What is sun protection? Sun protection is simply guarding a body from the adverse effects of sunlight. Aside from the hazards of heat, the sun poses the danger of sunburn, which can permanently damage the skin and cause skin cancer, precancerous changes in the skin, as well as premature wrinkling and signs of aging. Exposure...
What is a furuncle vs. an abscess? The skin is the barrier between the world around you and the organs and tissues in your body. If something damages it, harmful organisms can enter it and cause problems. Furuncles and abscesses are large bumps that can appear after bacteria have entered the body through an area...
Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that can spread to the surrounding organs and cause death. Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that can spread to the surrounding organs and cause death. A sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is done in patients with melanoma to investigate the spread of the disease. SLNB is...
A doctor examines a patient’s hands for scabies.Source: Pixtal Images Facts you should know about scabies Scabies is an itchy, highly contagious skin disease caused by an infestation by the itch mite Sarcoptes scabiei. Direct skin-to-skin contact is the mode of transmission. A severe and relentless itch is the predominant symptom of scabies. Sexual contact...
What is ringworm? What is eczema? Share Your Story Ringworm and eczema both cause itchiness. Ringworm is a common fungal infection of the skin (ringworm is also termed tinea or dermatophytosis), and the different types of ringworm are named for the location of the rash on the body (for example, tinea corporis [arm and/or leg],...
Facts you should know about scars Scars occur when tissues have been significantly damaged and repaired. Scars result in changes that alter the physical architecture of normal skin or other tissue. Scars can occur after physical trauma or as part of a disease process. Poorly controlled wound healing can result in thick, unsightly scars that...
What is intertrigo? Itching in the skin by iStock Intertrigo is painful and itchy skin inflammation that occurs between skin folds, such as in the groin, buttocks, or between fat folds. Sometimes, bacteria can infect this irritated skin, worsening inflammation. Losing weight and applying various topical remedies – especially before gym workouts, jogging, or other...
Even when dried-up, their leaves and stems can cause a rash. Poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac are plants that can cause a rash if you come in contact with the urushiol oil found in them. Even when dried-up, their leaves and stems can cause a rash. Here are a few things that may...
What’s the difference between skin tags and moles? Though skin cancer can look like a mole, true moles are harmless skin irregularities. Skin tags and moles are both types of skin growths. A skin tag is a small, soft balloon-shaped benign skin growth connected to the skin by a thin stalk. Skin tags are extremely...
Facts you should know about postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) PHN is a painful complication that occurs after a shingles infection. PHN is caused by viral damage to nerve cells. PHN is diagnosed by the patient's history and physical exam. Treatment often requires more than one agent to reduce pain. PHN may last one to two months,...