| Issue date: Dec 5, 1999
Q: My 76-year-old
mother is active and in good health. But her skin is as thin as tissue
paper. The slightest bump causes hemorrhaging and takes forever to
heal. Are there treatments to toughen and thicken the skin?
Richard Franklin, Pensacola, Fla.
Dr. Mitchell: With age, skin loses its thickness and strength,
making injury more likely. Lotions with emollients can keep the
tissue moist and soft -- important because dry skin is more easily
damaged. Topical vitamin E and aloe vera may help, but there is
limited research to show they increase skin strength or thickness.
If your mother uses her hands a lot, she should wear gloves and
long sleeves when working outdoors and rubber gloves indoors; they
give an extra layer of "skin" for protection.
Q: What
kind of drills can I do in the off-season to improve my softball
skills?
Annie Groves, Bradford, Pa.
Foreman:ĘThe folks at the U.S. National Team tell me you
should try 100 swings, five days a week. Get a mirror, a bat, 10
Wiffle balls and a batting tee. First, get into your hitting stance
and take 25 1-2-3 swings (on the count of 1, trigger; 2, stride;
3, swing) in front of the mirror, checking your form. Next, kneel
and take 25 swings off the tee, focusing on upper-body technique
(soft front shoulder, hands in a direct path to the ball, a strong
finish). Then take 25 swings standing, isolating the lower body.
Last, try 25 full-body standing swings. Use the mirror to adjust
your form. Be careful not to overtrain. Save the pain for the game.
Sometimes "off-season" means just that.
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