Otitis Media

Image: Shutterstock Summers can be brutal, especially the heat and humidity it brings along. If you are one of those people who live by the beautiful and calming seas, humidity is your well-known enemy. Even though we spend most of our time under the air conditioner, we often find ourselves drenched in sweat; multiple times a day. The one thing this outrageous season brings along is the various skin infections. One such skin infection is most commonly found in the Tinea versicolor. 1. What is Tinea versicolor Infection? 2. Causes 3. Symptoms 4. Diagnosis 5. Treatment 6. Prevention 7. Natural Remedies 8. FAQ What is Tinea versicolor Infection? Image: Shutterstock Tinea versicolor is a common fungal infection that affects the skin. The fungus disrupts the skin's pigmentation which results in small, discolored patches. The fungus called Malassezia is a type of yeast that is found on the surface of the skin. Malassezia helps in protecting your skin from infections and ...

As New York state continues to slowly reopen, live music concerts are among the most highly-anticipated events coming back. And while new COVID-19 protocols will mean a changed experience for attendees, one safety measure should continue to be top-of-mind for everyone this summer – protect your hearing. The pounding noise from concerts or constant use of headphones set too loud is an obvious source of hearing problems. However, repeated exposure to the sounds of summer can gradually cause hearing damage, as well. From lawnmowers and leaf blowers, to power tools, motorcycles and firearms, constant exposure to noise has the potential to destroy sensitive hair cells in your inner ear. The red warning zone for hearing problems starts at 85 decibels, or the sound of heavy traffic. Normal conversation is about 60 decibels. A rock concert may reach 120; motorcycles, fireworks and small firearms can hit 150. You may be developing a hearing problem if you have a vague sense of pressure in...

Meningoencephalitis has similarities with encephalitis and meningitis. According to a 2012 study, "It is often difficult to reliably differentiate meningitis and encephalitis clinically. Therefore, the term acute meningoencephalitis (AME) is often used to denote both conditions." Meningitis is a condition that involves inflammation or infection of the meninges (the protective layer of membranes that surround the brain). Encephalitis is an inflammation/infection of the brain tissue. Encephalitis can occur on its own, or it can happen simultaneously with meningitis. When both the meninges and the brain are inflamed, it's considered meningoencephalitis. It can also be referred to as encephalomeningitis. Meningoencephalitis can have different causes, and herpes virus infection is the most common cause. Shidlovski / Getty Images Types of Meningoencephalitis There are several types of meningoencephalitis, classified according to the underlying cause. Sever...

Tinea capitis is the term for a ringworm infection that develops on the skin and inside the hair follicles on the scalp. Ringworm is a fungal infection that causes a bright red ring-shaped rash when it appears on the trunk, extremities, or face. The areas of the body that ringworm typically affects include the: hands groin feet toenails trunk In this article, we take a close look at tinea capitis, including its causes, symptoms, and treatments. We also explain how to distinguish it from similar conditions. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 40 unique species of fungi can cause ringworm. People can contract ringworm after coming into contact with infected humans or animals or with dirt or an object that contains infectious fungi. Fungi grow well in warm, moist areas, so ringworm often develops between the toes, in the groin area, or in skin folds. Living in a warm, moist climate may increase a person's likel...

COVID-19 symptoms, including fever, can start anywhere from 2 days to 2 weeks after exposure to the virus. Fever is one of the ways your body tries to fight off infection. For that reason, it's a common symptom of COVID-19, which typically gets reported by those who have it. However, not everyone who gets COVID-19 will develop a fever. According to the CDC, you have a fever if your temperature is 100.4°F (38°C) or greater, no matter what the cause. Read on to find out about fever as a symptom of COVID-19 and other symptoms that require medical care. In addition to being new, COVID-19 has often been unpredictable. As common a symptom as fever is, there is no definitive temperature range for this condition. Some people who test positive never run a fever. Others spike very high fevers. A large review of multiple studies across nine countries observed 24,420 adults with COVID-19, and 78 percent ran a fever at some point during their illness. A later review of stu...

When it comes to a viral rash in a baby, there are many potential causes. This article will cover some of the most common causes and when to seek emergency medical attention for a viral rash in a baby. Causes of rashes in babies can include bacterial, viral, and fungal infections or reactions to medications, soaps, cleaning products, or environmental triggers. Learn about some common rashes in babies here. According to the American Family Physician (AFP), viral rashes are usually not as itchy as other rash causes, such as tinea capitis (fungal) or atopic dermatitis (eczema). Learn more about viral rashes that can affect both adults and children here. Examples of some viral rashes that can affect babies include: Fifth disease Fifth disease is a viral illness that causes a rash. It is also known as erythema infectiosum and 'slapped cheek disease.' According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), parvovirus B19 causes the condition. It...

Sepsis is a potentially life threatening condition in which the immune system overreacts to an infection. This overreaction causes damage to the body's organs and other tissues. Anyone with an infant or child showing symptoms of sepsis should take them to the emergency room. Without prompt medical treatment, the condition can lead to severe complications, and even death. In this article, we outline some of the symptoms and causes of sepsis and provide information on how doctors diagnose and treat the condition. We also discuss some of the factors that can increase a baby's risk of developing sepsis and offer general tips on prevention. Early detection and prompt treatment of sepsis reduce the risk of serious complications and death. Sepsis symptoms can vary, but they will include one or more of the following: Some of the above symptoms are common in babies and are not necessarily a sign of sepsis. However, if a baby appears sick and shows one or more of ...

Candidiasis is a fungal infection caused by a type of yeast called Candida . While Candida is naturally found both on the skin and within the body, it becomes a problem when it overgrows. There are many species of Candida , but the most common is Candida albicans. Infections involving this type of yeast are quite common, but they are also easily diagnosable and treatable. Infections caused by other strains, however, are more serious. Candidiasis—or as it's more commonly known, a yeast infection—can occur in many places in the body, such as the mouth, skin, vagina, and bloodstream. This infection is usually treated with over-the-counter medications. Prescription medications are also available for persistent infections. People with a weakened immune system may need further medical intervention to properly treat candidiasis. Colin Anderson Productions pty ltd / Getty Images Over-the-Counter (OTC) Therapies Many OTC therapies are available for treating candidi...

Earwax buildup is a common condition. A 2020 research review showed that in the United States, 150,000 earwax removals are performed every week. Traditional removal techniques include: using earwax softeners irrigating your ear with fluid having a doctor manually remove the buildup Excessive earwax can cause a number of uncomfortable symptoms, such as If you're dealing with earwax buildup, it's important to clear it as soon as possible. If not, it may eventually lead to a more serious condition like an ear infection. Microsuction earwax removal, sometimes referred to as ear vacuuming, is the most commonly performed manual type of earwax removal used by doctors. During your procedure, a doctor uses a long, thin nozzle that fits in your ear to suction out the wax. Let's break down all the details you need to know about microsuction ear cleaning. Microsuction ear cleaning is a technique doctors use to remove earwax. Before starting the earwax remova...

The protozoal parasite can be transmitted via the faecal-oral route, as well as through ingestion of contaminated meat products, or by crossing the placental barrier from mother to baby. Although virtually all warm-blooded animals can play host to T. gondii infection, only infected felines act as definitive hosts – meaning that sexual reproduction (production of oocysts) and transmission via the faecal-oral route can only occur if a feline is involved in the life cycle. However, the life cycle can continue via consumption of raw/undercooked meat containing T. gondii cysts present in the tissues, and is the most common way toxoplasmosis occurs in humans. As meat consumption is expected to increase over the next few generations (due to increasing population sizes), and as we encroach further into the habitats of wild animals to expand our farms and cities, the emergence and resurgence of zoonotic diseases such as T. gondii in humans is also expected to increase. The vast maj...

Recently, Food and Drug Administration and European Medicines Agency approved the BNT162b2 messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine for the prevention of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection (coronavirus disease 2019 [COVID-19]). The vaccine is administered in two doses separated by 21 days. 1 The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention identified the onset of anaphylaxis in 21 out of 1,893,360 subjects receiving the first vaccine dose. 2 Furthermore, pruritic rash and/or mild respiratory symptoms were observed in 83 of them. 2 All these adverse reactions mostly appeared within the first 30 min after the vaccination and can likely be interpreted as immunoglobulin E-mediated hypersensitivity, hypothetically related to the vaccine component polyethylene glycol 2000. 2, 3 To date, no delayed cutaneous adverse events have been reported, other than injection site inflammation. Herein, we described two patients with skin rash appearing several days after the fi...

Ear infections are no fun for anyone. An ear infection (otitis media) occurs when fluid builds up behind your eardrum in the middle part of your ear and causes swelling (inflammation). This can lead to significant pain and discomfort. Since most ear infections are caused by bacteria, it's typically best to treat individual cases with antibiotics. But antibiotic treatment isn't appropriate for every ear infection. There are a variety of factors to consider, including: causes severity location of infection your age Recurring ear infections may also require a different approach. If you're considering ear infection antibiotics for yourself or a loved one, learn more about how these medications work and how they can be both helpful and possibly harmful. Ear infections are most prevalent in young children. They're often the byproducts of upper respiratory infections. You or your child might experience other symptoms before the ear infection, i...