BODY TALK
Advice & Answers to your Qs
Q. What is the itch that I sometimes get
"down there?"

A. That itch can be caused by dry skin, sweat
or by wearing clothing that is too tight. If the
itch is more inside, it may be a yeast
infection. A yeast infection is the result of an
excessive growth of a family of bacteria that
normally inhabits the vagina, known as
Candida albicans. Going on the Pill can also
make a woman more prone to yeast
infections. Symptoms include redness
outside and itchiness inside your vagina and
a somewhat thick, white discharge (that
looks similar to cottage cheese). Thankfully,
there are some ways you can avoid the itch.
Avoid wet or tight clothing, shower and/or
change out of exercise clothing as soon as
possible. Also, avoid eating foods high in
sugar, starch and yeast, and always wipe
front to back. Eating yogurt with active
cultures helps to keep yeast infections at bay.
If you think you may have a yeast infection
(and to rule out any possibility of an STD),
visit your doctor. She can prescribe a
convenient one day pill (cost: $15) instead of
dealing with messy creams. Good luck!
Q. Why does my skin get darker after I wax?

A. The discoloration is caused by a condition known as
post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and is caused by an excessive
amount of melanin. Melanin is a pigment caused by cells known as
melanocytes and when there is irritation or injury, it produces too
much. Too much waxing or repeated nicks from shaving can cause
this problematic condition. Those with darker skin are more prone
because they have a greater amount of melanin. To terminate the
discoloration, make sure your skin is wet before shaving so you don't
cut yourself, and try to plan waxing a day before you will be outside in
the sun because the sun will help to tone down the darkness. Never
attempt to wax skin that is irritated, including from a sunburn. There
are skin-lightening products on the market that are helpful for getting
rid of the discoloration, including Aveeno Skin Brightening Daily
Treatment SPF 15 ($14) or Neutrogena Visibly Even Exfoliating Body
Wash ($9).
Q. I heard that you're supposed to
eat carbs before working out. How
far in advance should I eat and
what's a good pre-work out snack?

A. Yes, you should always eat carbs
before working out because they are
an excellent source of energy, but how
far in advance is your choice. Some
people cannot eat after an hour
before, others can eat fifteen minutes
prior to their work out. Experiment and
see what works best for your body. Try
eating cereal with a banana, oatmeal,
whole-grain toast, crackers or
pretzels. Energy bars, such as
PowerBar, are also great sources of
energy. Just eat a PB 45-30 minutes
prior to your activity. After your work out,
have yogurt with granola or cereal with
milk because protein (paired with
carbs) is important to relieve muscle
soreness. Athletes should never
follow a strict Atkins diet!
Have a question? We have an answer! Send all
health/body/fitness questions to us here. This
information is not meant to supplement your
doctor's advice.

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