Problem: Article: In addition to ruling out other skin issues, your veterinarian may want to perform advanced diagnostics to determine what's causing the skin allergy. After drawing a blood sample, your veterinarian will send it to a diagnostic lab that will screen it for antibodies to different antigens (a substance causing an allergic response), such as pollen or dust mites. Unfortunately, blood tests can sometimes produce false positive results, meaning the test indicates your dog is allergic to something that he is really not. Blood testing is not as accurate as intradermal skin testing. Also, results can take up to 2 weeks. For intradermal skin testing, your veterinarian will inject small amounts of various allergens into your dog's skin and watch for a skin reaction. First, he or she will shave a postcard-sized patch of your dog's fur and make several rows of dots on the skin with a pen or marker. These dots will be where your veterinarian injects the allergens. Your dog will be sedated for the procedure. After the injection, your veterinarian will monitor the skin reaction for 15 to 20 minutes and grade it according to the redness and size of the injection site. Swelling at the injection site indicates a possible allergy. Intradermal skin testing is more accurate than blood testing, but false results can occur for a number of reasons, including bacterial or fungal contamination of the allergen, too little antigen injected, and poor injection technique. Your veterinarian may want to take a skin biopsy to diagnose your Golden Retriever's skin allergy. A skin biopsy is an invasive procedure, so your dog would need to be anesthetized. With all of the other diagnostic options available, it is not very likely your veterinarian will recommend a skin biopsy.
Summary: Analyze a blood sample. Perform intradermal skin testing. Take a skin biopsy.

Problem: Article: Use a gentle shampoo and conditioner as flat-ironing hair may cause damage to your hair. Shampooing and conditioning will remove unwanted oil and product build-up from your hair. Look for shampoo and conditioner products that are sulfate-free and jam packed with glycerin. Glycerin helps reduce frizz as it penetrates hair follicles, hydrating hair from the inside out. The closer glycerin is to the front of the ingredients list, the more it contains. Use a gentle shampoo and a smoothing conditioner. Straightening can be damaging to hair, even if your hair is thick and curly, so gentle products are important. When leaving in the conditioner in the shower, use a paddle brush to comb through your hair. This will help with the smoothening process while in the shower. Co-washing means washing your hair with only conditioner. Hair that's thick or curly is prone to more dryness than average hair. If your hair is very dry and frizzy, you should try co-washing your hair before straightening it. Your hair may benefit from being co-washed a few times a week. Shampoo can remove a lot of the natural moisture from hair. Using conditioner may reduce your hair's dryness. As straightening your hair can cause it to dry out, co-washing may be very helpful for someone with thick or curly hair. To co-wash your hair, saturate your hair with water. Then, massage in your chosen conditioner. Give your hair three to five minutes to absorb the conditioner and then wash it out. Do not rub! Wet hair is very weak and prone to damage. Blot the hair gently, and lightly wring the ends to soak-up moisture. Dry until it is slightly damp. Pat the hair downwards to promote straightening. Towel-drying in different directions enhances curls. Allow your hair to dry 90% of the way before you blow-dry. Concentrated hot air can frizz your hair. If you don't have either, use a small amount of the conditioner or a dime-sized amount of olive oil. These coat your hair to prevent the intense heat from causing split ends. Don't overdo it. Too much leave-in conditioner can make your hair limp instead of straight. Wash your hair with only conditioner twice a week to keep from washing away natural hair oils. Use argan oil for thick hair.
Summary:
Wash your hair with shampoo and conditioner to rinse away the dirt. Co-wash if your hair is particularly dry. Gently pat your hair dry with a towel to reduce friction. Apply a leave-in conditioner or hydrating formula to prevent damage to your hair.