Recently I came down with my first case of poison ivy. And it's a doozy. A trip to the doctor last Monday has me on medication that's clearing it up quickly, though. I'll be happy to see it go away completely! Since this was my first case of the scratchy stuff, I did a little research online and discovered that a lot of the things I thought were facts about poison ivy turn out to be nothing but myths.

• Scratching will cause the rash to spread. Technically, this isn't true. The rash is caused by contact with urushiol oil from the poison ivy plant. If your skin still has traces of the oil and you scratch, you could transfer the oil to another part of your body. But, once the oil is gone, scratching will not spread the rash. However, take it from my personal experience, you don't want to scratch. I'm on a heavy-duty antibiotic to clear up the infection I have as a result of scratching.
  
• Poison ivy is contagious. Again, only contact with urushiol oil will cause the reaction. The rash itself is not contagious.
  
• Once allergic, always allergic to poison ivy. Not necessarily. Your sensitivity can change over time.

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Ever had someone tell you they were allergic to exercise? I bet you rolled your eyes and thought, 'yeah, right!.' But it just so happens that some people do have an allergy to exercise--it's extremely rare but it does happen.

According to Fitsugar, It's called exercise-induced anaphylaxis, and it's symptoms include feeling itchy and hot within the first few minutes of exercise, followed by more pronounced symptoms like hives, fainting, vomiting, difficulty breathing and swollen lips, throat and eyes. But before you go self-diagnosing yourself, remember this: There's only been 1,000 documented cases in nearly 40 years, so it's pretty rare.

Want to know more about exercise-induced allergies? Head over to Fitsugar for more info.

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Whether it's on your face or your legs (or elsewhere...), razor burn is downright unpleasant. Interested in finding out how you can stop razor burn in its tracks? I recently came across this article with some helpful tips on how to prevent it:

• Make sure you're using a clean, sharp razor. Ditch the one you picked up years ago, and only use a disposible one when it's absolutely necessary.
  
• Don't go against the grain -- shave in the same direction the hair is growing.
  
• Shave in or after the shower, and make sure the area you're shaving is thoroughly wet--dry hair is too difficult to shave
  
• Try using a shaving cream or oil -- soap and water shaves are too harsh.
• Don't shave run the razor over the same area over and over -- this will lead to irritation.
  
• Don't shave immediately after getting up -- the skin is too puffy to get a good shave. On the other hand, don't spend too long in the bath before shaving -- your skin gets too wrinkly
  

Of course, if you do get razor burn, it's not the end of the world. Apply an Aloe Vera lotion twice a day and your skin should be rash-free within a couple of days. Or, try using a tea bag, as Bethany suggested a while back.

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For someone with sensitive skin, hypoallergenic products can mean the difference between clean skin and a horrible rash. But just what makes a product hypoallergenic, and how is it so different from non-hypoallergenic?

According to this article, the term hypoallergenic might be nothing more than a clever marketing ploy. Currently, the FDA has no regulation as to what properties an item has to have to be considered hypoallergenic. Furthermore, nothing is truly hypoallergenic, since anything can have an adverse effect on someone with an extreme sensitivity. And since the use of many harsh chemicals have been discontinues in cosmetics, non-hypoallergenic products might be just as gentle as hypoallergenic.

What do you think -- is it a marketing gimmick, or do you swear by your hypoallergenic cosmetics?

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We hear all the time about how water is the source of life. But what if we were allergic to water? Is that even possible? I mean, our bodies are 80% water, so how could anyone be allergic to it?

It is possible, though, according to this. It's called aquagenic pruritis, and people who have it can develop a itching or tingling sensation in their skin, or even a rash, when they are exposed to water of any temperature. Symptoms can last a few minutes, or even a few hours. Some specialists argue that this isn't really an allergy but a sensitivity, possibly to some added ingredient in the water, and though I'm not an expert, I'd probably agree because to me, an allergic reaction is much more severe than something that merely causes itching.

What do you think?

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If you have an important skin issue, like acne, an eczema flare-up, or even a suspicious-looking mole or freckle, good luck getting in to see a dermatologist. A recent experiment by researchers in California confirmed what many have suspected for years: there just aren't enough dermatologists available to meet the rising demand. The researchers called around to make appointments for a "changing mole," and in the vast majority of cases were given really long wait times -- upwards of one to two months. They attribute the shortage to a general increase in patients seeking care and treatment for skin issues (everything from skin cancer to Botox injections) as opposed to fewer dermatologists on the scene.

On the good side -- the health care field just keeps getting better and better as far as career opportunities go.

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One of my personal training clients showed up today, and shot a fitness tip in my direction for a change. She's a super fit girl with very muscular legs and as a result experiences chafing during long runs. Randomly she decided to tell me about Body Glide, which looks likes deodorant and glides on the same way.

Body Glide contains one percent zinc oxide and claims to be the "anti-friction skin formula" that will prevent blisters, chafing, dry cracked skin, saddle sores and rash. It's made with Vitamin E and aloe and is a no mess, non greasy, oil free product.

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Recently the disease lupus has come to the front of headlines with the American Idol contestant Leslie Hunt. You can't catch lupus from another person. It isn't cancer, and it isn't related to AIDS. It is an autoimmune disease where the immune system is out of control and it attacks healthy tissues in your body and not germs. The disease can involve many parts of the body such as the heart, lungs, kidneys, and brain. Some of the most common symptoms of lupus are, red rash or color change on the face, often in the shape of a butterfly across the nose and cheeks, painful or swollen joints, unexplained fever, chest pain with deep breathing, swollen glands, rheumatoid arthritis, extreme fatigue, unusual hair loss, pale or purple fingers or toes from cold or stress, sensitivity to the sun, low blood count, depression, trouble thinking, and memory problems. Other signs are mouth sores, unexplained seizures or convulsions, hallucinations, repeated miscarriages, and unexplained kidney problems.

What causes lupus is unknown and there is no cure for the disease. Anyone can get lupus but 9 out of 10 people who have it are women. Talk to your doctor and take a history of your health problems. Many people have lupus for a long time before they find out they have it. I wasn't diagnosed with it until I was 45 years old. It's important that you tell the doctor about all your symptoms. This information, along with a physical examination and the results of blood, urine, and other laboratory tests, helps the doctor decide whether you have lupus or something else.

People with lupus have limited energy and must manage it wisely. Ask your health care team about ways to cope with fatigue. Learn to pace yourself and set realistic goals. Consider support groups to help you over come the depression, anger, and sadness that comes with the disease. Put yourself on a very healthy diet that will help boost the immune system and cut down on inflammation in the body. Try to alleviate stress as much as possible and do moderate daily exercises to build up joint strength. If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with lupus learn more about the disease at the Lupus Foundation of America.

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You can be, sorta. There are different disorders that can seem like a water allergy, but the closest thing is called aquatic pruritis, and wow it must be rough to deal with. The symptoms -- itching, burning, and/or a prickly sensation -- usually show up within minutes of coming into contact with water. Surprisingly, there are usually no visual changes to the skin, although some people do get mild (but itchy) red bumps on their chest, back, arms or legs. And although doctors don't know the cause for sure, the most popular theory is that it's a hypersensitivity to additives or minerals in the water.

Treatments vary from topical or oral prescriptions to light therapy. After reading this I do have one question: do these poor people get symptoms, like an itchy throat, from drinking water?

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