6 Emergency Services roll up their sleeves as Australia Red Cross Blood Drive commences Australian Red Cross Lifeblood has launched its annual Emergency Services Blood Drive, calling on police, ambulance, fire personnel and emergency services members to take part in a friendly competition aimed at boosting blood donations nationwide. The three-month campaign, running through to August 31, challenges emergency services across the country to get involved and highlights the urgent need for plasma, blood and platelet donations. Among those involved in the challenge and donating to the cause is Senior Constable Karen Watson, who celebrated a significant milestone, having marked her 450th donation. Senior Constable Watson has been donating regularly since she was 18 years old and encourages everyone to participate. “I just feel very blessed to have enjoyed good health and being able to share it,” Senior Constable Watson said. “Donating blood and plasma is now a regular activity for me and I plan to continue donating as long as I possibly can. Blood donations typically decline during the colder months as people become more susceptible to sickness and are unable to donate, so it’s an especially critical time for donations. As a police officer, I have seen firsthand the impact of blood donations and how far they go in saving lives. It’s an incredibly easy process and I encourage everyone to get involved.” Emergency services personnel witness the impacts of blood donations on a regular basis, when responding to trauma and medical emergencies and by taking part in the drive – they are directly serving their communities in more ways than one. As demand for blood and plasma continues to increase at record levels, Lifeblood spokesperson Liam Richardson said he hopes the Queensland community will follow the lead of their inspiring emergency services and book a donation. “Every day, we issue close to 10,000 blood products and medications to hospitals around the country to meet patient demand, and we would love to see more people in Queensland support our emergency services and join our movement of donors,” Mr Richardson said. To make a donation, call 13 14 95, book online at lifeblood.com.au or download the DonateBlood App. Dry skin in winter is usually caused by loss of moisture from the upper layers of the skin. Winter air tends to be cold and very dry and coupled with the dry heat pumped out of central heating systems to combat the cold, dry air is everywhere in winter. The dry air means that as moisture leaves your skin, it is not replaced because the humidity in the air is too low. Harsh winds and other colder weather conditions can also make your dry skin worse and can cause flare-ups in conditions like eczema. There are a few ways you can avoid getting dry skin during the winter months. Moisturise after washing: Every time you wash your body you strip your body of its natural oils. These oils need replacing and so moisturising your skin every time you wash can be effective in replenishing your skin. Keep body moisturising cream near the shower and get into the habit of putting it onto your skin each time you get out. You could also carry hand cream and moisturise your hands every time you wash them, especially after washing dishes. Wear SPF every day: You should be wearing SPF every day anyway, but some people think that during the winter months, SPF isn’t necessary. It is. Even if you’re staying inside, UV rays can penetrate your windows and cause damage to the skin’s barrier which is necessary for good skin hydration. To combat dry skin, apply an SPF over the top of moisturisers to ensure your skin is protected and the skin barrier remains in good health. Overnight treatments: Some moisturisers take longer to soak into the skin and so using them before bed is great as it allows them time to soak in properly. Add a heavier night cream to your skincare routine on a night to ensure your skin gets extra moisture overnight. Paired back skincare routine: When dry skin hits, it’s best to use a paired back, simple skincare regimen that uses only the simplest and gentlest products. Strip it back to a cleanser, moisturiser, SPF, and maybe a nourishing serum. Make sure that the products that you’re using are fragrancefree and don’t contain any harsh chemicals that can cause skin irritation. Use a humidifier: A humidifier adds moisture back into the air which can help to nourish and keep the skin soft. Cooler showers: Hot showers are terrible for dry skin. Hot water actually breaks down natural oils much quicker than water that is just lukewarm. Cooler showers can help to keep your skin moisturised. Avoid exfoliating scrubs: Exfoliation is really great for removing dead skin cells from the surface of your skin but it can also cause irritation to dry skin. Some physical exfoliators can cause tears in the skin and so avoiding all physical exfoliators is best. Stay hydrated and eat well: Drinking enough water every day is essential for your overall health and not drinking enough can actually be detrimental to your skin’s health. People who don’t drink enough water will notice their skin is drier because not enough moisture is getting to it. Like hydration, eating a balanced diet is a necessity for your overall health. In particular, you should try to eat foods that are high in antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids. Both of these nutrients can help your body to create healthy skin cells and they protect against environmental damage. Why do I get dry skin in winter?
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