Using a commercial bait is a very effective way to kill black ants. Ants are attracted to the bait, which is a mixture of poison and a sweet substance. The ants eat some bait and bring some back to the nest, where the rest of the colony is also exposed to the poison. Over the course of one or two life cycles, the ants will be destroyed. If you decide to use bait, be sure you take the precaution of making sure that there are no children or pets in the area. Commercial ant bait is available in hardware stores for about $4 per box. Follow the instructions on the packaging to get the bait traps ready, then place them on your countertops, in corners and in any other areas where you frequently see ants gather. If possible, place a trap in front of an ant trail. Different types of bait traps require different preparation. Some traps require you to place a few drops of bait on pieces of cardboard, then place the cardboard around your house. Other traps simply require peeling back a plastic wrapper and setting out the traps. Bait traps take a little longer to work than spraying and other methods of killing ants, but they are ultimately much more effective. Over the course of a few days, the ants will carry the bait back to their nest and poison the rest of the colony. In the meantime, make sure your house is clean of other food sources so that the ants eat the bait, not crumbs or sticky spots in your kitchen. If you want to make doubly sure the ants are gone for good, you can spray a pesticide as well. Purchase a store formula, mix up the contents based on the instructions, place the solution in a sprayer and spray the infested rooms. You may also apply the solution to the perimeter of your home to keep ants from coming inside. Make sure that children and pets stay away from the sprayed areas, since they can become ill if they ingest the chemicals. You can also purchase an aerosol spray to apply directly on the black ants. These are usually indoor formulas that work well in areas like your kitchen. Apply the spray anywhere you see ants, and any cracks and/or crevices that you see them crawl into. This method usually leads to immediate death so sweep up any dead ants and dispose of them properly. If you spray in an area that children or pets may be in, be sure to adequately wipe down and clean the area so no one gets sick from the spray.

Summary: Buy commercial ant bait. Place the bait traps in the affected areas. Wait a few days for the traps to work. Try spraying with a pesticide.

Any person can experience malabsorption, but certain factors can increase your risk of having problems with this condition. Being aware of your risk can help you recognize and treat it effectively. If your body doesn't produce certain digestive enzymes, you may be at risk for developing malabsorption. Congenital and/or structural defects and diseases of the intestinal tract, pancreas, gallbladder, and liver may increase your risk for malabsorption. Inflammation, infection and injury to your intestinal tract may increase your risk for malabsorption. Removal of portions of your intestine may also contribute to the condition. Radiation therapy can put you at risk for malabsorption. Certain conditions and diseases such as HIV, cancer, chronic liver disease, Crohn's disease, and celiac disease can put you at greater risk for malabsorption. The use of certain antibiotics, including tetracycline and cholestyramine, and drugs such as laxatives can increase your risk for malabsorption. If you have recently traveled to Southeast Asia, the Caribbean, India, or other countries that commonly face intestinal parasite problems, you may have been infected by a parasite that causes malabsorption. Malabsorption has many different symptoms that can range from mild to severe and are different depending on what nutrients your body has failed to absorb. Identifying potential symptoms that you have can help you get effective treatment as soon as possible. Gastrointestinal issues such as chronic diarrhea, bloating, cramping, and flatulence are the most common symptoms. There may also be excessive fat in your stools, causing them to change in color and become more bulky. Changes in weight, especially weight loss, is a common symptom. Fatigue and weakness may accompany malabsorption. Anemia or excess bleeding are symptoms of malabsorption. Anemia can be a result of lack of vitamin B12, folate or iron. Insufficient vitamin K may cause excessive bleeding. Dermatitis and night blindness can indicate inadequate absorption of vitamin A. Cardiac arrhythmias, or irregular heart rhythms, may be present due to inadequate levels of potassium and other electrolytes. Watching your bodily functions closely if you suspect you have malabsorption. This can help you not only help you more easily identify symptoms, but may help you diagnose the condition and get proper treatment in a timely manner. Pay attention to stools that are light in color, soft, bulky, and abnormally foul-smelling. These stools may also be difficult to flush or may stick to the sides of the toilet bowl. Notice if your belly swells or you have flatulence after eating certain foods. You may experience edema, a swelling of the legs, ankles, or feet caused by fluid retention. Malabsorption can keep your body from thriving. This can occur in adults but is most common in children. Children who are at risk are often smaller and weigh less than children the same age and sex. Structural weaknesses such as brittle bones and weak muscles can occur from the condition. Paying attention to changes in your bones, muscles, or even hair can help you diagnose and get treatment for malabsorption. The child's hair may become abnormally dry and they may lose more of it than normal. You may notice that the child is not growing or that their muscles are not developing. You may even notice that their muscles are getting weaker. Pain in the child's bones or muscles, or even neuropathy (numbness in the extremities), can be a sign of certain types of malabsorption.

Summary: Familiarize yourself with the risk factors for malabsorption. Identify potential symptoms. Observe your bodily functions. Pay attention to structural weakness.

In medical studies, nearly half of the population has been shown to have characteristics of sensitive skin. These include redness and/or abnormal stinging, tingling, or burning sensations that occur in response to certain triggers (which can vary from person to person). If you have very sensitive skin with redness and bumps, particularly if you are a woman over 20, you may have a common skin condition called rosacea. This skin condition is also common in people who have had acne. There are several subtypes of rosacea, so it's best to see a dermatologist if your skin is very sensitive and prone to redness. Triggers are highly variable between people, and it takes experience to find out what causes your skin to become irritated (it will be different for each person). Triggers may include: particular weather (such as sun, heat, wind, and/or cold) certain cosmetics certain soaps stress your menstrual cycle (for females), although this one cannot be avoided. Using the wrong products can worsen your sensitive skin, so it is best to get a handle on what works for you before attempting to add acne treatments. Avoid products that contain alcohol, menthol, or "exfoliating" agents. These can irritate skin and make acne worse. In general, using fewer products on your skin is better. Look for products that are labeled "hypoallergenic" at the drug store or pharmacy. Or, ones with fewer ingredients (and more natural ingredients) tend to be a better bet. Always observe the response of your skin to various cosmetics and soaps. Go by trial and error and eliminate those that cause you trouble.
Summary: Understand that sensitive skin is very common. Identify what triggers your sensitive skin, and avoid these whenever whenever possible. Select appropriate cosmetics and skin care agents for your skin.