Problem: Article: If your itching doesn't subside after a week or you become very uncomfortable, see your doctor. The doctor may prescribe oral medications, steroid creams, or light therapy for your itching. See your doctor if: you're so uncomfortable that it disrupts your sleep or ability to function daily, your skin is painful, self-care and home remedies haven't worked, or you suspect your skin is infected. Applying a calamine lotion or non-prescription anti-itch cream can relieve the symptoms of itching. You can purchase these creams at grocery and drug stores both in-store and online. A nonprescription anti-itch, or hydrocortisone, cream, can help relieve itching. Make sure to purchase a cream with at least 1% hydrocortisone. Look for anti-itch creams that contain camphor, menthol, phenol, pramoxine and benzocaine Apply these creams to your hands and feet before you moisturize your skin. Your doctor may also suggest applying the cream to the affected area and then covering it with a moist bandage to help your skin absorb the cream more effectively. Follow the specific product instructions for how often you can use the cream on your skin. These drugs can neutralize allergens and help relieve itching and skin inflammation. There are many different over the counter antihistamines that are available at drug and grocery stores both in store and online. Chlorpheniramine is available in 2mg and 4mg. You can take 4mg every 4 to 6 hours. Don't exceed 24mg per day. Diphenhydramine is Available in 25mg and 50mg. You can take 25mg every 4 to 6 hours. Don't exceed 300mg per day. These drugs often have the added benefit of sedative effects, which can help if you are having trouble sleeping. There is evidence that selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, may help relieve pruritis. Talk to your doctor about this option if other treatments aren't working. Common SSRIs used to treat skin itching are fluoxetine and sertraline. When the itching is not relieved by applying an over the counter topical corticosteroid, your doctor may prescribe either a stronger topical or oral corticosteroid such as prednisone. Oral steroids can have serious side effects when used long term. Continue to moisturize your skin while using oral and topical corticosteroids. Not only will they keep your skin hydrated, but they may help prevent itching when you discontinue use of the steroids. When no other treatment works, get a calcineurin inhibitor cream that can help repair your skin. These drugs, which include tacrolimus and pimecrolimus, can help maintain normal skin and minimize itching. Calcineurin inhibitors directly affect the immune system and come with potential side effects including kidney problems, high blood pressure and headaches. These drugs are prescribed only when other treatments have failed and are approved for anyone over the age of two. A doctor may prescribe multiple sessions phototherapy (light therapy) to help relieve your itchy. This very effective treatment can be as simple as limited sun exposure to using artificial light, though it does not come without risk factors. Phototherapy exposes the skin to controlled amounts of natural sunlight or artificial ultraviolet A (UVA) and narrow band UVB. This treatment can be used alone with in conjunction with medications. Light exposure increases your risk for premature aging and skin cancer.
Summary: Visit your doctor. Apply calamine lotion or anti-itch cream. Ingest over-the-counter oral antihistamines. Consider taking antidepressants. Rub prescription corticosteroids into itchy areas. Use a calcineurin inhibitor cream. Undergo light therapy.

Problem: Article: Before you jump straight into distressing, run a sanding block or sheet of high-grit sandpaper over the entire piece. A thorough sanding will open up the pores in the wood and help the paint hold better. This translates to a longer-lasting finish that, ironically, will have no problem standing the test of time. Sand with a gentle circular motion, starting in a central spot and gradually working your way outward. Fold the sandpaper over squared edges and slide the entire sheet back and forth using smooth strokes. A shade like white, eggshell or opal will work best. Don't get too heavy-handed with the first coatyou just need to get the paint onto the piece, not achieve total coverage. Work the base coat into corners, grooves and other hard-to-reach areas using the tip of your brush. Lighter colors will be more visible under additional coats of paint, enhancing the effect. Leave the painted piece in a cool, dry place as it dries. This will usually take 8-10 hours, but you might want to wait up to 24 hours to ensure that the paint has had ample time to set. Once it has fully cured, you can move onto the next phase of the project. Avoid handling the painted wood while it dries. If you'd rather show off the natural wood grain than a separate layer of paint, feel free to skip straight to the distressing phase. Choose a bolder color for the topcoat that will stand in contrast to the lighter base coat underneath. This time, paint the entire piece. Use multiple coats to reach the desired depth and smoothness. Change up the direction of your strokes to work the paint into tiny crevices and other textured areas. To underscore the vintage aesthetic, go with a topcoat in a faded-looking pastel shade, such as brick red, powder yellow or robin's egg blue. Wet a rag or soft kitchen scrubber and wring out the excess water. Use the rag or scrubber to smudge the paint while it's still slightly sticky to the touch. Doing so will expose the lighter paint underneath, which creates the illusion that the piece has been repainted over the years. Work slowly and rub the paint with minimal pressure to avoid taking off too much paint at once. If you accidentally remove more paint than you intended, simply brush on a fresh coat and start over. For a more exaggerated finish, you can also use high-grit sandpaper after the paint has dried.
Summary: Sand the wooden surface lightly. Paint the piece in a light color. Allow the base coat to dry completely. Brush on a second coat of paint. Wipe the paint with a damp cloth.

Problem: Article: . Don't wear headphones or look down at your phone screen when you're walking through the forest. Keep your head up and pay attention to what's going on around you. You're less likely to startle a wild animal if you notice them from a distance first. If you see tracks, be on alert for nearby animals. If the tracks are heading in the same direction you're walking in, change directions or turn back. Never approach wild animals or attempt to feed them. If you encounter an animal, appreciate from a distance that you're getting to see them in their natural environment. Most wild animals are just as afraid of humans as you are of them, and they won't attack unless provoked. Don't scream or make high-pitched noises. Avoid running away or you could trigger the animal to chase you. Calmly back away from the animal until it's out of sight. Never approach a baby animal in the wild, even if it appears to be alone. The baby animal's mother is likely nearby. Wild animals are more likely to attack if they perceive you as a threat to their babies. If you're really worried about a baby animal, leave the area and contact a park ranger or local official. . Never feed animals in the wild. Don't litter food scraps in the forest or you could attract wild animals. If you eat something while you're camping or hiking, pack any food scraps or trash in your backpack and carry it with you. You can also put food waste in a trash bag and tie the bag to a high tree branch. Look for trail markers so you don't accidentally wander off the trail. Wild animals are less likely to be on trails because of all the foot traffic. Watch out for fire ants and bee hives. Avoid swimming in areas with alligators. Know what to do if an elephant charges at you in the forest. Staying alert and being prepared will keep you safe in most encounters with wild forest animals.
Summary:
Be aware of your surroundings Keep an eye out for animal tracks. Keep your distance if you see an animal. Remain calm if an animal notices you. Don't bother baby animals. Keep your food away from wild animals Stay on the trail when you're hiking. Be mindful of other dangerous animals.