Healthy Note

Did you know that Silver can relieve those nasty itchy rashes?

Apparently it's true! Medical experts from Minneapolis claim that silver jewellery can help stop itching as some of the metals in jewellery can trigger a condition called allergic contact dermatitis. The ailment is more common in women and can develop even after years of wearing the same jewellery with no reaction.

In determining what metal or chemical provokes the allergic reaction, physicians can administer patch tests.

Nickel, a metal often present in gold and other metal jewellery, is the most common cause of allergic contact dermatitis from jewellery. Silver is a good substitute, as is stainless steel, which contains nickel but does not trigger reactions in nickel-sensitive people.

So if rashes plague your ear, wrist or neck - head for the silver cabinet!

Do you suffer from dry mouth?

If you are prone to a constant dry mouth, you could actually be damaging the health of your teeth. Saliva normally helps prevent tooth decay by eradicating food and plaque from your teeth. To help relieve a dry mouth, try sucking on sugar-free hard candy. It is best to avoid lemon candy as it makes saliva acidic and increases the risk of tooth decay.

Sugar-free gum is another alternative, especially one that contains the cavity-combating ingredient Xylitol. Drink water regularly and try over-the-counter saliva substitutes.

Add moisture to the air with a room vaporizer and breathe through your nose instead of your mouth.

If medication is causing the dryness, ask your doctor for a substitute or inquire about other medications that stimulate saliva production.

- Annemarie Failla