Because calluses are your body's defense mechanism for preventing irritation to sensitive skin, you may be able to get rid of your callus by simply reducing the friction when you write. Relax your grip on the pen or pencil when you write. If you are squeezing too hard, it is likely that the pen or pencil is digging into your skin and rubbing. Take short breaks while you write and stretch your hands to remind yourself not to cramp up and grip the pen or pencil too tightly. This will cushion the skin and prevent the pen or pencil from rubbing directly on your skin. If it is too warm to comfortably wear a thin glove, protect just the area with the callus by wearing a Band-Aid or moleskin over the callus when you write. You can create a donut-shaped pad by folding the moleskin in half and cutting a half circle out of it. Then apply the moleskin donut around the callus. This will reduce the pressure on the callus. Or alternatively, you can put the moleskin on the pen or pencil to make it softer. Keep your hand submerged until the skin around the callus becomes wrinkled and then gently massage the callus. These methods will help soften and exfoliate the callus. You can try them all until you find the one that works the best for you. Soak for at least 10 minutes to get the best results. Soak your callus in warm water with Epsom salt dissolved into it. Follow the directions on the box to adjust the concentration of salt to water. Create a solution of warm water and baking soda. Baking soda is a natural exfoliant. Or alternatively, soak your hand in warm chamomile tea. Chamomile has anti-inflammatory properties which will soothe irritation from the pen or pencil rubbing. You can also try a warm mixture of castor oil and apple cider vinegar. The oil will have a moisturizing effect and the acid in the vinegar will help soften the skin and promote healing. This should not cause pain because the skin is already dead. Do not grind down so deeply that you hit sensitive, live skin underneath. You may need to do this repeatedly over several days. Do not use a pumice stone if you have diabetes because it increases your risk of infection. Do not cut or clip the callus away as this increases your chances of going too deep and injuring yourself. Gently massage the moisturizer into the callus and surrounding skin. You can use commercially manufactured moisturizers or various home-remedies including: Vitamin E oil Coconut oil Olive Oil Aloe. Aloe can be applied using either a commercially prepared mixture, or if you have a plant in your house, you can split open a leaf and apply the soothing, gooey gel directly onto the callus. These substances can be held in place against the callus with a bandage. Leave them on for at least a few hours or even overnight to give them time to work. Some things you can try include: Lemon juice, soaked into a cotton ball Vinegar, soaked into a cotton ball A slice of raw onion, soaked in lemon juice and salt or vinegar

Summary: Reduce the amount of stress you put on your fingers when you write. Provide extra protection for your hand by wearing a soft glove or using moleskin as padding. Take a bath and soak your hand in the warm soapy water to help soften the thick protective layer of dead skin. Use natural remedies to soak your hand. Rub the dead skin away with a nail file, emery board, pumice stone, or washcloth. Apply moisturizers to soften the callus. Use naturally acidic household substances to soften the callus and loosen the dead skin.

After making the bechamel sauce, add a few cups of cheddar cheese, whisking until it is melted. Pour the cheese over cooked macaroni noodles, then transfer to a baking dish. Top with more shredded cheese and bake in the oven until the top is bubbly and brown. Pour the bechamel sauce over thinly sliced potatoes and diced green onions in a baking dish. Top with grated Parmesan cheese. Bake in the oven until the potatoes are crispy and the sauce and cheese are bubbling. Mix the bechamel sauce with beaten eggs, cheese and spices. Pour into a souffle dish and bake until the top browns and puffs.

Summary: Make macaroni and cheese. Make potato gratin. Make a cheese souffle.

Your doctor can run a blood or urine test to check the mercury levels in your body. Make an appointment to see your general practitioner, and explain that you'd like them to perform a blood or urine test to check your mercury levels. A mercury blood level test is more appropriate for checking someone after a suspected acute exposure to mercury, while a 24-hour urine mercury level test is better for checking someone for low-grade or long-term exposure to mercury, such as from mercury exposure on the job. Mercury serves no role in the human body, so technically there shouldn't be any mercury in your bloodstream. However, studies have shown that amounts of mercury greater than 85 micrograms per liter (g/L) pose harm. You can get home tests for mercury, but it is recommended that you undergo professional medical testing if you have serious concerns about poisoning. People who work in industrial settings or who have been tasked with cleaning up mercury spills have the highest risk of coming down with mercury poisoning. If you suspect that you may have been inhaling mercury and have noted some problematic symptoms, describe them to your doctor. Common symptoms that emerge shortly after contracting mercury poisoning include: Vomiting and nausea Shaky hands Stomach cramps and diarrhea Tightness in your chest and coughing Chelation therapy is the primary form of medical treatment used to remove mercury (and other heavy metals) from the body. This may be indicated if your mercury level from a blood or 24-hour urine test is above 100 mcg/L or if you are showing symptoms of mercury poisoning. During chelation therapy, your doctor will give you drugs that bind to the mercury in your bloodstream and allow your body to pass the mercury out through urine. Some of the medications are taken via oral capsule, and others are injected intravenously. The most common chelation treatment is with a synthetic amino acid injection. Drugs that have been medically approved for use in chelation therapy in the U.S. include dimercaprol (BAL), succimer, deferoxamine, edetate calcium disodium, and penicillamine. If you have seriously high levels of mercury in your body, your doctor may advise that you receive a high dosage of chelating drugs. Some of these drugs can have serious and unpleasant side effects. If you're going to be receiving a heavy dosage of a chelating drug, talk with your doctor and make sure you're willing to experience the side effects. Side effects of, for example, the drug deferoxamine include lung injuries or infections and very low blood pressure. If you're concerned about the side effects, ask your doctor if they can prescribe you one of the milder chelating drugs or see if they can start you off on a lower dosage. Chelation therapy is the only medical method to counteract mercury poisoning. Although some of the side effects may seem severe, they are much better than living with mercury poisoning!
Summary: Make a doctor's appointment to have your mercury levels tested. Tell your doctor if you have any symptoms of mercury poisoning. Undergo chelation therapy if your mercury levels are dangerously high. Discuss chelation's side effects with your doctor before treatment.