Article: If your cat is scratching its ears a lot, if you spot signs of infection, or if the cat's itching has caused it to injure itself, then it needs veterinary care. Make an appointment with your veterinarian and take the cat in. Discuss the cat's symptoms with the veterinarian and allow them to do an exam. After the vet does the exam, discuss your cat's diagnosis. Itchy ears can have a variety of causes, including ear mites, ear infections, and polyps or growths. In severe cases of ear disease, your veterinarian may suggest sedating your cat so that they can do a thorough exam. Your veterinarian may suggest that the cat get its ears cleaned at the veterinary office or by you at home. If you are told to clean them at home, your veterinarian should give you very clear instructions and they should provide you with cleaner or the name of a product they recommend. Use a specific cleaner made for cats' ears. Clean very carefully, as cleaning that is too rough can damage the cat's eardrums or inner ear. Never stick a cotton swab or any other item into your cat's ear canal. Don't clean your cat's ears before taking it to the vet. The vet may need to get a sample of the discharge to determine the cause of the itching. In some cases, cleaning the cat's ears will remove the dirt and debris that was causing irritations, and thus will be all that is needed to treat the itching. If your veterinarian has found polyps or other growths in your cat's ear, they are likely to suggest removal. This type of surgical procedure will require that your cat be put under anesthesia and it will need pre and post surgery care from you. Other procedures your cat may have to undergo at the veterinary office include removal of foreign bodies and stitches to close up wounds or trauma. If you are told to put medicated drops into your cat's ears as part of its treatment, you will need to take care when applying them. Hold your cat on your lap and gently fold back one of its ears with one of your hands. Then use your other hand to quickly drop the prescribed number of drops into your cat's ear. Once the drops are in, fold the ear all the way back over to close up the ear and hold on to your cat. Once the drops are in your cat's ears, you need to be quick about closing up the ear canal and holding onto your cat. If the cat gets away, it will shake its head a lot, which will dislodge the medicine from the ear canal. In addition to drops, your veterinarian may prescribe other medications and provide suggestions for care during recovery. Follow these directions so that your cat cat make a speedy recovery. In many cases, you will need to put a cone on your cat to prevent it from itching its ears and further injuring itself. Your doctor may prescribe oral antibiotics in addition to medicated drops if your cat's infection is especially bad or it has traveled beyond the cat's ears.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Have the cat seen by a veterinarian. Have the cat's ears cleaned. Allow veterinary procedures to be performed. Put drops in your cat's ears. Follow additional treatment suggestions.
Article: Look for a gel or lotion that contains 5% tea tree oil. Alternatively, you may mix 23 drops of undiluted oil in 1 tablespoon (15ml) of a carrier, such as avocado or almond oil. Use a cotton swab to rub the oil directly on your blackheads so it absorbs into your skin. Continue applying the oil on to your skin twice daily until your blackheads go away. You can buy tea tree oil online or from your local drugstore. Tea tree oil is an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant so it works to shrink your blemishes and kill bacteria on your skin. If you have sensitive skin, tea tree oil may cause itching, burning, or redness. If you experience any of these symptoms, stop using the oil and try a different treatment option. Wet a cotton applicator pad with your echinacea extract so it's damp but not dripping wet. Hold the pad against your skin and apply gentle pressure as you massage the extract into your skin until it absorbs completely. Use the echinacea daily until your blackheads or acne disappear. You can purchase echinacea extract online or from your local pharmacy. Echinacea inhibits bacteria that cause inflammation to reduce the size of your blackheads. Soak a cotton ball in hydrogen peroxide and squeeze out any excess. Pat your blackheads with the cotton ball until they're completely covered with the peroxide. Rinse the hydrogen peroxide off after 23 minutes. You may get dry skin if you use hydrogen peroxide, so follow up with a moisturizer. Hydrogen peroxide helps dry up sebum clogging your pores and kills bacteria on your skin. Mix equal parts aloe vera gel and basil essential oils in a small bowl until they're thoroughly combined. Gently rub the mixture into your skin by hand until it absorbs completely. Keep using the mixture until your skin clears up. You can buy aloe gel and basil oil online or from your local drugstore. Aloe and basil both have antioxidants and are anti-inflammatories, so they reduce swelling and eliminate bacteria around your blemishes. Choose a clay mask that contains bentonite since it helps absorb sebum and oil from your skin better. Mix enough water with the clay until you can spread it easily by hand. Rub a thin layer of the clay onto your skin so it completely coats your blackheads. Leave the clay on until it dries completely before rinsing it off with warm water. Look for clay masks online or at your local pharmacy. Only use a clay mask once or twice each week so you don't dry out your skin. Look for a lotion that contains about 3% green tea oil. Use a fingertip-sized amount of lotion and spread it over your skin. Rub the lotion over your blackheads gently until it absorbs into your skin and appears clear. Apply your lotion every day until your blemishes disappear or shrink. You can purchase green tea lotion online or at a drugstore. Green tea has anti-inflammatory properties, so it helps relieve irritation around your blackheads. It also acts as an antiseptic to get rid of bacteria on your skin. A comedone extractor is a small metal tool with a looped end you can use to scoop the blackhead out of your pores. Hold the loop against the blackhead and press it gently into your skin. Apply light pressure and wiggle the loop back and forth to work the blemish out. Lift the tool straight off of your skin to remove the blackhead and oil. Be careful not to press too hard or scrape the tool against your skin since you could cut yourself. You can buy a comedone extractor from your local pharmacy. Using a comedone extractor may be easier if you exfoliate your skin first. Look for a supplement that has about 50 mg of zinc so it's the most effective. Swallow 1 supplement each day with a glass of water so it can absorb into your system. Continue taking zinc supplements until your blackheads clear up. You can buy zinc supplements from your local pharmacy. Zinc may cause bloating or diarrhea. Your body uses zinc to help promote wound healing and it also has anti-inflammatory properties so it can reduce the sizes of your blackheads. Always talk to your doctor before starting new supplements to ensure they won't interact with any conditions or medications you have.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Swab tea tree oil on your blackheads for the most effective treatment. Rub your skin with echinacea extract to help kill acne-causing bacteria. Dab your blackheads with hydrogen peroxide if you have mild acne. Try using aloe gel and basil oil to help shrink your blackheads. Put on a clay mineral mask to help stimulate and open your pores. Apply a green tea lotion if you have inflammation around your blackheads. Clean your pores with a comedone extractor to pull the blackheads out. Take zinc supplements to reduce inflammation and promote healing.