Q+a

Q: How do I stop the bleeding when I nick myself shaving?

a: Believe it or not, the tried-and-true technique of TP-ing your nicks is still one of your best bets, says Steven Mandy, M.D., clinical professor of dermatology at the University of Miami. Applying pressure, courtesy of your fingertip and a piece of toilet paper, will stop the bleeding of most cuts within five to seven minutes. So will Seal-On Blotters, which are strips specially designed to stop the bleeding of minor cuts and scrapes. You can find them in most pharmacies and supermarkets.

If the bleeding is really stubborn, throw an ice cube into a plastic bag and hold it to the cut--the cold should close down the blood vessels. But for deeper cuts, you might need a drugstore styptic pencil. Be warned, it'll hurt like hell, but the aluminum sulfate in the pencil should be enough to constrict blood vessels and stop the bleeding.

Q: Should I replace my toothbrush after I get sick?

a: Here's hoping your local drugstore's offering twofers on toothbrushes--you're gonna need not one but two extra brushes to recover fully from a cold or flu, according to John Chandler, D.D.S., past president of the Academy of General Dentistry.

"Toothbrushes can harbor infectious diseases," Chandler says, "so get rid of yours at the first sign of an illness." Once you're over the bug, ditch the "interim brush," along with its lingering germs. It's also probably not the best idea to keep your toothbrush in the same holder as your roommate's, since brushes can cross-contaminate each other, Chandler says.

Ideally, you should replace your toothbrush every three to four months--not only because germs can grow, but because wear and tear on the bristles render toothbrushes less effective.

Q: I don't like to drink water by itself. Does milk, juice, or soda help to satisfy that famous 8-glasses-a-day rule?

a: Good news: Looks like the Wicked Witch of the West, gremlins, and other waterphobes can still stay hydrated by drinking eight glasses of liquid a day, says Massachusetts-based dietitian Pat Vasconcellos, R.D. "Water is the most effective way to stay hydrated because it doesn't add calories, but other liquids can get the job done" she says.

So stuff like sports drinks, milk, even soup can all help prevent dehydration. Juice is fair game, too, but you might want to dilute it with water to cut calories. But before you start downing eight shots of Jager at McAlkie's Pub to satisfy your daily requirement, keep in mind that alcohol and caffeinated drinks are diuretics that can trigger your body to dispel water. They're not the best sources of water, but according to a 2002 Dartmouth Medical School study, they still count toward your daily total for maintaining hydration.

Q: Is it true that heating olive oil make it less healthy?

a: Complete myth, says Christine Gerbstadt, M.D., R.D., a spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association. "The nutritional quality of olive oil isn't affected by heat, but the flavonoids and polyphenols that give it flavor are," Gerbstadt says. While these components do have some health benefits, they're not of the same order as heart-healthy omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which are unaffected in your frying pan. Her advice: If you're going to cook with olive oil, don't shell out extra bucks for an extra-virgin variety. Less expensive extra-light oil contains the same levels of good fats as the pricier types.

COPYRIGHT 2005 Weider Publications
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