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Molluscum contagiosum is a contagious skin infection caused by a type of poxvirus. It results in round, flesh-colored, painless, and sometimes itchy bumps that can appear anywhere on the skin. It most often affects young children, as well as adults who have weakened immune systems. It is transmitted by direct skin contact. Because it can spread during sexual contact, it is considered a sexually transmitted infection (STI) in adults. This article explains what molluscum contagiosum is, what causes it, and the symptoms associated with it....

In multiple sclerosis (MS), a person’s immune system attacks the protective covering (myelin sheath) of nerve fibers in the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system). MS disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) are medications that disrupt these misguided attacks. DMTs are available in three different forms—injections, oral therapies, and IV infusions. Most are approved to treat relapsing forms of MS in adults. This includes relapsing-remitting MS (the most common form, with periods of symptom relapses and remissions), active secondary progressive MS (with steadily worsening symptoms and few or no remissions), and clinically isolated syndrome (one neurological event with symptoms and signs of MS)....

Olive oil has been used as a home remedy for clearing earwax and treating ear infections for years. It may help break up hardened earwax that is blocking the ear canal, while hydrating the skin in the ear. Using olive oil in the ear does not seem to be dangerous, but it has not been proven as an effective way of treating earwax or ear infections. Earwax (cerumen), the yellow waxy secretion from the outer ear, plays an important role in keeping ears healthy....

A bunion is a bony prominence, or bump, that can form on the inner border of the foot, near the base of your big toe. This condition (also known as hallux valgus) occurs when the first metatarsal bone starts to move away from the second metatarsal bone in the forefoot. The separation that occurs between the first and second toes causes the big toe to angle outward towards the other toes and a bony bump to form....

Seborrheic dermatitis and dandruff are both common skin conditions that affect the seborrheic areas of the body. The seborrheic areas are responsible for producing oil on the skin, also known as sebum. Both seborrheic dermatitis and dandruff are on a spectrum of the same condition, with dandruff being a mild form of seborrheic dermatitis. Combined, both conditions affect about half of adults in the United States. While seborrheic dermatitis and dandruff both cause a dry, itchy scalp, they have other symptoms that allow us to tell them apart....

Skin is the largest organ in the body and is quite complex. You have three main skin layers that are made up of many specialized cells and structures. The skin’s primary function is to act as a barrier against disease-causing pathogens (germs) and hostile environments. It also helps regulate body temperature and gathers sensory information from your environment. The article looks at the skin layers—the epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous tissue, what they’re made of, and why they’re important to your health....

A skin ulcer is a crater-like, open sore on the skin. The wound is roughly circular, the center of which is open and raw. Skin ulcers develop when there is a disintegration of tissue, and are caused by a multitude of different factors, from trauma, lack of circulation, or long-term pressure. Luckily, several treatment options can help to heal and prevent further complications. Symptoms Skin ulcers cause a crater-like depression in the skin, which may weep clear fluid (called serous), blood, or, when infected, pus....

Early this week, an official stated the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) was weighing whether they should update their mask guidance to recommend switching to N95 or KN95 masks to improve protection against the Omicron variant. Key Takeaways Experts say cloth masks may not offer enough protection amid the Omicron surge.Compared to cloth and surgical masks, the N95 respirator offers the most protection against COVID-19.There are plenty of tips to improve mask effectiveness such as double masking, using mask fitters, or knotting the ear loops to improve the fit....

Fatigue and headaches often go hand in hand. For most people, headaches and tiredness are occasional nuisances. They may disrupt productivity for a day or cause you to cancel plans for the evening. However, for some people, they can be a chronic, debilitating duo that affects their daily life. In fact, frequent headaches and fatigue are overlapping symptoms of many chronic health conditions, including anemia, fibromyalgia, migraines, and sleep disorders. They can also be a side effect of certain medications or caused by lifestyle habits....

A transforaminal interbody lumbar fusion (TILF) is a surgical procedure that involves permanent union of some of the bones of the lower back (lumbar area). A TILF is a specific procedure that utilizes a bone graft—bone tissue acquired from a bone bank or taken from somewhere in your own body. Over time, the bone graft and segments of the bones of a person’s spine grow together, forming one fused bone....

What Is Tresiba? Tresiba (insulin degludec) injection is a long-acting insulin product used to lower blood sugar (glucose) levels in people with type 1 or 2 diabetes. It is similar to the natural insulin found in your body. Tresiba works by moving sugar from your blood into different parts of your body, where it can be used for energy. It also decreases how much sugar your liver produces. Tresiba is a prescription product, so you and your healthcare provider will decide if Tresiba should be added to your diabetes treatment plan....

Many children have asthma, a serious and potentially life-threatening illness. Fortunately, there are many medications that can help control and prevent asthma attacks. The symptoms of asthma for most children include coughing, wheezing, and difficulty breathing. They may be brought on or triggered by having a cold, changes in the weather, exercise, or exposure to cigarette smoke, pollen, mold, animals, and pollution. If you can learn the things that trigger your child’s asthma problems, it can help to avoid them, although finding asthma triggers is often difficult....

A concussion is a serious medical condition and should be taken seriously. Concussions occur more often in children because of the sports they play. Concussions can negatively impact vision by causing double-vision, sensitivity to light, and problems with eye tracking. This article discusses the symptoms of a concussion and how they affect vision, Brain Injury Nearly three million visits are made to the emergency department every year as a result of some type of traumatic brain injury....

Picture this: You are walking from the kitchen to the bedroom, maybe passing through the living room. The windows are open and there is a gentle breeze disturbing the stillness of the place. The curtains, the chandelier, the leaves of your indoor plants and maybe even your hair are all moving in unison. Suddenly, as you are about to step into the hallway, a shadow catches the corner of your eye and you turn around....

Most people have at one time or another experienced a tension-type headache. The pain is typically a dull tightening or pressure on both sides of the head, often described as having a tight rubber band around the head. Tension headaches are typically caused by stress, anxiety, dehydration, fasting, or lack of sleep and usually resolve with over-the-counter medicine, like Tylenol (acetaminophen). Some people experience these headaches frequently, a condition known as chronic tension-type headaches....

Headlines about healthcare reform and the Affordable Care Act (ACA) have been ever-present for the last decade, and the details sometimes get lost in the noise. But from early 2018 through mid-2021, a lawsuit that threatened to overturn the ACA was making its way through the court system. Ultimately, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the ACA, but the case caused considerable uncertainty for a few years. This article will explain what the case was about, how the lower courts ruled, and how the Supreme Court upheld the ACA for the third time in 10 years....

What Is Zioptan? Zioptan (tafluprost) is a prescription option used to treat glaucoma (high eye pressure). Zioptan is a prostaglandin analog. It lowers your eye pressure by increasing the flow of certain eye fluids out of your eyes. Zioptan is available as an eye drop. What Is Zioptan Used For? Zioptan is used for glaucoma. Drug Facts Generic Name: Tafluprost Glaucoma affects roughly 3 million people in the United States (U....

The first time I realized people viewed me differently was in middle school. There were times growing up that if I could have worn a full-body suit with a hood over my face, I would have. This article is part of Health Divide: Skin Conditions and Darker Skin, a destination in our Health Divide series. Meet the Author Alisha M. Bridges is an award-winning writer, public speaker, media consultant, and health activist....

An ear infection—also called otitis media—is an infection in the middle ear, the air-filled space behind the eardrum. Acute otitis media is an ear infection that comes on quickly. An ear infection usually results from viruses, bacteria, a combination of viruses and bacteria, or allergies. Ear infections are not contagious, but the colds, sore throats, and respiratory infections that often precede them are. Most ear infections are easy to treat, but if symptoms become severe or are accompanied by a fever, you may need medical attention....

Arthroscopic knee surgery recovery can vary based on what type of procedure was performed and whether structures were repaired or removed from the knee joint. Activity restrictions will be put in place during the initial stages of recovery until the knee heals and becomes stabilized to support activity demands. Physical therapy may play an important role in your recovery to get you back to performing everyday activities safely and without pain in your knee....