Hepatitis C is a chronic disease of the liver that often lies dormant. In time, it generally causes scarring of the liver, liver failure and other complications such as liver cancer. The majority of those infected are treated with medications, and...
Sometimes, topical acne treatments just aren't enough. In fact, in some cases the blemish must be manually removed from the skin if you are to be given the best chance at complete healing. Acne extractions are typically only performed on severe...
A blister commonly results from friction or burns, according to the Mayo Clinic. A blister can appear almost anywhere on the body, but may emerge on the foot when shoes are bothersome. You can avoid developing a foot blister by choosing footwear...
Humans have practiced lower lip piercing, known as "labret piercing," since ancient times. The Mayan, Eskimo, Hindu, Chinese and American Indian cultures all have recorded histories of labret piercing, most often in relation to spiritual rituals...
Body piercing has become popular in the last decade, going far beyond simple ear piercing. Both men and women are now piercing their noses, tongues, ears, eyebrows, nipples, navels and their genitals. Unfortunately, various medical complications...
Skin tags are benign, usually small, skin growths that protrude from the skin. The tags commonly appear on areas of the body that experience a lot of friction, such as skin folds, and they are more common in those who are overweight or diabetic,...
Physicians use bone marrow biopsies to diagnose blood diseases such as low blood cell counts, blood cancers or blood infections. A bone marrow biopsy is a short procedure and usually takes about 15 minutes to complete. During the procedure, the...
If you have severe acne, standard topical and oral medications might not be enough to eradicate all the lesions. Deep-seated cystic eruptions are particularly likely to be resistant to treatment. Minor surgery, performed in a physician's office,...
Isopropyl alcohol, or rubbing alcohol, is often used in the home or in medical facilities to treat various conditions or to sterilize instruments and skin. However, if isopropyl alcohol is inhaled there can be serious side effects. Inhalation can...
Colon cleansing is a popular way for people to lose weight and to build the immune system. Usually a cleanse is done by eating specific foods and preparations, but some people will have a colon cleanse done by a practitioner using equipment to...
When considering an ear piercing, you want to pick an establishment that has your safety as its top priority. Asking questions about sterile instruments and cleaning procedures for equipment will help you make a safe decision on the establishment...
A trip to the nail salon should be relaxing, not worrisome. Manicures and pedicures are designed to relieve stress while sprucing up your appearance. Health hazards lurk in salons, however. Understanding what hazards you face when you walk through...
Inside the eye sits a lens that refracts light onto the retina, and the retina passes on the light, which turns into the visual images we see. Over time, the lens in the eye gradually turns thick and yellow, resulting in blurry, discolored vision....
A boil is an infection of a hair follicle and the immediately adjacent skin, usually caused by the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus. Furuncle describes an infection of a single hair follicle. Carbuncle refers to a larger area of infection,...
Tongue piercing began as a religious ritual among Aztec tribes. Aztecs believed that the tongue piercing would enable important members of their tribes to communicate with the gods. Now, tongue piercings are popular in the body modification...
Labret piercings are popular body piercings for both men and women. To avoid complications, individuals should choose a reputable piercer who uses sterile instruments and jewelry. Labret piercings, which are thought to enhance the look of the face...
While some women luxuriate in their growing belly during pregnancy, others find that the extra weight wreaks havoc on their self-esteem and body image. For many women, a navel ring serves as a connection to their pre-pregnancy body. Although...
Antibacterial hand sanitizers are convenient for use in emergencies when hand washing with soap and water is not possible. However, waterless sanitizers were not intended to fully replace the tried and true, traditional method. Overuse of...
Most people have heard that a colon cleanse is a healthy or even one of the most healthful things you can do for you body. This is true to an extent, since a regular colon cleanse by an experienced practitioner helps keep the colon free of...
Blackheads are one of many types of acne lesions that can pose an unwelcome blight on your complexion. The American Academy of Dermatology notes that a blackhead is an acne lesion known in medical terminology as a comedo, the plural of which is...
The potential for infection or transmitted diseases may deter you from obtaining a tattoo or body piercing. If you are a first time tattoo or piercing client, you depend on the professional performing the procedure to provide a safe environment...
If you're getting your ears pierced for the first time, you may be feeling nervous about the pain. Most people find that because a piercing is over very quickly, the anticipation of the pain was worse than the pain itself. There is no reason to be...
If you chose to have your piercing performed by a professional body piercer, your chances of contracting a blood-borne disease, such as hepatitis C, are minimal. Professional piercers sterilize instruments and needles in an autoclave to prevent...
There are many different types of acne lesions, some more noticeable than others. Whiteheads and blackheads, the two types of acne comedones, are generally less conspicuous, presenting in the form of skin-color bumps or small blackened pores. The...
Knee arthroscopy is a surgical procedure in which a small, rigid, fiber optic camera and lens are inserted into the knee joint under anesthetic, allowing the surgical team to have direct-view access to the internal structures of the joint and to...
After the stress and pain of getting your ears pierced, the healing process begins. Before changing your earrings, ask your piercer if you have completed the healing period to avoid irritation. Once your ear piercing is healed, you can change your...
Stretching earlobes dates back as far as King Tutankhamen from Egypt, according to the information website Brimstone Organics. Modifying the size of earlobes portrays a different meaning to each wearer. Religious journeys, rites of passage, social...
An ingrown hair occurs when a shaft of hair either fails to penetrate the follicle or re-enters the follicle, causing it to grow beneath the surface of the skin. As the ingrown hair grows, a noticeable bump develops, and the follicle becomes more...
Internal anal warts, also known as genital warts or condylomata acuminata, are one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases. According to the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (ASCRS), symptoms of internal anal warts include...
