How much water is too much? I’m petite, but I drink three liters a day. -Lina P., Northvale, NJ
The amount of H2O you need depends on how much you sweat, not your size. If you’re a jogger in Miami, three liters might be perfect. But if you live somewhere cold and slack on exercise, it could be excessive. Keep an eye on your pee. If it’s dark yellow, you need to drink more; if it’s clear, you may have gone overboard. Sip about eight cups of water throughout the day (don’t chug it all at once!) and you should be just fine.
I can’t seem to stop biting my nails. Could I really be hooked?
—Stacey J., Cleveland, OH
The myth that your nails contain an addictive chemical is just that: a myth. Most nail biting is simply a nasty habit— one that can spread germs and cause bleeding and infections. Try wearing unbreakable fake nails or coating your own with a bitter ointment like Control- It. In extreme cases, biting could signal an anxiety problem, so talk to your doc.
The sinus drip in the back of my throat is driving me nuts. What can I do?
Your sinuses are lubed with a thin lining of germ-catching mucus. But when that layer becomes infected or irritated by allergies, it swells and starts to drip. First, try flushing out your nose with a daily saline rinse.
If, after two weeks, the trickle persists, visit your doc and ask about a steroid nasal spray, which can reduce mucus build up and inflammation. And if that doesn’t work, get a course of antibiotics. Just be sure to stick with them; sinus infections often require a few weeks of damage control.
Does “holding it” strengthen or weaken your bladder muscles?
Neither! When you’re squeezing to hold back the flow of urine, you’re actually flexing your pelvic-floor muscles. But while you might be giving those a good workout, don’t get into the habit of walking around with a full tank. Though holding it won’t damage anything or cause an infection, when your bladder is filled to the brim it can start to spasm, which may cause some humiliating leakage. Why take that chance? Relieve yourself as soon as you feel the urge.
I love keeping my “summer blond” year-round, but I’ve heard the highlighting chemicals can cause health problems. True?
—Rachel B., New York, NY
Not quite. Highlights are a safe health bet, as long as they’re applied only to the hair shaft and not to the scalp, where
they could burn your skin or seep into your bloodstream. Women yearning for darker locks, however, should take note: Preliminary studies have found tentative links between some permanent dark-color dyes (typically applied to hair and scalp) and certain cancers. That’s not to say you shouldn’t tint your locks—just keep it to
a few times a year, and ask your colorist about newer, safer dyes.
We all know smoking is awful, and second-hand smoke is bad. Is third- hand smoke harmful too?
—Sue R., Baltimore, MD
Yes. Inside every plume of smoke are traces of some
250 poisonous gases such as cyanide, ammonia, arsenic, and cadmium. They can linger on hair, skin, and clothing for months after a smoker stubs out her butt. Research shows third- hand smoke may also contain lead, which can mess with brain function. That’s bad news for smokers and the people around them. You don’t need to run next time your smoker buddy visits, but do your best to minimize your day-to-day exposure.
