As the largest organ of the body, the skin is a common site of disease. Serving as the body's interface with the environment, the skin is vulnerable to an array of infectious diseases that occur throughout life. Bacteria, viruses and fungi cause...
The surface of the human skin is, quite literally, covered in bacteria. Since bacteria aren't visible to the naked eye, a surface that looks clean might actually contain many millions of bacteria. The bacteria residing on skin are usually harmless...
AIDS is an immunodeficiency syndrome contracted through unprotected sex or via the blood of an infected person, Medline Plus says. The disease begins as HIV, a virus that attacks the immune system, destroying T-cells, a type of white blood cell...
Hyaluronic acid is a natural substance found in various parts of your body including your skin, eye fluids, joint fluid and soft connective tissue. It is also available in synthetic forms that include injectable and topical gels, lotions and...
Azadirachta indica, commonly referred to as neem, is a large evergreen tree native to India. Almost every part of the neem tree is used in folk medicine, with the bark, leaf, seed, seed oil, root, flower and fruit all containing medicinal...
Pyoderma describes any skin infection that is pyogenic, meaning there is local inflammation serious enough to cause the production of pus. It may be caused by an infectious agent such as bacteria or fungus or, rarely, it can signal an autoimmune...
Throughout human history, bacteria have been a leading cause of disease and death. The 20th century marked a turning point in the struggle against bacterial diseases, with improvements in water sanitation, implementation of vaccine programs and...
Diseases attack our bodies through several systems: skin, respiratory, digestive, immune, cardiovascular and neurological. Foreign invaders such as bacterial, viral, parasitic and fungal agents cause a variety of common illnesses and diseases....
Bacterial, viral, fungal and parasitic diseases exist on the skin and in mucus, blood and other body fluids. Some germs are transferred through inhalation and others are obtained by touch. The transfer of fecal-to-oral diseases occurs when an...
Certain dietary supplements may help to speed your post-surgical recovery. According to MedlinePlus, more than 15 million Americans have surgery every year. Although there have been many advances in surgical techniques, after surgery you are at...
You are no doubt already intimately familiar with the main product of the excretory system: urine. In response to your body's attempt to balance water and salts, and to get rid of wastes, urine is produced. If not removed by your body, wastes...
Bacterial arthritis is a form of infectious arthritis in which the organisms invade the normally sterile joint space. Patients of any age may develop bacterial arthritis. The inflammatory immune system response to the infection and proteins...
Sea salts and Epsom salts (magnesium sulfate), both commonly used in the beauty industry, contain minerals that can help to enhance the skin. The magnesium in Epsom salts can reduce inflammation, while sulfates flush out toxins, according to the...
Recently, interest is growing in the use of an alternative antifungal remedy called neem, which has been used routinely in Pakistan and India for many years. Properties of extracts of neem leaf, bark and seeds have been studied clinically and...
Skin is a barrier that protects our internal organs from infection and disease, helps regulate body temperature and prevents nutrient loss to the environment. It comprises the dermis and epidermis layers, as well as hair follicles and sweat...
People are taught to wash their hands regularly and to avoid germs and bacteria to stay healthy, so it seems strange that probiotics, or bacteria that naturally occurs in some foods, could actually be beneficial to their health. The truth is,...
The facial rash and skin redness associated with rosacea can cause discomfort and embarrassment in the 16 million or more adults in the United States who are diagnosed with the disease. Rosacea is a complicated and poorly understood skin...
Sarsaparilla grows in Jamaica, Mexico, Honduras and India, where the roots of this woody trailing vine are used for medicinal purposes. It has a sweet spicy taste and a pleasant aroma. Sarsaparilla was used to treat syphilis as far back as...
Varicella, or chickenpox, is primarily a disease seen in childhood, but it is not uncommon in adults. Varicella is spread by direct contact or inhalation of airborne droplets. If a person touches the fluid from an infected lesion, they could...
Communicable diseases are diseases transmitted between people, from animals to people, or from inanimate objects to people notes the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. Many different types of communicable diseases exist, with varying degrees...
Gotu kola is a perennial herb that grows wild in tropical countries such as South Africa, Sri Lanka and India. It is characterized by small, heart-shaped leaves and purple flowers. The ancient natives of Ceylon, which is now Sri Lanka, believed...
Tiny, crusty bumps on the skin often cause discomfort, frustration and embarrassment. Although rarely a cause for medical concern, tiny red crusty bumps on the skin that worsen, persist or are accompanied by other symptoms such as swelling or...
