ›