Medical Conditions

If you have moles, it's understandable that you may want to remove them. They can be large or small, can stick out from your skin or be level with your skin, but most important, they are a...

Castor oil is a colorless, tasteless oil derived from the castor bean. Although it may be best known for its medical uses, it also has a variety of industrial uses.

Scabies is a condition in which tiny mites burrow under the skin. This may cause a rash and itching, which worsens at night.

Dehydration occurs when your body loses too much fluid due to vomiting, diarrhea, sweating, fever and certain medications that can cause you to urinate large amounts. This condition can range from...

You can identify frostbite on your hands if you learn the sensation, appearance and stages of frostbite. Frostbite is frozen skin tissue. Any area of the skin can become frostbitten, but frostbite...

Copper peptide is a compound form of copper. Copper is an elemental metal, traces of which can be found in your skin cells. When converted into copper peptides, this copper compound can be used in...

Erythema multiforme is a skin disorder caused by an allergic reaction to certain types of medications. This condition can cause serious complications if left untreated.

A stoma is an opening in your abdomen through which waste material is removed from your body. There are no nerve endings in a stoma, so it does not transmit any pain or sensation. Patients with a...

Scars occur on the human body for a number of different reasons. You can develop scars from childhood conditions such as the chickenpox or acne. You can also develop scars from surgery or...

Parasites are usually thought of in a negative manner because, by definition, they live off their hosts without giving much back. The skin is one environment in which there are plenty of parasites...

Ringworm is an infection of the skin caused by fungus. It can affect your scalp, body, groin, and feet. Other names for ringworm include tinea infection, jock itch, and athlete's foot.

Scabies is an irritating skin condition that causes a rash, itching and irritation. It is caused by tiny insects called mites that burrow beneath the skin. The condition affects people of all...

Chafed skin is a common skin condition caused by sweaty skin rubbing together while you're physically active, which later dries and causes itching, redness and pain. Common chafing areas include...

Foot melanoma often goes undetected because people don't notice skin abnormalities in the foot until it's spread to other parts of the body. Melanoma of the foot occurs when there's abnormality...

Losing hair may not only happen on a man's head. It may affect other areas of the body, such as the man's calves or legs. This loss of hair may not be a normal baldness pattern and could be a sign...

Scleroderma is a group of diseases which are rare and progressive. It causes skin and connective tissues to tighten and harden. The two types of scleroderma are localized, which only affects...

Hypertrophic scars are scars that are the result of excessive skin growth when the skin is injured. Hypertrophic scars are similar in appearance to keloid scars and may occur in any racial group....

The application of infrared light therapy is growing. It is now commonly used for healing wounds, relieving pain due to arthritis and sprains and helping sinusitis. It is also beneficial in cases...

Heparin is a drug administered to patients at risk of a blood clot. This injectable anticoagulant may be administered by a nurse; however, some individuals prefer not to go to the doctor for...

According to the World Health Organization, TB is an airborne infectious disease which primarily affects the lungs. While a number of tests for TB do exist, they carry risks. The Gold Standard of...

Melasma, also known as chloasma or the mask of pregnancy, is a common skin disorder characterized by darkening of the skin.

Frostbite is a condition that happens in very cold climates when the extremities, especially the feet, are exposed to extreme cold for prolonged periods of time. Frostbite is classified into three...

Caring for the site of a feeding tube is of the utmost importance for individuals who have recently undergone surgery. Gastrostomy tubes (also known as g-tubes) are used to deliver food and...

Bacteria such as Haemophilus, Staphylococcus and Streptococcus cause cellulitis by entering the epidermis through a break in the skin. Cellulitis can occur in babies and requires immediate treatment.

There are three common types of ostomy surgery; each is characterized by a redirection of waste removal from your body through an opening in your abdomen (a stoma). Colostomies and ileostomies are...

Finger and toe nails are composed of layers of keratin. The oils and natural moisture in the skin around the nails hold these layers together. A number of factors can interrupt the distribution of...

Permethrin is a synthetic chemical that is used as an insect repellent and insecticide. It is most often used to kill parasites and their eggs. In humans, a mild topical derivative of the...

There are numerous types of issues that can cause genital skin problems. Some are related to dermatitis, non -venereal infections, venereal infections and fungal infections. These problems can be...

Bedsores are skin ulcers that develop when people stay in the same position for too long. They are common in people who are bedridden or wheelchair-bound. They most commonly form on areas of the...

Iontophoresis refers to the use of electrical current on the surface of the skin. Iontophoresis is used for a variety of skin treatments, but is primarily used to treat excessive sweating. The...

Vanicream is an irritant-free product for people who want to avoid the chemicals found in other skin care products.

Leg swelling, often referred to as peripheral edema, is the abnormal buildup of fluid in the ankles, feet and legs. Leg swelling is a common problem in adults and is especially prevalent in the...

Ringworm is a fungal infection that occurs in the top layer of your skin. It is contagious and spread by skin-to-skin contact. It is often recognized by a red, circular rash.

Normally present in people's mouths and intestines and on their skin, Candida yeast seldom causes problems unless conditions develop that allow it to grow. Affecting both sexes and all ages,...

A hemangionma (also called strawberry hemangioma) is a usually harmless birthmark that appears as a bright red patch or a nodule of superfluous blood vessels in the skin. A hemangioma may enlarge...

15 million people in the Unites States have a type of eczema (atopic dermatitis), according to the National Institute of Health. Though eczema most commonly afflicts children under age 5, it can...

Anyone who has had chickenpox can develop shingles. All ages can be affected regardless of gender or race. There are more than 250,000 cases reported each year in the United States. Shingles begin...

Sweating and armpit odor can be troublesome for many. Perspiration can cause a disagreeable odor when it makes contact with bacteria on your skin. According to the Mayo Clinic, sometimes changes...

Cortizone is the brand name for a hydrocortisone topical cream used to minimize inflammation. This medication can be used to treat inflammation caused by eczema, psoriasis and allergic reactions....

When you suffer from a condition known as purpura, blood vessels anywhere within your body actually begin to leak, causing purplish spots to develop along your skin. It is essentially an issue...

Irish moss, also known as Chondrus crispus or carrageen, is a type of seaweed that was once used as a source of food in Ireland. Irish moss is gathered and broken down into a paste, powder and...

Ringworm is a fungal infection on the outermost layer of skin. It is not caused by a worm, as the name suggests. Common symptoms include red skin patches that are itchy and scaly and may appear...

Morgellons is a skin disorder in which sufferers develop disfiguring sores and feel as though something is crawling on or under their skin. Morgellons is still being investigated and is so...

Chilblains are a response to the rapid warming of your skin after being exposed to extreme cold temperatures. When your skin is exposed to the cold, your blood vessels constrict. When they are...

An itchy and tingly feeling in the feet may be the result of inactivity, but it may also be a symptom that the body is experiencing a serious disease, including digestive, blood and circulation...

While weight loss is generally a positive thing, the presence of excessive amounts of loose skin afterward can be a psychologically troubling side effect of extreme dieting. Although exercise...

Oil glands, or sebaceous glands, are located deep within the skin and each gland is connected to a hair follicle. Oil, or sebum, is produced by these glands and then travels to the skin's surface....

Facial treatments can help improve the health of your skin and its overall appearance. Natural, homemade treatments work just as well as many of those you can buy at the store. Other advantages to...

Psoriasis is a condition that makes the cells of the skin to grow at a rapid rate. This in turn causes red, irritated blotches to appear, which causes scaling, itchiness and dryness. Psoriasis is...

Staphylococcus aureus is a common bacteria that plays a major part in human diseases. According to the New Zealand Dermatological Society, 15 to 40 percent of humans are carriers of the bacteria,...