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What causes an itch is complicated. Allergies, medical conditions, dry skin, and a wide range of other conditions can all lead to an itching sensation. An itch that returns over and over again to the same spot, though, is a little more unusual. Itches that recur in the same spot and are confined to one or two locations are usually considered neuropathic itches, or itches triggered in your nerves. There’s a number of reasons you might develop this kind of itch, but it’s important to get treatment in order to avoid complications like tissue damage or infection....

The senior flu shot is designed to help people 65 and older avoid influenza (the flu) infection. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all people age 6 months and older get an annual flu vaccine (with very rare exceptions). Since people aged 65 and over are at higher risk for complications and death from the flu, the flu vaccine is particularly important. There are three vaccines that the CDC recommends specifically for seniors because they offer additional protection....

If you or a loved one has been sexually assaulted, you may have heard of a sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) exam. Sexual assault nurse examiners are registered nurses who have also undergone additional training for how to both care for the victims of sexual assault and collect evidence that can be used for future prosecution. This evidence collection is sometimes also referred to as a rape kit. When someone has been sexually assaulted, they can choose to undergo a SANE exam even if they do not know if they want to prosecute their attacker....

Alcohol is a known digestive system irritant. For a person who has a chronic digestive health disorder like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), the question as to whether or not to enjoy some drinks is a complicated one. Many people who have IBS avoid alcohol altogether due to the fact that they perceive it to be a trigger for their symptoms. If you are wondering if that is necessary, this overview will provide you with the information that you need to make an informed decision for yourself as we will cover the pros and cons of drinking, the research on alcohol use and IBS, and offer some tips so that you can make an informed decision for yourself....

Most of the time, you shouldn’t pop a blister. As natural bandages, blisters protect a damaged area, help promote healing, and prevent skin infection. That said, popping a blister may be recommended if a blister is big, painful, or is getting continually irritated. How you pop a blister is important. Using improper techniques can cause harm to your skin and welcome in bacteria. This article looks at when it might be appropriate to pop a blister, the safest procedure to use, and how to prevent a blister in the first place....

Colon and rectal cancers, often collectively referred to as colorectal cancer, has four distinct stages, numbered I through IV. Stage 0, a fifth stage, is considered a pre-clinical stage. Each stage has different treatment options and five-year survival rates. The stages and substages below are from the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging system, which may also be called the TNM system (tumor, nodule, metastases). Stage 0 (Carcinoma In Situ) This is the earliest stage of colorectal cancer....

The brain is a unique organ that is responsible for many functions such as problem-solving, thinking, emotions, controlling physical movements, and mediating the perception and responses related to the five senses. The many nerve cells of the brain communicate with each other to control this activity. Each area of the brain has one or more functions. The skull, which is composed of bone, protects the brain. A number of different health conditions can affect the brain, including headaches, seizures, strokes, multiple sclerosis, and more....

Urea is an organic compound formed when nitrogen and protein break down and is the main component of human urine. It has many uses, including in fertilizer and other industrial processes and in creams that treat skin disorders, such as psoriasis, eczema, atopic dermatitis, and ingrown nails. Some individuals have urea cycle disorders that inhibit them from properly disposing of waste, which can lead to neurological symptoms. Learn more about how the body produces urea, why it is important, its various uses, and the disorders that disrupt its production....

If your child is overweight, it can be frustrating if they are trying their best to shed the pounds but the scale isn’t budging. It can also be worrisome given the health risks of childhood obesity, including an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and asthma. This article explores the common reasons why children are overweight and the mistakes that parents sometimes make when trying to help their child lose weight....

What Is Winlevi? Winlevi (clascoterone) is a topical prescription product used for a common skin condition called acne vulgaris (acne). Winlevi is an androgen (hormone) receptor inhibitor. It’s thought to work by inhibiting the effects of androgen receptors (binding sites) in sebaceous (oil) glands, which are located in skin pores. By blocking these hormone binding sites, Winlevi may help with lessening oil production and inflammation (your body’s response to an offending agent, which causes swelling, pain, and redness)....

One cause of a painful toothache is an abscessed tooth. A tooth abscess occurs when the pulp, the soft tissue inside the root canal, dies and becomes inflamed. This allows bacteria to enter the pulp and infect the root of the tooth. A pocket of pus can then form around the root, creating an abscess. This article discusses the causes and symptoms of an abscessed tooth. It covers when you should see a doctor, along with how a tooth abscess is diagnosed and treated....

While the reality of COVID-19 is tough for many people to process and handle, it’s particularly difficult for both children and adults with autism and their caregivers. Fortunately, there are tools and resources available to make it a bit easier to get through stressful and disruptive times. Why People With Autism Are Likely to Struggle Almost every aspect of shut-downs and quarantines can undermine the systems that autistic people and their caregivers have set up....

Autoimmune diseases are a case of mistaken identity in which the body’s immune system, which ordinarily attacks intruders like viruses and bacteria, attacks itself. There are more than 100 different autoimmune diseases, some of which involve a single organ (e.g. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis) and others that attack nearly any organ or tissue (e.g. lupus). Early symptoms, such as fatigue and joint pain, mimic those of other medical conditions, making diagnosis challenging. These conditions can be temporary or, more commonly, lifelong....

There are many different types of B-cell lymphomas. Two of the most common B-cell lymphomas are diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and follicular lymphoma. Both may cause enlargement of one or more lymph nodes, in addition to other signs and symptoms. People learn which of the many types of B-cell lymphoma they have during their diagnosis and evaluation. This article will discuss the main types of B-cell lymphoma, how they are diagnosed, and targeted treatments....

After the emotional and physical exhaustion of delivering a baby, the last thing you need is a headache. But a headache in the postpartum period is a common complaint. Hormonal changes, dehydration, anesthesia, and sleep irregularity can all contribute to headache after delivery of your precious newborn. Usually, fluid, rest, relaxation, and anti-inflammatory medication (like ibuprofen) would help alleviate the discomfort. But sometimes headaches in postpartum women last longer than 24 hours, are more severe than usual, and/or are not relieved by typical measures....

Bloating is stomach distention due to pressure inside the organ. This uncomfortable feeling of fullness or tightness can make your stomach appear larger and clothes to feel tighter. Bloating may be caused by how and what you eat, abnormal reactions to food, or certain medical conditions. How you relieve bloating depends on what’s causing it. This article looks at the causes and symptoms of bloating plus how to treat and prevent it, and when it’s concerning enough to call your healthcare provider....

Calcium is an essential nutrient found in dairy products, dark-green leafy vegetables, legumes, and fortified foods. The most abundant mineral in the body, 99% of calcium is stored in the bones and teeth. Calcium is also important for circulation, hormones, muscle, and nerve health. As we age, calcium levels naturally decline. For this reason, many people take calcium supplements to prevent osteoporosis. Calcium carbonate (calcite) and calcium citrate (Citracal) are the two most popular forms of calcium supplements....

After more than 35 years of scientific research, the question of whether you can get HIV from oral sex remains confusing. If asking whether a person can get HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) from oral sex, the honest answer would have to be that it’s possible but unlikely. For the most part, oral sex—either in terms of fellatio (oral-penile), cunnilingus (oral-vaginal), or anilingus (oral-anal)—is not an efficient route of HIV transmission....

The cephalic position is when a fetus is head down, facing back, with the chin tucked and the back of the head ready to enter the birth canal. This is one of a few variations of how a fetus can rest in the womb and is considered the ideal one for labor and delivery. About 96% of babies are born in the cephalic position. Most settle into it between the 32nd and 36th weeks of pregnancy....

Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted disease (STD) among people 15 to 29 years of age. It is caused by a bacteria known as Chlamydia trachomatis, which can be passed from one person to the next through vaginal, anal, and oral sex. When it occurs in the mouth or throat, it is referred to as oral chlamydia. People often suspect they have chlamydia when they get genital and urinary tract symptoms like painful urination or vaginal discharge....