6 Ways to Control Flea-Infestation on Cats
Fleas can cause a variety of health problems to our pet cats, including anemia, hair loss, and itchy skin; and can even carry harmful tapeworms. Keep your feline friend free of fleas by keeping in mind these flea-control tips.
- Vacuum the Environment
Frequently vacuuming at home helps reduce environmental infestation. Even though it’s time-consuming, all soft furnishings such as carpets and couches should be vacuumed. Vacuum bags should be disposed properly as well to prevent collected flea from continuing to develop in the premises.
- Kill Remaining Fleas and Eggs
Use a product that will kill the remaining fleas and stop the development of larvae and eggs. You’ll need something that contains both an adulticide and an insect growth regulator like methoprene or Nylar. This usually comes in the form of sprays, foggers, or carpet powders.
- Give Your Cat Frequent Baths
Lather, rinse, repeat—your furry friend can benefit a lot from a simple and thorough wash to get rid of fleas from her body and hair. After bathing her, use a eucalyptus-, cedar-, citrus-, or lavender-infused shampoo to keep fleas at bay. Adding omega-3 supplements to your pet’s diet also helps improve the skin. This is especially helpful for her skin condition when using regular shampoo to get rid of fleas.
- Comb It Out
If your cat is among the majority who hates water, use a comb instead. You need to make sure that the comb gets really close to the skin, but you need to work gently and slowly so you won’t rip your cat’s hair. While combing, focus on areas where fleas like to stay such as the armpits, base of the tail, and the groin.
- Sprinkle Area With Salt
Fleas lay eggs in your cat’s bed, deep down the carpet, and almost everywhere your cat frequents, so it’s almost impossible to get rid of the entire population of these pests by simply combing and bathing your cat. Salt can be sprinkled into the carpet to serve as a drying agent to kill larvae and eggs deep down the fibres of the carpet.
- Treat the Yard
The yard must also be kept free of debris, such as piles of leaves and dried branches. Planting certain plants and herbs like fennel, lavender, eucalyptus, and marigold in the backyard can help direct fleas away from your place. Food-grade diatomaceous soil can also be utilized to treat your yard, though you will need to reapply it after heavy rain as it can be washed away.
Even in large numbers, fleas are pretty easy to kill. After a couple of weeks of thorough cleaning, these pests should stop bugging your furry pet—and you.
Smart and Simple Tips to Organize Your Home
Getting your home organized goes a long way to maximizing your home’s efficiency. Your place will look cleaner and you’ll find that you have more space to use and work with. To make the job easier, we’ve compiled some helpful tips to de-clutter and re-organize your house.
Entry Way
- Designate Drop Zones. Place boxes near the entry door for incoming and outgoing mails, and make a perch where you can hang your keys.
- Keep a Shoe Rack. Avoid bringing shoes inside the house by keeping a shoe rack beside the entry door. Shoes could bring in contaminants into your home, which can cause potential health problems.
Laundry Area
- Rank the Products. Arrange the items like stain lifters and dryer sheets according to how often you use them. The things you regularly need should be within easy reach. Also, make sure that there’s a trash can in the area for lint from the dryer.
- Sort Beddings. Organize your linen closet by keeping two extra sets of sheet per bed. That way, you can have one in the laundry and one reserved in the shelf. To store the sets neatly, fold the bed sheet and one pillowcase and then keep them inside the second pillowcase. Bundles that are kept together are easier to stack.
Bedroom
- Organize the Footwear. Keep the shoes you wear most often in a hanging storage at the back of your door. Store the rest in clear boxes under your bed.
- Raid Your Closet. If you have clothes you haven’t worn for more than a year, consider donating them or piling them up for a garage sale. Arrange what’s left by category (e.g. tops, bottoms, dresses, undergarments, etc.)
- De-Clutter the Dresser Top. Do you simply dump your receipts from your bag and pockets on your dresser at the end of the day? Try keeping your papers and coins in an attractive bowl, and then sort it out at the end of the week.
Kids’ Play Area
- Gather Their Books. Have a low shelf to store all the children’s books. Store them alphabetically by author or title so you can find them easily whenever you need them.
- Store Together Stuffed Toys. Put your kids’ stuffed pals in an upholstered storage or in a big bin so they won’t scatter all over the place and trip on them.
Kitchen
- Unify the Utensils. Throw away unused or broken utensils. Remove what’s left from the storage, clear the drawers from dust and debris, and return the utensils in their slots. Use the separators to keep the same tools together.
- Sort Out Produce. Keep fruits and vegetable separated by placing them in separate baskets. For those produce that needs to be stored in the fridge, keep them inside the fridge to prolong freshness.
These are just some of the many ways you can organize and de-clutter your home. Whether you just want to keep things organized or free up significant space, these simple tips can already make a huge difference in your home’s organization.
Apple iOS 10: 5 New Features to Watch Out For
On June 13, Apple introduced its newest operating system—the iOS 10—during the Worldwide Developer’s Conference (WWDC). Although the public beta is not yet available until July, we decided to download and try the developer preview version and threw together a list of five of the best features you can expect to arrive on your iPhone with the new iOS 10.
- “Raise to Wake” Lock Screen
One of the best additions to the newest iOS is your iPhone’s ability to wake itself when you raise it, fixing the common issue of blowing past the lockscreen notifications when hitting the Touch ID home button. Now, the new OS makes use of the internal sensors of the iPhone that enables your unit to light up whenever you raise your phone. A too-basic addition? Probably. But it’ll surely change your daily phone routine.
- No More Swipe to Unlock
Apple’s “Swipe to Unlock” feature has been the iPhone’s welcoming mat ever since the release of its first ever unit. Now, iOS 10 gets rid of this ancient feature and makes full use of the Touch ID button of the iPhone. To log into your phone, simply press the home button, which is activated by your fingerprint ID. If the home button is pressed by an unregistered fingerprint, you are prompted to punch in a passcode.
- Smarter Messaging App
iPhone’s Messaging app has taken its leap to dethrone Facebook Messenger and Snapchat through its tons of new features like text animations, handwritten notes, bigger emojis, animations that occupy the entire screen, and a whole lot of new apps for loading up standard messages with images, GIFs or whatever additions you can think of. It is a huge overhaul, so expect messaging getting into a whole new level.
- Interactive Notifications
Among the major visual changes in the new iOS is the notifications feature. On the previous OS, all you can do is dismiss notifications or launch it directly into the app. With iOS 10, you can respond directly to the notification or get more information about it. Press and hold the notification you wish to respond to, and bam—you’re good to go. The notifications themselves are also overhauled, appearing in frosted-like bubbles from simple Helvetica texts.
- “Delete” Stocked Apps
Finally, the long wait is over! Now, you can save more internal space by removing pre-installed iPhone apps that you do not use at all. However, Apple said that removing a built-in app doesn’t actually “deleting” it entirely; just removing user data, hooks, etc. Still, not bad—you get to free up some space for more relevant data that you can actually use.
These are just a few of the many new features to expect from the iOS 10. You get to experience these latest additions on your own handset through the public beta on July, and with the new iPhone 7 on September of this year.
6 Creative and Cheap Ways to Hide Wear and Tear in Your Home
You do not have to replace the entire sofa because of a cat scratch or repaint the entire wall because you kids drew on them. These quick home improvement tricks can restore the beauty of your home in a cost-effective way.
- Crayons to Cover Up Scratches
Whether your child scuffed the coffee table with scissors or your cat scratched your sofa’s leg, you would want to disguise any signs of damage. To colour correct the damage, use crayons. Find the right shade that matches the colour of the surface, and soften the crayon with a hair blower. Colour in the scratches, and then blend it well with your fingers or a clean rag.
- Correction Fluid and Clear Nail Polish For Molding Scrapes
White moldings can make any room look elegant, but small scrapes and marks can take away ts beauty. Restore your home’s former glory by covering up faults with liquid correction fluid. To re-create the glossy look of the molding, let the correction fluid dry and then cover it with clear nail polish.
- Alcohol and Correction Fluid on Scratched Enamel Tub
Enamel surfaces like your bathtub can also get scratched, no matter how careful you are with them. The good news is that it’s easier to repair a scratched enamel surface than scratching it! Clean the damaged area with a cotton ball moistened with alcohol, and then let it dry. Once it dries, brush some correction fluid on the scratches to mimic the colour of the enamel.
- Mayonnaise to Remove Crayon Marks on Walls
Did your little Picasso redecorated your walls with crayon masterpieces? Keep your cool, and simply grab your bottle of mayonnaise for an instant fix. Rub some mayonnaise on the marks and let it soak for a couple of minutes. Afterwards, wipe the surface with a clean, damp rag to reveal a stain-free wall.
- Cheap Posters or Framed Pictures for Holes on Walls
If there are holes, uneven texture or chipped paint on walls that are high enough to be disguised with framed pictures and posters, go and do so. This is the easiest solution for wall problems that doesn’t require much effort and money to do.
- Adhesive Tape to Protect Wood Floor
Is your grandma’s rocking chair causing visible streaks on your elegant wooden floor? Protect the finish of your wood floor with the use of an adhesive tape. Simple stick a strip of adhesive along each of the rocker’s bottom to ensure it won’t get direct contact with the wooden floor and cause damage.
Mending small damages at home doesn’t mean spending a fortune on them. You can certainly hide scratches, uneven shades and texture and other small dents with the help of household items you already have. Think outside of the box and consider these quick fixes for an effortless and cost-effective way of restoring your home.
6 Things Your Gynaecologist Wish You Knew
Every woman must see a gynaecologist at some point in their life, whether for maternity care or general reproductive health care. However, there is no denying the fact that it’s an extremely intimate experience, which can make you feel overly self-conscious and nervous at the same time. And while it’s perfectly normal to feel shy especially during your first gynaecology visit, it has the potential to hold you back from sharing important information and asking essential questions that may be necessary for a proper treatment.
On the other hand, your gynae wants you to know that there’s nothing you should be shy or afraid of. They have provided medical assistance to women from pregnancy to menopause, and your case is nothing like something they have never dealt before. So, when you go for your next gynaecology visit, your doctor wants you to know these things before you decide hiding some of your reproductive concerns.
1. Feeling Itchy Is Not Normal
Feeling itchy in the nether region is a sign that’s something is off down there. Sometimes, it could be because of hair growth or sensitivity to a new feminine wash, but intense itching with burning-like sensation is enough to call your gynae for a check-up.
If you are sexually active, your doctor may have to run an STD (sexually transmitted disease) test to narrow down the causes, but remember that imbalance in the pH level can also cause itchiness and symptoms same to those of STDs. Depending on the result of the test after you have visit Thomson Medical gynaecologists in Singapore and you healthcare expert’s diagnoses, you may be required to take antibiotics to treat the problem.
2. Unusual Smells Also Signify Something’s Wrong
Although strange smells can also be due to hormonal changes, particularly before and after having your period, it could also mean that there’s an infection going on. Because it is only you who’s fully aware of what’s going on in your body, be sensitive with the changes that are happening.
If you notice unusual smell, your healthcare expert would certainly want to know about this. Even if the topic makes you feel extremely uncomfortable, it’s important to bring this up to your gynae’s attention, so she can check whether it’s an STD, bacterial infection or just hormonal. If you are unsure about anything that’s causing a health issue, as what experts say, “when in doubt, check it out.”
3. Herpes Is Far Common Than You Think
According to statistics, about one in every five adult women has herpes, and nearly half of those affected show no symptoms and are completely unaware that they are carrier of the virus. This infection spreads rapidly perhaps because it can be contracted both in the genitals and in the mouth.
However, the good news is that there are plenty of anti-viral medications that people diagnosed with herpes can now use. As long as you’re completely honest with your healthcare provider, you will receive the right treatment before the problem gets out of control.
4. PMS are Normally Uncomfortable
When it’s ‘that’ time of the month again, you will surely know. Affecting more than one in every three women, pre-menstrual syndrome or PMS is a reproductive condition that occurs when the hormones fluctuate before the period comes. PMS symptoms can include mood swings, bloating, headache, acne, abdominal cramps, and lower back ache, and can be mild to extremely unpleasant.
So what can you do? Avoid stress and make sure to let your gynaecologist know about your PMS symptoms. She can prescribe a medication or do further tests on you to find out whether it’s a sign of a more serious health issue.
5. 30 Is Not the Cut-Off Age for Pregnancy
When it comes to maternity, you’re probably aware how the society puts the pressure on the age of 30. It’s no surprise why many women assume that it will be much harder to have a baby once you reach 30.
Although it’s true that a woman’s fertility declines with age, most fertility problems such as poor quality eggs and miscarriage risks have greater chance of arising at the age of 35 and above. However, that doesn’t also mean that natural and healthy pregnancy is impossible in the late 30s. If you’re around 35 and still planning to have a child, don’t hesitate to mention this to your gynae.
6. You Don’t Have To Be Shy About Your Body
When your doctor examines your private parts, believe it or not, she’s doing it as she would examine other parts of your body. There’s nothing much your doctor has not seen, and everything she’s about to see on you is normal, so there’s no need for you to feel shy.
Another thing that your doctor doesn’t want you to feel shy or afraid about is sharing to them the number of sexual partners you have had. This is not something your healthcare expert wants to know just out of curiosity. She needs this information in order to assess your health and create a healthcare plan that’s most suited for you. In a conservative society, like here in Singapore, women often hesitate to provide this information, but doctors need to ask this question for healthcare purposes, thereby making it a significantly vital query.
Hopefully, these facts help boost your confidence for your next gynaecology check-up. Remember that the hospital and your doctor’s clinic is a judgment-free zone. No matter what your sexual history or reproductive health status is, rest assured your gynaecologist isn’t making moral judgments behind your back.
Flowers for All the Women in Thy Life
Flowers are one of the weaknesses of women. Its bloom yields beauty – enough that it can turn a bad day into a good day. Yes, giving a bouquet seems easy but truth is, there are a lot of things that you should consider when you give one away. When you want to convey something to a woman, you have to consider what kind of flower and the type of arrangement to give.
The giving of flowers is surely a gesture women will appreciate after all it is the perfect embodiment of grace and beauty. The good news is that there is a universal selection of flowers for the different women in your life available here in Singapore. Here are the universal selection of flowers:
Roses
When it is for your significant other, you have to remember R for R. This means roses for romance. Roses are the safest flower to give especially if you are still dating your significant other. It can also be given to your partner to rekindle the passion throughout the marriage. Roses are famous during Valentine’s Day.
This makes perfect sense since roses is a symbolism for passion and undying love. You have seen it on movies and other literary works.
Daffodils
Your sister also deserves flowers from you. If you are planning to give her flowers, you have to consider daffodils. Daffodils are optimistic because it is bright. The blossoms are equal to inspiration and energy – much like what you felt while growing up with your younger female sibling. If you are thinking of your older female sibling, daffodils convey admiration and warmth.
Gardenias
Gardenias are not a famous choice but its classic beauty gives meaning to love that stood the test of time. The gardenias are sweet and fragrant. It symbolizes purity and it can be seen during weddings. This is good for your cousin or your aunt.
Magnolia
Magnolias are for the empowered women. Why? Its blossoms are large and they fill the air with their distinct citrus scent. This is the perfect flowers for the women who motivated you – your mother, friend or teacher.
Daisy
Do not forget about your daughter. Daisies are the perfect flower for your daughter because it symbolizes playfulness and innocence. The bright yellow center looks like the sun – the same way your daughter brings sunshine.
Now that you know the types of flowers to give to all the women in your life, the next thing that you should do is choose a good arrangement. You will surely bring sweet smiles on their face.
How Can Stress Distress Your Skin
Stress is a normal part of life for Singaporeans but it doesn’t have to be there all the time. You acknowledge that it is part of your life but you should make it a point to oust it before it can take a toll on your health and the relationships around you. Stress does not only affect the brain but also your body.
When you are stressed out, you notice that your body reflects that. For example, when you have endless to-do-list piling up, pimples will inhabit your face and if you do not like what you see, you tend to touch it leading to blemishes. It is a vicious cycle. Other skin problems will arise soon if you do not do anything about the root cause.
According to Dr. Abigail Waldman, a dermatologist in Boston, there are serious side effects of stress and what it can do to your skin. Here’s how stress can distress your skin when you are faced with overwhelming situations:
It can exacerbate pre-existing conditions
For people with skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis, it flare up when they are stressed or anxious. The reason behind this is that underneath the skin is the unstable burst of cortisol, the stress hormone, which can wreak havoc on your immune system as well as your blemish-free face.
Inadequate sleep can worsen the skin’s condition
Sleep has a big role in your overall wellness and it should not be ignored. You should make sure that you do not deprive yourself of sleep because it can show on your face. There’s the swollen eyes and dark circles not to mention worsening the skin’s condition. Sleep is supposed to be the time for the body to repair the skin and depriving yourself of sleep means not giving the body time to repair or heal the skin.
Falling hairs are evident
When you are super stressed out, you will have a condition known as effluvium. This condition is connected with your hair. When you have this condition, your hair will its normal pattern of growing and falling. The reason behind this is that the body sees stress as a threat and it sees growing hair as pointless so it just keeps on falling out. The good news though is that it can return to its previous patterns if you are calm.
Your skin will reflect on how you take care of your body. Do not ignore the signs and always care for your skin. There are different products that can help you with your skin, you have to avail of that.
Medical Tests Every 20-Something Woman Should Have
Maintaining our health (i.e. regular exercise, healthy diet, regular check-ups, etc.) is always something we plan to do, but the reality is that it’s all just plans—no actions. If lucky enough to be able to put them into action, they usually don’t last past week three. Why? Perhaps, due to laziness and the list of must-do things for the health gets longer and longer over time.
However, there are some medical things you should never skip out on, no matter how lazy you are or how hectic your schedule is. Here’s a list of must-take tests if you’re somewhere in your 20s.
Pap Smear
How Often: Once every three years when you reach 25.
What for: Pap smear checks for abnormal cells in the cervix. If your test shows any abnormality, don’t fret. Six in every 100 women come out with abnormal results, and it doesn’t mean you have cervical cancer—in most cases, abnormal cells go back to normal on their own. However, your healthcare provider will further investigate the result, and if the irregularity is confirmed, your doctor will likely recommend a treatment to remove affected cells and prevent serious development of diseases.
STD Test
How Often: The moment you start having intercourse, you should get an STD test at least once a year; and if you’ve had unprotected sex, it’s time to schedule your next.
What For: An STD test can check for an entire range of sexually transmitted diseases, from gonorrhoea and chlamydia to HIV and hepatitis. A standard STD check-up usually tests for everything but herpes, which can’t be checked until sores are found in your intimate areas.
Breast Examination
How Often: As long as you do a breast self-exam regularly and feel no lumps in the area, you can skip the examination. If not, you can have it checked once every three years. However, once you feel or see irregularities in your breast, go see a doctor right away for a breast examination.
What For: Looking for symptoms will help identify onset of breast cancer. The earlier it is detected, the better chance of curing it. If you notice abnormalities, such as dimpling, pain, change in size and texture of skin and secretion of liquid from the nipple, visit your healthcare provider as soon as possible.
Other than those mentioned, there are a few more physical exams that need to be done for women in their 20s. These are just three of the most important and should never be skipped tests in your 20s.
4 Activities to Prepare Your Toddler to Write
Learning to write can be stressful for toddlers. Having to control the writing material and doing deliberate movements takes time and effort, which can be discouraging for your little tot. Do not be pressured for your child to develop good handwriting once he starts holding a paper and a pencil. Starting to write is not easy, and all you can do is to help your child prepare and practice his motor skills.
Here are some activities that do not involve actual writing, but will help with your toddler’s hand muscles and coordination to make learning to write easier for him.
- Paint With Cotton Swabs
Cotton swabs are not just for the ears, but can also be used for painting. The size of the cotton swab is perfect for the little hands of your tot to develop the right degree of dexterity. Get your little one a colouring book or a piece of paper. Bring out a few pieces of cotton swabs and paint, and let your child create his own masterpiece.
- Make Paper Balls
Put scratch papers to good use by using them as tools to develop your child’s motor skills. Give a few pieces to your little tot and show him how to crumple papers into balls. This many not seem too relevant in terms of teaching him to write, but scrunching papers will train your child’s hand strength for a better grip.
- Knead Some Playdough
A sure hit toy for your toddler is playdough. Aside from being a fun and creative toy, creating figures enhances your child’s motors skills. The simple acts of rolling, pressing, squeezing and pinching will greatly help in building your child’s hand strength.
- Cut and Paste
There are many activities that include cutting and pasting of objects, which are awesome actions for developing dexterity and strength. One simple activity is to draw a shape on a paper, and then asking your child to fill up the shape you drew by pasting cut outs of papers. For the cut-outs, you can use old newspapers, magazines, flyers and brochures or any paper you’re no longer using.
Beyond all of these activities, remember to allow your toddler to doodle whenever he likes to. Have papers, crayons, pencils, markers and pen ready, so he can use them anytime he likes. Any activity that requires heavy use of hands will greatly help in preparing his motor skills and hand strength for writing.
