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Woman accidentally swallows wedding ring while taking vitamins

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An Atlanta woman was taking her daily vitamins on vacation when she accidentally swallowed her diamond wedding ring. 

Dannah McMichael, 39, and her husband, Randy McMichael, were on vacation in Phuket, Thailand, when the unthinkable happened. 

“We went out for dinner and drinks and when I got back, I wanted to shower,” she told SWNS.

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The travel blogger said she was “beyond jet-lagged” after a long day of traveling and was preparing to shower when she took off her wedding ring and accidentally swallowed it with a handful of vitamins. 

Dannah McMichael (pictured here) said she was severely jet-lagged when she accidentally swallowed her wedding ring.  (SWNS)

“Without looking, I threw everything in my mouth and washed it down with water,” she said. 

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McMichael told Fox News Digital that she immediately started choking, but thought it was the magnesium pills that had gotten caught in her throat.

“When I started choking on the pills and noticed my ring was missing, I knew something was wrong,” she said.

X-ray with wedding ring

X-ray images show the diamond wedding ring in McMichael’s body.  (SWNS)

After looking around the hotel room for the missing ring, the couple joked about the possibility of McMichael swallowing it.

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After two days of searching, the pair went to a local clinic to get an X-ray scan. 

“We couldn’t believe it,” McMichael said after seeing her wedding ring on the X-ray machine. 

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The woman said she couldn’t stop laughing — saying it was “the funniest thing [to] ever happen to me.”

McMichael family

Dannah McMichael and husband Randy McMichael are pictured on vacation.  (SWNS)

McMichael said her husband was relieved, as he thought the massage therapist might have “swiped it” off his wife’s finger. 

Doctors at the clinic told McMichael that she would pass the ring naturally — which she confirmed to Fox News Digital did happen. 

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“I swallowed it Sunday and passed it Wednesday or Thursday,” she said, adding, “No pain at all.”

McMichael said she was relieved when it came out because she was worried about flushing it down the toilet. 

X-ray and woman

Dannah McMichael, pictured here, accidentally swallowed her wedding ring while on vacation with her husband. (SWNS)

McMichael, who regularly shares her travel adventures on social media, joked after the occasion by posting a video of the X-ray and her ring soaking in disinfectant. 

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She captioned the post, “Got my ring back. Wait, I never lost it. It was always with me.”

Airline passenger sparks debate over who controls the window shade: ‘What’s the etiquette here?’

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An airline passenger took to social media sharing a photo of a fellow traveler asking, “What’s the etiquette here?” when it comes to controlling the window shade.

The user wrote, “Entire cabin dark, FA [flight attendant] asks him to lower shade and he says ‘um no.’”

On the sub-Reddit forum titled “americanairlines,” users debated who is in control of the window shade.

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“His shade, his choice,” one Reddit user wrote.

Reddit users debated who controls the window seat of a plane after a user shares their in-flight experience.  (iStock)

Another said, “Should’ve booked the window seat if you wanted to control the shade.”

“This is why I always book the window. These people are so inconsiderate,” said one user.

One suggested, “Bring sunglasses or wear a hoodie if you don’t have a window seat.”

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“I always leave mine open. It helps with motion sickness. But if told to lower it I would,” another person wrote.

airplane interior cabin

Former flight attendant and etiquette expert, Jacqueline Whitmore, told Fox News Digital that the person seated in window seat controls the shade. (iStock)

Fox News Digital reached out to the original Reddit poster for comment.

Former flight attendant and etiquette expert based in Mount Dora, Florida, Jacqueline Whitmore, told Fox News Digital via email, “the person seated in the window seat controls the window shade.”

“On daytime flights, it’s considerate to close the shade during the in-flight entertainment or when others are sleeping, as sunlight can be disruptive. Conversely, keeping the shade open during meals and landing in the morning can help travelers adjust to the time zone and alleviate jet lag,” Whitmore said.

For safety reasons, the shade should always remain open for take-off, she added.

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“The shade should be closed in order to keep the plane cool when the flight attendant or pilot instructs you to do so. This usually happens when the plane has landed and will sit at the gate for awhile until the next group of passengers board,” Whitmore said.

window seat on an airplane

A Reddit user asks what the etiquette is when it comes to who controls the window shade on an airplane. (iStock)

Many users who commented on the Reddit thread said they were surprised that the flight attendant asked the passenger in the window seat to close the shade.

“FAs using the ‘you must follow crew member instructions’ thing to enforce their preferences vs actual rules is part of why their is an issue with people not following instructions,” a Redditor said.

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Another comment said, “I doubt FA asked him to lower it mid flight. For boarding/departure sure as it helps keep the cabin cool.”

window plane split

One user commented on the thread about in-flight etiquette, writing, “Should’ve booked the window seat if you wanted to control the shade.” (iStock)

Other users said they felt the flight attendant was in the right.

“Etiquette is to follow crew members’ instructions. That’s the only etiquette. Everything else is made up,” one person said.

Another wrote, “If the flight attendant asks, it’s not a request, it’s a command, especially for takeoff and landing.”

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“A FA will ask on AA if it’s a long haul international flight to allow people to sleep and minimize jet lag. Domestically, no they shouldn’t ask. However, if for some unknown safety reason a FA asks you to close it, and you don’t comply, that’s a violation of an FAA regulation to comply with crew member instructions,” claimed another. 

Fox News Digital reached out to American Airlines for comment. 

Christina Hall slams ‘outrageous’ $65K spousal support claim from estranged husband: lawyer

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Christina Hall’s estranged husband, Josh Hall, allegedly requested $65,000 of monthly spousal support as the two hammer out their divorce.

The HGTV star’s lawyer claimed in an Oct. 10 legal filing obtained by Fox News Digital that the request was “outrageous” because Josh is “self-supporting.” The court documents were filed in response to Josh’s attempt to block the sale of Christina’s Tennessee home amid the former couple’s ongoing divorce.

“The claim by [Josh] that he sent a good faith settlement offer is not an accurate characterization of the communication. The Petitioner Josh Hall requesting $65,000 per month in Spousal Support from [Christina] on a 2-year, 9-month marriage when he is self-supporting is hardly good faith,” the documents read. “[Josh] just paid $70,000 to pay off the lease on [his] separate property Bentley and so he has no need for spousal support from [Christina].”

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Christina Hall and Josh Hall both filed for divorce in July. (Getty Images)

Josh Hall posts on Instagram

Josh Hall claimed Christina Hall’s legal filing was full of lies. (Instagram: Josh Hall)

Josh slammed the legal filing in a statement shared on social media Wednesday night.

“So now @dearmeylaw files legal declarations with lies and assumptions… interesting tactic for someone who is a licensed attorney and took an oath of integrity,” Josh wrote on his Instagram story. “Pretty sure making provably false statements to a judge is unethical.”

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Christina previously accused Josh of transferring $35,000 from her bank account into his personal account just one day after the divorce filing.

“I would not have asked him to send himself my money the day after I told him we are getting divorced,” Christina stated in the documents obtained by Fox News Digital.

Christina Hall

Christina Hall accused Josh Hall of sending her money to his personal account. (Noel Vasquez/Getty Images)

“I understand that at some point this court may require that I pay some spousal support to Josh and reasonable attorney’s fees to his counsel,” she stated. “However, it is my belief that this is a simple case with straightforward accounting over a short period of time, any fees and costs should be minimal.”

“Like all hard-working mothers, my life revolves around my children and my work. It is my understanding that Josh has his own income, and therefore he should not need any spousal support from me.”

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Christina and Josh filed their own divorce petitions in July, each citing irreconcilable differences as the reason for the dissolution of their marriage. Josh requested spousal support and asked the court to terminate Christina’s ability to receive spousal support from him. Meanwhile, Christina requested the court terminate both of their ability to be awarded spousal support.

Christina Hall and Josh Hall with Christina's three children

Christina Hall and Josh Hall pose with Christina’s three children at Monster Energy Supercross Celebrity Night at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Jan. 28, 2023. (Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images for Feld Entertainment)

“I prefer privacy, especially during something as life-changing as a divorce I did not ask for,” Josh wrote on Instagram after the divorce news broke. “I will not publicly badmouth anyone as people have families, friends and others who respect and love them. Unfortunately, the internet is forever.”

“We are real humans, this is our life and I am not here to entertain people I don’t know with my private matters. Those details will be handled fairly behind closed doors with our respective counsels in due time. Those who know each of us, know who we are.”

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Tarek and Christina in a promo photo for "Flip or Flop."

Before she was married to Josh Hall, Christina was married to Tarek El Moussa. (Aaron Rapoport/Corbis/Getty Images)

Christina and Josh secretly married in 2021 and later had a formal ceremony in Hawaii. The couple had been planning to star alongside each other in the upcoming show, “The Flip Off,” which will feature Christina’s ex-husband Tarek El Moussa and his wife Heather Rae El Moussa.

Christina was married to Tarek from 2009 until 2018. The former couple share two children, daughter Taylor and son Brayden.

Before marrying Josh in 2021, Christina finalized her divorce with her second husband, Ant Anstead. Christina and Anstead married in 2018 and share a son together.

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Fox News Digital’s Tracy Wright contributed to this report.

Here’s when Universal Orlando’s Epic Universe theme park will open

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Epic Universe, Universal Orlando Resort’s newest theme park, will open to the public on May 22, 2025, the company announced in a press release on Thursday, Oct. 17. 

“This is such a pivotal moment for our destination, and we’re thrilled to welcome guests to Epic Universe next year,” said Karen Irwin, president and COO of Universal Orlando Resort, in a statement emailed to Fox News Digital.

“With the addition of this spectacular new theme park, our guests will embark on an unforgettable vacation experience with a week’s worth of thrills that will be nothing short of epic! Our Universe will never be the same,” Irwin wrote.

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Tickets for Epic Universe will go on sale on Oct. 22, 2024.

Epic Universe will open to the public on May 22, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Universal Orlando Resort)

The new park will have “a new level of theme park immersion” and will have five themed worlds – Celestial Park, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, Super Nintendo World, How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk and Dark Universe, said the release.

Additionally, there will be three hotels and more than 50 experiences at Epic Universe, including rides, shows and dining. 

Ticket sales to Epic Universe will be in a series of phases in order to “manage the demand that is expected for Epic Universe and to ensure guests who visit Epic Universe and Universal Orlando have an incredible guest experience,” Universal Orlando announced.

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During the first phase of ticket sales, guests will only be able to visit Epic Universe as part of a vacation package or multi-day ticket, said the company. 

Guests who purchase a multi-day ticket for three days or more will be able to visit Epic Universe for one of those days. 

Birds eye view of Epic Universe resort Orlando, Florida

Epic Universe will feature five “portals” with different themes, including Harry Potter and Super Mario. (Universal Orlando Resort )

Other ticket products, including a two-day ticket to Epic Universe, “will go on sale before the park opens,” said the release.

Those who are Universal Orlando Annual passholders will be able to purchase a single-day ticket to Epic Universe on Oct. 24. 

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Outside of Universal Studios Florida.

Universal Studios Orlando Resort will have four parks when Epic Universe opens in May 2025. (Julio Aguilar/Getty Images for Premier League)

Pricing for tickets to Epic Universe will vary by date. 

Epic Universe is the third theme park and fourth park overall at Universal Orlando.

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Its original park, Universal Studios Florida, opened in 1990; Universal Islands of Adventure opened in 1999; and a water park, Universal Volcano Bay, opened in 2017. 

Easy ways to make calls when vision is a challenge

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Technology can be wonderfully convenient and provide a great deal of entertainment, but it can also be a great way to improve your everyday life, too. For those who experience visual challenges, a variety of apps and features can help you. That’s why we love this question about apps and features that can help visually challenged loved ones:

“I am not tech savvy. I need to know if there is an app that I can download on a phone, that will allow my mother to tell the app, without needing internet services, who she wants to make a phone call to? She’s losing her eyesight and can no longer see the numbers on her phone. She’s 88 years old and doesn’t own a computer and has limited income,” writes “Sheryl” of Westminster, Colorado.

It’s great that you are looking out for your mother’s specific needs. Below are several voice dialing apps and features that can help her make calls without having to see the numbers.

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voice features 1

A woman using voice features to make a call (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Best apps and features for the visually challenged to make calls

As long as the numbers are already programmed into your phone, you can use some of these apps and features to call out even if you’re visually challenged.

Apps and features for iPhone

For apps and features that work specifically on the iPhone to enhance capabilities for the visually challenged, check out the options below:

1. Siri (iOS): If you have an iPhone, you can use Siri to make phone calls by simply saying, “Hey Siri, call [contact name].” However, if you prefer or if “Hey Siri” isn’t enabled, you can also press and hold the side button (or the Home button on older iPhones) to activate Siri manually. Siri can work offline for basic tasks like making phone calls. You’ll also want to check out how to get your phone to read articles aloud.

voice features 2

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2. Point and Speak feature: With iPhones that have a Lidar sensor and run iOS 17 or later, you can use the “Point and Speak” feature using the steps below:

voice features 3

“Point and Speak” feature on iPhone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

  • Open the Magnifier app on your iPhone. You can find it in the Utilities folder by searching for it in Spotlight or swiping down from the top right of your screen.
  • Tap the Detect mode icon in the bottom right corner. It looks like a square with a circle inside it.
  • Tap the Point and Speak icon in the bottom left corner. It looks like a hand pointing to three lines.
  • Hold your iPhone about 12 inches away from the text you want to read and point the camera at it.
  • Use your other hand to point at the text you want your iPhone to speak. Your iPhone will highlight the text in yellow and read it aloud.
  • If you don’t hear the speech feedback, click the circular gear icon on the upper left of the screen. Then click Point and Speak and make sure Speech is toggled on. Then click the left arrow Back buttons in the upper left and tap Done. 

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3. VoiceOver (iOS): This is an accessibility feature built into iPhones that provides spoken feedback to help users navigate their devices. It can be used in conjunction with Siri to make phone calls. Here are the steps:

  • Open Settings: Tap on the Settings app on the home screen.
  • Go to Accessibility: Scroll down and tap on Accessibility.
  • Enable VoiceOver: Under the Vision section, tap on VoiceOver and then toggle the switch to turn it on.
  • Once VoiceOver is enabled, you can use it to navigate your iPhone with spoken feedback. To make a phone call using Siri with VoiceOver enabled, you can follow these steps: 1) Activate Siri: You can either say “Hey Siri” or press and hold the Home button (or the Side button on newer iPhones) until Siri activates; 2) Give the Command: You can then say, “Call [contact name].”
  • VoiceOver will provide spoken feedback throughout the process, making it easier for you to navigate and confirm actions.

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voice features 4

Voiceover feature on iPhone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Apps and features for Android

For apps and features that work specifically for an Android to enhance capabilities for the visually challenged, check out the options below:

1. Google Assistant (Android): Similar to Siri, Google Assistant can be used on Android phones to make calls. You can do this by saying “Hey Google” or by holding down the home button on your phone. Once Google Assistant is activated, you can say commands like:

  • “Call [contact name]” to call someone in your contacts
  • “Call [business name]” to call a business
  • “Call [phone number]” to dial a specific number

Additionally, Google Assistant can perform various tasks offline, such as setting reminders, playing music or sending texts. Just give it a try and see how it can make your daily tasks easier.

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voice features 5

Google Assistant on Android (Google)

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2. Voice Access (Android): This app lets you control your phone using voice commands. It can be particularly helpful for those with visual impairments. Once set up, you can use voice commands to make calls.

voice features 6

Voice Access on Android (Google Play)

  • Unlock your Android device, then open your device’s Settings app.
  • Select Accessibility
  • Select Voice Access
  • Select Use Voice Access
  • Start Voice Access in one of these ways: 1) If “Hey Google” detection is on, you can say, “Hey Google, Voice Access”; 2) Open your notification shade and select Touch to start; 3) On your Home screen, tap the Voice Access app; 4) Select the Voice Access activation button. (Need to set up the activation button? Go to Settings > Accessibility > Voice Access > Settings > Activation button.)
  • Say a command, such as “Open Gmail”

CAN’T HEAR OR SEE WELL? IPHONE SETTINGS TO MAKE HEARING AND SEEING EASIER

Kurt’s key takeaways

The technological advancements in modern mobile phones can really improve the ability of those with visual impairments to utilize technology to the fullest. After all, if you can’t utilize the standard features to call out on your mobile device, it fails to achieve its most basic function. Between the ability of Siri, Google Assistant or other voice-activated apps to respond to verbal commands (with a simple click of a button or verbal request) to the accessibility features’ ability to help verbally navigate your phone, even those experiencing visual challenges can optimize the power of their phones and stay in touch with their loved ones.

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Most people have heard of Siri or Google Assistant, but have you taken advantage of the Voice Access app or VoiceOver features? What accessibility features have come in both handy and absolutely necessary for staying in touch with your loved ones? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

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iOS 18: Maximize your privacy by turning off these iPhone settings now

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IOS 18 brings a host of new features to your iPhone, but it’s also important to consider your privacy. 

Here are three settings you might want to turn off to enhance your privacy after updating to iOS 18.

woman on phone

A woman scrolling on her iPhone (Apple)

Updating to iOS 18

Before we dive into the settings, make sure your iPhone is running iOS 18. To update:

  • Open the Settings app
  • Tap on General
  • Select Software Update
  • If an update is available, tap Download and Install
  • Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the update

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ios security 2

Steps to update iOS 18 (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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1. Improve Search

The “Improve Search” feature allows Apple to store your searches from Safari, Siri, Images and more. If privacy is a top concern, you might want to disable this. Here’s how to turn it off:

  • Open the Settings app
  • Scroll down and tap on Search
  • Find Improve Search and toggle it off
ios security 3

Steps to turn off “Improve Search” setting (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

iOS 18: DISCOVER THE NEW FEATURES IN APPLE’S LATEST OPERATING SYSTEM

2. Shared with you

In iOS 18, the “Shared with You” feature shares content from your Messages with other apps. This means that when you share certain types of content through Messages, it can automatically be displayed or utilized in relevant apps without needing to manually transfer or open the content again. Here are a few examples of how this feature can be used:

Photos and videos: If you share a photo or video in a conversation, it can automatically appear in your Photos app, making it easy to access and edit without having to save it manually.

Links and articles: When you share a link to an article or a website, it can automatically appear in your Reading List in Safari or in a news app that you use, allowing you to read it later without having to search for the link again.

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Calendar events: If someone sends you an event or appointment details, it can automatically be added to your Calendar app, ensuring you don’t miss important dates and events.

Music and podcasts: Sharing a song or podcast episode can automatically add it to your Music or Podcasts app, making it easy to listen to shared content without additional steps.

Documents and files: When you share a document or file, it can automatically be saved in your Files app, allowing you to access and manage it from one central location.

This feature reduces the need for repetitive actions and makes it easier to keep track of shared content across different apps. However, if you have private conversations or information you’d rather keep contained, consider disabling them. Here’s how to turn it off:

  • Open Settings
  • Tap on Apps
  • Scroll down and tap on Messages
  • Tap on Shared with You
  • Toggle off Automatic Sharing

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ios security 4

Steps to turn off “Shared with You” setting (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

THE APPLE WATCH COULD HELP YOU UNCOVER HIDDEN SLEEP APNEA

3. Screen Sharing notifications

When sharing your screen on a TV or during FaceTime, your notifications might be visible to others. Here’s how to prevent that by turning off “Screen Sharing” notifications:

  • Go to Settings
  • Tap on Notifications
  • Scroll down and tap on Screen Sharing
  • Toggle off Allow Notifications

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Steps to turn off Screen Sharing notifications (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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Kurt’s key takeaways

By adjusting these three settings, you can significantly enhance your privacy in iOS 18. Remember, it’s always a good idea to regularly review your privacy settings to ensure they align with your preferences. While these features can be useful, it’s important to weigh their benefits against your privacy concerns.

Are there any additional privacy concerns you have that you wish Apple would address in future updates? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

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Want smoother, more moisturized skin? Jojoba oil could be the answer

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Jojoba oil can contribute to several health benefits by topical applications to the skin and hair. 

Many of the benefits jojoba oil could present are cosmetic ones, such as moisturizing dry, damaged skin and healing wounds, an expert told Fox News Digital. 

Jojoba oil is created through the extraction of oil from the seeds of the fruit-bearing plant, Simmondsia chinensis. 

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“They take the seeds, which resemble dark coffee beans, and then they use either a cold press or a solvent extraction, and then you get an oil that’s like a light yellow color,” Jenna Volpe, a Texas-based registered dietitian and herbalist, told Fox News Digital in a phone call. 

The topical application of jojoba oil to the skin or hair comes with health benefits, largely due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Jojoba oil is primarily used for its health benefits related to the skin and hair. (iStock)

Read below to learn more about jojoba oil and its cosmetic benefits.

  1. Can help those with skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis
  2. Could promote wound healing
  3. Could aid with hair conditioning and locking in moisture

1. Can help those with skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis

Jojoba oil is widely used for its skin and hair benefits when applied topically. 

The oil is known for its anti-inflammatory and healing properties, which can help people with skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis as well as clear acne.  

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Indigenous tribes have used jojoba oil for centuries for these benefits and others, Volpe told Fox News Digital. 

“They would use it for psoriasis, any kind of acne, skin disorders, any kind of scalp disorders, dry skin, irritated skin. They would take the oil and just apply a little bit topically,” Volpe said. 

When applied to the skin, jojoba oil can be diluted, but it doesn’t have to be, said Volpe. 

Oil for skin

One of the many potential health benefits that comes with applying jojoba oil topically is that it can help to moisturize dry skin. (iStock)

Jojoba oil is one that is widely considered safe for sensitive skin, according to Volpe, who specifically recommends ones that are “cold pressed certified organic,” which she noted have more nutrients, antioxidants and are easier on sensitive skin. 

Even so, it’s not a bad idea to do a patch test when trying any new product on your skin to ensure you don’t have an allergic reaction to it.

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To conduct a patch test, dermatologists recommend applying the product to a specific spot on the skin twice daily for seven to 10 days, according to the American Academy of Dermatology Association’s website. 

Ensure that no reaction formed, like itchy, red or swollen skin in that time frame, the American Academy of Dermatology Association notes.

A woman with healthy, glowing skin

Jojoba oil is one widely considered to be safe for the skin. (iStock)

2. Could promote wound healing

Jojoba oil is one that can be used for its wound healing properties, Volpe told Fox News Digital. 

Preliminary research has shown that jojoba oil can act to bind the skin cells back together after being separated by means of obtaining a scratch or a cut on the skin’s surface, according to Healthline. 

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The high concentration of vitamin E in jojoba oil could also play a part in its wound-healing capabilities, per the source. 

“[Jojoba oil] has a lot of vitamins like vitamin E. It’s got vitamin A and vitamin D in it. It has different types of antioxidants that help to fight inflammation by neutralizing any kind of free radicals, which are substances that essentially cause cell damage,” Volpe said. 

Jojoba oil in bowl

Jojoba oil is filled with vitamins, including vitamin E, A and D. (iStock)

3. Could aid with hair conditioning and locking in moisture

In addition to being applied to the skin, jojoba oil is also commonly used in hair care routines. 

“If you’re using it for, like, a scalp, just a few drops can be added to something. You can add it to a shampoo, or you could dilute it, but you don’t have to,” Volpe explained. 

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The vitamins and minerals in jojoba oil can be nourishing for the hair, according to Healthline. 

It can moisturize the hair thanks to its oily composition, per the outlet, and can be used to help treat dandruff. 

California reports more bird flu cases in humans as experts voice concerns

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Concerns about bird flu — officially known as avian influenza A (H5) — continue to mount, particularly in California.

As of Oct. 14, the state has had six confirmed and five possible human cases of bird flu, according to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH).

All of the affected individuals reportedly had direct contact with infected cattle at nine dairy farms, the department stated. 

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The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is conducting tests to confirm the five possible cases.

As of Oct. 14, California has had six confirmed and five possible human cases of bird flu. (iStock)

All the individuals experienced “mild symptoms,” including eye redness or discharge (conjunctivitis), the CDPH stated. None were hospitalized. 

There is not a concern at this point about human-to-human transmission, according to the agency.

“Evidence continues to suggest only animal-to-human spread of the virus.”

“Given the amount of exposure to infected cows, evidence continues to suggest only animal-to-human spread of the virus in California,” said the CDPH statement. 

“Additionally, based on CDC’s genomic sequencing of three California bird flu cases, there is no evidence to suggest an increased ability for the virus to infect or spread between people and no known reduced susceptibility to antiviral medications.”

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As of Oct. 15, there were a total of 20 confirmed human cases of bird flu in the U.S., according to the CDC.

Colorado and California have had the most cases, with others reported in Michigan, Missouri and Texas, the same source stated.

kid getting vaccinated

Getting the flu vaccine also makes it less likely that someone will end up with a suspected case of avian flu as a result of having the seasonal flu and a history of animal exposure, an expert said. (Jeff Kowalsky/AFP via Getty Images))

Roughly half of those were linked to exposure to infected cattle and the other half to infected poultry. 

“To a large extent, the higher numbers we are seeing in California, and previously in Colorado, are due to more aggressive monitoring and case finding efforts in those states, rather than necessarily reflecting a larger burden of disease,” Shira Doron, MD, chief infection control officer at Tufts Medicine Health System in Boston, told Fox News Digital.

Avian flu testing equipment

“Seasonal flu cases will be rising soon, and we will need to distinguish quickly between regular flu and avian flu, especially in animal workers,” an expert noted. (iStock)

“California has one of the more comprehensive programs to find avian influenza in its cattle herds, and when they find sick cows, they monitor exposed health care workers,” she went on.

“The disease has been mostly very mild, so it will only be detected if looked for.”

Should people be concerned?

It’s not known whether the strain that is causing avian flu in cows will ever mutate into a strain that can be spread from human to human, according to Doron.

“Right now, with no evidence of human-to-human spread, it does not have the potential to become a human pandemic, but that could change,” she told Fox News Digital.

“Obviously, scientists and public health officials should be concerned, and should take action to limit the spread of this disease in farm animals.”

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Farm owners and farm workers should also be concerned, she said.

“They should be taking measures to protect those who work closely with animals, especially cows and chickens,” Doron advised.

H5N1 vaccine

“It is not time to vaccinate more broadly yet, given the small number of cases, absence of proven human-to-human transmission and mostly mild infection,” said an expert. (iStock)

 Sam Scarpino, PhD, director of AI and life sciences at Northeastern University in Boston, said he finds the rising number of human H5N1 cases “concerning.”

“The more spillovers to humans, the more chances there are for the wrong variant to find itself in a person and spark an epidemic,” he told Fox News Digital.

There’s currently no evidence, however, that the virus has mutated to become more infectious in humans, Scarpino echoed.

“At this point, there’s no excuse for a farm worker to die from an H5N1 infection.”

“Most likely, we are seeing the impact of an increasing number of infected dairy farms leading to an increasing number of human infections,” he said.

“California also has active efforts for both human and dairy cattle surveillance, so ascertainment may be higher than in other states.”

Precautions for prevention

Although experts say the risk for human-to-human transmission remains low, they recommend certain public health precautions. 

“People who have close contact with animals, particularly farm animals and wild birds, should be taking precautions,” Doron advised. 

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The CDC also recommends that farm workers wear personal protective equipment — such as gloves, goggles and face shields — and that farms follow guidance to prevent the spread of the virus between animals.

“Even if a large outbreak isn’t sparked, the risk to farm workers is clearly higher, and we need to ensure they are protected,” Scarpino told Fox News Digital.

“At this point, there’s no excuse for a farm worker to die from an H5N1 infection.”

Cows grazing in a field.

All of the affected individuals in California reportedly had direct contact with infected cattle at nine dairy farms, the health department stated.  (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda, File)

It’s also important for people to get their seasonal flu shot, experts say.

“While it is not likely to protect against avian flu, it will help people avoid being infected with the seasonal and avian strain at the same time, which can lead to genetic mixing and emergence of a pandemic strain,” said Doron.

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Getting the flu vaccine also makes it less likely that someone will end up with a suspected case of avian flu as a result of having the seasonal flu and a history of animal exposure, she added.

Vaccines for bird flu are currently in development.

“It is not time to vaccinate more broadly yet, given the small number of cases, absence of proven human-to-human transmission and mostly mild infection,” said Doron.

Bird grabbing food from hand

Roughly half of the infections were linked to exposure to infected cattle and the other half to infected poultry.  (iStock)

It is important for tests to be commercially available for avian flu, however.

“Seasonal flu cases will be rising soon, and we will need to distinguish quickly between regular flu and avian flu, especially in animal workers,” Doron noted.

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“Right now, to test for avian flu, specimens have to go to special public health labs and the results take days to return. We are going to need answers more quickly if we want people to be able to properly isolate and prevent spread.”

Testing chicks bird flu

The CDC recommends that farm workers wear personal protective equipment — such as gloves, goggles and face shields — and that farms follow guidance to prevent the spread of the virus between animals. (iStock)

The CDPH recommends that California residents monitor for bird flu symptoms for 10 days after exposure.

Those include eye redness (conjunctivitis), sore throat, cough, runny or stuffy nose, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle or body aches, fatigue, headaches, trouble breathing and fever.

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health

“If they start to feel sick, they should immediately isolate, notify their local public health department, and work with public health and health care providers to get timely testing and treatment,” the agency advises on its website.

Woman says traveling has become ‘disappointing’

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A content creator has people talking after making an opinion online about vacations becoming “disappointing” with the increase of technology and social media.

Helene Sula, an American living in England, is a full-time travel blogger and author who has made a career out of vlogging and taking photos of her adventures.

But now, Sula is realizing some of the negative effects social media and cellphones could have when it comes to traveling.

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“I think we’re traveling to take a photo or to take a video, and I’m seeing this so often that I think what’s working on social media is a quick flash grab,” Sula told Fox News Digital in an on-camera interview.

“I think that we’re getting so wrapped up in posting an image online, posting a video online, rather than looking at the history of a place.”

The Oxford resident says tourists are not taking the time to recognize the beauty around them and the history of the sights that they are seeing.

Sula is seeing a lot of people try to capture a singular moment as a sort of highlight without getting into the reality of what it took to reach that instance.

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“When we are doing something enviable, we want to show other people that we did it, we made it and ‘Look at me. Look what I’m doing,'” said Sula, who is author of “Two O’Clock on a Tuesday at Trevi Fountain: A Search for an Unconventional Life Abroad.”

Helene and Michael Sula are now full-time travel bloggers who left America and moved to Germany but have since moved to the U.K. and share their travels on social media and on the blog “Helene In Between.” (Helene Sula/@heleneinbetween)

“And the reality, of course, is that travel can be tough. You know, taking trains and planes, and you’re jet-lagged, or you’re tired. Travel is not glamorous. It can be difficult, and we’re leaving out those pieces and just showing [for example] the Trevi Fountain.”

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As a full-time content creator, Sula acknowledges the positive sides of social media and how it has become a way for people to find new places to explore and share their memories with friends.

But with that, there comes a point in time in which it is important to put away technology and live in the moment, she said.

For more Lifestyle articles, visit www.foxnews.com/lifestyle

“I do think we’re so tied to [technology] and we feel like we cannot live our lives to the fullest without our phone in our hand,” she added.

Helene Sula and her dog Millie

Sula realized something felt different about a recent music festival she attended, but it wasn’t until after the event that she realized the problem was people on their phones and not being present. (Helene Sula/@heleneinbetween)

“While, of course … we want to document the concert, we want to document the places that we go, I think we forget that you can still take a photo and or video and live in the moment. You don’t have to document the entire time.”

Sula posted her initial comments about travel being “disappointing” on Instagram, where her once-believed “controversial” opinion was met with an overwhelming amount of support from social media users, she said.

“I stopped traveling just for the ‘views’ and instead doing it for the stories of those places and the people I meet. Has changed the who travel dynamics completely for me,” one Instagram user wrote.

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“Yes!! I went to the great wall of China and took maybe 10 pictures because I was just in awe of it and wanted to soak in every second. Our guide even commented about how we didn’t have our phones out compared to so many other people! I just wanted to enjoy the sights in the moment,” another user commented.

Helene Sula travel story split

Helene Sula is sharing her “controversial” opinion about travel, and many social media users appear to agree with her. (Helene Sula/@heleneinbetween | iStock)

Sula encourages travelers to take in their surroundings by soaking up history of the places they are visiting and landmarks they are snapping photos of, rather than leaving without any thought of the amazing sights in front of them.

“I think there’s so much history and learning that can be achieved when you’re taking trips, whether it’s … being a tourist in your home city, going one state over or going internationally,” Sula said.

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“When we learn the history of a place, which you can so easily achieve when you travel, there’s so much information out there that I think it just becomes such a learning experience … learning about the history of these landmarks and the architecture of the culture will just broaden your horizons and make it means that much more,” she added.

Babies born during Hurricane Milton, plus whooping cough warnings

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Fox News’ Health newsletter brings you stories on the latest developments in health care, wellness, diseases, mental health and more.

TOP 3:

– A major health system in Florida delivered 67 babies during Hurricane Milton

– Nutritionist warns the presidential election could trigger emotional eating

Whooping cough cases have increased more than 340% since last year

This week’s health newsletter includes the uptick in whooping cough cases, babies born during Hurricane Milton, and tips to curb emotional eating. (iStock; AdventHealth for Women)

DODGING CANCER – Dr. Nicole Saphier shares her top tips for preventing breast cancer. Continue reading…

SOBER OCTOBER – Here are the potential health benefits of going 30 days with alcohol. Continue reading…

‘SUCH A BLESSING’ – Cataract removal surgery saved a young boy in West Africa from going blind. Continue reading…

Mamadou eye surgery

A 7-year-old boy in West Africa who was going blind can now see again, thanks to life-changing eye surgery provided by the Mercy Ships charity.  (SWNS)

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