Category Archives: Useful Tips
How Much Does Cord Blood Banking Cost? Is the Cost Worth it or Not?
Welcoming a new member of your family requires you to make several carefully calculated decisions. One such crucial decision is deciding what you want to do with the stem cells of your newborn. You can either chose to preserve it, donate to or discard it.
Traditionally the cord blood was considered medical waste and disposed of post-delivery. However, the recent discovery about the numerous benefits of cord blood has led to an increase in awareness. Parents are considering cryogenically preserving the stem cells of their children for future usage.
Cord blood is a reservoir of life-giving and life-saving stem cells. Hence, they can be a great aid in case of future medical emergencies.
However, the availability and viability of the stem cells for transfusion as well as the cord blood bank cost depend on your choice of the cord blood bank. Let us discuss this in detail.
1. Private cord blood bank costs
Storing your child’s stem cells with a private cord blood bank is the only way to ensure that the cord blood will be available as and when needed by your child and other family members. The cord blood bank ensures that your child’s cord blood is collected, processed, and stored properly. They carry out all the tests and procedures required for cryopreserving the cells and make them available at the time of transfusion.
However, it requires a considerably significant financial investment. The cost of storing your child’s stem cell with a private bank requires an upfront cost, also known as registration fees or setup costs. These charges could be anywhere between $1300 to $2300.
Also, you need to pay annual fees also called storage and maintenance charges ranging anywhere between $100 to $180. However, some private cord blood bank allows you to preserve your child’s stem cells with manageable monthly payments. An affordable cord blood bank at $19.99/month with no hidden cost and annual fees enables every child to receive cord blood storage services.
2. Public Cord blood bank costs
If you do not want to store your child’s stem cells with a private bank, you can also donate them to a public cord blood bank. Your baby’s cord blood can save someone’s life or can be used for research purposes.
However, you can not avail these stem cells even when your child requires them in the future. The public cord blood bank makes all the arrangements for collection, processing, and cryogenically preserving your newborn’s stem cells without charging any cost.
Some banks can also accept mail-in donations. Hence, the cost of storing cord blood with a public cord blood bank is nil. However, such stem cells are not preserved exclusively for your family.
Is the cost worth it?
The cord blood is rich in stem cells that can be an aid in the fight against numerous diseases. Some of these diseases include sickle cell amenia, leukemia, and many types of cancer.
At present, stem cells can help in treating 80 rare diseases. Hence, the cord blood bank cost is like insurance for your child’s wellbeing.
Also, scientists and researchers around the globe are conducting studies to understand the untapped potential of stem cells in treating various incurable diseases. Hence cryopreserving stem cells of your child opens the door for advanced future medical treatment when your child needs it.
Cord blood banking becomes essential if the child has a sibling that can benefit from the transfusion. Also, stem cells can be used by other family members in their fight against diseases.
Cord blood banking is biological insurance that can save your child’s life. Hence the immense potentials of these regenerative cells justify the cord blood bank costs by securing your baby’s future health.
What to Look For In a Tanning Lotion for Tanning Beds
The summer may be half over in the northern hemisphere, but it’s still never too late to work on that tan, or to start preparing to keep your tan over the autumn and winter when you aren’t able to get out to the beach as often. Tanning beds are one of the best ways to properly maintain your tan when you can’t get into the sun, and in order to make the best of your tanning bed salon experience, you should always be wearing tanning lotions for tanning beds.
Tanning beds require a special kind of lotion when you are using them for your tanning needs. So, what exactly should you be looking for in a tanning salon-safe tanning lotion?
Getting Tanning Bed Lotion
Using outdoor tanning lotions can cause damage to the lamination on tanning beds, while indoor tanning bed lotions are especially formulated to not leave behind any residue or gunk that could damage the bed. Anytime you walk into a tanning bed salon, they will have a selection of tanning bed lotions available on hand for you to purchase, but you can always bring your own. When you do purchase your own online, always check to ensure that it is rated to be safe for tanning beds.
Quality Ingredients
Before trying any one of the various types of tanning lotions, you need to get familiar with what is in the product. At the base of all tanning lotions for tanning beds is a strong moisturizer, some form of chemical to help darken the results of your tan, and vitamins and minerals to keep your skin healthy. The best tanning lotions are likely to have upwards of 30% moisturizer, or even more, because dry skin is the enemy of a good tan.
Dry skin blocks UV light, so having well moisturized skin results in less time needed in the tanning bed for the results you want. There are several types of chemicals that help with darkening skin, and a strong bronzer is likely to use Melanin. Finally, vitamins and minerals are helpful at keeping your skin healthy looking, avoiding wrinkles, and giving you a nice ageless glow.
Type of Tanning Lotion
There are several types of tanning lotions for tanning beds, depending on the experience you want and how deep you want your tan.
Bronzers
Bronzers are probably what most people think of when it comes to tanning lotions. Bronzers have some form of bronzing formulation within them to help increase the color result from your tanning session. The level of bronzing is on the label, normally with numbers such as x10, x30 or x50; the higher the number, the darker your tan will be. Always apply evenly to avoid streaking or an uneven tan, and always use clothing you aren’t afraid to get stained.
Tingle
Some tanning lotions have different feel effects to them. One of those is a tingling lotion. The tingling of the lotion is actually from increasing blood flow to the surface of the skin, which increases the amount of melanin being produced during the tanning process.
Cooling
Cooling lotions have additives that give your skin a more cooling sensation, rather than a tingling one. For many, this makes the tanning experience more soothing, relaxing, and enjoyable.
Accelerator
Accelerator tanning lotions for tanning beds do exactly what they say on the bottle: they accelerate the rate at which you can achieve your tan. Accelerators tend to have the highest percentage of moisturizer, and they are the best options for starting out and getting yourself a base tan.
Maximizer and Intensifier
These types of lotions are meant for those with a base tan already who want to darken it even further. These will have less moisturizer overall than accelerators, so they aren’t entirely recommended for newbies. But of course, whatever tanning lotion is most comfortable for you is the one you should choose.
SPF Value
Many tanning lotions for tanning beds will actually not include any sunscreen within them, so you have to be careful when using them. If you stay in the tanning bed too long, you will get a sunburn from the UV light. If you are new to tanning beds and are weary about sunburns, have sensitive skin, or a higher risk of skin cancer, then you should possibly look for a tanning lotion that has an SPF value.
Finding the Right Fragrance in Your Tanning Lotions for Tanning Beds
Finally, many tanning lotions for tanning beds have some form of fragrance included in the formulation, partially to mask the smell of the other ingredients, and partially to give you a soothing smell to enjoy while you are tanning. If you don’t want fragrance, or a minimal one, then be sure to check the ingredient list or the description on the bottle.
The next time you are getting your tan on at a tanning bed salon, be sure to include your favorite tanning lotions for tanning beds to have the best time possible.
The Process of Cord Blood Collection
After the delivery of a baby, cord blood remains in the umbilical cord and placenta. This blood is a rich source of stem cells that can boost the immune system. During the cord blood storage process, umbilical blood is collected and all the immune cells present in it are cryogenically frozen for future medical usage. Banking your baby’s blood will be a new experience. Your concern regarding the complexity of the process is genuine. But to bring to your notice, banking is a seamless process causing no harm to the baby as well as the mother.
Processes involved in cord blood storage
The delivery is not at all affected by banking. The entire process of collection, procession, and cryopreservation is done by professional healthcare workers. The processes involved are as follows.
1. Enroll yourself with a cord blood bank
The process of enrolment is free. If you enroll earlier and then later decide not to opt for blood banking, there will be no issues. Make sure to return the collection kit to the banking cell to avoid paying any charges. There are certain forms that you will have to fill before delivery, while some at the time of delivery. Inform your gynecologist about your decision of banking much before. Keep the collection kit carefully with your hospital bag.
2. Collection process
Testing of maternal blood samples is done pre-delivery to eradicate any possibility of an infection. Cord blood is collected immediately after the delivery from the umbilical cord. The Healthcare provider also collects cord tissue after delivery of the placenta. The entire collection process is pain-free for the baby as well as the mother.
The healthcare provider clamps and cuts the umbilical cord. After proper cleaning, a needle is inserted to collect blood. The baby does not come in contact with the needle, ensuring a no-pain process for him. All efforts are made to collect as much blood as possible. After collecting the maximum possible cord blood, your gynecologist will cut a large segment of cord tissue. It will be collected in a collection cup after a thorough cleaning.
3. Transportation of cord blood
A toll-free number of cells are provided on the collection kit that you receive. Within two hours of the delivery, make a call at that number. Someone will receive your call 24×7. Soon after the call, a courier will be arranged from the parents’ location to the blood bank. The bag containing the blood and cord tissue is sealed and your family’s name label is attached to it to avoid any replacement. The samples of maternal blood samples are also labeled. You will get a notification once your cord blood, cord tissue, and maternal blood samples reach the lab.
4. Testing the umbilical blood
After 36 to 48 hours of cord blood storage, it is tested, processed, and cryogenically stored. Cord blood and tissues are tested for microbiological contamination. Specialized laboratory technologies are applied to maximize stem cells recovered from the blood. The banking cell stores the cord blood in situations to make sure to preserve all cell types and expand future medical help options. According to recent studies, a mix of stem cells stimulates teamwork with the body organs. This makes the regenerative medical process more effective. So, blood banks store the entire umbilical cord tissue to preserve the maximum possible types of cells.
5. Preservation of cord blood
Cord blood and tissue are stored in the vapor phase of liquid nitrogen at temperatures below -170 degrees Celsius. All cell types are preserved with extra protection against any feasible cross-contamination. A lot of research on possible medical treatments via cord blood is under process.
Keeping this fact in mind, banking blood these days also preserves cord blood’s residual plasma and red blood cells. These may prove to be beneficial in some treatments in the future. Make sure that the blood bank you choose for banking preserves additional samples for future benefits. After all, you have opted for cord blood banking for the medical benefits of your baby.
How Can I Get rid of a Fever Blister Fast?
Fever blisters are small fluid-filled blisters that appear around your mouth, lips, and tongue. They are also called cranked sores or mouth ulcers.
These blisters appear due to an infection with the herpes simplex virus type-1 and can cause pain, discomfort, and social awkwardness. The sores can also result in crusting and bleeding, which can cause embarrassment.
The infection with Herpes Simplex Virus cannot be cured, and the blisters take one to two weeks to clear up in a healthy individual. For many people, it can take longer, and the infection can spread to other areas as well.
Hence, it is essential to get rid of fever blisters fast, especially if you have a big event coming up. Let us learn more about fever blisters and how you can treat them quickly.
1. Recognize the early warning sign.
If you want to treat your fever blisters fast use fever blister medicine, you need to act as soon as you experience the first sign of the infection. Most people experience an itching, burning, or tingling sensation a day or a few hours before the first blister appears.
Start treating your blisters with natural remedies, topical cream, or oral medication as soon as you suspect cold sores.
2. Cold press
If you suspect an infection from HSV type-1, you can start the treatment with a cold press. Applying an ice cube to the tingling area can combat the outgrowth of blisters and also helps them heal quickly.
You can also apply a damp cloth to the cold sores to reduce redness and crusting. This eases the symptoms and enables faster healing of sores.
3. Topical medication
Topical medications for cold sores are available in the form of creams, gels, and ointment. They help reduce the growth of fever blisters and are generally available over the counter without a prescription. You can also order them online and keep them handy if you get infected by fever blisters multiple times in a year.
These topical medicines usually contain acyclovir or penciclovir. They control the outgrowth and improves the appearance of blisters. Using topical creams helps shorten the healing time for cold sores by a day.
The ointments need to be applied multiple times in a day within a gap of few hours. The sooner you start the process, the better it is. The medication can also help in relieving pain and crusting.
You should use topical creams for five to seven days to get rid of fever blisters quickly. Also, avoid using your hands to apply the ointment as it can spread the virus to other parts of the body. Use a cotton swab and dispose of it after each usage.
4. Oral medication
If you are experiencing recurring cold sores, you can choose oral pills for fever blisters as an alternative. Also, applying topical medications several times a day may get tedious and cumbersome.
Unlike topical medications, you need a prescription to get oral tablets for cold sores. Therefore, patients with recurring issues may keep pre-filled prescriptions or store the medicines for future usage.
The most common medicines include acyclovir, famciclovir, and valaciclovir. It does not have any side effects. However, a lower dose is advisable for people with kidney issues.
The antiviral attaches itself to the virus and deters its growth. It accelerates the healing process and also manages the symptoms of infection.
Based on your symptoms and their severity, your doctor may recommend suitable antivirals. You need to take these medicines once or twice for one to seven days. The doses of antivirals also depend on your immune system.
These are some of the means to treat your fever blisters and get rid of them faster. Time plays a crucial role in treating a cold sore. Hence the sooner you start, the better results you get.
Storing Your Baby’s Cord Blood: What You Should Know
Storing the umbilical cord blood has become a popular public penchant, and this ardent desire is because of the high medicinal benefit of cord blood. The valuable nature of cord blood is mainly because of the presence of rich stem cells, which are capable of creating all types of blood cells. Because of this morphing capacity, stem cells are beneficial to humans for curing various diseases. In other words, these stem cells have the capacity to replicate, and hence, is widely used for therapeutic purposes. Some of the diseases, which you can prevent by using stem cells, include Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, spinal cord damages, Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, stroke, heart disease, etc. That said, one must store the same in a well-equipped lab, and only then, the intrinsic quality will remain intact. To find the best cord blood storage lab, you must compare the different options of cord blood bank costs and must go for the best practical option.
Cord blood storage is a bit costly when you opt for a private bank. However, if you are donating the same for a common social cause, then the better option is to store it in a public bank. Nevertheless, you must understand that when you store in a public cord blood bank, you will not get any preference. Hence, if you want to use the efficacy of the umbilical cord blood of your child personally, it is always advisable to opt for a private bank. There will be numerous such facilities in almost all areas. So you can compare the offered facilities and the cord blood bank costs of some of the leading companies and opt for the best option.
If you are opting for storing the umbilical cord blood, you will have to make prior arrangements. You have to find a professional cord blood bank first and then go as per their advice. The mother will have to undergo various medical examinations, and this is to make sure that she has no infections caused by any virus. In general, these tests will clarify that the mother does not suffer from any diseases such as syphilis, cytomegalovirus, HIV, etc. The cord blood bank costs will cover all these expenses.
You must inform the physician who is attending the delivery about your decision. Remember, one will have to store the blood as soon as the baby is born, and hence, the prior arrangements are vital. Once you sign a contract with the bank, they will provide you a collection kit, and you must hand over this to the doctor or the nurse who will be there with the mother inside the labor room. The next step is to take the collected blood to the company; in most cases, the cord blood bank will arrange a courier staff for this task. You must talk to the management of the cord blood bank and must do accordingly. At the bank, the technical staff will process this blood and will store the same properly. Remember, there will not be any threat to the mother or the baby. In the past, the hospital authorities took umbilical cord blood as a simple waste and destroyed it then and there in a safe manner.
In any case, you must be prepared an initial investment for the connected processes that are par for the course of cord blood storage. This cost will cover the cost of the collection kit. This kit will be a fully sterile, FDA-approved collection bag, which will be handy for both vaginal and cesarean delivery. You will also have to pay an initial processing fee for processing the blood stem cell. Some companies take the first year storage-fee as an advance. Apart from this initial fee, you will have to pay the storage rent for every subsequent year. As there will be different options for the payment, you will not find it difficult. Besides, there will be numerous financing options from which you can choose the best option. That said, the experience of the company and overall rating matters a lot. You must consider these facts while selecting a cord blood bank.
