My youngest guy Danny has been having bloody noses lately. It seems every day he gets out bed, he leaves behind a trail of blood on his bed sheets and pillowcase. And sometimes, at random points in the day, he comes running with his nose dripping blood. Worried that this is not just an occasional occurrence, I called Danny's pediatrician today. Here's what he said: Invest in some saline nose drops and dose him three to four times per day. And at night: Dab a Q-tip with Vaseline and rub into his nostrils to keep his nose lubricated while he sleeps.

Danny's doctor blames the Florida heat for his bloody noses. He's dry, apparently, and his little capillaries are breaking and bleeding. That's the initial assessment, anyway. We report for an official office visit on Monday -- five-year-old check-up time -- and we'll get the whole scoop then, following an examination.

Got any wisdom on the bloody nose front? If so, please share.

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I know that winter is coming to a close -- perhaps more rapidly in some areas than others -- but I know that for me, the weather extremes that occur at the end of winter tend to cause absolute havoc with my hair. I don't know if it's the return of the sun, the sudden, massive snowstorms, the wind or perhaps a combination of all of the above and more, but the months of February though April tend to bring fly-aways, split-ends and, of course, hat head on the colder days.

So what can all of us who suffer through the horrors of winter hair do to ease our suffering? Apparently there are a number of pretty simple ways to tame static, prevent flakes caused by dryness and maintain shine despite the crazy weather. Check out the tips listed here for ideas on how to keep you hair looking luscious, even in the waning days of winter.

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Adding salt to your food is generally frowned upon--that dreaded sodium is no good for your body--but that doesn't mean you should throw out your salt shakers. According to Mark's Daily Apple, here are some interesting ways to use salt:

• In your shoes: Putting a pinch of salt in your shoes will help reduce odor. Who knew?
• On your hands: Mix some salt with white or malt vinegar and rub it in your hands to get rid of the smell of chopping garlic or onions.
  
• On your apples: Submerging apple slices in a solution of cold salt water will keep them from going brown without compromising taste.
  
• On bites: A paste of salt and water will help relieve itch and pain associated with bee strings and mosquito bites.
  
• In your coffee: A small pinch of salt will take away any bitter taste in your java.
  
  

There are lots more ways to use salt -- head over to Mark's Daily Apple for more great tips.

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What's the big deal about a facial? I used to ask this question of my facial-fanatic friends until I had one myself. I imagine that anyone who has ever gone for a professional facial would agree that they're pretty great. Other than the extractions, pretty much everything about this ultimate pampering experience is fantastic.

Some facials are definitely better than others -- one in particular that sticks out for me included lower leg and foot, full arm, shoulder, neck and head massages during the normally fairly boring bit where they leave you to relax while the face mask sets -- but extra massage or no, pretty much any facial will be a worthwhile experience.

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Ugh, who isn't dealing with dry skin in some form during this time of year? Besides anybody lucky enough to be living in southern California or Hawaii? That's what I thought. Practically nobody.

One of the biggest reasons we all seem to have more dry skin this time of year than, say, during the summer is because of all the dry air. Cold air holds less moisture anyway and then we go pumping dry heat into our homes and make it even worse. Check out these other top causes of dry skin and see if you aren't inadvertently sabotaging yourself and making yourself miserable this winter -- spring is still a ways away!

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This winter, 81 percent of Americans will deal with dry skin. In the January 2008 issue of Reader's Digest, a few medical professionals weigh in on how to treat this flaky condition.

Two cents from a dermatologist: After a shower or bath, pat your skin dry and immediately apply a moisturizer containing dimethicone, cyclomethicone, collagen, or shea butter to seal in the product. Reapply at night.

The lowdown from an allergist: If your dry skin is itchy and looks and feels worse on the inside of your elbows, the back of your neck or knees, or your cheeks or hands, you may have eczema. Moisturizers may help but topical steroids may need to be prescribed. Look into allergies to lotions, foods, and other irritants too.

No nonsense advice from a nutritionist: Diet is definitely part of the dry-skin equation. Stay hydrated with water and water-based foods (women need 72 ounces of fluid per day; men need 100), limit caffeine and alcohol, consume enough good fats, and take in some olive oil, nuts, seeds, and fish too.

Mold can be truly sickening, especially if you have a respiratory illness like Asthma. A healthy home is essential to a healthy lifestyle, so courtesy of Everyday Health, here are some ways to keep mold out of your home:

• Make sure to dry hard surfaces thoroughly after cleaning them
• If absorbent materials have mold (think carpets and fabrics), you should replace them
• Fix leaky plumbing
• Keep drip pans in the air conditioner, fridge and dehumidifier clean
• Use the exhaust fans in your bathroom and kitchen when showering, cooking or using the dishwasher
• Vent your dryer outside

How do you keep your home mold-free?

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The weather is getting colder and heaters are kicking on regularly, which means the air is getting that winter dryness we all love so much (yeah right) and along with it, unfortunately, so is our skin. Most of the time staying well hydrated and using OTC moisturizers will do the trick, but sometimes it's more serious and needs the attention of a doctor. How do you know the difference? Here are a few signs that it may be time to schedule an office visit:

• Sudden and unexpected onset of dryness
  
• Sudden onset of itchiness
• Skin that's so dry it's red, swollen, cracked, bleeding, or oozing
• Dry skin that appears after starting any new medications

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I am a hair dye enthusiast -- I love to color my hair. While some do it to cover gray or because they've always dreamed of being a blond, brunette or red head, I do it because I love that it's a non-permanent way to considerably alter the way I look. Well that, and also due to the fact that my normal hair color is an extremely unappealing shade of mousy, ash-brown.

While I'm happy to shell out a fair-sized amount of cash to have my hair done professionally for special occasions, I can't afford to pay expensive salon prices every time I decide I need a change. I imagine this is the case for most of you fellow dye fans out there. I know that many hairdressers will try to persuade all of us that home hair-coloring kits will forever destroy our hair, but I also know of a few who will admit that many of the products currently on the market do a pretty decent job at a much lower price.

Having said that, if you do decide to try the DIY method, it is important to do a little research beforehand as the onus is on you to get it right. A botched at-home job will end up costing even more when you have to go to a professional to fix the splotchy, orange mess you've made of your former crowning glory. With this in mind, it's important to think about the four things listed here before you start the process.

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With all the snow and general coldness, winter has a lot of strikes against it, if you ask me. But one of the worst parts about the cold season is the fact that it's always accompanied by dry, itchy skin. Ugh!

What should you do if you have a case of the winter skin? eDiets has the following suggestions:

• Consider the cleanser. We usually don't think much about our cleanser, but it can be very drying. Consider switching to one that is gentler on skin, or even one that is designed for dry skin. If you skin feels tight half an hour after washing, you cleanser might be too harsh. And don't over-cleanse, even if you have zits.
  
• Switch to rich. Pick up a rich cleanser, possibly one that's specific to very dry skin.
  
• Exfoliate. Doing this two or three times a week will keep your skin supple.
  
• Embrace the mask. It might make you look like a cave monster, but a hydrating mask will do wonders for you.
  
• See a pro. Getting a facial will also help. They might be steep but they're worth it.
  

How do you keep you skin moisturized in winter?

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During the summer months plenty of lecturing goes on about looking after your skin by wearing an SPF lotion and drinking lots of water to stay hydrated. The result, for most of us, is that we look pretty darn good all summer. Later on when the plummeting temperatures and harsh winds of winter settle in, many of us aren't so well prepared and spend months suffering with chapped lips and dry skin. I know that by February my legs start to take on the appearance of a scaly fish, and are also often itchy and sore.

There is no reason, however, why your skin can't look as good in the winter as it does in the summer -- as long as you're prepared to look after it, that is. This piece recommends concentrating on what you put in your body, as what you eat will be reflected by how you look on the outside. According to the article, a diet full of fish, beans, nuts, whole grains, leafy green veggies and flax seed oil (which is full of Omega-3 fatty acids), will help ensure your face -- and the rest of your body -- continues to look fresh during weeks of nasty weather.

Naturally though, there are a number of ways to take care of you skin that have nothing to do with what you're eating. Some of the tips on winter skincare listed here include:

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We're coming into flu season the same way we do every year -- the colder it gets the more of us seem to get sick. So why is that? Why is it that the flu seems to spread so fast in the fall and winter months? It's really very simple: the flu virus likes cooler temperatures and lower humidity.

So knowing that, there are a couple things you can do to help slow the spread and minimize your chances of getting sick:

• Keep room thermostats set at 68º F or higher.
• Try to keep room humidity at 50% or greater.

Plus, of course, take care of yourself!

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Who doesn't love a tried and true home remedy? I know I for love knowing little quick cures that don't involve trips to the drug store and expensive purchases. eDiets has put together a list of household items that you can use on problem skin. Here are some tips:

• Apple cider vinegar will help take the skin out of a sunburn
• A mixture of buttermilk, vinegar and salt will help heal a poison ivy rash
• It's thought echinachea can help with eczema
• To fight acne and blackhead, break a vitamin E capsule on your face before going to bed. Then, in the morning, do the same thing with a vitamin A capsule.
  
• Use tea tree oil to nip a cold sore in the bud.
  

I have my doubts about these remedies, but I'm eager to try them. What about you?

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Most of us know to take care of our hands and faces in order to keep a youthful look but do you ever think about how your hair may make you look older? It's not something that I had really considered until I saw this piece that gives advice on how to keep your hair looking as young as the rest of you.

After age 30, women's hair begins to get thinner so help keep your mane strong and think by eating plenty of protein and limiting the amount of time it's braided or in a ponytail, as these styles can cause breakage and damage hair roots. Always use conditioner when you wet your hair in order to prevent dryness and only use dryers, curling irons and straighteners a few times a week, as the high heat can cook your hair.

Finally, be willing to take the time to find a cut that looks good on you (just because a style is current and looks hot on a model in a magazine doesn't mean it will suit your face), and make sure to cover gray with an appropriate color. If you're not sure what will work for you, pay a professional to help you pick a color and style -- it'll be worth the cash.

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You can spend a fortune on fancy face moisturizers and wrinkle-reducing eye-creams, botox yourself into an expressionless oblivion and go through the pain of plastic surgery in order to stay young looking (and I say go for it, if you've got the money and it makes you feel good about yourself), but no matter what you do to keep your face looking young, if you forget to look after your hands as well, they'll be a dead giveaway to your real age.

Sun exposure over the years as well as the natural aging process result in things like dryness, sunspots and bulging veins, which all act as aging agents on your hands. Moisturizers with SPF as well as alpha-hydroxy acids can help prevent and treat thin and dry skin, as well as sun spots. For more ideas on products and treatments -- both cheap and not-so-cheap -- that will help you keep your hands looking as young and fit as the rest of you, check out the information provided here.

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