Common Illness Information

ACNE

Acne is a skin condition that occurs when your hair follicles become plugged with oil. It often causes whiteheads, blackheads or pimples and usually appears on the face, forehead, chest, upper back and shoulders. Acne is most common among teenagers although it can affect people of all ages.

ARTHRITIS

Arthritis is the swelling and tenderness of one or more of your joints.  The main symptoms of arthritis are joint pain, swelling, reduced range of motion and stiffness, which typically worsen with age. The most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

ATHLETE’S FOOT

Athlete’s foot (tinea pedis) is a fungal infection that usually begins between the toes. It commonly occurs in people whose feet have become very sweaty while confined within tightfitting shoes. Symptoms include a scaly rash that causes itching, stinging, burning and smelly feet.

BED BUGS

Bed Bugs are small, brownish flattened insects that feed on the blood of animals. Although, the most common bed bug prefers feeding on humans. They infest homes, hotels and hospitals. Bed bugs likely get their name from their habit of feeding on humans while they sleep in their beds.

BED SORES

Bedsoresn also called pressure ulcers, are injuries to the skin resulting from prolonged pressure on the skin, friction, temperature and continence. Bed sores can develop on the heels, ankles, hip and tailbone. Treatment includes cleaning and dressing the wound along with reducing pressure on the sore by frequent changes in position.

BODY ODOR

Body odor can have causes that aren’t due to underlying disease. Examples include poor hygiene, hot and humid weather or recent exercise. However, there is a disorder that impairs their ability to metabolize a compound called Trimethylaminuria (TMA), which is produced naturally. As this compound builds up in the body, it causes people to give off a strong odor in their sweat, urine and breath.

BOILS

Boils are usually caused by a bacteria called Staphylococcus (staph). Some staph infections develop into abscesses. The germ can be present on the normal skin and enters the body through tiny breaks in the skin or by traveling down to a hair follicle.

DIABETIC NEUROPATHY
Diabetic neuropathy is a type of nerve damage that can occur if you have diabetes. High blood sugar (glucose) can injure nerves throughout the body and most often damages nerves in your legs and feet. The most common symptoms include pain and numbness.

COLIC

Colic is when a healthy baby cries or fusses frequently for a prolonged period of time. Some believe it’s the result of an allergy to milk (lactose intolerance) in formula-fed babies. In breastfed babies, colic may be a reaction to specific foods in the mother’s diet. Either way, these allergies or this sensitivity can cause tummy pain that may prompt colicky behavior.

ECZEMA

Eczema is characterized by dry, itchy skin on the face, inside the elbows, behind the knees and on the hands and feet. The most common causes of eczema is atopic dermatitis (sometimes called infantile eczema) which affects older children as well as infants. Eczema in infants and children is often caused by genetic and environmental factors.

HEMORRHOIDS

Hemorrhoids, also called piles, are swollen veins in your anus and rectum.  They can form either internally or externally. Discomfort is a common symptom, especially during bowel movements or when sitting. In severe cases itching and bleeding can occur.

IMPETIGO

Impetigo is a common and highly contagious skin infection that mainly affects infants and children. Impetigo usually appears on the face, especially around a child’s mouth, nose, hands and feet. The sores quickly grow into blisters, ooze and burst and then form a yellowish honey-colored crust.

JOCK ITCH

Jock Itch (tinea cruris) is a fungal infection that affects the skin of your genitals, inner thighs and buttocks. Jock itch causes itchy, red and often ring-shaped rashes in these warm, moist areas of the body. Jock itch gets its name because it is common in people who sweat a lot such as athletes.

HERBAL CLEANSING

Cleansing is an essential part of staying healthy. The purpose of a cleanse is to eliminate excessive mucus and toxins from the body. It promotes overall health and weight loss.

PSEUDOFOLLICULITIS BARBAE (PFB)

PFB (razor bumps) is a common condition of the beard and nape of the neck occurring in approximately 60% of African American and other ethnic populations with curly hair. The problem results when highly curved hair grows back into the skin causing inflammation.

PSORIASIS

Psoriasis is characterized by thickened, reddened, silvery-scaled patches of skin that may appear as a few small lesions, or may cover large areas of the body. However, Psoriasis is NOT contagious. Many factors can aggravate and precipitate the outbreak including diet, changes in season and certain health conditions.

RINGWORM

Ringworm is a contagious fungal infection caused by mold-like parasites that live on the cells in the outer layer of your skin. It causes a scaly, crusted rash that appears as round and red in color that can result in hair loss to the scalp and blister-like lesions.

SCIATICA

Sciatica refers to back pain caused by problems with the sciatic nerve. This is a large nerve that runs from the lower back down the back of each leg. When something injures or puts pressure on the sciatic nerve, it can cause pain in the lower back that spreads to the hips, buttocks, and legs.

SHINGLES

Shingles (HERPES ZOSTER) is an infection of the nerve of the chest and abdomen on one side of the body that leads to a throbbing, burning pain along the nerve. It is a common viral infection caused by reactivation of the varicella zoster virus.  It is very common in older people and people with a weak immune system. Shingles can cause a painful rash that may appear as a stripe of blisters on the trunk of the body.

SINUSITIS

Sinusitis is an inflammation or swelling of the tissue lining the sinuses. Healthy sinuses are filled with air but when they become blocked and filled with fluid, germs can grow and cause infection.

STOMACH ULCERS/ GASTRITIS

Gastritis is an inflammation, irritation or erosion of the lining of the stomach. The inflammation of gastritis is most often the result of infection with the same bacterium that causes most stomach ulcers.