Otitis Media

The HSE has issued a timely reminder to the Irish public about the dangers of ringworm. A disease which can cause major issues with your health, ringworm can spread quite easily if a person gets infected. Ringworm affects as much as 20% to 25% of the world's population and can affect anyone at any age - but children are especially susceptible. READ MORE: Ireland weather: Met Eireann's stunning five-day forecast has brutal twist for Electric Picnic fans Ringworm (Image: HSE) Issuing a reminder on their social media channels on Sunday evening, a HSE spokesperson said: "Ringworm is a common fungal skin infection. It's not caused by worms. It can appear anywhere on the body, including the scalp, groin and feet. "The main symptom of #Ringworm is a red or silver rash. The rash may be scaly, dry, swollen or itchy." Where is ringworm most common? It's most common between the toes where the skin becomes white and soft, with so...

When you wake up with a sore throat, it can be challenging to figure out the cause. It could be strep throat, another infection, allergies, or even acid reflux. Strep throat is a bacterial infection that causes swelling in the tonsils and usually peaks around age 7 or 8. Symptoms include a painful sore throat, fever, swollen neck glands, and white patches on the tonsils.   A respiratory illness or environmental irritant could cause a sore throat. If your sore throat is due to strep throat you may require antibiotics to cure the infection and prevent complications.  This article provides an overview of the common causes of a sore throat and explains how to determine if you have strep throat.  VOISIN / Getty Images Possible Reasons for a Sore Throat There are several possible reasons for a sore throat. In infants, toddlers, and young children, a viral infection is the most common cause of sore throat. Both viral ...

It's routinely said that cats have nine lives. But there's no doubt that, sometimes, felines get by with a little help from their friends too. And, for Pumpkin the Cat, that was certainly the case over the weekend. Bradley DeHart Bradley DeHart loading... Saturday was an amazing and heartwarming day in Tell City, Indiana. Local residents came out in force to rally around Pumpkin the Cat, who was severely injured recently when his pelvis was crushed after being run over by a car.  Luckily, some wonderfully kind humans came to Pumpkin's rescue and he was able to undergo extensive surgery.  He's doing well, but the likelihood remains that he will need additional treatments before he's completely back to normal. So, Jourdan Turner, who's mom found Pumpkin after he was injured, with the help of her daughter Harlei and Harlei's friend, Elizabeth, decided to build a lemonade stand fundraiser.  Tell City Mayor Chris Cail and his partner Br...

Periorbital cellulitis is an infection involving the skin around the eye or the eyelid. It is also known as preseptal cellulitis. A periorbital infection can involve any tissue in the area until it reaches the bony socket. But once the bony tissue is involved, this becomes known as orbital cellulitis. Orbital cellulitis is more serious than periorbital cellulitis because it can quickly lead to vision loss if left untreated. While anybody can have periorbital cellulitis, it most commonly occurs in children under age 5. This article will discuss symptoms and causes of periorbital cellulitis, how it is diagnosed. and how this can be effectively treated. Amorn Suriyan / Getty Images Periorbital Cellulitis Symptoms The symptoms associated with periorbital cellulitis may come on suddenly. They also may be slightly different for everyone. Common symptoms include the following: Eyelid swelling, which can include the upper and/or the lower lid R...

Acute otitis media (AOM) is defined as "the rapid onset of signs and symptoms of inflammation in the middle ear" [1]. Recurrent otitis media occurs when episodes of AOM are repeated on three separate and well-documented occasions in a period of the last six months or four or more occasions in the last 12 months [2]. A more complicated presentation of otitis media is otitis media with effusion (OME), which is considered chronic otitis media. Chronic otitis media presents with liquid in the middle ear cavity and without the signs and symptoms of acute otitis media [1]. Tympanostomy tube insertion and myringotomy are the most frequently implemented surgical interventions [3]. AOM is the most common diagnosis worldwide. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) surveillance data showed that the prevalence of AOM in the United States is increasing (150%). Before the age of two years, 70% of children will have encountered at least one AOM episode. S...

"Rash" is a general term that describes an area of irritated skin. It often causes changes to the color and texture of your skin—for example, it can be red, itchy, bumpy, scaly, warm, and/or painful. It can appear suddenly or develop over several days. A number of different conditions can cause rashes, including allergies and infections; your age and genes may also play a role. A rash on your face is not only uncomfortable but also embarrassing. This article will discuss the causes of a face rash, symptoms, and treatments you can do at home. Prostock-Studio / Getty Images Causes Many factors can trigger a facial rash. Here's a look at some of the most common causes. Infectious Causes Bacteria, viruses, and fungi can all cause skin infections. Oftentimes, these pathogens enter the skin through a cut, insect bite, or other wound. The resulting infection can cause red bumps and other rash symptoms on your face. Bacter...

Dr Riyaz Badami Image Credit: Supplied My two-year-old is suffering from recurring ear pain. Ear drops offer temporary relief. Can homoeopathy help bring her relief? Along with a runny nose, an ear infection is one of the most common childhood illnesses, as the little ones haven't yet developed the same resistance to viruses and bacteria as adults. Most children experience these infections, and frequent recurrences present a significant problem for parents, who often worry that it might impair the child's hearing. The infection of the middle ear and eardrum is referred to as otitis media. It is an infection of the outer ear and can be described as a skin infection that can cause a great deal of ear pain and discharg...

A new, highly contagious viral infection that has been dubbed "tomato flu" is spreading among children in India, the country's Health Ministry said this week. At least 82 children younger than 5 had been infected by late July in the southern state of Kerala, after the first patient was identified there in May. Infections have now been recorded in three other states — including 26 children between the ages of 1 and 9 in Odisha — the Times of India reported Thursday. The infection gets its name from the "eruption of red and painful blisters throughout the body that gradually enlarge to the size of a tomato," according to an article published Aug. 17 in the British medical journal Lancet. The blisters resemble those seen on young monkeypox patients. The disease — which appears to spread through close contact and is not considered life-threatening — could be an aftereffect of chikungunya or dengue rather than a viral infection, according to the article. Tomato flu c...

Rashes are common skin irritations that may be caused by allergies, diseases, or infections. Bacteria, fungi, or viruses can cause an infection. A viral rash is a skin rash resulting from a viral infection like chickenpox, rubella, or measles. A viral rash often occurs with other symptoms associated with the underlying viral infection. This can make it hard to know the source of the rash and the need for treatment. This article explains how to identify common viral rashes in adults and children based on typical symptoms and unique characteristics. It also discusses treatments and when to seek a medical evaluation for viral rashes. Matic Grmek / Getty Images What Is a Viral Rash? A viral rash, also known as a viral exanthem , is a skin rash or eruption that commonly occurs as a symptom of a viral infection. It develops as an immune reaction to a virus. A viral rash can vary in size, appearance, and intensity. It can sometimes cause itching...