Does anyone deal with a skin condition

bhppy · May 28, 2002

I have eczema on my hands that can sometimes get pretty bad,

but I've noticed if I supplement with omega-3 or evening primrose oil it's much less aggravated.

What kind of skin condition are you refering to?

Pimples, acne? Mine disappeared with the help of tetracycline.

As far as the weight issue goes, all I can suggest and I know students don't have much time, park as far away from the entrance as possible and walk, take the stairs instead of the elevator, eat healthy snacks during classes very easy to pack (baby carrots, celery sticks, fruits, nuts, cheese......etc....)

And if you're school has a gym and you find the time, do 30 minutes of cardio 2-3X week.

Include a weight training session 2-3x a week to help burn even more calories. Muscles burns more calories at rest :)

And most but not least stay away from their junk food, and I mean whole eggs, gravy, fried foods, and whatever else that falls into the 'junk' category. (chips, cookies, chocolate bars etc...)

Of course a treat day is always in order to keep our sanity, but if you eat clean 5 out of the 7 days is sure does help.

Get a nice chocolate protein bar to replace the usual chocolate bar.

And 2-3x per week isn't a lot. I was working out 5-6 days per week until I went back to college this past year. Well for me it was impossible to do the 5-6 workouts, I managed to squeeze in 2 sometimes 3 per week. Still got results, just not as quick.

This year I am planning on doing it at least my 5 days, even if it's in between classes, I find I'm more energetic and more alert when I work out consistently.

Sue

RNIAM, BSN, RN · May 28, 2002

Thanks Sue

I know it will be hard with the weight but I am willing. I have psorisis and eczema. I have had it all my life and it is not much fun. I will keep what you you said in mind.

Thank you

tonicareer · May 28, 2002

My nursing schools require allergy test for latex before admissions if you fail your out. Have you tested for this?

RNIAM, BSN, RN · May 28, 2002

And they wonder why there is a shortage of nurses. No I am not allergic to latex. The funny thing is most hospitals today are leaving latex gloves behind and only using non-latex gloves, so if I were applying to your school and they refused to admit me to the program for that reason. I would raise a major stink and question that one big time.I hope you passed your alergy test though.

MPHkatie · May 28, 2002

Rhona,

Between my sophomore and jr year I lost 30 pounds in the summer. I went to the gym everyday and walked on a treadmill, and after about amonth, I added the rowing machine to my workout. I wish I could say I ate very healthfully, but I didn't really. I did, however, pack my lunch and bring no cash with me, so I was never tempted to do a cafeteria meal. Be careful with the protien bars- they have a pile of calories- (good fast food substitutes), and a peppermint pattie actually has a lot less- so if you are in a choclate fix, a peppermint pattie is not a bad way to go. You will feel so much better when you loose even some of the weight, I can gaurentee that!!!!

Good Luck, you know, sometimes it seems depressing when it's only 5 pounds lost, but you have got to lose 5 before the rest comes off. Best Wishes, Katie;)

bhppy · May 28, 2002

Originally posted by MPHkatie
Rhona,

Between my sophomore and jr year I lost 30 pounds in the summer. I went to the gym everyday and walked on a treadmill, and after about amonth, I added the rowing machine to my workout. I wish I could say I ate very healthfully, but I didn't really. I did, however, pack my lunch and bring no cash with me, so I was never tempted to do a cafeteria meal. Be careful with the protien bars- they have a pile of calories- (good fast food substitutes), and a peppermint pattie actually has a lot less- so if you are in a choclate fix, a peppermint pattie is not a bad way to go. You will feel so much better when you loose even some of the weight, I can gaurentee that!!!!
Good Luck, you know, sometimes it seems depressing when it's only 5 pounds lost, but you have got to lose 5 before the rest comes off. Best Wishes, Katie;)

Peppermint Patty??? = Sugar, Hydrogenated Fats/oils Hello???

When I am very active a whole protein bar is perfect for me

when I'm not so active half of one is perfect.

I think it's time for some nutrition 101! :) (peace, no harm intended but I've also been in the health & fitness industry for over 12 years)

Sue

tonicareer · May 28, 2002

Wow I suppose Indiana doesn't know that latax is out, why else test for it? My state is behind again.

RNIAM, BSN, RN · May 28, 2002

Not necessesarily out but, just that their are many other options and for most hospitals and other facilities you will see less and less latex. Not only because latex seems to cause reactions in many but it also causes problems for those patients woh are allergic. I was reading a couple of your posts and I really would question the ethics of the school you plan to attend. Is their other schools you might apply to? I would look into it. Good luck to you.

Robin61970 · May 28, 2002

I don't deal with your depth of skin problems, but i do have Roscea......when I have bad outbreaks I end up with scabs on my face that take a while to heal and people stare.....for years I ducked my head when I walked, but now I am learning to hold my head high and if anyone comments I explain the problem....good luck to you with your problems.....

meownsmile, BSN, RN · May 29, 2002

I have pretty severe psorisis on my hands and feet. It effects my nails also and i am very concious of it. I have spent 15+years conciously manipulating my hands when i get change, etc to minimize exposing it to clerks. I just get tired of telling them. I get huge cracks that bleed and get raw, but am very careful at work to use gloves and handwashing.

hehe,, they could only get 4 fingerprints(2 thumbs and 2 index fingers) when i had to have them taken to sit for state boards.

Funny thing is everyone thinks they can cure it, recommend creams etc., I have been to dermatologists and spent so much money for them to do absolutely nothing that i dont even go anymore. I just deal with it, enjoy when it is healed and be very cautious when i have exaserbations.

Trying to lose weight during nursing school is like trying to quit smoking during nursing school. It just may not happen. Dont get discouraged though, school will end and you can concentrate on it then when the stress level is a bit lower.

NICU_Nurse, BSN, RN · May 29, 2002

People don't like to admit this much, especially online, where anonymity is our friend, but I am overweight (though I draw the line at saying how much!) and can relate to your questions. I happen to be a person who flushes very easily, and as most of us know, being heavy can also be synonymous with being hot when all of our toothpick friends (God love 'em!) are freezing. Couple those things with a humid, sweltering southern climate, and a series of old, poorly a/c'd buildings, and you'll see that my face looked like a cherry tomato more than one clinical day during school! At first, I was self-conscious about it, considering that just about AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLL of my fellow students were cute, thin little girls and did not suffer from voluptuousness, unlike myself, who abundantly overflows from the heart AND the hips. ;>P What I realized, fairly quickly, was that my weight didn't matter diddly squat to patients who were desperately wanting for some real nursing care- if what you really need is someone to wink at you or smile at you or hold your hand, or bring you ice chips when the CNA is AWOL and they have been NPO for 36 hours, or need oral care because they are on a vent and have been neglected due to overfilled units and not enough staff and have gooey, brown saliva caked up all over their faces, well...it doesn't really matter WHAT size you are in physicality. It's the size of your compassion that's most important. So, bravely (well, I look at it that way, anyway...it makes ME feel better, and that's what counts here!), I did all of those things while my hair was tied back hastily and I was wiping unattractive beads of sweat onto my sleeve and my cheeks were as pink as a strawberry shortcake. I found out that the hospital, of all places, was where I felt strongest, because while administrators and even some doctors may practice body prejudice, my patients grew to love me because I was unselfish. Okay, so the alchoholic bastard who hadn't bathed in twelve days wouldn't call me 'Hot stuff' like he did my classmate, but who cares? ;>P My husband does, and it sounds better coming from him anyway. And no, doctors have never flirted with me in the hallway, but they have asked my advice and sought out my experiences with a patient to HELP *them* decide what to do. It may be a toss-up for some, but I'll take a professional compliment (even if it is only IMPLIED) over halfhearted flirtatiousness any day. I will even be more honest and tell you that once, in lecture, I forgot to suck in my tummy while exiting my old, teeny desk, and the desk tried to follow me into the hall. Talk about humiliating. I thought I would die, but then I realized that if people commented on that, they were a**holes, and since when did I let a**holes dictate how I felt about myself? I have no doubt that you will do fabulously in nursing school and in the workplace. The qualities you possess that are worth a hoot to anyone who is sick or injured have nothing to do with bathing suits or magazine covers, and I will always be thankful that, at least in one place in the world, I am talented and needed, and wanted to boot. I would never discourage someone from trying to be healthier, and nursing above all is a physical career. Even now I come home with aching feet and wake up with a sore back sometimes, and if I weighed less, my pain would probably decrease or cease to exist altogether. If you want to do something good for your body, something that will help you in school and at work later, eat healthy, drink lots of water, and get plenty of sleep. Don't focus on losing weight- you'll know when you're ready to do that. You don't have to lose weight right away to notice healthy improvements when you begin to treat yourself right. Good luck to you!!