How to Get Private Health Insurance

Most adults get their health insurance from their employer or their spouse's employer. However, if you are unemployed or single, you may not have that option. Legislation was passed in 2010 that makes it mandatory to carry health insurance. If you are not covered by the government, a parent, a spouse or your employer's plan, you will need to obtain private health insurance. Get private health insurance by shopping around for plans offered by various insurers, and choose one that best fits your budget and medical needs.
 

Using Employer-Provided Health Insurance

1. 1
   Join your employer's plan if you work for a company that offers health insurance benefits. Your human resources department or supervisor will help you get enrolled, choose a plan and add your spouse and children if necessary.
2. 2
   Pay your premiums out of your salary. When you are covered by an employer's health plan, the cost will be taken out of your paycheck before taxes.

Finding Private Health Insurance

1. 1
   Prepare to pay more. Private insurance for you as an individual, even if you include your spouse and children, will cost more than if you are part of a group plan. You will need to manage the payment of your premiums, unlike when you are part of an employer's plan and can have the costs deducted from your pay.
2. 2
   Determine who will be covered. Private insurance plans will cover you and any dependants, including children or your spouse.
3. 3
   Figure out what type of coverage you need. This will depend on your age and general health as well as the needs of your dependants.
   • Look for a comprehensive policy that covers specialists, hospitalization and prescription medication if you have a history of health problems, or you are older but not yet eligible for Medicare.
   • Find a basic policy that covers your annual physicals and helps to pay for emergencies if you are young and in good health. You can afford less coverage if you do not go to the doctor often, or have medical conditions that require specialists, medications and surgeries.
4. 4
   Determine how much you can pay in an annual or monthly premium.
   • Pay a lower premium every month or year if you do not mind having higher co-pays and deductibles to meet. This might be best for you if you are in generally good health and do not visit the doctor a lot.
   • Pay a higher premium to get more coverage and have lower deductibles and co-pays. This might be most cost-efficient for someone who will quickly meet their deductible and needs to visit the doctor a lot.
5. 5
   Shop around for health insurance quotes. Call national carriers such as Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Humana and United Healthcare, or conduct an Internet search on a site such as ehealthinsurance.com.
   • Choose a plan that will allow you to keep your doctors, if that is important to you. Most private insurance plans include the same doctors as group health plans. A Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) will only cover a certain network of providers.
   • Check the coverage provided by the plans you consider. Some plans will charge more if specialists or emergency care are needed. Some plans will include prescriptions and X-rays, and others will not.
   • Anticipate your total costs. Include the premium, deductibles and co-pays. Try an online calculator on sites such as Money-Zine.com to determine how much each plan will cost. The calculator will compare plans for you.
   • Talk to customer service representatives. Most private insurance carriers offer several different plans. Talk to an associate about your needs and budget to get some help in choosing the right plan.
6. 6
   Fill out applications. Health insurance is not guaranteed. You will need to answer questions about your medical history and lifestyle before you are approved.
   • Answer any questions you are asked by a medical examiner or underwriter. You can no longer be excluded from getting insurance due to pre-existing conditions, but there may be other exclusions attached to your policy.
7. 7
   Read your policy carefully. Ask any questions you may have about what is covered and excluded, what the costs are and how you are expected to go about seeking medical care.

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Top Warning Signs of Diabetes

Look For These Signs and Symptoms of Diabetes:

Many of the signs of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are similar. In both, there is too much glucose in the blood and not enough in the cells of your body. High glucose levels in Type I are due to a lack of insulin because the insulin producing cells have been destroyed. Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body's cells become resistant to insulin that is being produced. Either way, your cells aren't getting the glucose that they need, and your body lets you know by giving you these signs and symptoms.

Frequent trips to the bathroom:

Are you visiting the bathroom much more lately? Does it seem like you urinate all day long? Urination becomes more frequent when there is too much glucose in the blood. If insulin is nonexistent or ineffective, the kidneys can't filter glucose back to the blood. They become overwhelmed and try to draw extra water out of the blood to dilute the glucose. This keeps your bladder full and it keeps you running to the bathroom.

Unquenchable Thirst:

If it feels like you can't get enough water and you're drinking much more than usual, it could be a sign of diabetes, especially if it seems to go hand in hand with frequent urination. If your body is pulling extra water out of your blood and you're running to the bathroom more, you will become dehydrated and feel the need to drink more to replace the water that you are losing.

Losing Weight Without Trying:

This symptom is more noticeable with Type 1 diabetes. In Type 1, the pancreas stops making insulin, possibly due to a viral attack on pancreas cells or because an autoimmune response makes the body attack the insulin producing cells. The body desperately looks for an energy source because the cells aren't getting glucose. It starts to break down muscle tissue and fat for energy. Type 2 happens gradually with increasing insulin resistance so weight loss is not as noticeable.

Weakness and Fatigue:

It's that bad boy glucose again. Glucose from the food we eat travels into the bloodstream where insulin is supposed to help it transition into the cells of our body. The cells use it to produce the energy we need to live. When the insulin isn't there or if the cells don't react to it anymore, then the glucose stays outside the cells in the bloodstream. The cells become energy starved and you feel tired and run down.

Tingling or Numbness in Your Hands, Legs or Feet:

This symptom is called neuropathy. It occurs gradually over time as consistently high glucose in the blood damages the nervous system, particularly in the extremities. Type 2 diabetes is a gradual onset, and people are often not aware that they have it. Therefore, blood sugar might have been high for more than a few years before a diagnosis is made. Nerve damage can creep up without our knowledge. Neuropathy can very often improve when tighter blood glucose control is achieved.

Other Signs and Symptoms That Can Occur:

Blurred vision, skin that is dry or itchy, frequent infections or cuts and bruises that take a long time to heal are also signs that something is amiss. Again, when these signs are associated with diabetes, they are the result of high glucose levels in the body. If you notice any of the above signs, schedule an appointment with your doctor. He or she will be able to tell you if you have reason to be concerned about a diagnosis of diabetes.

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How to Recognize Prostate Cancer Symptoms

Prostate cancer ranks fifth among the causes of death for men over age 45. After lung cancer, prostate cancer is the second leading cause of death among all men in the United States; for Australian men, it is the second most common cancer after non-melanoma skin cancers. The risk of being diagnosed with prostate cancer by the age of 85 is 1 in 5.

Experts do not know how to prevent prostate cancer, nor do they know how a man gets this cancer. While early detection can ensure wider options for treatment and higher rates of remission following treatment, signs and symptoms of prostate cancer generally don't show until the cancer is more advanced, and as such, getting early screening checks can be important. The following article will help you recognize certain symptoms of prostate cancer if they appear, as well as increasing your awareness of the role of testing for prostate cancer.

1. 1
   Understand what prostate cancer is. The prostate gland is located beneath a man's bladder and surrounds the upper part of the urethra Prostate cancer is a malignant tumor of the prostate. Generally it is slow growing and early prostate cancer often shows no symptoms. It can occur in two forms:
   
   
   
   • Early prostate cancer: This is also known as localized prostate cancer. The cancer is contained within the prostate, and can even be present for years without causing any problems
   • Advanced prostate cancer: At this stage, the cancer has spread beyond the prostate and has entered other parts of the body and tissues. Prostate cancer can spread to lymph nodes in the pelvis and to other parts of the body through the bloodstream, such as the lungs and bones.
2. 2
   Know if you're at risk. While all men are at risk for prostate cancer, there are some men who have heightened risk factors. Men at greater risk include:
   
   
   
   • Men who have a father or brother who has had prostate cancer. This risk is higher if your relative had prostate cancer at an early age, or if you have more than one relative who has had prostate cancer.
   • Men of African descent are at higher risk of prostate cancer than men of European or Asian descent.
   • Older men. The risk of getting prostate cancer increases rapidly after the age of 50. Over half of new diagnoses of prostate cancer affect men over the age of 70.
   • Exposure to Agent Orange increases your risk of getting prostate cancer.
   • While a diet high in animal fats and low in fruit, vegetables, and fish has some association with prostate cancer, so far there is no conclusive evidence about environmental and lifestyle factors. Obesity increases your chances of dying from prostate cancer if diagnosed. Even without the certainty of dietary links, for the sake of general good health, it is important to eat healthy.
3. 3
   Be aware that there may be no symptoms present. Many men with prostate cancer often have no symptoms at all. If symptoms do appear, watch for:
   
   
   
   • Pain or burning during urination.
   • Weak or disrupted flow of urine.
   • The inability to urinate.
   • Frequent urination, particularly at night.
   • Blood in the urine.
   • Ceaseless pain in the lower back, pelvis, or upper thighs.
   • Impotence.
   • Note that the symptoms can also apply to other illnesses. The symptoms could also mean lesser illnesses such as an enlarged prostate (BPE or benign prostatic enlargement) or an infection of the prostate (prostatitis).
4. 4
   See your doctor if you experience any of the symptoms listed or if you're at risk. Given that there may be no symptoms present, if you fall within the risk factors, it is important to discuss screening and testing needs with your doctor. You should be able to get screening from your family doctor, especially where you're over 60, or have strong a family history of prostate cancer. Be aware that the tests for prostate cancer are not 100 percent accurate and that some medical experts are not convinced of the need for testing. Indeed, there is a concern that diagnosis may result in unnecessary treatment that carries its own negative impacts on quality of life. On the other hand, some men choose to have a test at ages 35–40, to establish a "baseline" PSA level for future comparison with tests as they age. If you do choose screening after discussing all the consequences with your doctor, you may be subjected to the following tests:
   
   
   
   • The DRE or digital (finger) rectal exam. During this test, the doctor inserts a gloved and lubricated finger into your rectum. The doctor feels the back portion of the prostate to inspect its size and to detect any peculiar or abnormally hard areas.
   • PSA test or "prostate-specific antigen" test. In this test, a small sample of blood is drawn from your arm. The doctor will inspect the blood to see if the PSA level is normal; prostate cancer can cause large amounts of PSA to end up in your bloodstream. There is reliable evidence that PSA screening can catch early-stage prostate cancer.
   • Testing for and treatment of prostate cancer is less likely to be of benefit for older men, especially after the age of 75.
   • The prognosis is good with early treatment, although in some cases there may be no need for treatment if a detected prostate cancer has a slow growth pattern. Your doctor will need to determine your needs depending on an analysis of your particular case; there are no one-size-fits-all treatment options.

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How to Get Rid of Fleas

Dehumidify your rooms

1. 1
   Get one or two dehumidifier(s) depending on the size of your room. A 4x4m room needs a 10L/Day dehumidifier (it removes 10L of water in the air per day). Apparently, fleas require 50% or higher relative humidity to live. Keep the humidity in your room under 50% for 2 days will kill adult fleas and larva, and stop flea eggs from hatching. You just need to vacuum the flea jerky and their eggs.

Cleaning Up Your Home

1. 1
   Wash lived-in areas and items. Throw all of the pet bedding in the washing machine and let it go for a deep spin. That includes anything that the pets like to regularly lie or sleep on, which isn't always intended to serve as pet bedding. Wash it all - the bedsheets, the throw on the sofa and the bathroom rug.
   
   
   
   • If the item is not salvageable or the inside of the pet bedding is full of dirt (dander, flea eggs, flea larvae, and flea excrement) best to throw it out and purchase a new bed. Even if you wash the cover and put the inside of the bedding back in the cover the eggs will still hatch.
   • Fleas attack humans, too. If you suspect that you might be a victim of those blood-sucking vermin — even if you don't — you're going to need to wash your sheets and upholstery as well. Anything that you regularly touch is a vector for fleas. Wash it thoroughly.
2. 2
   Spray an insect growth regulator (IGR) like methoprene or pyriproxyfen. Room foggers (total release aerosols) aren't as effective as sprays unless they contain an IGR to prevent the larvae from turning into adult fleas. Without IGRs, larvae won't be controlled because they won't be reached at the base of carpet fibers where they develop.
   
   
   
3. 3
   Become friends with your vacuum cleaner. While the loose, potentially flea-infested items are being washed, arm yourself with a vacuum and suck the flea life out of every surface, nook and cranny you can find. While you're doing this, send the pet(s) outside, or confine them to the bathroom, so that any fleas they're carrying won't jump onto the surface you just vacuumed.
   
   
   
   • Sticking a flea collar or broken-up mothballs in the vacuum cleaner helps to kill off the buggers that you've sucked up so they can't come back out to haunt you. Fleas mostly won't survive the vacuum, but you want to play it safe.
   • Focus on areas that don't get much exposure to sunlight (fleas like humid and cool spots), anywhere that you find dried blood and feces (flea debris), upholstered furniture, and crevices around baseboards and cabinets (that's where the eggs and larvae are probably hiding).
   • When the vacuum bag is full, seal it in a plastic trash bag and put it in a covered trash container, preferably outside. Otherwise, the little buggers can crawl out and make themselves cozy again.
4. 4
   Use botanical dust mixed with Borate acid. An adult flea will live only about a week without blood from its host, while a flea larva can live several months. Treating your house with a safe, natural insecticide like botanical dust and borate helps attacks the larvae as well.
   • Botanical dusts are perhaps the oldest natural insecticides. Borates are minerals that are used widely as wood preservatives, detergents, and insecticides, acting as stomach poisons to fleas. They have low toxicity and are safe to use around humans.
   • While the botanical dust and borate mixture is very safe, care should be taken not to breathe it in. Use a mask when applying the dust mixture in the home.
   • You should dust the carpet, the furniture, the bed, the dog of cat's bed. It's good to do this when you're leaving your house for a good while, say 24 hours. When you come back, either vacuum and wash the sheets on both beds, or simply wash the sheets and leave much of the borate mixture in the carpet as a deterrent to future flea reproduction. (It is safe.)
5. 5
   Reclaim your back yard. Before letting the pet(s) outside, prune foliage and trim grass to expose flea larvae to sunlight. Look around. Do you see any dark, moist spots? Find a way to expose them to sunlight if you can.
   
   
   
   • Even after you have exposed these places to the sunlight, you may find that your pets are still bringing in fleas from outside. The best way that you can solve this dilemma is to use either cedar wood chips or Eucalyptus leaves. Fleas hate them, and they are all-natural, so you won't contaminate nearby plants (and other useful insects) or even run the risk of harming your pet.
   • Purchase cedar wood chips from your nearby convenience store and spread them over the affected areas. If your dog can stand it, place cedar wood chips in its kennel. Place eucalyptus oil in affected areas. You can even plant eucalyptus bushes, although they grow quite robustly and can negatively affect the ability of other plants to grow around it. 
6. 6
   Fill shallow bowls of water with dish detergent. This is pretty much a homemade flea trap. The water and dish detergent mixture is like a toxic swimming pool for fleas. Fleas, lured in by a light source, jump into the water and cannot escape.
   
   
   
   • Place the water and detergent mixture in a very shallow bowl, low enough to the ground so that the fleas accidentally hop into it. An old frisbee or low-walled bowl does the job quite well.
   • Place the mixture next to a low-hanging light source, preferably something a little stronger than a night-light. The fleas are attracted to the light. After a few days, you should begin to notice that your bowl has turned into a flea cemetery.

Giving Your Pet a Bath

1. 1
   Choose a flea shampoo carefully. Anything with conventional insecticides (pyrethrins, permethrin, d-limonene, chlorpyrifos, or carbaryl) might irritate or harm your pet and the people around it.
   
   
   
   • Instead, try natural insecticides or flea irritants. They shouldn't harm your pet but will be mighty nasty for fleas. Make sure to check with your vet first, though. Here's a list of insecticides or irritants you could consider:
     • Rosemary oil
     • Eucalyptus oil
     • Citrus oil
     • Cedar oil (toxic to cats)
     • Tea tree oil (toxic to cats)
2. 2
   Wash the neck first. This way, fleas don't jump up to the head during the bath.
   
   
   
   • When fleas sense water, they immediately seek cover in dry, hard-to-reach places on your pet. So it's a good idea to at least wet, if not clean, the rectum, ears, eye cavity, and neck before getting the entire body wet.
   • For extra security, keep lathering up your pet for up to 15 minutes. 5 minutes is the minimum time needed to begin killing off the fleas, but 15 minutes is the safe bet.
   • Rinse your pet under warm/lukewarm water for several minutes, making sure to cleanse the soap from its skin and soak the remaining potential hiding places for fleas.
3. 3
   Apply a flea-killing product. This could be a flea-collar, a spot-on, or oral medication. Prescription strength (from a vet) spot-on treatments usually work best.
   
   
   
   • If the collar contains only insect growth regulator (which prevents larvae from turning into adults, but does not affect the existing adults), use another treatment such as a spot-on product, to control adult fleas. Collars can be irritating to the pet's skin and are sometimes ineffective.
   • The following products are not considered to be effective: Vitamin B1 (thiamine hycrochloride) supplements, herbal collars and ultrasonic devices.
4. 4
   Use a fine-toothed comb specifically designed to remove fleas. A flea is covered with tiny hairs that allow them to "grip" onto the host's fur. Using a comb with teeth that are close enough together that the flea can't slip through is the most effective way to dislodge them. A comb designed for another purpose or a brush won't remove all the fleas.
   
   
   

Natural Ways to Remove Fleas

1. 1
   Use yeast as a weapon. Fleas reportedly don't like the taste of yeast. Although this has not been proven, many people swear by it. Buy some brewer's or nutritional yeast and rub it onto your pet's skin. You can also sprinkle a small amount onto their wet food and mix it in.
   
   
   
2. 2
   Make your own herbal flea dip for pets. Take two cups of fresh rosemary leaves and add them to two pints of water. Boil for thirty minutes. Strain the liquid, discard the leaves and mix it with up to a gallon of warm water. Pour this over your pet until they are saturated. Do not rinse off, but allow your pet to air dry.
   
   
   
3. 3
   Spread salt over the surface of your carpet. Salt is a desiccant, meaning it saps the moisture from things and dries them out. When a salt crystal attaches itself to a flea, it will attach itself to the flea. This causes chafing and scraping on the flea, essentially bleeding the flea to death as it walks.
   
   
   
   • Use very fine-grained salt for this. The finer the better; you want it to be small enough to attach itself to the flea.
   • After 7-10 days, vacuum the salted area very thoroughly, making sure to pick up all the salt and flea carcasses from the carpet area. Repeat the process one or two more times.
   • When you're done vacuuming, discard the old vacuum bag from the vacuum and replace it with a new one. Seal the discarded vacuum bag in a plastic bag and discard outside the house.
4. 4
   Make a citrus spray. Slice a lemon thinly, add to a pint of water and heat to a boiling point. Let it sit overnight and in the morning, put the mixture in a spray bottle. Spray it onto areas where you suspect fleas hang out (beware of staining). Be sure to also rub it over your cat's fur. Don't soak, but dampen the fur. Do this once a month to combat fleas.
   
   
   
   • Another way to make a citrus spray is to buy essential oils (available at natural food stores); you can buy a bottle of lemon oil and add 10-20 drops per ounce of water.
   • This is something to do on a hot day only: Add 2 to 3 drops of the lemon mixture under your pet's collar to help keep fleas off.
5. 5
   Consider using Diatomaceous Earth. Diatomaceous Earth is a widely available, low cost, organic powder that kills fleas and most insects when applied to your yard or carpets.
   
   
   
   • It's food-grade, meaning it is safe for humans and animals to ingest. Diatomaceous Earth works by puncturing the exoskeleton of the insects, causing them to dry out. 
6. 6
   Follow up. This is the most critical step because if you skimp on it, all your efforts from your previous steps will be undone. The eggs that survived will hatch, and the entire cycle will begin again. Do the following until you find no traces of fleas on your pets or in your home:
   
   
   
   • Vacuum thoroughly every other day. Since fleas can develop resistance to insecticides, vacuuming regularly is essential in order to bring them under control.
   • Mow the lawn regularly.
   • Wash pet bedding in hot, soapy water at least once a week.

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How to Get Tested for HIV

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the virus that causes acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Because of the ways HIV can be spread, and because there is presently no cure for AIDS, many people fear being diagnosed with HIV. But while there is no cure for AIDS, it is still possible to live a productive life with HIV, and if you suspect you have it, it is smart to get tested for it. Read on about how to get tested for HIV.

Who Should Get Tested

1. 1
   Determine if you have HIV symptoms. If you have flu-like symptoms that last for a week or 2, and you don't recall being exposed to the influenza virus, you may have HIV. If you suspect your symptoms are from HIV, see your doctor.
   • Not everyone infected with HIV exhibits symptoms; some people infected with the virus may not exhibit symptoms for several years after exposure.
2. 2
   Examine your past behavior for anything that may have exposed you to HIV. Certain behaviors increased your chances of being exposed to HIV. People who have injected drugs with needles shared with other drug users or who have unprotected sex with multiple partners or partners who themselves have had unprotected sex with other partners are at risk. Also at risk are people diagnosed with or treated for sexually transmitted diseases, hepatitis or tuberculosis, as well as those who've had unprotected sex with someone so diagnosed.
   • If you've had unprotected sex, both you and your partner should get tested.
   • You cannot get HIV just from being around someone who has it, nor can you get it from someone else's sweat, saliva or tears or by sharing a closed-mouth kiss. Insect bites or stings do not transmit HIV, nor can you get it from donating blood, as the needles used for blood donations are not reused.
3. 3
   Protect your unborn child if you plan to get pregnant. Drugs are available to prevent a pregnant woman from passing HIV to her baby, but these drugs will be used only if doctors know the woman has HIV. If you want to have children, and you either have symptoms or have put yourself at risk, you need to get tested for HIV.

How to Get Tested

1. 1
   Go to an HIV testing site. These special clinics run on a confidential basis; many preserve anonymity by assigning patients identification numbers to match them with their test results. Some run on an appointment basis, while others let patients drop in. Most collect information about patient ethnicity, sexual orientation and activity, drug use and prior HIV tests. Patients are counseled before and after the test. The test takes one of several forms:
   • A blood sample test from a vein that looks for the presence of HIV antibodies. It takes 1 to 2 weeks to process for results.
   • A saliva sampling test from between the cheek and gum. This test also takes 1 to 2 weeks to process.
   • A urine test. However, this test is less accurate than the blood and saliva sample tests.
   • A rapid sample test, where blood is taken from the finger and processed in 20 to 30 minutes. Patients who receive this test may receive less counseling than with the other 2 forms of testing, depending on how busy the testing site is.
   • All tests must be confirmed with a follow-up test, using the same bodily fluid that was sampled for the original test. In addition, if you test negative for HIV within 3 months of potential exposure, you'll need to be tested again 3 months afterward to rule out the possibility that the first test missed the presence of HIV antibodies.
2. 2
   Test at a regular clinic or doctor's office. You may not be as likely to be tested anonymously in either of these settings as at a dedicated HIV testing site or receive the same level of counseling, but you may have more flexibility in making an appointment and not have to wait as long to be tested.
   • In addition to the tests listed under the previous step, if you visit your doctor just after taking part in HIV-risk behavior, he or she may administer an RNA test, designed to find the virus itself instead of antibodies it causes the body to produce. Typically, antibodies don't show up in detectable quantities until 2 to 8 weeks after infection (12 weeks at the outside), while the RNA test will detect the virus within 9 to 11 days after infection.
3. 3
   Test with a "home testing kit." More correctly a "home collection kit," this test involves pricking your own finger with the included device, putting drops of blood on a treated card to be mailed to a laboratory for treatment. Anyone taking the test is assigned an identification number to preserve anonymity. Counselors are available by telephone before the test, while waiting for results and after receiving them.
   • While several HIV home test kits are advertised online, the only one presently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is the Home Access HIV-1 Test System. Even so, it requires a follow-up test to verify the results, and anyone who receives a positive result is given a referral for such a test.
   • In some countries, the sale of home testing kits is illegal.

If You Test Positive

1. 1
   Notify any partners you've had sex with. They'll need to get tested for HIV as well.
2. 2
   Be cared for by a doctor with experience in treating HIV. Do this even if you're not experiencing any symptoms. There are now a number of treatment options for HIV.
3. 3
   Be tested for other infectious diseases. Being infected with HIV makes you more vulnerable to other infectious diseases. It's a good idea to be tested for tuberculosis, hepatitis and sexually transmitted diseases such as syphilis.
4. 4
   Practice safe sex. Use a condom when having sex. Latex condoms are highly, but not absolutely, effective in preventing HIV transmission, if used consistently and correctly. If either you or your partner has a latex allergy, use a condom made of polyurethane.
   • To prevent the condom from breaking during sex, use of a lubricant is advised, although spermicides such as nonoxynol-9 are not recommended to prevent infection from HIV or other sexually transmitted diseases.
5. 5
   Modify other risky habits. Certain practices such as smoking, excessive drinking or using illicit drugs can weaken your immune system. Take advantage of programs to curb your use of these substances.
   • Avoid sharing razors or toothbrushes with others, as these may have someone else's blood on them.
6. 6
   Get retested regularly. The Centers for Disease Control recommend that people who have practiced behaviors that put them at risk for HIV be tested at least once a year.

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How to Get Rid of Foot Odor

Are you suffering from a raging case of stinky feet? Do people wince when you walk by? Do your dogs avoid chewing on your shoes? Here are some suggestions that may help tame that fearsome foot odor. 

1. 1
   Wash your feet. It sounds obvious, but a quick rub with soapy water in the shower isn't enough. The objective here is to get rid of any bacteria and dead skin cells that bacteria like to feed on. So when you wash your feet, exfoliate the entire surface of your foot with a washcloth, brush, or any other abrasive mechanism and use anti-bacterial soap. Don't forget to scrub between your toes, either.
   
   
2. 2
   Dry your feet. When you dry your feet, dry them completely. Moisture, whether it's water or sweat, is what creates a fertile breeding ground for bacteria, Take the time to dry your feet thoroughly and don't neglect the space between your toes.
   
   
3. 3
   Use hand sanitizer. It may sound weird, but a good scented (or unscented) hand sanitizer can kill germs on your feet and inhibit bacterial growth.
   
   
4. 4
   Use deodorant. The same deodorant you apply under your arms could also be used for your feet. Just make sure to get a separate deodorant stick for each area.
   
   
5. 5
   Keep a mixture of 1/2 regular vinegar (already 95% water) and 1/2 isopropyl alcohol ("rubbing alcohol"). Dribble this daily (use a medicine dropper) over and between your toes and irritated skin on the feet and spread it. Both products are harmless to your skin, but the vinegar kills fungus and the alcohol inhibits or kills bacteria. It also helps get rid of toe fungus on contact.
   
   
6. 6
   Wear sandals or open-toed shoes. This is so your feet stay cool and you don't produce as much sweat. Even when you do, it evaporates due to air circulation. You can also use leather or canvas shoes which allow your feet to "breathe," and steer clear of rubber and plastic shoes.
   
   
7. 7
   Put antiperspirant on your feet. Take that stick of antiperspirant and rub it on your feet. Sprays will work as well. Make sure it's antiperspirant though and not deodorant--deodorant just covers up smells. Antiperspirant actually reacts with the electrolytes in sweat to form "gel plugs" that block off your sweat ducts. Since each one of your feet has over 250,000 sweat glands (more sweat glands per inch than any other part of your body) a little antiperspirant can go a long way.
   
   
8. 8
   Rub your feet with one or more of the following powders. Do this between your toes as well. This is what most foot powders and sprays contain to combat foot odor:
   
   
   • Talcum powder. It's an astringent, so it'll dry out your feet.
     
     
   • Baking soda. This creates an alkaline environment that's not bacteria-friendly.
     
     
   • Corn starch. This helps absorb sweat.
     
     

Target Your Socks and Shoes

1. 1
   Try cedar wood or cloves. Put cedar wood (special Cedarsoles at best) or some cloves inside your shoes. The odor will disappear after a few days.
   
   
2. 2
   Change your socks daily with laundered ones. Colored socks seem to be more prone to bacteria and the resulting smell more so than white socks.
   
   
   • When you wash your socks, turn them inside out in the washer so the dead flakes of skin have a better chance of being washed away.
     
     
   • When you do need to wear socks, go for absorbent ones made of cotton or wool. Non-absorbent socks (like nylon) trap moisture around your foot, making a cozy little nook for bacteria. If possible, change your socks more than once a day, and never wear a pair of socks more than once without washing them. Unless using open shoes you should always wear socks. Try two pair of socks to help with the wicking of moisture away from the foot.
     
     
3. 3
   Lightly powder shoes and socks daily with baking soda. Dust out yesterday's baking soda before adding in the fresh amount.
   
   
4. 4
   Rotate your shoes. Let your shoes dry out completely so that bacteria don't set up camp in there. It takes at least 24 hours for a shoe to dry out completely
   
   
   • Take out the insoles to help the drying process along. Otherwise, wearing the same pair day after day is a recipe for stinky feet. Crumpled newspaper inside wet shoes will dry them overnight.
     
     
     
     
5. 5
   Wash your shoes regularly. Many shoes can be thrown in the washing machine. Just make sure they dry thoroughly before you put them on.
   
   
6. 6
   Remove your shoes. Whenever you are able to take a break, remove your shoes. This helps the shoes and your feet stay drier.
   
   
7. 7
   Use a shoe dryer There are several great, low-wattage shoe and boot dryers that use convection air currents to slowly and completely dry wet, sweaty shoes. Place your footwear on them at the end of the day or workout and put on dry, warm and comfortable shoes about eight hours later. Dryers eliminate the moisture that odor-causing bacteria need to grow and help your shoes to last longer.
   
   

Home Remedies For Curing Foot Odor

1. 1
   Soak your feet. Believe it or not, your feet can produce a whopping half liter (over 2 cups) of sweat in one day. Some solutions will dry out your feet, and others will make the surface of your feet inhospitable to bacteria.
   
   
2. 2
   Use bleach. Add about two tablespoons (1 ounce) of bleach to a gallon of warm water. Do this 5 to 10 minutes a day for a week. If you find this soak to be drying to your skin, you may apply a little baby oil.
   
   
   • Bleach your white socks too in the laundry. If your shoes can withstand it, add the same solution to the insides of your shoes and soak them down. Wait 1/2 hour and then just rinse them out in the sink. Dry them thoroughly before wearing them again.
     
     
3. 3
   Do a tea soak. Soak your feet in tea 30 minutes a day for one week. The tannic acid in the tea will dry out your skin.
   
   
4. 4
   Use salt water. Apply half a cup of kosher salt for every quart of water. After soaking, don't rinse your feet and just dry thoroughly.
   
   
5. 5
   Apply aluminum acetate. This will dry out your feet. Mix 1 packet Domeboro powder or 2 tablespoons Burow's Solution (both available over-the-counter) in 1 pint of water. Soak for 10 to 20 minutes at a time.
   
   
6. 6
   Make a baking soda mixture. Apply 1 tablespoon baking soda for every quart of water. This makes skin more alkaline, which inhibits bacterial growth.
   
   
7. 7
   Mix vinegar in water. This makes skin more acidic. Add a 1/2 cup vinegar for every 1 quart of water.
   
   
   • Keep in mind that some people's foot odor can be described as "vinegary" so if this is you, this soak might make things worse.
     
8. 8
   Put baby powder in your shoes. Applying baby powder or baking soda in your shoes and socks will help dry out any future odors.
   
   

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