My Three Health Amulets

I have a trio of health amulets:

cloth mask, pair of gloves, pair of socks.

all made of cotton,

and they act as barriers.

Let me explain.

Poison often enters the body

through three main portals:

the mouth, the nose, and the skin.

What enters through the mouth

usually has our permission.

But what enters through the nose and the skin

is not always under our control.

that is where barriers are helpful.

When I fold laundry for my family,

I wear a cloth mask

so, the microfibers from fabrics

do not enter my nose.

For a sensitive person like me,

breathing in fibers can be harmful,

it can trigger asthma.

I also have hyperhidrosis,

my palms sweat a lot.

Anything metal, plastic, or leather

can react with my skin,

cause itching,

and provoke my immune system.

That is why I keep several pairs

of cotton gloves.

I thank the day I discovered them,

because they largely solved my problem.

And for the past fifteen years,

I have worn absorbent cotton socks.

They create an inert barrier

between my feet

and shoes, carpets,

or any surfaces I walk on.

If I abandon any of these three amulets,

health issues will creep in,

from long-term conditions

like asthma and dermatitis

to a cascade of immune-triggered troubles.

So, these three things,

remain my quiet protectors.

My mask, cotton gloves, cotton socks.

I hope, I encouraged

to see how to avoid irritants,

without chasing pills,

without paying bills.