One of the down sides of living in the Southwest is the exposure to some rather bad bugs that can cause more than annoyances. I came across a very informative bad bug slideshow on medicine.net that helps identify pesky creatures and what their bites look like.

A number of these pesky creatures are found outside the Southwest, as well.

(HealthDay News) -- Women should be cautious about exposure to any chemicals during pregnancy, even to hair dyes and treatments.

Here are guidelines for pregnant women about the use of these products, courtesy of the American Pregnancy Association:

* Try to avoid treatments that straighten, bleach, perm or color hair until the second trimester.
* Make sure that any treatment is applied in a well-ventilated area.
* Don't leave hair chemicals in longer than necessary.
* Make sure your hair and scalp are thoroughly rinsed with water after the treatment.

yes hair is absolulty a science......which is why i only utilize sulfate free and ph balanced hair and skin care and environmentally safe ammonia free color line ... our ph is 4.5 to 5.5 ..water is acidic and when washing it opens up the cuticle and this is when the products truly make the difference and this is why the proper shampoos and conditioners are of vital improtance... email me personally for more info...

By Randy Dotinga
HealthDay Reporter

MONDAY, Aug. 18 (HealthDay News) -- Whether it's frizzy or flyaway, nearly everyone puts up with an unruly head of hair from time to time. Now scientists have trained their microscopes on hair to find out why it misbehaves -- and how to tame it.

In a new study, said to be the first of its kind, German researchers say they've gotten extreme-close-up views of how hair fibers interact. Their insights could lead to products that banish bad hair days for good, they say.

These days we all want to look and feel our best, but at what expense are we willing to accomplish this? With anti-aging therapies such as Botox and Restylane becoming more and more common place, are we really thinking about the long term effects of such treatment or are we just focused on the quick fix?

In our search to look younger and more vibrant are there natural options? It all begins with genetics, lifestyle and diet. But for those of us that want to support our body naturally in the anti-aging realm..what are our options? Well, acupuncture may be an answer..who knew?

Dr. Mao talks about what an acupuncture face-lift is and how it can help facial rejuvenation.

(HealthDay News) -- Heat rash is a common problem among infants, appearing as small red bumps or blisters on the skin caused by sweating.

The U.S. National Library of Medicine offers these suggestions to protect your baby from heat rash:

* The goal is to keep baby cool and dry. During hot or humid weather, dress baby in lightweight, cool and absorbent cotton clothing.
* Keep baby in air-conditioned areas, or use a light fan. But position it far enough away that only a light breeze can be felt.

I have chronic hives, which last weeks to months. Does anyone have any type of treatment or heard of any treatments which may work. I have taken steroids and various antihistimines.

My 4 year old daughter has developed a small (3mm) mole on the heal of her left foof. It began as a frectle and grew to this size over the period of approx one year. My GP said it was just ordinary mole as it was smoth, flat with even edges, good colour, no discomfort etc. My worry is that much literature metiones meloanoma as moles are rarely found in this area.

Should I be worried?

Thank you

The sunshine vitamin seems to do more than help build strong bones. A study in the Archives of Internal Medicine found that men with low vitamin D were at a higher risk for heart attacks.

Apparently, other studies also show that low vitamin d is linked with cancers of the breast, ovary, prostate, stomach, bladder, esophagus, kidney and lung. If you don’t get enough vitamin D, you may also be at risk for high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, periodontal disease, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, macular degeneration, mental illness and chronic pain. (Source: WSJ)