• 2019 CollectionBig
  • Big
  • season
    sale
  • Buy now
  • 75%
  • Sports wear
  1. Home . To Your Health

To Your Health Blog

How Often Should I Clean My Water Bottle?

    Water is essential for all life. Up to 60% of the human adult body is water, and we need to stay well-hydrated throughout the day to ensure our bodies reach peak performance. One way to m...

   

Water is essential for all life. Up to 60% of the human adult body is water, and we need to stay well-hydrated throughout the day to ensure our bodies reach peak performance.

One way to make sure you are well-hydrated is carrying a reusable water bottle. Reusable water bottles have many benefits. First, they are more environmentally friendly than using single-use plastic water bottles. According to Earth Day Network, one reusable water bottle saves an average of 156 disposable plastic bottles per year. Reusable water bottles also don’t contain many of the chemicals and toxins found in disposable plastic. Lastly, when you carry a reusable water bottle with you to your meetings or daily activities, you will likely see an increase in your sipping throughout your day.

While it may take a little extra time to clean a reusable water bottle, knowing how many single-use plastic bottles you are saving from the landfill is fulfilling and worth the extra few minutes it takes to scrub your reusable water bottle. You want to make sure you are giving your bottle a proper cleaning to remove any bacteria and germs that have accumulated. Every time we take a sip from our water bottles, bacteria, germs, saliva and food from your mouth go back into the bottle. Back wash is a real thing, people! Even if you are only consuming water, you should try to wash your bottle once a day to rid it of any lingering bacteria or germs. Here are five tips to make sure your reusable water bottle is staying squeaky clean and you get the longest life out of it.

  1. Hand wash your water bottle at the end of every day with warm water and soap. When you finish cleaning it, place the bottle upside down on a towel or mat to drain any remaining liquid until you use it again.
  2. If your bottle has a straw or valve mouth piece, be sure to clean those parts too with warm water and soap. Many stores sell specialized brushes to clean the inside of these small parts.
  3. Check to see if your bottle is dishwasher safe. If it is, the hot temperatures of the dishwasher can offer a more thorough cleaning.
  4. A solution of warm water and bleach is also a great option for more intense degerming. Let your bottle soak for 15 minutes before rinsing it thoroughly with warm water. This is a good option if you are drinking other liquids like sport drinks, coffee or juice. The solution will help remove any remaining residue.
  5. If you notice an odor in your bottle, try using a solution of vinegar and water. Vinegar is a natural disinfectant and deodorizer. Fill your bottle one-fourth full of vinegar and fill the rest with water. Allow this solution to sit overnight. The next more, rinse your bottle thoroughly with warm water.

You should also take note of when it is time to replace your reusable water bottle. If your bottle develops any cracks, throw the bottle out. The cracks are hard to clean, and bacteria and viruses can linger in these spots. Also, if you notice your bottle has an odor even after cleaning it or using the water-vinegar solution, it is probably ready to toss.

What’s better than having a reusable water bottle? Having a reusable water bottle that tracks how much you are drinking! The HydraCoach Watter Bottle is the world’s first water bottle to calculate hydration needs, measure consumption (you can refill any amount without resetting the counter), pace you throughout the day and motivate you to achieve your goal and maintain optimal hydration. Stop by an Ochsner O Bar for a full demo on the HydraCoach and other gadgets!

shop sun safety products find a dermatologist

Skincare Tips For Cold Weather

Cold weather, dry air and indoor heating can take a toll on your skin and can flare existing dermatologic disorders, such as eczema. There is even a certain type of eczema, asteatotic eczema, that ...

Cold weather, dry air and indoor heating can take a toll on your skin and can flare existing dermatologic disorders, such as eczema. There is even a certain type of eczema, asteatotic eczema, that is also known as “winter itch.” This winter itch is identified by dry, cracked and scaling skin and inflammation. It is important to focus on moisturizing during the winter to minimize winter skin dryness. For better winter skincare, you may need to adjust your routine.

Winter Skin Care Tips to Prevent Dry Winter Skin

  • Limit baths and showers to once daily, less than 10 minutes long, and use warm (not hot) water.
  • Wash with a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser (my favorites are Vanicream Gentle Body Wash, Dove Sensitive Skin Body Wash, and Cetaphil Ultra Gentle Fragrance Free Body Wash).
  • Gently pat dry and apply your moisturizer within three minutes of bathing. Reapply moisturizer at least twice daily.
  • Ointments and creams are more effective than lotions.

Tips for Eczema Patients

  • Apply moisturizer more often.
  • Apply moisturizer after every bath, shower and hand washing.
  • Moisturize immediately before bed.
  • Use an ointment. It holds more water in the skin and reduces the risk of irritating the skin. My favorite: Vaniply Ointment and CeraVe Healing Ointment.
  • Ask your dermatologist if you should use occlusion (applying medicine and then covering with plastic or a bandage) to help very dry skin
  • Dress in natural, breathable fabrics like 100% cotton. Wool and synthetic fibers like acrylic and polyester can irritate the skin.
  • Avoid overheating by dressing in layers that are easily removable.
  • Limit time spent near radiators, heating vents and fireplaces.

Tips for Chapped Lips

  • Your lip care products should not burn or sting.Do not mistake burning/stinging/tingling with application of your product as a sign that it is working. If that happens, it means you are irritating your lips.
  • Apply lip balm or moisturizer several times a day and before bed. A thick ointment to seal in water is best (white petroleum jelly).
  • Apply lip balm with SPF 30 or higher (titanium oxide or zinc oxide) before going outside. While outside, apply every two hours.
  • My favorites: Tizo Lip Protection SPF 45 and EltaMD UV Lip Balm Broad-Spectrum SPF 31
  • Drink plenty of water.
  • Stop licking, biting, and picking at your lips. When you catch yourself licking, apply lip balm instead!
  • Use a humidifier at home.
  • See a board-certified dermatologist if these recommendations don’t improve your chapped lips in two to three weeks.

Don’t Use These Ingredients When Your Lips Are Chapped

  • Camphor
  • Flavoring (especially cinnamon, citrus, mint, peppermint)
  • Fragrance
  • Eucalyptus
  • Lanolin
  • Menthol
  • Octinoxate or oxybenzone (chemical sunscreens)
  • Phenol (or phenyl)
  • Propyl gallate
  • Salicylic acid

Do Use These ingredients to Help Chapped Lips

  • Ceramides
  • Dimethicone
  • Mineral oil
  • Petrolatum
  • Titanium oxide or zinc oxide (physical sunscreens)
  • White petroleum jelly

Tips For Preventing Frostbite

Going skiing or planning to travel to colder climates? It is critical to protect your skin from the cold when the temperature dips below freezing. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends dressing in loose, light, comfortable layers to help trap warm air.

  • The first layer should be made of a synthetic material. This will help wick moisture away from your body.
  • The next layer should be insulating, such as wool and fleece.
  • The top layer should be windproof and waterproof.
  • Protect your feet and toes by wearing two pairs of socks. 
  • The first pair should be made of moisture-wicking fabric.
  • Place a pair of wool or wool-blend socks on top of those.
  • Your boots should be waterproof and cover your ankles.
  • Protect your head and ears by wearing a heavy wool or fleece hat. 
  • You may need to cover your face with a scarf.
  • Wear insulated mittens or gloves to protect your hands.
  • Make sure snow cannot get inside of your boots or clothes, as wet clothing increases the risk of frostbite.
  • It is also important to keep yourself hydrated.
  • Finally, recognize the symptoms of frostbite. The first signs of frostbite include redness and a stinging, burning, throbbing or prickling sensation followed by numbness.
  • If you experience these symptoms, go inside immediately. Try to gradually bring feeling back into the body.
  • Do not rub frostbitten skin or submerge your hands or feet directly into hot water.
  • Use warm water or a warm washcloth. If you do not feel sensation returning, or if the skin turns gray, go to an emergency room immediately.

10 Foods and Beverages to Avoid If You Are Pregnant

Finding out you are going to be a mom will be one of the most exciting moments of your life. To ensure you have a healthy pregnancy and baby, it is very important to eat a nutritious and well-balan...

Finding out you are going to be a mom will be one of the most exciting moments of your life. To ensure you have a healthy pregnancy and baby, it is very important to eat a nutritious and well-balanced diet. Maintain a healthy diet throughout pregnancy by eating grains, fruits, vegetables, dairy products, meats, and beans. Eat small frequent meals throughout the day and NEVER skip breakfast.

In addition to foods you should eat, there are a group of foods you should avoid while pregnant. Here are 10 food and beverages you should avoid during your pregnancy:

  1. Foods high in mercury such as shark, swordfish, king mackerel, tuna and tilefish. High levels of mercury can be toxic, and when consumed during pregnancy, it has been linked to developmental delays and brain damage. Canned tuna has less mercury levels than fresh tuna. Limit any canned tuna and salmon intake to once per week.
  2. Raw fish and shellfish such as sushi, oysters, clams and scallops. Under cooked or raw fish and shellfish can contain harmful viruses and bacteria like Norovirus, Vibrio, Salmonella, and Listeria. Some of these may only affect the mother and cause an upset stomach, diarrhea and dehydration, while others may affect the baby too and cause harmful, sometime fatal, consequences.
  3. Raw eggs. Raw eggs can contain Salmonella, so avoid anything that may contain them such as homemade Caesar dressings, mayonnaise, homemade ice cream or custards and hollandaise sauce.
  4. Raw meat and pate. Raw meat and pate can contain harmful bacteria, viruses and parasites such as coliform bacteria, Toxoplasmosis and Salmonella. These can all cause mom to become very sick and can cause even more harmful consequences to an unborn baby including severe neurological disorders, intellectual disabilities, blindness and epilepsy. Always use a meat thermometer to make sure you are cooking all your meat to the proper temperature. 
  5.  Packaged meat like deli meats or hot dogs. These types of meat have been known to carry Listeria, which can cause a miscarriage. If you are craving deli meat during your pregnancy, you should reheat your deli meat until it is steaming.
  6. Soft unpasteurized cheese such as brie, Gouda, Gorgonzola, Roquefort, feta and Mexican-style cheese like Queso Fresco. These types of imported, soft cheeses may contain Listeria which can be harmful to mom and life threatening to an unborn baby. Pregnant women should only eat pasteurized cheese.
  7. Unwashed produce. Produce can contain a host of bacteria and parasites such as Toxoplasma, E. Coli, Salmonella and Listeria all of which can harm your unborn baby. Make sure you thoroughly wash all your produce or peel the skin prior to consuming.
  8. Unpasteurized milk and juice. Like soft cheeses, unpasteurized milk and juice can lead to food borne illnesses because they can contain Listeria. Make sure all milk and juice products you are consuming are pasteurized.
  9. Excess caffeine. Caffeine intake should be limited to 200 milligrams per day. One 8-ounce cup of coffee contains about 95 milligrams of caffeine. Caffeine is absorbed quickly, and it can pass through the placenta. High levels of caffeine have been shown to restrict fetal growth and increase the risk of low birth weight. Try to drink no more than 2 cups of coffee a day.
  10. Alcohol. Women who are pregnant should completely avoid alcohol during their pregnancy due to risks of miscarriages or still births. Large consumptions of alcohol can also lead to developmental issues in your baby’s brain, and it can cause fetal alcohol syndrome which can cause facial deformities, heart defects and intellectual disabilities.

Having good diet during your pregnancy is essential. To ensure you are avoiding any unnecessary risks, avoid all foods listed. Continue to consult your Ochsner OB/GYN on your diet throughout your pregnancy. Keep them up to date with any changes in your eating habits.