Article: Go through your wardrobe and evaluate the clothes you tend to wear frequently. Make sure that your clothes are loose, comfortable, and breathable, and that they don't feel scratchy or uncomfortable against your skin. Fabrics like cotton and wool are great if you suffer from eczema, but wool may be too scratchy. Always wear clothes that match the weather. If it's especially hot outside, wear cool, moisture-wicking clothes so you don't sweat and irritate your affected skin. Look for all-natural soaps without a lot of extra ingredients. Double-check the product label to make sure there are no perfumes, dyes, or other substances that could irritate your eczema. Keep your nails at a short and smooth length. Don't let your nails grow long or pointy, as they can do a lot of damage if you scratch your skin. If you have a child or infant suffering from eczema, be sure to trim their nails on a regular basis. Eczema mittens might be a good option for babies and infants. If you're suffering from eczema on your arms, legs, or any other area, try pinching a small section of healthy, neighboring skin with your fingers. The discomfort of the pinch will distract you from the itchy skin, which may make you less likely to scratch. If you scratch the eczema too much, you may end up hurting the affected skin.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Wear silk and cotton instead of wool. Switch to soaps that aren't made with perfumes or dyes. Trim your nails so you don't scratch and damage the affected skin. Pinch a healthy area of skin instead of scratching the eczema.
Article: If you made notes or wrote a letter, keep them with you. Do your best to focus on your personal feelings and experiences. If your mom tries to interrupt you, gently say, "I know you have a lot of feelings and questions, but I need to say this." It's okay if you get emotional, rush your words, or forget something. Even if your words don't come out perfectly, you should still be proud of yourself for speaking your truth. After you finish telling your mom that you're gay, say something like, "I know this is a lot to process. I've spent a long time thinking about it myself. Do you have any questions for me? I'll do my best to answer them." Even if your mom appears angry or sad or confused, commit to sitting there with her, even if it's uncomfortable. In the best-case scenario, your mom will be supportive and loving. Even if this happens, she may still have questions! Be sure to give her time. If your mom says she needs time to process what happened, say, "I totally get it. When you're ready, let me know and we can keep talking." It may be hard, but try to not get defensive, angry, or combative. Some things that are obvious to you may not be that way to your mom. For example, if your mom asks, "Is this my fault?" you may want to scream at her that being gay is not a bad thing. If you can, respond calmly with something like, "You've been a great mom and my being gay is just who I am. It isn't because of anything you did or didn't do." You may feel like you've switched roles with your mom. That's a really common phenomenon when a child comes out to their parent. When and how you come out to others should be your decision, so make sure to talk to your mom about keeping your conversation private until you're ready for others to know. If you aren't ready for your grandparents, cousins, or others to know you're gay, ask your mom to keep your news to herself. Try saying something like, "I haven't come out to very many people yet. It's something I'm still working through. Until I'm ready, I'd appreciate it if you could keep this private between us." If you want help telling someone else that you're gay, say something like, "I haven't told dad that I'm gay yet and I'm nervous. How do you think I should do it?" Regardless of how your mom responded, having this conversation was a hard and brave thing for you to do. It's a huge step in your journey and in owning your sexual identity. If the conversation went badly or not how you wanted, it's also okay and normal to feel upset. Talk with your support system, and try to remember that many parents need time (weeks or even months) before they adapt to this new information.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Share honestly about your journey to self-discovery. Ask your mom if she has any questions and tell her you're happy to talk. Respond to comments and questions calmly and with confidence. Set up boundaries for who your mom can share this news with. Be proud of yourself for having a difficult conversation with your mom!
Article: Baking soda is a base and vinegar is an acid, mixing the two causes a chemical reaction which neutralizes any cleansing power the two substances have on their own (which is a lot). It is completely safe to use on your hair and scalp. If you like using essential oils, you can add them to the cleansing solution during this step. A tablespoon of lemon juice will help kill any odors and prevent mildew. It is recommended that you only use this method to clean your locks once every couple of weeks, as the baking soda can make your hair dry and brittle over time. For more regular washings, use a residue-free shampoo. Submerge your dreadlocks into the baking soda solution up to the roots. Soak your locks for up to 10 minutes, or longer if you're in need of a deep clean. As your dreadlocks soak, the baking soda will strip away dirt, oil, debris and other unwanted buildup. If you don't have the time or space needed to soak your dreadlocks, you can mix up the solution and pour it directly over your head for a quick cleanse. Remove your dreadlocks from the baking soda bath and wring out the excess solution. Turn on the faucet or hop in the shower and give your locks a quick rinse to clear away any lingering traces of the baking soda solution or foreign matter. Rinse until the water runs clear. Be sure that your scalp gets some direct exposure to the water as well. The dirt, oil, dead skin and other detritus that's been removed from your hair will be visible in the discoloration of the water. You might be surprised how much cleaner your locks will feel afterwards! Pour this through your locks after rinsing out the baking soda solution. This will neutralize any remaining baking soda, balance the pH of your scalp, and smooth loose hair frizz. You can leave this in (any vinegar smell will dissipate as it dries) or rinse it out. Give your dreadlocks ample time to dry. If you're in a hurry, use a hair dryer on the ends and shafts of your locks and allow your roots to finish air drying. Your dreadlocks should be dry before you cover them with a hat, tam or scarf. Otherwise, these items will trap remaining moisture in the locks and make it harder for it to escape. Squeeze as much water out of your locks as you can before letting them air dry or trying other drying methods. Wrapping your dreadlocks in a dry towel can help draw water out of them at a faster rate.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
DO NOT mix together the baking soda and vinegar. In a sink or wash basin, dissolve cup of baking soda in a few inches of warm water. Soak your dreadlocks for 5-10 minutes. Rinse with cool water. Have ready a large bottle of water and vinegar, mixed at a 3:1 ratio, enough to rinse over your scalp and lightly through your dreads. Towel or air dry.