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There are many types of fungi, but there are only a few that cause infections in humans. A small number of those cause skin infections. This article will focus on fungal skin infections, including information on symptoms, treatment, and prevention of fungal skin infections. What Is a Fungal Skin Infection? A fungal skin infection is caused by certain types of fungi that can get on the skin and multiply. General Symptoms While symptoms will vary depending on the type of problem, general symptoms of a fungal skin infection include:...

Manual physical therapy (PT) refers to a cluster of hands-on therapeutic techniques used by a therapist to treat a wide variety of symptoms and conditions. This style of treatment, which is often performed alongside other rehab techniques like exercise or pain-relieving modalities, can be helpful in addressing numerous different concerns, including pain, stiffness, or range of motion limitations. This article will describe hands-on physical therapy, techniques, when and where it is used, costs, and alternatives....

If you struggle with headaches, you are not alone. In fact, more than half of the world’s adult population has experienced a headache at least once in the past year. Headaches come in all shapes and sizes, ranging from dull throbbing to sharp pain, and lasting from just a few minutes to several days. Each type of headache has a different cause, but all of them can interfere with your day, and sometimes even with your quality of life....

Recovery after hip replacement surgery usually takes around four weeks. However, some people may have more extended recovery periods due to advanced age, activity level before surgery, or co-existing health conditions. Proper post-operative rehabilitation is key to getting back on your feet. Surgery Follow-Up You will need to follow up with your orthopedic surgeon several times during and after your recovery period. Your appointment schedule after your hip replacement surgery can vary....

It can be confusing when two test results disagree. This can sometimes occur with tests used to diagnose sexually transmitted infections (STIs). For example, a person’s urine test for chlamydia may be positive but their genital culture may come back negative. False-negative results are those in which you have a condition but the test says you don’t. False-positive results are those in which you don’t have a condition but the test says you do....

Like many other viruses, mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) cannot be diagnosed by symptoms alone. Although infections are sometimes treated based on symptoms (typically in areas where an outbreak is occurring), lab testing is needed to confirm the diagnosis and ensure that mpox is the cause and not some other disease. Mpox is diagnosed with lab tests that detect genetic evidence of the virus from a swab of a skin sore....

Because the causes of pink eye (conjunctivitis) are so varied—triggered by everything from viral and bacterial infections to allergies and chemical exposure—the treatment must be tailored to the underlying cause. Mild conjunctivitis, while uncomfortable, may resolve on its own. Other cases may require antibiotics to treat a bacterial infection, topical steroids to reduce inflammation, and supportive therapies (such cold compresses and artificial tears) to help alleviate the pain and discomfort....

A hydrocele is a condition involving swelling of the scrotum from fluid accumulation that sometimes occurs at birth. It usually affects just one testicle, but a hydrocele can be present on both sides. When present at birth, the condition often subsides on its own without treatment by the time the baby is a year old. It’s possible for older children and adults to develop a hydrocele, but it’s not as common....

You may expect the signs of asthma to be obvious in infants—classic sudden attacks of wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath. But they often can be subtle and easily mistaken for a respiratory infection. Because of this, and the fact that little ones can’t describe how they are feeling, many parents have no idea their infant has asthma until the attacks are more severe or overt. Knowing how to differentiate infant asthma from common respiratory illnesses is one key to getting early diagnosis and treatment....

Pneumonia is contagious when viruses or bacteria are responsible for the infection. Fungal pneumonia (which mainly affects people with compromised immune systems) and aspiration pneumonia (caused by inhaling food or liquid into the airways) are not contagious. Pneumonia can affect one or both lungs and causes inflammation (swelling) that can lead to serious complications, especially in certain individuals like those under age 5 or over age 65. This article walks you through the various types of pneumonia, including which are contagious and for how long....

Vision impairment is a national health concern and has a negative impact on physical and mental health. In the United States, macular degeneration is the leading cause of vision loss in people aged 50 and older. Glaucoma affects fewer people, but it also can lead to complete loss of vision and is the second leading cause of blindness worldwide. Both conditions are considered degenerative eye diseases, and it is possible for people to be affected by both diseases simultaneously....

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease that attacks healthy cells in the brain and spinal cord. There are many symptoms of MS, one of which is brain fog - difficulty with memory, concentration, and brain function. Learn more about MS brain fog, including what causes it, how to deal with it, and more. What Is Brain Fog? Brain fog, sometimes called cog fog, is a term that describes some of the cognitive symptoms of MS and other medical conditions that affect brain function....

Research shows that gut health significantly impacts overall well-being. You can support your gut health using prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics. Each serves a different yet collaborative purpose in encouraging good bacteria to thrive in your digestive system. This article discusses the differences between prebiotics and probiotics, their effects on gut health, and the best sources of each. Function of Prebiotics vs. Probiotics Though probiotics are good living bacteria, prebiotics are the food that promotes their growth....

Psoriasis causes red, scaly patches of skin, most commonly found on the elbows, knees, and scalp. In rare cases, psoriasis can affect the tongue, lips, and mouth. This type of psoriasis is known as oral psoriasis. This article discusses the symptoms, causes, and treatment of oral psoriasis. Symptoms Symptoms that appear in a case of oral psoriasis can include: Small, round lesions (areas of abnormal tissue) that are gray to yellowish-white in color Circular, white, and elevated patches or lesions on the moist membrane of the inside of the mouth, such as the inside of the cheeks and the gums Extreme redness of the skin inside the mouth accompanied by red, scaly patches Geographic tongue—red, bald spots of skin that are surrounded by an irregular white border Fissured tongue—deep or shallow grooves on the top of the tongue A rash on the inside of the mouth Bleeding of the mouth or gums Plaque buildup in the mouth Sores in the mouth Loss of taste Pain Causes Oral psoriasis is an incredibly rare form of the skin condition, and researchers aren’t sure how some people develop it on the tongue while others don’t....

Pustular eczema is a noncontagious inflammatory skin condition characterized by itchy pustules that form into a rash. Pustules are small pus- or fluid-filled blisters. Typically, pustular eczema affects only the hands and the feet. In some cases, though, it can also affect the limbs. This article discusses the causes, treatment, and ways to cope with pustular eczema. Types of Pustular Eczema Three types of eczema can present with blisters. They include:...

If you are like most people, the last thing you look at before going to sleep (and the first thing you see upon awakening) may be your phone. How might this impact your ability to sleep and contribute to insomnia? Should you sleep with your phone in the bedroom? What are the potential harmful effects of keeping a phone near you in bed? Consider how sleeping near a phone may impact your ability to sleep, and changes that you can make tonight to help yourself to sleep better....

What Is Relenza? Relenza (zanamivir) is a prescription option for influenza (flu) type A and B infections. People 7 years of age and older may use Relenza to treat the flu if they’ve had fewer than two days of symptoms. People at least 5 years of age and older can use Relenza to prevent the flu. If you’re a resident of a skilled nursing or long-term care facility, however, Relenza may not be prescribed to you since it isn’t proven to be an effective preventive option in such settings....

What Is Sensipar? Sensipar (cinacalcet) is a medication taken by mouth (oral) to lower calcium levels in adults with primary hyperparathyroidism and parathyroid cancer. It is also used to treat adults with secondary hyperparathyroidism who have chronic kidney disease and are on dialysis. Sensipar belongs to a group of drugs called calcimimetics. It works by lowering parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels, which become too high in people with hyperparathyroidism and parathyroid cancer....

Skin cancer can affect your scalp just as it does any other part of the body. These malignant (cancerous) lesions can include basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, or melanoma. However, they often go unnoticed because skin cancer on the scalp can be masked by hair or located on a part of the scalp that isn’t easy to check. Sun exposure is the most common cause of skin cancers, including those on the scalp, which account for 13% of all skin malignancies....

Social anxiety disorder, also known as social phobia, is a type of anxiety disorder characterized by intense emotional distress around social interactions in which you may be scrutinized by others. People with this disorder feel anxious or scared in specific or all social situations, such as meeting new people and job interviews, and avoid these situations. Only approximately 20% of those with symptoms seek treatment. Symptoms of social anxiety overlap with those of other anxiety disorders, making diagnosis of this mental illness difficult....