What causes itching?

Itching is an irritation that urges one to scratch. The scientific word for it pruritus. Itching is caused by many things. The most common reason is physiological. Bet you didn't know that. Yep, it's all in our heads.

Stress and anxiety cause people to itch. This is the most common reason for itching, Also, dry skin causes more frequent itches. Many people also complain of itching from sunburns. Bud bites are a very common cause to itch. These are more exterior related causes.

Some internal reasons are kidney disease, cancers, an other diseases. Itching is also caused from reactions to drugs. Allergic reactions to medicines, foods, and the world in general can cause one to experience itching.

To soothe itching, one can use the cool method. Running cool water or using cold ice packs can help deaden the annoying sensation. Do not use the hot method! Warm water may soothe itching temporarily but it usually causes itching later. So steer clear.

Topical treatments like antihistamines are the most common way to relieve itching. But some of these can cause drowsiness or other side effects. If you can, just don't scratch and wait it out! Have self control. Scratching often causes a sore and even more itching.

No worries. If you have a sudden itch, you'll be okay. It's probably all in your head anyways. If not, I'd go with the cool method. Happy itching!

Who woulda thought...

Laura: First, let me start out by saying little kids of this generation have massive attitude. Caleb: Whether it's a kindergartener or a 5th grader, every single kid has the craziest imagination. Laura: I appreciate the craziness. Caleb: Recently, the journalism class spent an entire week teaching the elementary students how to write their own newspaper stories. Laura: It was interesting, to say the least. Their imaginations ran wild with stories about anything and everything. Caleb: oh remember that kid's story about him throwing a chair at his friend because he was so mad? Laura: Of course! I could relate so that was one of my favorites. Caleb: yeah and he got over his little anger issue.. now he's addicted to video games. I know that feeling.. Laura: Haha anyways. I definitely think there are some future newspaper writers. Caleb: Oh definitely. Most of those kids write better than you! Laura: Wow Caleb. That hurts. Why don't we just tell everyone our favorite stories before you ruin our friendship with remarks like that. Caleb: okay I'm sorry, Laura. But seriously, they have some awesome elementary writers. Who was your favorite? Laura: Hmmm I really loved my first girl, Cache's story. It was all about booty popping and feeling the music and... Caleb: uhh Laura, I don't think we were supposed to bring that one up. Laura: Woops. Oh well, that was my favorite. What was yours? Caleb: That's an easy one. My little kindergarten friend Benny was my favorite. This kid was crazy! Every second he changed his mind about the story because he just had some many different ideas he tried to cram them all in to one story. Me and james picked him up and tried to take him to highschool with us, but Benny's teacher wouldn't let us:( Laura: The idea was to help teach little kids how to write not to steal them away! Caleb: well I taught him how to write too. But every single one of those kids are gonna be amazing writers. Laura: Oh yea definitely! I can't wait to come back and read what they have to write years from now. It'll be interesting. Caleb: Indeed.

Haiti

The earthquake hit Haiti around 5:00 on January 12th. It was recorded as the strongest since 1770. The death toll is estimated to be near 200,000. Thousands of bodies have been placed in mass graves. Many are without food, water, or shelter. Riots and mobs have been arising because of panic, fear, and frustration. It's now up to us as to what we can do to help the suffering.

Many are still dying. There is not enough medicine for most of the injured. Antibiotics are needed to treat the amputations and life saving surgeries. But unfortunately, enough has not arrived in Port Au Prince yet. Pain killers are needed to help those severely injured or dying.

Those who are less injured, are still suffering tremendously. There is a huge lack of food and drinkable water. The food is getting there, but it's sometimes getting into the wrong hands. A big problem has been spotted. Men overpower the women and children for food. To help solve this problem, U.S. and Haitian soldiers have begun mostly giving to the women.

The idea is that the women will disperse the food more evenly. In Haiti, the women are usally in charge of the household food supply. Once the women get the bags of food, soldiers help protect them and ensure that they keep the food and it doesn't get stolen. This has helped fairly well so far.

A massive food distribution began today. Each family will recieve a 25 kilogram ration of rice at each food distribution site. But that's not enough. People also need water and shelter. Pur water has water purifying packets available. For 3 cents a pack, a liter of contaminated water can be purified. The packet helps separate the good water from the bad stuff.

Shelterbox is an organization that gives people shelter - in a box. A 10 person size tent is the most important thing supplied. Crayons and drawing books are also provided for the children.
Other important supplies include: hammers, stoves, bowls, water and food containers, thermal blankets, water purification packs, and mosquito nets.

It's up to all of us to help. Most of the world seems to be uniting for this greater cause. We can donate as much as possible for the relief of the Haitians through our church, school, and organizations.

http://www.shelterbox.org/

http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2010/haiti.quake/

Feature Story on Family

I'm sitting against the wall in my sister's kitchen, watching everybody. It's my niece's 11th birthday party. She's opening her gifts and thanking everyone. The room is filled with her immediate family. She's too old to have big birthday parties anymore. At least, that's what she thinks. Kids.. Everyone's talking, catching up on things. Jamie is having another brother or sister in 9 months. Hearing this makes me think about family and how important it is. So that's what I'll do my feature story on.

No matter what you've done or where you've been, you have your family. You mess things up, and they help put it back together. You fall apart, and they pick up the pieces. Family is always there for you. You may think your best friend is your family or your boyfriend or girlfriend who means so much is your world, but for me , it's always been my family. Because even if things with my best friend or boyfriend fell apart, my family remained.

It's a great gift God gives us. You know, it's like they say, you're stuck with your family so you better love them. It seems like a lot of times we treat our family the worst out of everyone we know. We know they'll be there, because they have to. So our harsh words or behavior is acceptable. But really, it's not. We gotta treat our family for what they really are - a gift. We have to appreciate them and be there for them like they are for us. We have to watch what we say, because hurtful words can't be taken back, just forgiven.

For me, my mom has always been the most important person in my life. And my sister, Leanne, has always been that person that really got to me. When she would tell me she understood my situation and that it would get better, I believed her the most. Anyone else could have said it, but coming from her, it would actually get through to me. And my mom hurts when I hurt. She's happy when I'm happy. That's true love for a person. That's family.

I think about how important my family is to me. And I wish that everyone stopped for a second sometimes, just to think of what their family means to them. I still say hurtful words or forget to thank the people that do the most for me. It seems like we teenagers do this the most. But lately, I've just realized that it's not okay to do that. It's never okay to hurt the people who love you unconditionally. Because the most important thing in our life, is our family.

Me, Myself, and the funny little voice in my head

Powerpoints.

Caleb's was the best! I've been wanting to beat Minesweeper for a very long time! It was quick and to the point. I now know the secret to being a winner!

Chase's was cool because of his use with the "uke". I had no idea how to play it. Chase played us part of a really cool song and he did pretty good. I was so mesmerized by the uke that I didn't take notes. Woops. At the end, we listened to "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" by that famous Hawaiian guy. It was great.

Sarah's was the funniest! She was so serious about it and i applaude her for keeping a straight face...well, most of the time. The pictures of her and Nathan were great. Who knew the potential of Nathan's hair!?

5 High School Nespapers

1. The Feather
Fresno Christian High School
http://www.thefeather.com/
Fresno, California

2. Knight Errant
Benilde-St. Margaret's School
http://bsmknighterrant.org/
Saint Louis Park, Minnesota

3. Wayland Student Press
Wayland Union High School
http://waylandstudentpress.com/
Wayland, Missouri

4. The Harbinger
Shawnee Mission East High School
http://smeharbinger.net/
Shawnee Mission, Kansas

5. The Online Gargoyle
University Laboratory High School
http://www.uni.illinois.edu//og/
Urbana, Illinios