Health and Fitness

Overview Ringworm of the body (tinea corporis) is a rash caused by a fungal infection. It's usually an itchy, circular rash with clearer skin in the middle. Ringworm gets its name because of its appearance. No worm is involved. Ringworm of the body is related to athlete's foot (tinea pedis), jock itch (tinea cruris) and ringworm of the scalp (tinea capitis). Ringworm often spreads by direct skin-to-skin contact with an infected person or animal. Mild ringworm often responds to antifungal medications applied to the skin. For more-severe infections, you may need to take antifungal pills for several weeks. Symptoms Signs and symptoms of ringworm may include: 1. A scaly ring-shaped area, typically on the buttocks, trunk, arms and legs 2. Itchiness 3. A clear or scaly area inside the ring, perhaps with a scattering of bumps whose color ranges from red on white skin to reddish, purplish, brown or gray on black and brown skin 4. Slightly raised, expanding rings 5. A round, flat patch ...

Overview Contact dermatitis is an itchy rash caused by direct contact with a substance or an allergic reaction to it. The rash isn't contagious, but it can be very uncomfortable. Many substances can cause this reaction, such as cosmetics, fragrances, jewelry and plants. The rash often shows up within days of exposure. To treat contact dermatitis successfully, you need to identify and avoid the cause of your reaction. If you avoid the substance causing the reaction, the rash often clears up in 2 to 4 weeks. You can try soothing your skin with a cool, wet cloth and other self-care steps. Symptoms Contact dermatitis shows up on skin that has been directly exposed to the substance causing the reaction. For example, the rash may show up along a leg that brushed against poison ivy. The rash can develop within minutes to hours of exposure, and it can last 2 to 4 weeks. Signs and symptoms of contact dermatitis vary widely and may include: 1. An itchy rash 2. Leathery patches that are darke...

Overview Dry skin makes the skin look and feel rough, itchy, flaky or scaly. The location where these dry patches form vary from person to person. It's a common condition that affects people of all ages. Dry skin, also known as xerosis or xeroderma, has many causes, including cold or dry weather, sun damage, harsh soaps, and overbathing. You can do a lot on your own to improve dry skin, including moisturizing and practicing sun protection year-round. Try various products and skin care routines to find an approach that works for you. Symptoms Dry skin is often temporary or seasonal — you might get it only in winter, for example — or you might need to treat it long term. Signs and symptoms of dry skin might vary based on your age, health status, skin tone, living environment and sun exposure. They include: 1. A feeling of skin tightness 2. Skin that feels and looks rough 3. Itchiness (pruritus) 4. Slight to severe flaking skin, which causes the ashy look that can affect dry brown and...

Overview An allergic response causing itchy, watery eyes, sneezing and other similar symptoms. Allergic rhinitis occurs seasonally or year-round. Diagnosis involves history-taking, examination of the nasal passages and sometimes skin testing. Symptoms include sneezing, runny nose and red, watery and itchy eyes. Antihistamine medication can reduce symptoms. Symptoms of seasonal allergies Symptoms of seasonal allergies range from mild to severe. The most common include: 1. sneezing 2. runny or stuffy nose 3. watery and itchy eyes 4. itchy sinuses, throat, or ear canals 5. ear congestion 6. postnasal drainage Less common symptoms include: 1. headache 2. shortness of breath 3. wheezing 4. coughing Many people with hay fever also have asthma. If you have both hay fever and asthma, your seasonal allergens may trigger an asthma attack. Causes of seasonal allergies Hay fever happens when your immune system identifies an airborne substance that’s usually harmless as dangerous. It responds to th...

Overview Food allergy is an immune system reaction that occurs soon after eating a certain food. Even a tiny amount of the allergy-causing food can trigger signs and symptoms such as digestive problems, hives or swollen airways. In some people, a food allergy can cause severe symptoms or even a life-threatening reaction known as anaphylaxis. Food allergy affects an estimated 8% of children under age 5 and up to 4% of adults. While there's no cure, some children outgrow their food allergies as they get older. It's easy to confuse a food allergy with a much more common reaction known as food intolerance. While  bothersome, food intolerance is a less serious condition that does not involve the immune system. Symptoms For some people, an allergic reaction to a particular food may be uncomfortable but not severe. For other people, an allergic food reaction can be frightening and even life-threatening. Food allergy symptoms usually develop within a few minutes to 2 hours after eating...

What is allergic rhinitis? An allergen is an otherwise harmless substance that causes an allergic reaction. Allergic rhinitis, or hay fever, is an allergic response to specific allergens. Pollen is the most common allergen in seasonal allergic rhinitis. These are allergy symptoms that occur with the change of seasons. Symptoms of allergic rhinitis Common symptoms of allergic rhinitis include: 1. sneezing 2. a runny nose 3. a stuffy nose 4. an itchy nose 5. coughing 6. a sore or scratchy throat 7. itchy eyes 8. watery eyes 9. dark circles under the eyes 10. frequent headaches 11. eczema-type symptoms, such as having extremely dry, itchy skin that can blister and weep 12. hives 13. excessive fatigue You’ll usually feel one or more of these symptoms immediately after coming into contact with an allergen. Some symptoms, such as recurrent headaches and fatigue, may only happen after long-term exposure to allergens. Fever isn’t a symptom of hay fever. Some people experience symptoms only rar...